Composting for Carex Testacea

Hi.

I am about to plant a mature carex testacea and wondering what kind of compost is best. I have John Innes No3 mature plant compost and farm manure. Could you tell me which would be better for this plant? The label says it likes acidic soil.

Also, do carex testaceas like a lot of fertilizer? The plant label says mix in acid soil improver and general plant food. But some people say carex testaceas don't like nutrition, and just need well drained soil. So I am confused.

Thanks.

 

Hi jineu, I have never found that this sedge needs an acid soil before, though it would grow in it. It seems to grow in more or less any reasonably well drained soil in my experience. Personally, if I was planting it in the garden, so long as the soil was reasonable I wouldn't do anything! If you start adding manure or other fertilisers you might get greener growth? It isn't particularly hungry and you want to keep that lovely bronzey colour.
If it's really sticky, maybe stick in some of your JI3.
If you are talking about growing it in a pot, the JI3 should be OK or a mix of this with some multipurpose.
It is really not too fussy, so long as it doesn't get waterlogged in the winter. Last winter did see off a few plants in very exposed positions, (for the first time in my experience of this plant)

 

I am trying to find the best soil mix for Carex Testacea. I tried giving farm manure (recommended by the nursery I bought it from) but after a week the tips of the leaves started wilting and turning into straws. So I took it out of the ground. Someone in a Web forum said Carex Testaceas don't like much nutrition and just need sandy loam. The plant label says I should use acidic soil improver and general compost. But I am not sure how much I can trust this.

I may treat it like other rock plants, which like sandy soil and peat. But I am not sure if Carex Testaceas like peat. Can someone tell me if this will be good for the plant? Or should I follow what the plant label says?

Thanks.

 

Carex testacea will be happy with either peat or rotted manure (manure is best) as long as it is well mixed with the soil. It doesn't need acidic conditions. It prefers full sun, and hates being too dry. Don't over feed it. It is normal for some leaves and some leaf tips to go pale coloured and die off, as long as it's not too many.

 

I agree with Lavender about not overfeeding....hang on, have you asked about this on a previous thread, it sounds familiar?

 

see your newer thread too!:lollol: