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| When growing
alpines always check if the species is garden tolerant
or specialist as they will require different treatments
and conditions. Garden tolerant species are generally
undemanding and provide an array of displays from showy
flowers, spreading mound and mat formers to gentle
edging of beds. Specialist alpines require extremely
free draining soil and guarding from excessive wet
winter weather. Keep their roots cool and ensure plenty
of sun is received. Moist, acid soil in the shade,
raised treated and controlled beds or rock gardens are
the best types of environments for these species. By
raising the alpines you can lift them from the
underlying soil and treat using gritty compost. Using
rock gardens or stone walls to grow alpines is a great
way of replicating their natural habitat. |
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| When building rock gardens ensure your soil is dry as
rocks and constant walking on will compact wet soil thus
making it harder for plants to grow there. Drainage and
roots mobility will be hindered by the process.
Construct your rock garden south or south-west facing if
possible and on a slope. Always remove all weeds and
debris before starting as they will penetrate your rock
garden at a later date. Best to spray the site a few
weeks before beginning the work or if your going organic
start pulling them out ensuring to get as much of the
stem and roots that you can. Keep going back to watch
for any new shoots before you start as it is extremely
difficult to pull out persistent weeds once the rock
garden is finished. On sloping sites the drainage is
usually substantial, if building your rock garden on a
level you must ensure adequate drainage is in place. A
drainage system may be needed or simply raising your
garden above ground level may also help. If your site
already has adequate drainage then you may just dig it
over, gently tread it over to avoid sinkage then fork
the surface. It may be handy to design where you will
put your rocks before actually placing them in. Do this
on paper, computer or by making a miniature model of the
site. Aim for it to look as natural as where the alpines
usually grow. Pictures from reference books or online
sites will enable you to see their habitat. Build the
base first by putting in a layer of coarse materials
such as stones, broken bricks and gravel. Place a sheet
of polypropylene sheet over the top and punch in holes
to aid drainage. Use topsoil or weed free soil as your
surface layer. Using protective gear place your rocks
into position. Place enough in the site for it to look
like a realistic rocky setting but leave space for
planting. Bury the rocks to a third of their size and
tip backwards to enable water to run off. Ensure they
are stable. Before planting pack in sharply drained
compost where you will be putting your plants. Alpines
purchased as pot plants can be planted at any time of
the year but avoid doing it when the soil is wet or
frozen, or very warm. Water first and allow to drain.
Read all labels before planting so that you know which
species prefer more sun or shade, which will grown
fastest, or which will last longest. Position around the
site in pots first to gauge an idea what the end product
will look like. Remove the plants from their pots and
loosen the roots. Make a hole in the compost large
enough for the roots to slot in. Water in and top dress
with gravel. Keep them all moist until new growth
appears. Planting in crevices uses the same techniques
although the root ball may need to be trimmed to fit in
the hole. Using small stones as support is a good idea
to stop your plant from falling out, also compact around
the plant with compost. Birds will attempt to eat your
alpines so the use of netting may be needed whilst they
getting established. |
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| An
alpine house is simply an unheated greenhouse with
raised shelves designed for growing and displaying.
During the winter many alpines use the snow covering as
insulation and protection from the elements. In our
everyday gardens this may not be practical or plausible.
Sometimes a simple blanket of mesh or fleece may be
sufficient but in some cases an alpine house should be
used. Using alpine houses enables the most daring of
gardeners to try their hand at tending some of the more
exotic alpines. Species that simply cannot handle our
climate conditions will bloom and flourish in an alpine
house and even those species that may be coping alright
with the weather can be brought in for display. Alpine
houses not only protect from the weather they also guard
against pests and diseases. Displays of these
fascinating plants are wide and varied and open to your
imagination. Simply arrange your potted alpines on the
shelving and let their magnificent beauty speak for
itself, or plunge the pots into a large tray of sand.
This helps to keep the roots moist and cool and allows
for fuss free watering. Incorporate mini rock gardens
into your alpine house. |
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| Display alpines
may look more striking when in clay pots as they have
that rustic, authentic edge to them, however nowadays
there are some fantastic clay replica plastic pots that
do the exact same as clay for water retention. Place a
layer of free draining material in the bottom, grit for
plastic pots and broken plates or pots in the clay pots.
Then a layer of compost, equal parts grit and loam
based. Plant the pots and top dress with a
material that is suitable to the plants needs. Limestone
for lime lovers, granitic grit for lime haters etc.
Plastic pots retain their moisture more so do not
overwater. Repot when needed taking care to not disturb
the root ball. |
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| Ventilation in alpine houses is a must. Doors can be
left open, except in high winds or heavy rain, to
maximise air circulation. Temperature also needs to be
regulated. Shading may be required in hot weather but
ensure to not completely black them out as the plants
will grow towards the next available light source and
may end up misshapen. Gently mist plants to maintain
humidity. Heating may be required in extreme cold
weather as they will not have the snow blanket to
protect them. Check your plants for dead foliage and
remove. Treat all outbreaks of pests and diseases
effectively and swiftly. When watering try to water the
base of the plants as they do not like overhead
watering. Ensure that the compost is always damp to
touch, never dry or wet. Attempt to top dress your show
or display alpines with materials that are appropriate
to where they come from to aid in authenticity. |
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