Camelia re-potting mix?

Nollie

I have a camelia that needs a bigger pot. I have ericaceous compost, but it is quite light,  mostly pine-based. The John Innes loam-based ericaceous compost would presumably be better, but not available here. Is there anything else acidic I can add to beef it up and extend the nutrient availability? Is it possible to make a loam-based acidic compost and if so, what from? My garden soil is extremely alkaline so I don’t want to add any of that.

Fairygirl

Can you buy basic topsoil @Nollie? Something neutral will be fine. You could also add rotted manure and chipped bark if you can get those. 

Nollie

Hi @Fairygirl, no never seen top soil for sale, although my local mayor can supply ordinary field soil, but it will be very alkaline as it all is around here. I have some bagged horse manure, but it’s PH is 7.8-8.2, so again, a bit alkaline - I can mix a small quantity of that in and have some conifer chippings I can mulch it with.

I guess I was wondering if there was anything else naturally acid I could mix in to make the potting medium a bit more substantial/nutrient rich as I want the next pot to last for a few years at least. Aside from the pine-based compost, I suppose the missing ingredient for an acid loam is peat, but can’t countenance using that!

Fairygirl

It does make it a bit difficult if you can't get some decent soil @Nollie.  
I'm afraid a peat based medium is the ideal for them if the soil isn't suitable.

Nollie

Hmm, thought I would end up coming full circle, back to peat! I guess I am just going to have to feed it regularly.