Chinese / Himalayan Androsace

[Lawrence]

Have just taken delivery of a few Chinese/ Himalayan Androsace from Ger van den Beuken: mucronifolia, nortonii, tapete, tangulashensis, zambalensis etc. in his availability list he states these varieties as preferring acidic soil. Has anyone experience of growing these? and can you suggest a suitable compost mix?
Many thanks
Lawrence

[Philippe]

I grow A.tangulashanensis in pure acidic sand. I once put it in the sandbed, 3 years ago, in order not to kill it with too much organic material or moisture, and since then, it just stays there and thrives happily, even if very slowly, and has not flowered yet.
A.mucronifolia should probably be treated like A.sempervivoides: a draining and light good soil, with more food content it seems. It also grows perfectly in acidic conditions here.

[Tristan_He]

Don't know about any of the species you mention Lawrence. But I planted an A. muscoidea this year and wedged it vertically under a north-facing piece of tufa for protection from the rain. It's also in the lee of a wall. It seems quite happy so far and no sign of chlorosis (whether it will survive the wet Welsh winter is another thing). Compost is a mix of Westland topsoil and sharp sand from the builders' merchants - I'm afraid I haven't tested the pH but I would be surprised if it is below 7.