It doesn't need 'compost,' 'farm manure' or fertilizer. It prefers moist and fast-draining soil...I'd call it sandy loam. It does not want rich soil. My soil is naturally acidic, so I don't amend for Carex. If yours is not, try some Azalea-type amendment..in very light doses.

Thank you very much donn. So it's behaving like rock plants, which don't like fertile soil. But the plant label for carex says dig a hole twice as big as the root ball and put plant food. I am puzzled why it says that.

Don't know why the label would say that, clarendon. But when horticultural commerce disagrees with fellow gardeners, I go with the gardeners every time. Although I agree with donn, I often ignore best conditions and just go with what I have. In this case, I have Carex testacea in two spots, one in heavy clay and one in competition with mature holly roots. Both are partly sunny, a blessing at my house this summer with 76 days in the 90s. The soil is naturally very slightly acidic. I feed neither one and water only when I feel really guilty. My point being that C. testacea is a pretty tough plant and will probably be happy in ordinary garden soil. Just don't kill it with kindness.

Thank you very much for your reply. I called the garden center I bought my carex from and asked them what to do. They told me to mix in farm manure and said it will make the soil acidic. So I followed their advice, but still feel unsafe. Carexes are rock plants and they don't like too much nutrition. Some website even says farm manures are prohibited for rock plants. I am really confused. Will just have to wait and see.

I am losing messages. They keep disappearing. What is the problem?

I got my messages back somehow. Sorry about the fuss.