Re: Re:CULT: pH, lime, & soft rot (was Leaf Removal & Soft Rot

In a message dated 2/14/2003 11:19:02 AM Central Standard Time, 
lmann@volfirst.net writes:


> Also, just to complicate things, calcium is a very important plant
> nutrient, especially in actively growing tissues, roots, and other
> underground parts (rhizomes).  And since calcium is usually the other
> half of the material added to raise pH values (make soil solution more
> basic), adding lime may also be improving the overall ability of the
> iris plant to cope with drought/temporary deluge and disease (i.e. soft
> rot).
> 
> So, Bill, for your next experiment, try some beds with pH raised with a
> non-calcium source of base (sodium hydroxide?), compared to those with
> equivalent amounts of comparable neutral salt, compared to those with pH
> raised with equivalent base exchange of lime (calcium carbonate),
> compared to a neutral calcium source (calcium nitrate)..
> 
> And then do some beds with & without pH raised with all of the above
> combined with & without worms & organic matter <g>.  Then buy a new
> computer and hire a data analyst to make sense of the results <g>
> 

I've used both sodium hydroxide and clorine bleech to adjust pH levels in 
addition to hydrated lime and agricultural lime . My pH generally has to be 
lowered here though and I find myself using more sulfur than lime. I've not 
attempted to measure growth rate changes between equal pHs derived with different 
amendments and honestly do not expect to, prefering instead to observe growth 
rates/rot in varing soil types and adjusting to different pH levels. If soil 
analysis indicates sufficient micro nutrients, including calcium and sulphur, 
additional calcium or sulphur will not be taken up by the plant reguardless of how 
much is present.

Organic matter content has a far greater effect on moisture retention and 
soil tilth than it does on nutrient content though it does contribute.

Even kitchen hobbienst must start with

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE IRIS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index