Re: Culture - Soil pH
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: Culture - Soil pH
- From: D* S* <s*@molalla.net>
- Date: Tue, 25 Mar 1997 13:57:02 -0700 (MST)
David Silverberg wrote:
>
> There was talk recently on iris-l about garden soil with a pH in the
> alkaline range (i.e. above 7.0). While Nancy & I were on our trip I
> happened across the September '96 issue of the Dahlia Society Bulletin.
> As I browsed through it I came across the following and copied it out
> for my own reference. I think it is quite apropos to provide it to the
> list:
>
> To RAISE soil one unit of pH using:
>
> HYDRATED LIME:
> 1. Light soil - 1 & 1/2 lb per 100 sq ft
> 2. Heavy soil - 3 & 1/2 lb per 100 sq ft
>
> DOLOMITE:
> 1. Light soil - 2 lb per 100 sq ft
> 2. Heavy soil - 5 & 1/2 lb per 100 sq ft.
>
> GROUND LIMESTONE:
> 1. Light soil - 2 & 1/2 lb per 100 sq ft
> 2. Heavy soil - 6 lb per 100 sq ft.
>
> To LOWER soil one unit of pH using:
>
> SULPHUR:
> 1. Light soil - 1/2 lb per 100 sq ft
> 2. Heavy soil - 2 lb per 100 sq ft
>
> ALUMINUM SULFATE:
> 1. Light soil - 2 & 1/2 lb per 100 sq ft
> 2. Heavy soil - 6 & 1/2 lb per 100 sq ft
>
> IRON SULFATE:
> 1. Light soil - 3 lb per 100 sq ft
> 2. Heavy soil - 7 &1/2 lb per 100 sq ft
>
> There are two points which I didn't notice in my brief look at the
> article:
>
> 1. What did the author mean by "one unit"? Is it 0.1 OR 1.0?
>
> 2. Iron sulfate can be found in two separate states of being depending
> upon its oxidation state. Ferrous with a +2 valence state and Ferric
> with a +3 valence.
> It has been much too long since I had my basic chemistry!! My instinct
> tells me that it is probably the Ferric. Are there any Dahlia Society
> members out there who can do some research??
>
> Regards
>
> Dave Silverberg
> Molalla, Oregon
> Where Spring arrived right on schedule with just the right mix of warmth
> and sunshine.
> P.S. All Hail the Hale-Bopp!! Saw it last night for the first time! WOW!
