Re: CULT: CAT: Tempo Two & lime

Hi Rosalie, Barry B is still lurking and sent me a note of explanation.
He didn't say how much in the catalog because it was a general comment
based on others' experience.  In particular, he says W.R. Dykes had said
that he applied a heavy dressing of lime in winter to raise pH and
reduce leaf spot.

And, as BB says, a heavy dose of lime won't hurt bearded irises, and
maybe it will help, especially soils that are heavier (more clay).

After reading the various comments here about beneficial effects of
gypsum (calcium sulfate) and lime in preventing/curing rot, I've been
more consistent about adding crushed dolomitic limestone twice a year.
I've also been using some dolomitic limestone <manufactured sand>, which
is a bit coarser than builders' sand and should hopefully have a more
time-released effect.

How much?  More or less 1/4 teaspoon per fan twice/year for my soil,
with no test of pH.  Has it helped reduce spot?  Beats me - each year's
weather is so different from the last, no comparison can be made and my
soil isn't uniform enough to do comparisons with and without lime.

<Linda, if you find out how much lime, please let me know in case I miss
the
                   info.  I also noticed that little tidbit in that
beautiful catalog!  ...Rosalie nr Baltimore,USA  zone
                   7 (and we actually had 7 days without rain!)
ryfigge@aol.com>

--
Linda Mann east Tennessee USA zone 7/8
East Tennessee Iris Society <http://www.korrnet.org/etis>
American Iris Society web site <http://www.irises.org>
talk archives: <http://www.hort.net/lists/iris-talk/>
photos archives: <http://www.hort.net/lists/iris-photos/>
online R&I <http://www.irisregister.com>

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