Dolomite

Delta · May 24, 2014

A friend of mine is a distributor of pharmaceutical supplies. He would be happy to give me a bucket of Dolomite (I'll assume pharma grade). Many of my plants show signs of calcium, magnesium deficiency.
Would dolomite be beneficial?

I'll post photos of the plants as soon as I get a chance.

Thanks!

juanitos · May 24, 2014

yes, if you get the powder you can mix it in to water and feed it that way.

Delta · May 27, 2014

Thank you OKGrowin! It is in powder form. Any idea as to what ratio? The plants are 3 months old.

I'm not going to bother posting pics.

Cayennemist · May 28, 2014

I'd add some compost or worm casting, to help get your soil going in addition to the dolomite.

Delta · May 29, 2014

I can't find any of that around here. I'm still looking though! Thank you.

ColdSmoke · May 29, 2014

Delta said:
I can't find any of that around here. I'm still looking though! Thank you.

The internet sells those things

Koreansoul · May 30, 2014

I'd be interested to know the ratio as well. From what I've read on other posts I think it's 1sp per gallon? Can someone confirm?

Proud Marine Dad · May 30, 2014

ColdSmoke said:
The internet sells those things

True! Buildasoil.com has everything you need and kelp4less has quite a bit as well. I can't see where finding compost would be that difficult.
Dolomite is slow to break down so oyster shell meal would be my first choice followed by any of the other crustacean meals like crab meal which I used to balance the acidity of the peat moss in my mix.

juanitos · May 30, 2014

Delta said:
Thank you OKGrowin! It is in powder form. Any idea as to what ratio? The plants are 3 months old.
I'm not going to bother posting pics.

Koreansoul said:
I'd be interested to know the ratio as well. From what I've read on other posts I think it's 1sp per gallon? Can someone confirm?

Well dolomite will raise your soil PH so you need to be careful you aren't going to make your already stable soil go too alkaline and make your plants go into nutrient lockout.

1 tbsp per gallon of soil(note i'm sayin soil, not water) is what i used for my 5-1-1, raises ph by about 1.

Delta · May 31, 2014

Very useful information. Thank you all. I'll do my homework before using dolomite.

Do oyster shell or crab meal raise the ph as well?

John1234 · Jun 1, 2014

Yup, though I believe crabshell buffers at 1/4-1/5 strength of something like oyster or limestone. Currently curing soil with the 1-1-2 (dolo-gypsum-oyster/limestone) mix popularized by Steve Solomon through CC et al.

Random information, cottonseal meal, besides coming from a GMO/pesticide heavy industry, will acidfy soil if used as a large portion of a meal mixture.

Delta · Jun 2, 2014

Thanks miguelovic. Gonna stay away from the "GMO/pesticide heavy industry" stuff though. lol

John1234 · Jun 4, 2014

Good call, just thought I'd throw it out there as a useless fact

Proud Marine Dad · Jun 4, 2014

Delta said:
Very useful information. Thank you all. I'll do my homework before using dolomite.

Do oyster shell or crab meal raise the ph as well?

They also add calcium so you won't have to listen to the mantra of the Cal-Mag cult. :rofl:

Swampy_NZ · Jun 5, 2014

It is almost impossible to raise your soil PH over 7 with Dolomite lime.It is stabilized at 7.Once it hits 7 it stays there.
The downside of to much lime would be to much cal and mag.
Dont be afraid of dolomite,its good stuff.