Dolomite Lime?

[drezz]

Originally Posted by casserole

Dolomite lime is added to pine bark based mixes because the bark is acidic ,dolomite fixes that ....
Ca and Mg dont address the acidicy at all,

Right, I make Al's 5:1:1 mix so I must add some lime as it contains both pine bark and peat. I tend to make it by the tote full which is convent for storage.

I use 2 cubic feet of pine bark, 5 gallons of peat, 5 gallons of perlite, and 2 cups of lime pellets. The lime adjusts pH and provides Mg/Ca. If you are working with a pH adjusted mix (such as a commercial potting soil) or a naturally neutral mix then you should use gypsum and Epsom salt.

[casserole]

swinefka, miracle grow potting mix is peat based. peat is peat based ,manure is Not a good idea in containers
mixes like you suggest hold too much water and chocks off oxygen the roots need
Growing in a 5 gallon bucket is not the same as an Earth tainer .

[babice]

What is the difference between dolomite lime and any other kind of lime? And why is the dolomite kind important for growing toms?

[elight]

Hydrated lime can "burn" your plants and you want to avoid it. I honestly still don't know the different betweeb dolomitic/garden/agricultural lime and the pelletized lime sold for cheap in big bags at Home Depot/Lowe's. I think perhaps the former is absorbed quicker into the potting mix.

[mysidx]

Originally Posted by casserole

swinefka, miracle grow potting mix is peat based. peat is peat based ,manure is Not a good idea in containers
mixes like you suggest hold too much water and chocks off oxygen the roots need
Growing in a 5 gallon bucket is not the same as an Earth tainer .

I do not normally grow in containers, and I got the Idea of mixing metro-mix with compost/manure from Craig. I'm growing my Dwarf projects in them and so far they look great.

[fortyonenorth]

Originally Posted by babice

What is the difference between dolomite lime and any other kind of lime? And why is the dolomite kind important for growing toms?

The various limes used for agricultural purposes are comprised of magnesium and calcium (actually magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate). The different types (e.g. dolomitic, ag lime, hi-cal lime, etc.) are common names given to limes with different relative amounts of these elements. Ag lime, sweet lime and hi-calcium lime are mostly calcium (typically 30-70%), with very little magnesium. Dolomitic lime has much more magnesium - 10-15% magnesium along with 20-30% calcium is typical. Some folks believe that a 2:1 ratio of calcium:magnesium is good so the ratio of Dolomite lime is pretty close to this.

Dolomite lime serves two functions - it neutralizes soil acidity and it is a source of calcium and magnesium which are important nutrients.

[babice]

Originally Posted by fortyonenorth

Dolomite lime serves two functions - it neutralizes soil acidity and it is a source of calcium and magnesium which are important nutrients.

Thanks fortyonenorth! Very good explanation.

[swinefka]

Well I am a little confused now because I have read in alot of articles by people who grow vegetables in 5 gallon buckets that cow compost is really good for tomatoes as well as alot of other things.

So my main question now is do I or don't I use manure compost to mix in with my Miracle grow, spagnum peat and perlite? If not what is my best soil mix for tomatoes, zuchinni, cucumbers and beans which is what I am growing out of them.