From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Adams County

will this raise my P H level

2/7/2008 9:42:06 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

No. Lime raises the pH. Gypsum supplies calcium without altering the pH.

2/7/2008 11:47:02 PM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

tremor is right, Apply it soon

2/8/2008 7:45:31 PM

Adams County

thanks, just the answer I was looking for.
thank you, Bill

2/8/2008 8:51:31 PM

Adams County

Also, is there a set amount per sq. ft ?
Bill

2/8/2008 8:54:13 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

If you had a soil test report in hand we could get specific. But a decent rule of thumb is 100 lbs/1000 sf.

2/8/2008 11:06:36 PM

Santa Rosa, CA.

If I wanted to raise my Ca level from 2000ppm to 3000ppm in a 3000sf patch how much gypsum would I need? What is the mathematical formula used or is there more to it.

2/9/2008 10:49:58 PM

Adams County

Tremor, thanks that helps a bunch, thanks Bill

2/10/2008 7:34:53 AM

Santa Rosa, CA.

Sorry Bill, I should have started a new post.

2/10/2008 8:25:54 PM

Adams County

No problem, I also might need to know that answer

2/10/2008 9:22:07 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

1000 PPM Increase = about 2700 lbs Calcium (as an element) per acre foot of soil.
Gypsum is 21-23% Calcium by weight. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see where this is going. 13,500 lbs of Gypsum per acre (310 lbs/1000 sf) is NOT advisable.

We cannot "fix" a soil test report without causing grave injury to the soil & checkbook.

It is not practical to "feed the soil test" when all we're trying to do is grow better pumpkins. That said, if you are diligent & make regulat annual applications, you can expect your soil test reports to keep improving over time without harming the soil or going bankrupt in the quest.

100 lbs/1000 per year is good provided you soil test a couple months later to be sure we aren't knocking other elements out of balance.

2/10/2008 11:55:57 PM

Midwest

use foliar and drenches of soluable Ca to keep it available to the roots and leaves when it needs it.

2/12/2008 1:43:13 PM