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Amherst, WI

My soil test indicates a Calcium level of 2000 ppm. I would like to raise this to at least 3000 ppm. I am considering adding calcium sulphate this fall as my ph is 7.2 and I do not wish to raise the ph. How much calcium sulphate should I add to my 3700 sq ft patch? Adding bone meal may be a good choice also, but what will that do to the ph level? My potassium is 358 ppm and magnesium is 425ppm.

11/1/2003 9:17:05 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

Randy,
I've added over 550# in 2 years to 3000 (plus or minus) sq ft. My calcium levels were very high at the beginning of the season and I had tissue analysis a few weeks ago that showed plant uptake was High-to-Very High.
My understanding is that bone meal takes a *very* long time to become effective. I read somewhere a claim that it took 100 years before it was 100% available to the plant. I added lots last Fall when my soil test came back and it didn't do zip. My levels were low all year, my plants were stunted, and plant uptake sucked......I'm looking for a quicker soluble solution.

11/1/2003 10:54:23 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Randy - others hear would like to see your % of saturation before commenting. I'm sure if you posted it Steve or Doc would comment.

11/2/2003 9:55:49 AM

Amherst, WI

Percent Base Saturation - %K 6.3 Mg 24.5 Ca 69.2 Cation exchange capacity meq/100g 14.5. Also did a plant analysis which reported ; Nitrogen 5.91% Sulfur .34% Phosphorus .89% Potassium 3.78% Magnesium .60% Calcium 1.95% Sodium .01% Boron 33ppm Zinc 46ppm Manganese 62ppm Iron 160ppm Copper 9ppm Aluminum 88ppm. I really appreciate any help on this.

11/2/2003 10:40:04 AM

Utah

seems like Chelated Calcium would be a good option for you.

http://www.groworganic.com/a/item_F1782_LiquidCalciumChelate12Fertall25G.html

11/4/2003 8:58:41 AM

Utah

http://www.agri-cal.com/

11/4/2003 9:07:40 AM

Utah

http://www.uas-cropmaster.com/cal.htm

UAS of America, Inc.
Tel: 727-861-7710 Fax: 727-861-7103
Toll free (US and Canada only) 800-476-6674

11/4/2003 9:22:20 AM

Wood River, Nebraska

Randy, you need Gypsum. Our Co-op sells it as Cal-Sul, which is Calcium Sulfate. The sulfur won’t raise your pH but I'm not sure there is enough to significantly lower it either. I started last fall with a pH of 7.4 and added 50# of elemental sulfur to my 2,700 sq ft area. My pH this fall was 6.7. For a soil profile comparison see my post earlier in this board "help reading soil test results". My Ca currently is 1838 ppm. Steve, (Tremor) suggested adding 30-50# Gypsum/1000 sq ft.
stewee=dave

11/4/2003 11:17:36 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Dave is correct. The anount of sulfur found in Gypsum isn't enough to influence pH drops to the point we're concerned. So 50 Lbs. of Gypsum per 1000 sq ft would do a nice job raising your calcium levels. And you really would benefit from bringing Ca up relative to the Mg.

Judging by the base saturations, I'd wager this patch got slammed pretty good with Lime in the past year or so. Is that correct?

Steve

11/4/2003 9:12:06 PM

Amherst, WI

No lime, Steve. I did add a lot of wood ashes last year to bring up the potassium level. Thankyou everyone for the responses.

11/4/2003 9:59:30 PM

Montoursville, PA

Wood ashes create the same effect as lime but sometimes faster and not as long term lasting as ground limestone.
I have no problem with that. Just my two cents worth. I use them gingerly with most wood ashes going to compost piles first.

11/9/2003 10:57:18 PM