Chronic1978
Member
How long does dolomite lime stay active? Do you have to re-add it ever time when amending supersoil for the next grow?
thx
thx
Do you need dolomite lime when amending supersoil
- Thread starter Chronic1978
- Start date
Phytoplankton
Well-Known Member
Dolomite lime takes up to 24 months to fully break down, so I would say no, to re-amending each grow.
GreenGenez421
Well-Known Member
Not to be "that guy", but why are you relying on dolomite in a supersoil? There are better alternatives for the longevity.
Chronic1978
Member
Such as?
GreenGenez421
Well-Known Member
Crustation meal, oyster shell, mussel shell, granulated gypsum
The whole idea behind a "supersoil" is to give the microbial population something to breakdown. I run veganic 4x8 beds, it's been years since I've had to add any cal/mag inputs. A healthy and productive soil doesn't need pH adjustments.
Chronic1978
Member
I see where you're coming from but I only grow 2 pounds for myself once per year and the rest of the time my soil is stored in 100L containers. I don't grow non-stop and don't have a garden to get rid of used soil so I just re-amend it every year. I feed kelp, compost teas, molasses, etc at the appropriate times and I'm very happy with my end result. I don't think switching out dolomite lime for oyster shells will make any noticeable difference for me. I was just wondering how long it stayed active.
Wastei
Well-Known Member
I also avoid dolomite lime in soil for Cannabis since it has a breakdown time of sometime 24 months and the magnesium part is typically what's broken down first. It's better to focus on more active inputs to feed the microbial life.
Like you mention gypsum and the Calcium carbonate from the shells is a way superior and safer alternative in the long run. Dolomite lime is fine in a very prepared and controlled setting but has no place growing Cannabis with no-till IMO.
GreenGenez421
Well-Known Member
I completely agree with the no-till! Dolomite works, and in some cases is the more ideal choice but when your utilizing a "feeding the soil" scenario with teas and such, it tends to work against the natural harmony of the soil. Dolomite works at making /keeping shit alkaline, sometimes to well. If I were using a generic bag soil and running a liquid fertilizer A and B and that's all, then yeah I'd probably go with it.
Week4@inCharge
Well-Known Member
Wish I read this 3 years ago ..some good stuff.
Michaela15
New Member
Dolomite lime stays active for a long time, even a few months, because it breaks down slowly. But it’s good practice to re-add it with each new grow cycle – about 1-2 tablespoons per gallon of soil. Over time, soil pH drops, and dolomite keeps it balanced while adding calcium and magnesium.
ps.
Don’t overdo it, though, or you’ll clog up the soil and mess with drainage. I always mix it in when recycling my supersoil, and it works like a charm. XD If you wanna be precise, grab a basic pH meter – it’ll tell you when to top up the lime.
Week4@inCharge
Well-Known Member
And too much Calcium will wreak havoc to your soil as well, if not mindful of it you could quickly add way too much calcium to the soil. Especially if your watering with hard tap water, then you might be top dressing with amendments that have calcium in already. Before you know it your wondering why there's a potassium/magnesium problem.
Chronic1978
Member
So, I've read here that dolomite lime stays active for a few months and in another post that it stays active for up to 2 years. There are comments saying that I do not have to add it each time I re-amend and comments that say it's fine to do so. All quite contradictory. Is there any consensus to be reached?
What exactly is "overdoing it" with calcium? How much is too much and how can soil be tested for calcium excess?
What exactly is "overdoing it" with calcium? How much is too much and how can soil be tested for calcium excess?
Week4@inCharge
Well-Known Member
Chronic1978
Member
I have no access to that, I'm not in the US or Europe.
Week4@inCharge
Well-Known Member
Your best bet is to just not to add it (on its own) if you don't know anything about it. There are proprietary blends that have measured balanced nutrients to not create lockouts.
Get some distilled water and a pH meter, determine what your pH is and add dolomitic lime if the pH is low. How finely ground the lime is and the pH of the soil you are adding it to determines how fast it reacts. The same principal with oyster shells. Your water source should be factored in also, you could be liming every watering.