Just trying to pick some brains here. Currently putting a new soil mix together and I was wondering if anyone has preferred one over the other. I realize they both add their own benefits aside from PH adjustment, but I wanted to know if using OSF would work just as well as dolomite for a liming agent. Thanks in advance!
Dolomitic lime is 2:1 calcium to magnesium, that is usually too much magnesium.
Oyster shell flower is 96% calcium and micronutrients and can be used without the worries/problems that too much magnesium can cause(calcium lock out/soil compaction)
Thanks @Garden-Buddy for the input. Does OSF adjust the ph enough to not require lime?
lime will act faster. oyster shell gonna need some time to be digest my microbes.
Thanks for the reply @anhthormap ! I think I may do a test for everyone… I thought just adding it to a base mix would bring up ph. Thanks.
100% Natural
For cannabis a 2:1 calcium to magnesium ratio is actually perfect! So no issues there
I’d personally use oyster shells as contain a complex of micro nutrients…
Just my .02
Alaskagrown
EDIT: TBH I’d actually use both as will give an extended calcium release as both break down at different timings…don’t forget about egg shells as well!
@Alaskagrown I think I will make up a couple batches and send off for testing to see if there are any differences. I’ve always used dolomite personally with no issues but wanted to get a better reading from you folks! Thanks for you’re professional opinion bud!
@HashstasH Thanks, I’ve read that along with quite a few other articles, just trying to get some answers I suppose. Great read btw!
Dolomite is slow release so that establishes the minimum base level of Ca & Mg. I add a powdered eggshell, this is a short and medium source of Ca. It’s a free byproduct and crushed oyster shell is at a premium here.
Another good one to consider is Gypsum. S is always good to add a little.
Cheers
G
Looking back at my old notes… I found that doing a 1:1 ratio of Dolomite to Gypsum seemed to be perfect for the Ca: Mg ratio and provided good amounts of sulfur along with buffering the soil at an optimal pH level. When doing a pseudo coots mix with SPM/EWC/FFOF/Perlite I add 1.5 cups of both per bag of FFOF and everything comes out great.
I used dolomite and some gypsum when making soils. The cost difference made up my mind.
What, you don’t get a great deal on oyster shells where you are??? @MidwestMover [lol, username checks out]
I agree, I’m in a hotbed of oyster activity (oh boy, starting early with the puns), but around here they recycle them and use them to re-seed new beds and create a foundation for the babies to anchor onto, so it’s actually just as much an ‘import’ as if I were a few hundred miles inland.
There’s a seafood restaurant near here where the parking lot gravel is oyster shells that they throw out there
… hmm
Had to translate what they call it here. Concha de ostra. I still have some in my bucket of soil amendments. I may put some in my coco.