View Full Version : Adding Lime
RandyGHO
07-20-2012, 01:42 PM
My soil test report shows my soil pH at 4.8 and recommends adding limestone at the rate of 130 pounds per 1000 sq-ft to get to a pH of 6-6.5
Any good way to do this after planting? The three plants I have are about 3 months old. I read that if not worked into the soil it takes a long time to change.
Randy
sunfish
07-20-2012, 02:02 PM
Garden Lime - allotment.org.uk (http://www.allotment.org.uk/grow-your-own/fertiliser/garden-lime)
Dalmatiansoap
07-21-2012, 10:21 AM
Garden Lime - allotment.org.uk (http://www.allotment.org.uk/grow-your-own/fertiliser/garden-lime)
Great info site Tony
:nanadrink:
RandyGHO
07-21-2012, 10:51 AM
What about using hydrated lime to give the bananas a quick ph change?
PR-Giants
07-21-2012, 10:04 PM
If you are at 4.8 now, and the ideal range is 5.5 to 6.5.
I would try getting to 5.5 before going to 6.5. A more gradual change to your ph level would be better for the overall health of your plants.
If they appear to be growing fine at 4.8, take you time and slowly work your way up.
RandyGHO
07-22-2012, 05:42 AM
I have been doing some reading and the slow change is a good idea.
My plan is to use Pennington Fast acting lime to make a small adjustment now then a limestone application in fall then in the spring.
PR-Giants
07-22-2012, 10:20 AM
Can you post a photo?
It would be interesting to see what the plants look like after 3 months of growing in a ph of 4.8.
RandyGHO
07-22-2012, 07:42 PM
Here you go. 3 month old Ice Cream grown from a TC.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=49808&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=49808)
PR-Giants
07-22-2012, 08:33 PM
Your plant looks great, it is huge for three months.
I would not change anything, at most I would only verify that the original ph test was accurate and not an anomaly in one area.
RandyGHO
07-23-2012, 05:36 AM
I did some checking around here locally and my pH is right on tract with this part of Georgia. Pine trees, azaleas and blueberries love the soil here as I have found out.
I think you gave good advice n taking it slow. I think a good pH meter might be in m future.
Thanks everyone for the help.
Dalmatiansoap
07-23-2012, 05:50 AM
What method U use to check soil pH?
RandyGHO
07-23-2012, 11:03 AM
It was professionally done as a soil sample by the Cooperative Extension at the University of Georgia. Cost six dollars. I sampled several locations then mixed them together per their handbook.
hydroid
07-24-2012, 03:21 AM
Randy, I'm no expert but my naners do very good (better) at the lower PH's, I use pine straw for mulch which is pretty acidic and never needed to raise the PH, with any buffers. Although I do use the granulated lime in my yard to keep down the fleas and condition the grass. Your banana looks very happy right now.
Bo
RandyGHO
07-24-2012, 07:02 AM
Bo, I wonder if the pH in the original planting hole may be different than the soil sample. I am thinking I will lime the area around the immediate banana mound but not on the banana mound itself since there is so much composted cow manure in the original planting hole.
I will do that today if I can
By the way, my Gigantea is starting to really grow now.
Randy
hydroid
07-24-2012, 12:28 PM
Randy, that might work on your bananas, be sure to post pics of your Thai Giant when it starts getting big. My Gigantea love the Scott's red bark mulch.
Bo
PR-Giants
07-24-2012, 01:47 PM
Randy, I'm no expert but my naners do very good (better) at the lower PH's, I use pine straw for mulch which is pretty acidic and never needed to raise the PH, with any buffers. Although I do use the granulated lime in my yard to keep down the fleas and condition the grass. Your banana looks very happy right now.
Bo
I agree, I use a lot of pine to keep my ph low. My target was 5.5 but after seeing your photo I now want to try 4.8 with a few plants.
RandyGHO
07-24-2012, 04:24 PM
This pH business can be misleading so I want to be clear on this so I don't steer someone in the wrong direction.
I mixed a bag Of Black Kow in with my native sandy soil before planting. My soil sample did not include soil from the planing hole area since it did not represent the native soil. So to say my 4.8 pH in the banana mound would be misleading.
I think Black Kow is like 6.5.
But that being said. I found banana roots almost four feet from the plant even though they are only 3 months old so the roots are reaching into that Native soil.
PR-Giants
07-24-2012, 07:41 PM
I found banana roots almost four feet from the plant even though they are only 3 months old so the roots are reaching into that Native soil.
A plant that size should have roots 15 to 25 feet long. Take a few core samples, the feeder roots are near the surface so a 6 inch deep sample should suffice.
There are many more feeder roots in your native soil than in your original hole.
PR-Giants
08-12-2012, 12:00 PM
My soil test report shows my soil pH at 4.8 and recommends adding limestone at the rate of 130 pounds per 1000 sq-ft to get to a pH of 6-6.5
Any good way to do this after planting? The three plants I have are about 3 months old. I read that if not worked into the soil it takes a long time to change.
Randy
This might help explain why you plant is doing so well with a ph of 4.8,
Production Areas : In Puerto Rico the main production area is in the mountainous zone which has steep slopes, highly eroded soils with low fertility, and a pH of 4.5-5.5. Plantain and banana both grow well on these soils.
Dalmatiansoap
09-05-2012, 05:10 PM
Dang, I did some messurements and my soil is mostly between 7.5-8, beside Olives it looks to alkaline for the most stuff.
Yay, yay, yay,..
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