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

Dalmatiansoap · 07-21-2012, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunfish

Garden Lime - allotment.org.uk

Great info site Tony

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.

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by hydroid

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyGHO

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyGHO

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,..

07-20-2012, 01:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
RandyGHO Find me on the map! Zone: Georgia 8b Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 404 BananaBucks : 151,821 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 380 Times in 198 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 51 Times	Adding Lime 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 __________________ Thinking outside the peel always.

07-20-2012, 02:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 1,254,958 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,593 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: Adding Lime Garden Lime - allotment.org.uk

07-21-2012, 10:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
RandyGHO Find me on the map! Zone: Georgia 8b Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 404 BananaBucks : 151,821 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 380 Times in 198 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 51 Times	Re: Adding Lime What about using hydrated lime to give the bananas a quick ph change? __________________ Thinking outside the peel always.

07-21-2012, 10:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
PR-Giants Commercial Grower Location: Florida & Greater Antilles Find me on the map! Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 4,713 BananaBucks : 605 Feedback: 16 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,954 Times Was Thanked 12,894 Times in 3,784 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3,225 Times	Re: Adding Lime 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. __________________ PR-Giants Photo Gallery 15,000+ Varieties

07-22-2012, 05:42 AM	#6 (permalink)
RandyGHO Find me on the map! Zone: Georgia 8b Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 404 BananaBucks : 151,821 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 380 Times in 198 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 51 Times	Re: Adding Lime 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. __________________ Thinking outside the peel always.

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07-22-2012, 10:20 AM	#7 (permalink)
PR-Giants Commercial Grower Location: Florida & Greater Antilles Find me on the map! Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 4,713 BananaBucks : 605 Feedback: 16 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,954 Times Was Thanked 12,894 Times in 3,784 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3,225 Times	Re: Adding Lime 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. __________________ PR-Giants Photo Gallery 15,000+ Varieties

07-22-2012, 07:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
RandyGHO Find me on the map! Zone: Georgia 8b Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 404 BananaBucks : 151,821 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 380 Times in 198 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 51 Times	Re: Adding Lime Here you go. 3 month old Ice Cream grown from a TC. __________________ Thinking outside the peel always.

07-22-2012, 08:33 PM	#9 (permalink)
PR-Giants Commercial Grower Location: Florida & Greater Antilles Find me on the map! Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 4,713 BananaBucks : 605 Feedback: 16 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,954 Times Was Thanked 12,894 Times in 3,784 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3,225 Times	Re: Adding Lime 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. __________________ PR-Giants Photo Gallery 15,000+ Varieties

07-23-2012, 05:36 AM	#10 (permalink)
RandyGHO Find me on the map! Zone: Georgia 8b Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 404 BananaBucks : 151,821 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 380 Times in 198 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 51 Times	Re: Adding Lime 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. __________________ Thinking outside the peel always.

07-23-2012, 05:50 AM	#11 (permalink)
Dalmatiansoap Let there be light Dalmatiansoap's Photo Gallery Location: Makarska, Croatia Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Ante Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 9,161 BananaBucks : 667,956 Feedback: 10 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,508 Times Was Thanked 8,384 Times in 3,032 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 720 Times	Re: Adding Lime What method U use to check soil pH? __________________ https://abnb.me/AXJty518xib

07-23-2012, 11:03 AM	#12 (permalink)
RandyGHO Find me on the map! Zone: Georgia 8b Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 404 BananaBucks : 151,821 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 380 Times in 198 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 51 Times	Re: Adding Lime 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. __________________ Thinking outside the peel always.

07-24-2012, 03:21 AM	#13 (permalink)
hydroid Minister of Propaganda hydroid's Photo Gallery Location: Gulf Shores, Alabama Find me on the map! Zone: Zone -8b-9a Name: Bo Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 687 BananaBucks : 122,592 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 775 Times Was Thanked 729 Times in 329 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 45 Times	Re: Adding Lime 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

07-24-2012, 07:02 AM	#14 (permalink)
RandyGHO Find me on the map! Zone: Georgia 8b Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 404 BananaBucks : 151,821 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 380 Times in 198 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 51 Times	Re: Adding Lime 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 __________________ Thinking outside the peel always.

07-24-2012, 12:28 PM	#15 (permalink)
hydroid Minister of Propaganda hydroid's Photo Gallery Location: Gulf Shores, Alabama Find me on the map! Zone: Zone -8b-9a Name: Bo Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 687 BananaBucks : 122,592 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 775 Times Was Thanked 729 Times in 329 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 45 Times	Re: Adding Lime 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

07-24-2012, 04:24 PM	#17 (permalink)
RandyGHO Find me on the map! Zone: Georgia 8b Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 404 BananaBucks : 151,821 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 380 Times in 198 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 51 Times	Re: Adding Lime 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. __________________ Thinking outside the peel always.

09-05-2012, 05:10 PM	#20 (permalink)
Dalmatiansoap Let there be light Dalmatiansoap's Photo Gallery Location: Makarska, Croatia Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Ante Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 9,161 BananaBucks : 667,956 Feedback: 10 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,508 Times Was Thanked 8,384 Times in 3,032 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 720 Times	Re: Adding Lime 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,.. __________________ https://abnb.me/AXJty518xib

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