- Thread starter
- #261
Doc, to be honest I don't know the difference in the two, I thought they did the same thing. I saw it used somewhere else
I didn't just add it this time. I have used them either alone or combined in all my grows. Same with the nutes. Only difference this grow is I switched from Gianormous to Dynagro Bloom.
Next batch it's soil and OC+.
Thanks again Doc.
for future reference, Dolomite is CaMg(CO3)2....Calcium Magnesium Carbonate. (bi-carbonate actually)
It is used in gardening to raise soil pH. It is a nominal source of magnesium as well......but primarily it is used to raise pH.
Limestone is CaC03.....Calcium Carbonate. It is a source of calcium. Hydrated lime is also a very fast means of raising soil pH.
So, when you add both together, you're probably creating a bit of a mess.....
A better approach would be to leave the soil alone, unless you're adding a bunch or organic material, in which case you should add Dolomite to buffer pH.
If you need a Calcium source, there are several methods that work well:
1.)add gypsum. you also get sulfur AND it improves soil structure
2.)add oyster shell meal....needs to be done at least a month before planting assuming active beneficials in the soil
3.)add egg shells from your breakfast eggs
4.)Tap water (depends on the water)
5.)CalMag supplement.
If you need a magnesium source, Epsom salts work well.....and you also get the sulfur.
So, think of Dolomite, not as a source of any nutrient, but as a means of raising and buffering soil pH.
College grads with degrees in soil science are employed by companies to design their soils.....amend soil, etc. These are the folks who formulate the bags of soil we buy.....so I try to defer to their expertise since they know more than I do.
With OC+ it's very simple:
1.)dump soil from bag to pot
2.)mix in OC+
3.)Water
Organics are a bit more complex, but copying is wise until you gain an understanding of what the raw materials do and how they effect eachother and the soil as a whole.