can you add dolomite to h2o?
- Thread starter JD_85
- Start date
First of all, add water 'till you get some "run-off". Then collect the run-off in a clean container and do a pH test on it. This will give an indication of how much Dolomite (if any), you might need to add. From here on it's just a balancing act between adding Dolomite and acheiveing the desired pH reading.
I suppose you could add the Dolomite to your water, but the conventional way it's done is to "Topdress" it in. Topdressing has a long, proven, track record of being effective. "Watering It In" sounds like it might work, it's just the easy way.
I suppose you could add the Dolomite to your water, but the conventional way it's done is to "Topdress" it in. Topdressing has a long, proven, track record of being effective. "Watering It In" sounds like it might work, it's just the easy way.
I wouldn't. Just grow and see if it makes any difference. You'll learn something from it. Maybe it doesn't do as much for you as you thought(?).
(You can monitor your runoff ph and take steps if you see it going lower over time. Also monitor your runoff ppm. If you see that going higher at the same time the ph is going lower, it's probably salt buildup. In that case you'd reduce nutes, do a 50% runoff feeding (mini flush) and continue to monitor it. If ph goes lower without ppms going higher then you could cultivate 1tsp/gal into the top soil and let it water in.).
churchhaze
Well-Known Member
No, dolomite lime is not very soluble in water.
It should be built into your soil, or calcium provided as calcium nitrate if it's hydro.
It should be built into your soil, or calcium provided as calcium nitrate if it's hydro.
DemonTrich
Well-Known Member
top dress as recommended. I use 1 cup per bag of ocean forest, plus perlite. 4+yrs of amending my soil like this and I have super crops. except for this last run that was ruined by a new plant that hermied on everything.
_MrBelvedere_
Well-Known Member
It should be thoroughly mixed in your soil before hand, not later
JD_85
Well-Known Member
thats what i thought and was afraid of. I just thought i had read somewhere that someone was adding it into h20.
I WILL NOT forget next time!!!!!!
It doesn't matter if you add it to water or cultivate it into the top soil with a fork. Either way you're expecting the water to move it into the soil. It's common for people to cultivate it into the top soil when they encounter acidic soil in early flower. I don't think it does much for them because it doesn't get into the soil. But, people think it works because their acidic soil clears up. I think what they're really seeing is the result of flushing, reducing nutrients, etc. I.e., they had salt build up which dolomite won't fix, adding it to the soil didn't do anything. It was the corrective actions for salt buildup which helped.
I think you'll be fine. If anything, you'll need to supplement ca and mg, and perhaps be more susceptible to salt buildup. Monitor your runoff ph/ppm so you can get ahead of that before it happens (reduce nutes if you see ph dropping and ppm rising). It's not going to be bad. Just challenge your skills a little more.
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