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JD

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
I have a read a few posts (a couple from Herman) that mention adding limestone to both in-ground and potted figs. I have granular limestone (brown) and powdered dolomite (white) and agricultural limestone (white). So what is the practice? How is it applied?
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jd | tallahassee.fl | zone 8b
GeorgiaFig

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
Hi JD.  Hope you are well my friend.

First, I don't have an answer unfortunately, but I appreciate the question.  I have been wondering the same thing.

Figs have been grown for thousands of years, and given that, it's amazing how little has been written about growing figs.

It's easy to learn that blueberries like an acid soil; beets like a lot of lime, but what is best for figs?

I hope someone can help with this, as if lime is good for the figs, that is an easy thing to do.

As far as I know too, lime is just lime, although in different forms it may be absorbed quicker when ground finer, etc.

But unfortunately I have more questions than answers about this subject, and look forward to hearing from others.

Best wishes.

John
ejp3

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 

I use pulverized limestone.
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Olga

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Hi, John!
I have a deep well water..I live near ocean.. So.. water is a very salty..So, I need to put a lime just to make a soil less salty...
I use before white organic lime, now I will use garden lime, cheaper and because this one in granules last longer...
Before I mix with fertilizer 10-10-10..Now..I think I will mix with long lasting fertilizer what have ironed, so plants also will be greener Also I was thinking to add copper duster, because something going on with figs leaves. For no reason older one last couple days look like they got rust and some look just like they are born from the sun..???
So..will see what will happen...
I will put mix under older figs tree, also I cover soil in each pot with pain bark, this help me to keep soil damp and add more asid to the soil.. Also I think this can help with nematodes..
So, I will put this mix on top of pine bark  just little bit and I will water after this and wait one week or more..and I will see what will happen..
I live in Florida.. here hot..I'm watering my figs every day.. when we don't have rain..But after I put pine bark.. even smaller figs now have little figs..
I'm not a very good with camera..But I think I need try to use it one day..
Just to show how look my figs..
Olya.
hoosierbanana

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 

From Clemson:

I. Liming materials

To be considered a liming material an anion must produce OH - ions to react with H+ and Al3+ ions. Oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, and silicates

1. Calcium oxide (CaO)

Common names - burned lime, quicklime, unslaked lime

CaCO3 ===> CaO + CO2

Advantage is immediate reaction with the soil.

Disadvantage - caustic, difficult to handle and apply

Caking may occur. Through mixing is necessary

 

2. Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2)

common names -- slaked, hydrated, builders lime

CaO + H20 ===> Ca(OH)2

Advantage - quick reaction with the soil

Disadvantage - difficult and unpleasant to handle

3. Calcitic limestone (CaCO3)

Dolomitic limestone (CaMg(CO3)2)

Mined from deposits. Quality depends on amount of impurities such as clay. Good handling properties. Reaction time several months.

4. Marl (CaCO3)

Unconsolidated deposits of CaCO3. Usually contaminated with clay. Low in Mg.

5. Slags (CaSiO3)

byproduct of furnaces used for making iron, steel and elemental P.

6. Fly ash

J. Placement of lime

Through mixing of lime throughout zone of root growth is ideal.

1. Particles of lime do not move in the soil.

2. Application - Spread half of lime and plow down. Spread other half and disk.

On established sods lime must be topdressed. Reaction is slower and less complete. * Add smaller amounts more often.


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Caneyscud

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Is there a PH to achieve?  I live in an acid area underlain with limestone.  So from one part of the yard to another can be quite different in some instances.  However, for azaleas, we need to add some acid.  But unfortunately can't grow Rhodos, Mt. Laurels, and deciduous azaleas - too hot, especially at night.
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Posted Reply with quote  #7 

7-8 closer to 8
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Dominick
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snaglpus

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 

I think figs do better with a pH between 6.5 and 7.  Last year, I used the a little bit of the powder limestone any it stressed my trees out.  They recovered about 4 weeks later.  From now on, I will only use the pelletized lime and so far has not stressed out my trees this year.  I learned my lesson!
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Dennis
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Posted Reply with quote  #9 

Yeah that's the problem what works for one doesn't work for another. I have heard it should at least be neutral if not more alkaline. The recipe i use is to add lime every year but at the edges so that the tree can tap into it and it can slowly leach into the soil for balance.
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Dominick
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