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Gardening

In reply to the discussion: Lowering pH and adding Ca [View all]

Elad

(11,411 posts)
1. If you want to try and save your harvest
Fri Oct 2, 2015, 04:25 PM
Oct 2015

you'll need a foliar spray supplement for blossom-end rot. If you're trying to do it better next time, you'll want to use a combination of gypsum and lime.

pH and calcium is a complicated and much misunderstood topic. The simple answer is that lime raises pH, and gypsum will work to lower it. Kind of. Both add calcium, technically, but your soil might not hold the calcium. pH is a measure of cations (calcium being the main one) in the soil, and the sulfur in gypsum essentially allows those cations to be stripped away, lowering the pH because the calcium is being washed away when the soil is watered. But your pH is high, suggesting your soil would have trouble binding the calcium anyway.

What I'd suggest instead is to forget about your pH next time and use a good, high-organic-matter potting soil, with a complete organic fertilizer that has the proper amounts of calcium and magnesium naturally. Further reading here:
http://www.growgreatvegetables.com/fertilizers/a-great-organic-fertilizer-mix/

Edited to add that growing tomatoes in containers often does lead to blossom-end rot due to the smaller amount of soil. A root bound plant won't be getting the nutrients it needs. It can be done, but it's more difficult.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Lowering pH and adding Ca [View all] jeff47 Oct 2015 OP
If you want to try and save your harvest Elad Oct 2015 #1
What kind of soil did you use? Curmudgeoness Oct 2015 #2
Here's something to consider Major Nikon Oct 2015 #3
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Gardening»Lowering pH and adding Ca»Reply #1