Author Topic: calcium sulfate and agricultural sulfur  (Read 3019 times)

boxturtle

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calcium sulfate and agricultural sulfur
« on: August 16, 2017, 12:39:14 PM »
my understanding is that calcium sulfate has neutral ph where as sulfur would lower it.  if I'm already using calcium sulfate can I still use sulfur to lower my ph? I just afraid of sulfur overdose.  if I can appply at same time or wait a couple weeks apart?

buddy roo

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Re: calcium sulfate and agricultural sulfur
« Reply #1 on: August 16, 2017, 12:55:30 PM »
what are you trying to do?? and what is your currant known soil ph  ???          Patrick

boxturtle

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Re: calcium sulfate and agricultural sulfur
« Reply #2 on: August 16, 2017, 01:48:25 PM »
trying to lower my ph it's at 8 right now

Finca La Isla

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Re: calcium sulfate and agricultural sulfur
« Reply #3 on: August 16, 2017, 08:53:16 PM »
Sulfur will take a while to alter your ph significantly, maybe a couple of years.  Why are you using calcium sulfate?

Cookie Monster

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Re: calcium sulfate and agricultural sulfur
« Reply #4 on: August 16, 2017, 11:57:24 PM »
Yes, you can use the two together. That's what I do. The top several inches of my soil is Ca deficient, being mostly black compost (the ratio of Ca to K is too far towards the K end). So, I use gypsum to add Ca, which has had notably positive effects on brix, flesh firmness, and flesh color. I use the sulfur to lower the pH to the low 6'es.
Jeff  :-)

Mark in Texas

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Re: calcium sulfate and agricultural sulfur
« Reply #5 on: August 17, 2017, 08:15:41 AM »
If you have a calcareous soil, it's almost impossible to buffer it with sulfur.

Cookie Monster

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Re: calcium sulfate and agricultural sulfur
« Reply #6 on: August 17, 2017, 11:08:03 AM »
Certainly you can't permanently drop the pH unless the amount of free calcium carbonate is small (eg, below 1%). But it is possible to achieve some temporary acidification which can be replenished every so often with a fresh batch of sulfur.

In my case, the top 12 inches or so of soil is sand plus compost, which I've been able to acidify quite easily. The soil beneath that (which is more calcareous) is much more difficult to acidify. But feeder roots live in the top 12 inches of soil, so it's a moot point :-).

If you have a calcareous soil, it's almost impossible to buffer it with sulfur.
Jeff  :-)

boxturtle

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Re: calcium sulfate and agricultural sulfur
« Reply #7 on: August 18, 2017, 12:11:57 PM »
Yes, you can use the two together. That's what I do. The top several inches of my soil is Ca deficient, being mostly black compost (the ratio of Ca to K is too far towards the K end). So, I use gypsum to add Ca, which has had notably positive effects on brix, flesh firmness, and flesh color. I use the sulfur to lower the pH to the low 6'es.

isn't gypsum the same as calcium sulfate? I googled it and they use the words interchangeably

boxturtle

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Re: calcium sulfate and agricultural sulfur
« Reply #8 on: August 18, 2017, 12:13:41 PM »
Sulfur will take a while to alter your ph significantly, maybe a couple of years.  Why are you using calcium sulfate?

the guy at farmers supply talked me into it over sulfur ....did research and it's oh neutral :/ but my soil needs the calcium anyway

boxturtle

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Re: calcium sulfate and agricultural sulfur
« Reply #9 on: August 18, 2017, 12:16:29 PM »
If you have a calcareous soil, it's almost impossible to buffer it with sulfur.

thanks Mark yeah I will only out a lil once a year

BajaJohn

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Re: calcium sulfate and agricultural sulfur
« Reply #10 on: August 18, 2017, 08:50:48 PM »
isn't gypsum the same as calcium sulfate? I googled it and they use the words interchangeably
Close. Gypsum is a naturally occurring mineral form of calcium sulphate combined with water. Anhydrite is another calcium sulphate mineral that can be used like gypsum in the garden. Plaster of Paris is also calcium sulphate. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcium_sulfate
« Last Edit: August 18, 2017, 08:55:01 PM by BajaJohn »

Mark in Texas

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Re: calcium sulfate and agricultural sulfur
« Reply #11 on: August 19, 2017, 08:04:23 AM »
Certainly you can't permanently drop the pH unless the amount of free calcium carbonate is small (eg, below 1%). But it is possible to achieve some temporary acidification which can be replenished every so often with a fresh batch of sulfur.

In my case, the top 12 inches or so of soil is sand plus compost, which I've been able to acidify quite easily. The soil beneath that (which is more calcareous) is much more difficult to acidify. But feeder roots live in the top 12 inches of soil, so it's a moot point :-).

Good points, and, ya done good with that land of yours!

Lory

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Re: calcium sulfate and agricultural sulfur
« Reply #12 on: August 24, 2017, 11:54:59 PM »
Why don't you use AMMONIUM sulphate?
You add nitrogen and you lower the pH . The effect is fast
Lorenzo

Mark in Texas

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Re: calcium sulfate and agricultural sulfur
« Reply #13 on: September 21, 2017, 10:20:12 AM »
Why don't you use AMMONIUM sulphate?
You add nitrogen and you lower the pH . The effect is fast

Yep, excellent choice for calcareous soils with low N values.

Got fines free courtesy of Georgia-Pacific Gypsum, a local gypsum quarry.   Listened to the chatter on how it positively affects mango fruit quality and all I can say is HOLY COW after top dressing my mango trees!  Don't know if the connection is that valid or I just got lucky.  Don't have a control group to compare against.