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Hi there. I just potted some roses for the patio and the soil
pH is 4. Is this too low and what should I do to raise it (add lime or
magnesium???) and over what period of time should this be done?
Thank you! Yun Blair |
| 5/23/06 If your pH is really that low then rose will do very poorly in it. You can raise pH by adding lime. Pure lime is chemically CaCo3 and is ground up rock called limestone. Many sources of lime contain Magnesium so the chemical formula is (Ca,Mg)Co3 for a 50/50 ratio of Ca to Mg. If you soil is poor in Mg then you can add the Magnesium. I do wonder how you obtained the pH 4 measurement since it is extraordinary low. If a laboratory gave you this value then it is most likely correct. If you measured it with a home instrument, I suggest that you obtain a second measurement with a different instrument to see if it is correct.
Jerry Cinnamon |
