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Follansbee, Wv

Needless to say, I am glad I sent more samples off to A&L Eastern. The WVU results aren't much to talk about:

pH: 6.6
P: 100
K: 203
Ca: 2585
Mg: 820
OM: NOT LISTED
Zn: NOT LISTED
Cu: NOT LISTED
Mn: NOT LISTED

K: 0.3 (MEQ/100 G)
Ca: 6.5 (MEQ/100 G)
Mg: 3.4 (MEQ/100 G)
H: 0
% SAT: K=3 Ca=64 Mg=34 H=0
CEC: 10
BS: 101

The dolomitic lime I added this spring has driven the Mg thru the roof! I am going to wait until I get the A&L lab reports back before I do anything. Until then I am considering a calcitic lime at about 30 lbs/1000 sqft. And dose of gypsum.

11/6/2004 9:04:09 PM

Key West, FL

holy crap, you need some gypsum!

11/6/2004 9:06:33 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

No more dolomite.

Calcitic Lime
Gyspum
Sulfate of Potash &/or old rotten horse poop.

11/6/2004 9:22:25 PM

Follansbee, Wv

Here are the results of the area surrounding the patch. Which will actually be supporting two plants. This is basically what my garden soil was like before anything was done to it.
pH: 4.9
P: 55
K: 190
Ca: 1054
Mg: 122
OM: NOT LISTED
Zn: NOT LISTED
Cu: NOT LISTED
Mn: NOT LISTED

K: 0.2 (MEQ/100 G)
Ca: 2.6 (MEQ/100 G)
Mg: 0.5 (MEQ/100 G)
H: 9.8
% SAT: K=2 Ca=20 Mg=4 H=74
CEC: 13
BS: 26

A couple of things of interest here, maybe you could explain them for me Steve:
Note the drop in CEC. This is a clay based soil. Could this drop be due to the Ca:Mg ratio?
Also note the H levels. 0.0/0 in the amended soil, 9.8/74 in the field. Does this make any sense? I am assuming it is because the pH is nearing neutral. Lastly, what is BS? (other than an abreviation cow manure that is...lol).

11/7/2004 7:26:27 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

BS = Base Saturation. This is the measure of the cation nutrients on the exchange sites.

Potassium (K20), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) & Hydrogen (H) are the cation elements. As Calium goes up, the other cation elements drop in percentage. Therefore the BS% will always end up around 100%.

The second test still demonstrates high magnesium considering the amount of liming materials needed. Use Calcitic Limestone (75%) to 25% Domonitic or the Magnesium levels are going to skyrocket.

You're going to need some potash there too.

11/7/2004 10:38:30 AM