Dolomite in Coir?

Should I use dolomite when growing tomatoes in coir? If not, what is the best product to use for BER in my EB filled with coir? Thanks.

Devota I spoke with Bob this morning about that and yes use the lime in the Coir also. More for the calcium than for a PH level. UNLESS the fertilizer your using has a sufficient level of calcium included.

araness, Thanks. I needed that.

I use two cups of dolomite per EB placed in a layer about four inches below the rim and then fill to the top.

How do you apply the lime in grow bags?

TPlant: Hoping I didn't boo boo here; but, I did not add lime to the grow bags, as I am using Bob's fertilizer in there. I did add lime to the EBucket but only used 1 cup of lime and 1 cup of 10-10-10 as there is only 1 tomato plant in it, did I mess up? Bob's fertilizer calls for epsom salt to be used in it and with that you have a complete calcium, magnesium I think, am I right TPlant?
joy

Just mix it in after you hydrate them. Half cup should do the job.

TPlant: Do I need to add dolomite to Bob's bags if I'm using his fertilizer on the bags?
joy

Joy-- I really can not advise you on HEBs as I only use EBs but I would imagine the principle to be the same? However Bob's fertilizer has everything you need so you should be OK.
By Ebucket are you referring to HEB?( home made )

This message was edited Feb 27, 2009 3:13 PM

PLEASE SEE CORRECTION AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS THREAD...

This message was edited Feb 27, 2009 3:14 PM

There is your answer!!

Here is what I was thinking; but that could be stinking, as you know me right? Anyways, for the EB you use 2 c lime, 2 c fertilizer unless you are using organic then you use 3 c. Now, you can plant 2 tomatoes in an EB, so, with the HE buckets, which are 5 gallon buckets, you can only plant one tomato, so I've been using 1 c lime and 1 c 10-10-10 fertilizer. My reasoning is this: the EB holds two tomatoes, my HE buckets only hold one tomato?

Gymgirl: I thought the epsom salt replaced the necessity of the lime, but if not that is ok, will add the lime, my grow bags are only half way full of coir right now.
joy

Epsom and Lime are two different things Joy. Lime or dolomite supplies a lot of things but for the tomatoes I think it is primarily for the calcuim to prevent blossom end rot.

Will it hurt to not add it for about another week? I could add it in with the coir now; but, the 5 gallon grow bags only are half full of coir, due to my doing the burying the stem procedure, so still have half the bag to fill up with coir yet.

Oh Bob where are you?
joy

Joy wait until you completely fill the bags up and the stems are buried to the deepest you want and then add the dolomite. Bob works all day long and posts at night. The dolomite is not for growth it is for good tomato production and to prevent the skins on the fruit from splitting alot. Don't sweat it at this point.

Karen: That was the plan. LOL
joy

well crud Joy, I'm very sorry, I misread your post. Oopsie

No, you are right at first I thought the epsom salt replaced the need for dolomite, given I'm using Bob's fertilizer; but Devota pointed out to me that I was in error of that idea, so now I will add it when I'm done burying the stem routine. LOL Which was when I was going to start using other fertilizer means anyways, like the ring of 10-10-10. This dreamhouse greenhouse is huge, got it out of the box finally, and it's out back waiting for my brother and his son in law to get here and help get it up, my daughter isn't feeling well today and it's too much for me to handle by myself. It's supposed to rain a bit tonight and all day tomorrow. So; that's a gotta have right now.
joy

Joy --You can add the lime and epsom anytime as it won't hurt anything that is as long as it is dolomote lime . I can't speak for any other lime as I've really not had good luck with the powdered lime.

CORRECTION: I asked Bocabob about planting in his grow bags, and this is his reply:

If you are using Bocabob's fertilizer (which is water soluble), YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ADD LIME because the fert has calcium. If you are using some granular fert like 10-10-10, then you need lime, because most granular ferts do not contain calcium and magnesium.

Gymgirl I have coir bags from Bob & just order 10 more. How often are you using the fertilizer from Bob

Tubbytee,
I haven't planted anything yet. Tomorrow's my plant out date. It'll be my first time.

P.S. It's perfectly alright to call me GG, although there's another DGer who goes by that handle. We were on the same thread once, and it became quite confusing! But, since she's not here, feel free!

With Paw, I believe it's a term of endearment, cause he loves me sooooooooooo much!!!

Gymgirl --- As long as your husband doesn't catch us! LOL About BocaBob's fertilizer it is terrific but must be mixed with water therefore I really can't use it. He has a special set up that pumps the fertilizer in with the water. If I were to use it I would have to do so with a watering can and my arthritic shoulders just won't allow me but if you can by all means do so as you will be amazed with its results. With that fertilizer you do not need to add anything but epsom salts. I told him if it only came in granular form whereas I could just put two cups in each EB, one cup in each rose bush and I would have it made.Still, I may break down and use it for my roses even though it requires hand watering. I'll use a gallon water can, lite weight, and pour into all my seventeen roses once a month.

Tplant do I use Bob's fert, once a month on tomatoes

Tubby

Tubby: I've been using Bob's fertilizer at half strength on the seedlings, and only when they need it, about once a week, sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less. I mix up his fertilzer full strength, put it in an old pickling jar of mine and then when I'm ready to feed my seedlings, I mix it half with that and half with hot water, that makes the fertilizer lukewarm and the seedlings love it. I used full strength tonight for the first time when I buried the stems again of the tomatoes.

Gymgirl: I thought Bob's fertilizer had calcium in it and we didn't need the lime, as I recall ordering it for that reason, it has trace minerals and nutrients in it also that other fertilizers don't have, look at my tomato babies.

joy

Thank you Joy.I have plenty of plastic 1 gallon water jugs...As long as I don't forget & drink from the wrong jug..Might have to arm wrestle the Jolly Green Giant ..LOL

HO HO Green Tubby

Tubby: I ran a sort of experiment, I planted my tomatoes and peppers in Bob's coconut coir, I planted my eggplants and cukes in the APS from Gardeners' Supply and I planted my lettuce, spinach, cabbages in the bio domes from Park's. I also planted my cherry tomatoes in the Park's bio domes. So far, what I have concluded as I've been using Bob's fertilizer weakened by water and with my tomatoes that did so well a combination of Bob's weakened fertilizer and the sea magic did really well. The reason I like Bob's fertilizer so well is that it is a complete fertilizer when used with just a 1/4 tsp of epsom salt and if you mix in the sea magic, you have a winning combination.

About the coir, my tomatoes were healthy,not wilted. Now the gardener's supply germination mix was what was used in the APS units and with both my eggplant and my cukes I had to treat with chammoille tea because they started to get the dampening off disease. I believe it was GG who told me about the tea. Now, I haven't really made my decision conclusive yet, as the bio dome came in late, and the cherry tomatoes just planted, but, I'm using Bob's weakened fertilizer all the way round and it's working great from what I could see and think that those that see the pics I've been posting will have to agree that it is quite a difference from what happened the last time I planted cabbages and tomatoes and pepprs, they all got dampening off disease and didn't make it.

I'm not here to sing praises to anyone, and I think everyone knows m well enough for that; but, when I find something that works well, I will speak up to save others the disappointment from finding out the hard way like I've done. Now, I do prefer the EBs to the 5 gallon grow bags because of the ease of watering. But here is something I'm wondering to: Now, we put this ring of fertilizer in the EB and the lime right? It takes time for that fertilizer to go to work doesn't it? Well, I've been pouring some of Bob's fertilizer in my EBs that contain my artichokes, because when I planted them, they were year old plants, had been shipped all the way from Calif and needed nourishment right away, they are big feeders. They looked like death when they arrived, I received 4 of them, 2 look like they stand a chance of making it, so I would say that something is going well. I did add 13-13-13 to the EB in the way of fertilizer instead of the 10-10-10 I use for other veggies.

joy

Joy --- Where did you find 13-13-13? I've been searching for it but no luck. And what do you mean by placing a ring of fertilizer in your EB? OK in an HEB but in the real EBs you should place in a straight line at the opposite side of the EB with the plants at the extreme other side as far away as possible so the roots will reach for their food. Too close and they could burn. Extra dolomite lime is for tomatos only with the coir.

TPlant: The buckets are 5 gallon ones and the tomato is planted in the center of them, so I pour the fertilizer around the edges a little way in, that way there is no risk of root burn, I didn't use dolomite last Spring and look what happened, I learned from that experience really well between that and my horned catepillars both tomato crops were devestated. I got both those problems at hand I hope this year, maybe some new ones in store, but think I got those handled. Ace hardware sells the 50 lb bag of 13-13-13 and the 50 lb bag of 8-8-8 and 50 lb bag of 10-10-10, all are really reasonable. I use 10-10-10 mostly; but used the 13-13-13 for the articokes as they are heavy feeders and will use it in the canna beds also. The new Tractor and Farm store and Aces' carries the dolomite lime now in big bags. They are new items, so, everyone's speaking up has probably helped in getting the stuff in.
joy

Paw loooooooooooooooooooves me like a DAUGHTER, ya'll -- he gets a little befuddled when his shoulder is aching..... (:--}

That is shoulders! Not just one but both! No fun in pain..You had a question about type of melons to grow? Although I'm jumping this thread , Texas is known for its melons. You can grow anything there. Your choice!

TPlant my back is hurting; but most of that is because this lazy person here, hasn't gotten the exercise she needs lately, I'm getting it now. LOL
joy

Ok, then. I'm gonna plant the Bush Sugar Babies and get one other variety. Thanks!