Oyster Shell Calcium

[DRM Ranch]

I'm curious about using very fine calcium made from oyster shells as a soil amendment.

I have a fairly large ball mill that can reduce a pound of oyster shell grit sold for chickens to talcum powder consistency in a few days. I've used as a calcium supplement for my reptiles for years.

I've done a trial run on garden lime and it takes less than a day to get a very fine particle size.

As for what I would be amending; my current amendment to each gallon of SS#4 is, 1/4 cup alfalfa meal, 1/4 cup worm castings, 1 1/2 tbsp garden lime, and hydrated with my flush formula.

My flush formula per gallon of RO, 5ml cal mag +, 5ml molasses premix, 12ml zym premix, and 12ml alfalfa tea.

The molasses premix is just 12ml molasses in a pint of RO water.

The zym premix is 2ml/qt Orb Lake enzymes in RO water.

The alfalfa tea is 1c alfalfa meal in 1g RO water, 12ml zym premix, 12ml molasses premix; steeped for 3 days then strained to remove solids. It is vigorously stirred a few times a day.

I made a decision to use Dyna Gro nutrients at a strength between hydro and soil with; 5ml/g cal mag+, 12ml/g zym premix every other watering, on non feed days I use the flush formula mentioned above.

I transplant often; clone in rapid rooter, beer cup, quart, gallon, #2 nursery container, to the final #3 nursery container. My thought that at each change there are fresh nutrients made available.

So far my grow using this formula is going well but I've yet to complete my grow so I am not sure of its performance over a complete grow.

I don't want to change anything with this particular grow but if like any advice and knowledge to improve the soil using a finely ground oyster shell calcium made by myself.

I am not working with anything that needs more than 60 days of veg, and no long flowering sativa strains if that helps.

I am more than willing to modify the ratios of ingredients if doing so is justified. I don't really want to add anything more than the oyster shell powder, I'm trying to keep it simple at the moment.

DRM Ranch

 

[who dat is]

Sorry but I don't have anything more to add aside from the fact that I just used some Down to Earth Oyster Shell flour in my ROLS for the first time. http://downtoearthfertilizer.com/products/single-ingredients/oyster-shell/

I wanted to sub along

 

[Mtn. Nectar]

been using for decades...................


ganj on........................

 

[growingcrazy]

Oyster shell from the feed store is also my main source of C. I don't like paying for the DTE brand OSF.

I like how the 50lb bags have everything from course to fine grit. I just add as is, my theory is that it will break down over time.

 

[MJPassion]

oyster shell flower for faster availability & oyster shell grit for longer term needs.

Been using it for years & it always disappears.

 

[Bud Green]

Use the oyster shell grit "as is". No need to pulverize it to "talc like" powder... There's already enough powder in the bag for fast term results.

 

[DRM Ranch]

Sorry but I don't have anything more to add aside from the fact that I just used some Down to Earth Oyster Shell flour in my ROLS for the first time. http://downtoearthfertilizer.com/products/single-ingredients/oyster-shell/

View Image

I wanted to sub along

I would love to know the details of your use.
How do you expect it to effect your results?
I must admit I am unfamiliar with the acronym ROLS, my search turns up (Recycled Organic Living Soil), is this correct?

To be honest I had no idea an oyster shell calcium flour product existed. I may need to share that with some of my reptile friends.

been using for decades...................


ganj on........................

Awesome, I'm nowhere near as experienced in the arts of soil amendment.
Over the decades have you seen anything that could be translated into general rules of use?

Oyster shell from the feed store is also my main source of C. I don't like paying for the DTE brand OSF.

I like how the 50lb bags have everything from course to fine grit. I just add as is, my theory is that it will break down over time.

I am concerned with my ability to assure effective distribution of calcium in the media using an unrefined product in a mix that is fairly light and mixed by hand.

That being said, in my limited research on the topic, it seems to suggest that the finer product is processed the faster acting it will be, yet the desired effect will not last as long.

With the information I just mentioned I assume an unrefined product of various sized particles would likely outlive the plants lifecycle. Does this present any issues on accurately amending the soil if it is reused in a future grow?

Additionally I wonder if a mixed particle size product would be translatable in terms of rate of use to a very fine product.

DRM Ranch

 

[growingcrazy]

I am concerned with my ability to assure effective distribution of calcium in the media using an unrefined product in a mix that is fairly light and mixed by hand.

That being said, in my limited research on the topic, it seems to suggest that the finer product is processed the faster acting it will be, yet the desired effect will not last as long.

With the information I just mentioned I assume an unrefined product of various sized particles would likely outlive the plants lifecycle. Does this present any issues on accurately amending the soil if it is reused in a future grow?

Additionally I wonder if a mixed particle size product would be translatable in terms of rate of use to a very fine product.

DRM Ranch

I would say that it mixes well with a peat based medium and doesn't float or sink much after that.

You will get a varying release rate and life expectancy from different particle sizes. Even in "new" soil mixes with just the oyster shell meal, no def. have been noticed. This leads me to believe it delivers a nice consistent supply from the beginning. It may not be optimum at first but still enough in plant available form.

I add back 1 cup of OSM to a cuft of soil after 2 rounds in a no-till pot. This works for my situation as my castings have OSM in them as well. YMMV

 

[DRM Ranch]

oyster shell flower for faster availability & oyster shell grit for longer term needs.

Been using it for years & it always disappears.

Do you have suggestions for rate of use for each in general?

Also would you have additional advice for rate of use considering the mix I am using now?

Use the oyster shell grit "as is". No need to pulverize it to "talc like" powder... There's already enough powder in the bag for fast term results.

I pulverized most of what I have on hand for my reptiles already and remain concerned that I may be unable to distribute a variety of particle sizes with any uniformity, especially by hand.

I wonder how the quantity of calcium in the soil effects the need to use a calcium product in RO water.

DRM Ranch

 

[DRM Ranch]

I would say that it mixes well with a peat based medium and doesn't float or sink much after that.

You will get a varying release rate and life expectancy from different particle sizes. Even in "new" soil mixes with just the oyster shell meal, no def. have been noticed. This leads me to believe it delivers a nice consistent supply from the beginning. It may not be optimum at first but still enough in plant available form.

I add back 1 cup of OSM to a cuft of soil after 2 rounds in a no-till pot. This works for my situation as my castings have OSM in them as well. YMMV

I'm not familiar with "cuft" as a unit of measure, also how long are your rounds.

I expect in my situation to use the soil once for cannabis and thereafter it will be used for my outdoor container herb garden (I like to cook with fresh herbs).

Following one season of use in the herb garden I would like to compost the soil for future use with ornamental plants around the property.

DRM Ranch