outdoor in containers, I think I heard I need calcium?

[melodious fellow]

It feels quite foolish to be asking this question. My first time growing in containers outdoors.

I searched all over google and searched the forums.

I know I need to supplement calcium because of acidic rain and such. My tap water has a pH in the high sevens, close to 8, perhaps this is due to calcium content? Would it be enough to water plants with tap water once a week or so?

Using buckets ranging 2-5 gallons (planting late in season)

I do not think I have access to calcium products such as calmag. What other ways could I fix the problem of growing in containers outdoors?
Could I crush up some of those calcium tablets derived from oyster shells marketed for osteoporosis and add to water, or is there anything else I could add to the water. Anything organic or anything that can be found at Lowes?

If I did have to resort to driving an hour to a shop to buy a product, are they rather cheap, and how and how often to apply?

Thanks in advance, I'll love you!

peace

p.s. worst case scenario, anyone ever grown outdoors successfully in containers without calcium supps?

[stinkyattic]

Mix lime with your soil. I don't know the rate offhand, but it should be easy to find that info. Lime is calcium cabonate. Most potting mixes have it already mixed in.

[rhizome]

Isn't Cabon (http://www.artmajeur.com/?login=michelcabon&go=artworks/display_list_galleries) a contemporary Post-Impressionist?

I love the implied tension of his color choices, but I don't see the relationship to soil chemistry...:wtf:


( Stinky mi amigo- I tease because I love...):D

[stinkyattic]

Hahahaha! Too funny.

[melodious fellow]

Unfortunately, it is a bit late for me to mix anything in the soil at this time.

If a low pH is the only problem I need to fix, could watering with pH 8 water once a week balance the acidic rain for a nice pH of 6 or so? I have pH up solution

thnx peace

[stinkyattic]

That's one way to do it, sure. Just keep an eye on the runoff pH out of the containers so you don't get it too high by accident! You probably won't need to do the higher pH waterings for a little while anyway.
I actually think that adding calmag to your watering solution is preferable. Then you won't have to fret over pH.

[melodious fellow]

I guess I will be driving an hr or 2 to the hyrdo store unless Calmag is available at Walmart or Lowes or a garden nursery, as checking run-off will be likely impossible.

The higher pH waterings that I will need to do in the future (but not now, why?) with the Calmag, what exactly is the higher pH I am looking for, or does Calmag just automatically buffer the pH at the appropriate level?

Thanks so much Stinky, as usual ; ) Hopefully the Calmag box will tell me how much to mix in the water.

[melodious fellow]

Bad news. The rain here has a pH of 4 or below... can't tell, as 4 is as low as my liquid test kit goes. I still have not found any lime and I really do not want to order online.

Lots of drought followed by violent t-storms, repeat cycle is the weather here.