Are Dolomitic lime and dolomite lime the same thing?

[Ichabod Crane]

I can get Dolomitic lime in a powder or dolomite lime in pellets. I am told to use the powdered dolomite but was not sure if dolomite lime was the same.

 

[MIway]

http://www.mineralszone.com/minerals/dolomite.html

Dolomite Limestone Theoretical Composition
CaO 30.4%
MgO 21.7%
CO2 47.9%

"In nature, considerable variations in the composition of dolomite relating to lime and magnesia percentages are found. When the percentage of CaCO3 increases by 10% or more over the theoretical composition, the mineral is termed 'calcitic dolomite', 'high-calcium dolomite' or 'lime-dolomite'. With the decrease in percentage of MgCO3, it is called 'dolomitic limestone'. With the variations of MgCO3 between 5 to 10%, it is called 'magnesian limestone', and upto 5% MgCO3 or less it is taken to be limestone for all purposes in trade and commercial parlance."

 

[Hammerhead]

The powder is what you want for mixing your own soil.
Horticultural Dolomite Hydrated Lime

 

[MIway]

lol... kinda omitted that part ^^^ ... the one you have will be a bit higher in Ca vs Mg is all.

 

[Strainhunter]

The powder is what you want for mixing your own soil.
Horticultural Hydrated Lime

It already is slow acting, the pellets would make it even slower and potentially unusable for your purpose.

 

[geopolitical]

Pellets are only good for slow release broadcast application (lawns, fields, orchards, etc). They're both generally the same thing albeit one mines definition of dolomite can vary a bit from another. I wouldn't recommend pellets for anything other than lawns.

 

[supermanlives]

The powder is what you want for mixing your own soil.
Horticultural Hydrated Lime

hydrated lime is fast acting and shouldnt be used at the same rates as dolomite

 

[MIway]

Shit Super... I didn't even notice that! How scary... that shit is super alkaline, used it once. And doesn't cap out around 7 like the DL. Super small amounts go a long way... not a stable soil amendment.

Wow.

 

[Hammerhead]

Im not recommending just Hydrated lime its Dolomite horticulture hydrated lime. That's the stuff most Nurseries use. That's where I got my 40lb bag. I Have had no issues using Dolomite Horticultural Hydrated Lime. There are many brands in your local nursery that sale this in small bags. I do not believe this is the same stuf you are referring to.

Q: What is lime? What are the differences between quicklime and hydrated lime, high calcium lime and dolomite lime?

A: Lime is a generic term, but by strict definition it embraces only the manufactured forms of lime—quicklime and hydrated lime. It does not include limestone, which is the feedstock for lime manufacturing (click here for a short description on how lime is produced).



Quicklime, the product of calcination of limestone, consists of the oxides of calcium and magnesium, and in the United States it is available in three forms:

• High calcium quicklime--derived from limestone containing 0 to 5 percent magnesium carbonate.
• Magnesian quicklime--derived from limestone containing 5 to 35 percent magnesium carbonate.
• Dolomitic quicklime--derived from limestone containing 35 to 46 percent magnesium carbonate.

Hydrated lime is a dry powder manufactured by treating quicklime with sufficient water to satisfy its chemical affinity for water, thereby converting the oxides to hydroxides. Depending upon the type of quicklime used and the hydrating conditions employed, the amount of water in chemical combination varies, as follows:

• High calcium hydrated lime--high calcium quicklime produces a hydrated lime containing generally 72 to 74 percent calcium oxide and 23 to 24 percent chemically combined water.
• Dolomitic hydrated lime (normal)--under atmospheric hydrating conditions only the calcium oxide fraction of dolomitic quicklime hydrates, producing a hydrated lime of the following chemical composition: 46 to 48 percent calcium oxide, 33 to 34 percent magnesium oxide, and 15 to 17 percent chemically combined water.
• Dolomitic hydrated lime (pressure)--this lime is produced from dolomitic quicklime under pressure, which results in hydrating all of the magnesium oxide as well as all of the calcium oxide, producing the following chemical composition: 40 to 42 percent calcium oxide, 29 to 30 percent magnesium oxide, and 25 to 27 percent chemically combined water.

This is just one of hundreds of sites that sale what im using. IMO you cant get a more stable soil amendment. http://shop.merlesgardencenter.ieasysite.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=HORTICULTUREHYDRATEDLIME

 

[MIway]

Hammer~

Just from a use standpoint, the HL is definitely distinct from the DL. It definitely goes into solution, whereas the DL doesn't (I constantly have to mix the solution). Also, and what got me the first time, is that it radically raises the pH of the solution... and doesn't cap out. Think I added half a tablespoon of the HL & it shot my 5 gal bucket up somewhere over 8 or 9 (dark green). I can't get my DL to go up so high.

I had to use the HL at the time as I couldn't find any DL at the local nursery... most of them had the HL in stock though... I do recall that.

It's a different beast... a bit more scary.

 

[Hammerhead]

I only can give my experience with what I used. The 40lb bag says Horticulture dolomitic hydrated lime on the bag. I bought it from a nursery. My PH is stable and is buffering as I expected it to? I think there is some confussion here. im not using HL im using HHDL.

 

[MIway]

No doubt bro... not saying it ain't so, just that in comparison, the HL might catch someone new off guard w/o the warning... I didn't have it.

I kinda see em by use:
~ super fast acting, very low doses, very very soluble... go with the HL
~ softer, more stable, slower releasing, not soluble but sticks in the soil better... go with the DL

Either way, one of the 'best' sources of both Ca & Mg out there... and strong bene's to the pH. Peace

 

[Hammerhead]

I agree and from what im seing the stuff I purchased is DL. It does not go into solution it just floats on top and the PH is stable at 7 in my soil. I can not tell about the other things as its in the soil. So to answer the OP question as long as the bag says Dolomite on the bag you should be good.

 

[Ichabod Crane]

thanks guys. The dolimintic lime is 30% Ca and 18% Mg so it sounds like what you are telling me is good. Also it is horticultural grade.

 

[City Twin]

Can only get pellets in my area without special ordering. Put an amount in a small container and add water to cover. By the time I'm done mixing a few feet of soil they are pretty well broken down and easily stirred into a mush. Add some more water and sprinkle into the soil for hydrating.

 

[Ichabod Crane]

Thanks city twin I will try that.