"Lime" is just a loose term for various naturally occurring materials, as well as their derivatives, and is too general to be of significance to what you're asking. Coral is primarily CaCO3 (calcium carbonate), and while it may not be so large a problem in the well-aerated soils as we are wont to use in bonsai, it does combine with soil CO2 to form (Ca(HCO3)2) (calcium bicarbonate), which is reported to have toxic effects on roots - not so much because the solution is phytotoxic, but because of the fact that it interferes with uptake of other essential elemental nutrients, and its accompanying tendency to cause an upward creep in media solution pH. That said, I have some landscape plantings that use rock very rich in CaCO3 (fizzes when you put vinegar on it). They are many years old and are showing no ill effects. If you like the looks of the coral, why not try it with a pine seedling and/or a maple volunteer? Al

Please someone respond soon as my slips are about to arrive and still have no soil ready. I did find a SUPER PLANT TONIC that has a nutrients mix with beneficial bacteria, and root mycorrhizal fungus. I found hundreds of posts praising this stuff on over 20 different forums, it is from a company named BLUE MOUNTAIN ORGANICS. Here is info copy and pasted: " Super Plant Tonic". It's a 100 % Organic Blended Tea Concentrate, and a little goes a long way. In this new, more concentrated form it makes 16-32 gallons per bottle for Soil and if using it in a Hydroponics setup it makes 32-64 gallons. See mixing instructions below for details. So what does SPT do for your plants; it makes their roots very efficient. So efficient, you can lower the dose of fertilizer you are using to half. This tonic contains the following : Artesian Spring Water, Worm Castings, Mycorrhizal Fungi, Coral Calcium, Unsulphured (Blackstrap) Molasses, and Humic Acid derived from Oak Leaf & Peat Compost. Now, most people "do not want to tell", you their ingredients you to know them and why they are used : The Artesian Spring Water (provides an all natural, chlorine free base), Worm Castings (add soluable nitrogen & trace minerals), Mycorrhizal Fungi make the mix soluble & inoculate your plants roots, Unsulphured Molasses (feeds - these beneficial microorganisms, provides trace minerals, plus soluble nitrogen, phosphorus & potassium), Coral Calcium (adds 72 trace minerals - that's all of them), Humic Acid derived from (Hot Composted) Oak Leaves & Peat - adds natural chelates (ensuring smooth delivery of the trace minerals). All these good things are mixed, then oxygenated for (3) days under optimal conditions; in a special organic tea brewer. Which increases the feeding action of the beneficial microorganisms - which break down all these good things, into a highly soluble liquid. Easily absorbed by plants. Note: Mycorrhizal Fungi enhance your plants ability to absorb more nutrients, minerals & water - resulting in better vigor, growth & draught resistance. Just Google or Yahoo Search Mycorrhizal Fungi - You'll find page after page of information praising them. The effects on your plants will Amaze You !!! . Just like you, a plant fed a well balanced diet, which includes vitamins & trace minerals - Results in Increased Health & Vigor. It is like a protein shake for your Organics has spent years, perfecting their "Tonic" formula. Each run is made in small batches to ensure quality. It is great for starting or healing plants that are ill. Used weekly, all plants grow bigger & healthier. It is completely safe for food crop use. Your garden will produce more than ever, your roses will love you. ANY IDEAS?

Crispy critter - You have helped us all. Funny how the studies they do sometimes have not been reliable. For years we took hormones because "they are good for us"...Yeah, right!...I talked my head off to my friends and family when I read Dr. John Lee's book on hormones and the dangers...and finally about 4 or 5 yrs later, they tell us to stop!... I took Vioxx for bursitus and read that it causes heart attacks and stopped it! Then about 2 yrs later they take it off the market! They say never to take anything the dr gives you samples of...it's a test to see what will happen if you take it : ) I need to look at the Calcium testing to see what they used. Makes me mad the media doesn't always come up with the whole thing! Thanks!!

Thank you! I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome 20 years ago. I am almost 59. I take some other supplements, but I am trying the coral calcium as soon as i can get out to buy it. I am retired now, which helps but still find when I have a really active busy day that the next day I am a couch potato. tried some prescriptions early on, but did not like the side effects. thanks again