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soil ph too high

18 years ago

I had to buy in soil for my new rose bed, so I ordered 2 tons premium organic mix and 2 tons cow manure mixed together. On checking the ph got a reading of 9-10, so complained to the supplier and then got 2 tons of native mix with a ph of 6 to add. After mixing it together now get different readings from 6,7 to 9. The organic content of the mix was too fresh and there is mushroom compost in it.

Do you think it is safe to plant my new bare rooted roses now I am getting mixed ph readings?

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Comments (7)

Lynne1
18 years ago
Where is Larry when you need him? I would be concerned about burning the roots Sharon, one way would be dig a bit of soil from somewhere else and put that in your rose holes for a while, the goodness will leach in later and roots extend outwards.
Lynne
annabel__WA
18 years ago
Agriultural sulphur sprinkled in the hole halfway down and trod in well along with peat mixed well in with the soil/compost should help lower the Ph, definitely peat but it will all need well mixed. If you have some large pots, I'd pot them up in potting soil till the mixture settles.
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I spoke with the Master Gardner helpline and she suggested sulfur to acidify the soil. I think it will take awhile to see results from that though. She also recommended cottonseed meal. I called the company I purchased the soil from today. They were very apologetic and are checking their sources of manure to see if they have changed anything (i.e. putting lime out in the stalls). He offered to purchase and come to my house to apply blood meal or fish emulsion, which they believe will help for now. Anyone have any objections/opinions to blood meal in this situation? If I'm understanding what I've read, blood meal would be good for both iron and nitrogen deficiency.
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Daniel_Hanna
18 years ago
I think over time that kind of pH would slowly correct itself. In the meantime plant your new roses in rose planting mix (1x9 litre bag per plant) to keep the roots away from the high pH soil for the short term. No need for pots if you do that, and there'll be no transplant disturbance down the track.
magic_pete
18 years ago
Far to high for sure.2 tonnes of cow manure is fine if you are covering an area of 25 by 25 metres. Must be a huge new area you are planting? I always recommend straight mountion soil,then add your own goodies, then you know what goes in and how much.Does the mix steam when you break up the crust? If so then the nitrogen has still yet to break down. I would pot your roses and plant them out around November if possible.
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sharonterava
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions too far. The size of the bed is 7m x 4.5 and 30cm deep. Putting them in potting mix is a good idea But I have 40 bushes to plant.
I can heel them in my vegie patch for a while if nescessary. May try a small amount of sulphur on the bed, also hoping the rain we MAY get this weekend might help. The mushroom compost in the mix is very fresh as the straw is in clumps, there is no steam coming from the clumps of cow manure.
lozza
18 years ago
2 points. What is the pH of your natural soil in that area before adding new stuff? Are you sure of the pH testing equipment? Sounds a bit sus. In any case I wouldn't worry. Stir sulphate of ammonia in the mix. Plant the roses and adapt later. Just make sure you water well. Personally I'd never use mushroom leftovers. 1. I'm allergic to 'em (and so is my dog it seems), and 2. You don't know what's been in it. Roses are grown in high pH areas all over Australia. The enhanced colour of the blooms is dramatic.
brenton
18 years ago
agree with lozza...am more worried about planting roses into hot manure than ph.......shove your arm into the dirt if it's warm to hot ...don't plant.

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