Shadegardener said:According to the book, I'm low on potassium, boron, iron, copper, zinc and sulfur. Some of the target values are based on TCEC. I'm not quite sure that lowering pH will release all of those minerals. From my understanding, the TCEC won't necessarily release the nutrients based on pH.
?the TCEC won't necessarily release the nutrients based on pH...?
right--mathematical equations don't "hold on to" or "release" anything
Given that TCEC, Total Cation Exchange Capacity, is a mathematical calculation derived from the pH -as measured in your soil- and the amount of four (only four) cations -as measured in your soil- if you change the pH and/or change the amounts of the four measured cations (calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium) then the input to the equation changes and then the calculated TCEC can change some (or not much, depending). But, really, the only thing the TCEC actually tells you is how much calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium you have in your soil, at your pH.
Forgive me for just jumping in here and having no clue what you are talking about--
but, the pH is one of the most important factors in the "bioavailiabity" of the minerals to the plants because the pH dictates the form and the solubility of the minerals in your soil.
I would give anything to get my pH down to 7.1! Well, and keep it there but, that's not possible for me.
I am out here in calcareous and sodic land with major excesses and enough alkalinity of both soil and water -and lack of water- along with the tremendous buffering capacity of this muck-- it is pretty frustrating and dare I say hopeless? Yes, hopeless in many respects--no blueberries for me
edit: spelling
