LIME FOR WHITEWASHING TREES AND DE-ACIDIFICATION OF SOIL

Lime is intended for bleaching trunks of trees and shrubs in order to avoid the effects associated with so-called winter burn. It is also intended for de-acidification of soils for cultivations which do not tolerate acid reaction.

Painting stumps with lime is a very important winter procedure in fruit orchards and in the amateur cultivation of fruit trees. When painting, we give white color to stems and thick branches, because white reflects sunlight and protects against heating. Excessively heated tree trunks, especially in the spring time, get a signal to start with vegetation, which started prematurely may lead to freezing of flower buds. Painting also prevents freezing cracks and scabbard wounds, resulting from sudden drops in temperature, leading to freezing of excessively hydrated cells.

Liming is a very important treatment on acidic soils, which aims to increase the acidity of the medium to slightly acidic, neutral or alkaline. Lime in the form of oxide is especially recommended for heavy soils, i.e. loamy and compact. It has properties that improve the soil structure – it loosens the compacted soil, creating a crumb-like structure that allows the accumulation of water and air in the spaces. The oxide form of lime is characterized by very fast action. Calcium is also a very important macroelement in the development of plants. It improves the absorption of phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and micronutrients. It also has the ability to bind heavy metals harmful to plants from the soil, including cadmium, lead, chromium. Soil liming positively affects the quality of crops. For example, tomatoes with calcium deficiency become ill – dry top-rot.

Application method

Whitewashing trees:

In order to whitewash tree trunks, we use lime in the winter season, from December to March. The first lime painting should be done in December. However, if the white layer is washed off, the whitewash should be repeated so that the trees are whitened until March.

• For painting the trees, make a solution – up to about 1 liter of water, stirring gradually, add lime gradually until a thick solution is obtained.
• During the procedure, do not let lime or its solution get into your eyes.

Liming (deacidifying) soils:

Use lime on acid soils that require preparation for growing plants that require a higher pH (slightly acidic, neutral or alkaline). It is good to measure the soil reaction with a special acid meter before proceeding with liming.

• Lime to de-acidify the soil should be used at intervals of 2-3 years.
• The best date for using lime is autumn – after vegetation is over, but it can also be used in early spring – before vegetation begins.
• One should not combine autumn fertilization or fertilization with nitrogen content with liming. The distance between fertilization and liming should depend on the length of the fertilizer used.
• One 1.2 kg box is sufficient for approximately 15 m2.
• The treatment should be carried out preferably on moist soil in calm weather, because the lime is in the form of a powder.
• Spilling lime at the early spring time lime, if possible, mix with the soil.
• Wear protective gloves and protect eyes during use.

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LIME FOR WHITEWASHING TREES AND DE-ACIDIFICATION OF SOIL