Ferrous sulfate question

[Rcjohnsen]

<< Subject: Re: Ferrous sulfate question
From: David Ross rossde at acm.org 
Date: Fri, Apr 21, 2000 10:06 PM
Message-id: <3900D0DD.F90FFDD1 at acm.org>

Mike the Tree Doctor wrote:
> 
> Folks:
> 
> I am thinking of adding powdered ferrous sulfate to a fertilization solution
> I am devising for a commercial nursery feeding-operation.
> 
> Anyone with any experience with this material? Any ideas on whether the
> acidification gotten from the sulfate will be had at the expense of an
> extreme accumulation of iron?? >>

 Acid loving plants can't utilize iron much above pH 7.0 (neutral)and they
begin to show signs of iron deficiency of new yellow-white  foliage or
interveinal chlorosis.  Most plants do well in  soils 5.5-6.5(slightly acid)
and some are well adapted to pHs of 4.5+ such as azelia, Rhododendron, and
blueberries.  Aluminum also another micronutrient is not available above pH
7.0.  Lime generally increases pH and Ammonium decreases pH.