White spar stone on container plants

pippa_r

I would like to put white spar stone chippings on top of my bamboo and palm plants which are in containers, but my neighbour told me the limestone in it might kill the plants.

Does anyone know if this is true? Thanks.

olly300

As I've been reading up about mulches so I have to do less watering I have read that -

Limestone is calcium carbonate and using it as a mulch (putting it on the soil around plants) will change the PH of the soil making it more alkaline.

Most Palms don't like a PH over 7.0 i.e. they like slightly acidic or neutral soil. I googled to find this: http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/horticulture/Palmreader.html#What%20do%20palms%20want

pippa_r

olly300 wrote: »

As I've been reading up about mulches so I have to do less watering I have read that -

Limestone is calcium carbonate and using it as a mulch (putting it on the soil around plants) will change the PH of the soil making it more alkaline.

Most Palms don't like a PH over 7.0 i.e. they like slightly acidic or neutral soil. I googled to find this: http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/horticulture/Palmreader.html#What%20do%20palms%20want

Thanks for the info. I will find another use for the white stone now.

Interesting website - I'll be in trouble if my palms grow as big as them!