gypsum?

[rusty]

In their mix or in the ground around their plants. I had heard some thrifty folks use a piece / some drywall instead to save $$ as drywall is mostly gypsum.
Thoughts??

[Paulf]

Drywall gypsum is calcium sulphate but contains many other materials some of which could be harmful to plants and animals including humans if ingested. Plasterboard gypsum is contained between sheets of heavy paper and as such is not toxic in a home setting. If ground into a dust could be harmful if inhaled or ingested because of the fillers used in the process: Paper and/or fiberglass fibers, Plasticizers, Starch, Finely ground mica crystal as an accelerant, EDTA(Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid which binds iron molecules to calcium) or other chelating agents, Anti-mildew agents, such as boric acid, Wax emulsion or silanes to hinder water absorption, Potassium sulfate.

Agricultural gypsum, also calcium sulphate, is not the same as lime. Essentially calcium sulphate, gypsum contains two very important elements for crop growth and can do some great things for the soil structure. An important misconception is that gypsum is a type of lime that is not true, it does not neutralize acidity – which can be useful in some situations such as high magnesium, higher pH soils that might be short of calcium but do not need the pH to be increased.

Most soils are not deficient in calcium. A good professional soil test will tell what should be added for soil health. Sulphur is used as pH adjustment...I add elemental sulphur every other year to reduce pH from mid-eights to mid-sevens. I do not need calcium and certainly not lime. Bottom line---I would not recommend drywall gypsum in place of agricultural gypsum and would want to know why calcium sulphate should be applied to my soil.

[Toomanymatoes]

Drywall gypsum is calcium sulphate but contains many other materials some of which could be harmful to plants and animals including humans if ingested. Plasterboard gypsum is contained between sheets of heavy paper and as such is not toxic in a home setting. If ground into a dust could be harmful if inhaled or ingested because of the fillers used in the process: Paper and/or fiberglass fibers, Plasticizers, Starch, Finely ground mica crystal as an accelerant, EDTA(Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid which binds iron molecules to calcium) or other chelating agents, Anti-mildew agents, such as boric acid, Wax emulsion or silanes to hinder water absorption, Potassium sulfate.

Agricultural gypsum, also calcium sulphate, is not the same as lime. Essentially calcium sulphate, gypsum contains two very important elements for crop growth and can do some great things for the soil structure. An important misconception is that gypsum is a type of lime that is not true, it does not neutralize acidity – which can be useful in some situations such as high magnesium, higher pH soils that might be short of calcium but do not need the pH to be increased.

Most soils are not deficient in calcium. A good professional soil test will tell what should be added for soil health. Sulphur is used as pH adjustment...I add elemental sulphur every other year to reduce pH from mid-eights to mid-sevens. I do not need calcium and certainly not lime. Bottom line---I would not recommend drywall gypsum in place of agricultural gypsum and would want to know why calcium sulphate should be applied to my soil.

Sage advice!

[rusty]

Thanks!!

[slugworth]

I used some sheetrock I got for free years ago.
Didn't see any difference.

[rusty]

I used some sheetrock I got for free years ago.
Didn't see any difference.

I heard that on the internet thats why I brought it up- said it was suppose to help prevent blossom end rot

[Paulf]

I used some sheetrock I got for free years ago.
Didn't see any difference.

I heard that on the internet thats why I brought it up- said it was suppose to help prevent blossom end rot

Another misconception. There has been so much written about BER that for full explanations go to some pretty scientific studies that will reject that idea. Almost no soil is deficient of the calcium needed for good growth. BER IS caused by a plants inability to utilize the calcium available. Short answer: BER is a result from uneven watering, temperatures that swing high to low and back again, excess fertilization followed by the wrong types and levels of fertilization and several other factors having nothing to do with calcium levels available in the soil. Just by the addition of a calcium source is not a "cure" for BER. BER is not a disease but a condition. Reams have been written so look up BER for some really good explanations.

I am not being snarky but this topic still gets brought up every once in a while, so for a full report there are others way smarter than me that explain it way better.

[Tormahto]

To be overly cautious, I'd say no on many materials not specifically meant for soil amendment.

Years ago, many people used cardboard as a weed blocker and also to add to a compost pile. When Chinese cardboard started showing up, that thinner yellower-colored stuff, speculation was that it contained a lot of boron in the glue used to make the cardboard. levels that could possibly do harm to people, while also stunting tomato plants. I never did find any scientific study of it. My guess would be that Chinese made sheetrock may have impurities not found in American made sheetrock.

[karstopography]

https://dnr.wi.gov/files/PDF/pubs/wa/WA607.pdf

Something from the State of Wisconsin on the use of wallboard for agricultural purposes.

[slugworth]

I once had a decapitation victim that recovered by rooting itself and it had a green tomato that turned red, no BER.
That is the most stress you can put on a tomato.
I've had tomatoes indoors with TLC and they had BER.
Tomatoes on the same plant same exact time,some fine some with BER.

[Kingbird]

Water soluble Gypsum. I get it from build a soil dot com.

[Harry Cabluck]

Some 25 years ago, rototilled about 40-pounds of horticultural gypsum into 400-sq. ft. garden area that was black, sticky clay. It seemed to de-ionize the gumbo of a previous stock corral. Have not used it since building up the garden with compost.

[rusty]

i know pretty well that uneven watering can / will contribute to BER- just have read so much about added calcium though