Hi Al,

If you're out there we need your help in an emergency situation.

We've used a product called, "calcitic plus dolomite lime" in our 15 gallon containers for growing tomatoes this year.

We have 20 containers and we were so diligent

in mixing the 5-1-1 soil ratio(pine bark fines-peat moss-pearlite).

We used a half a cup of the lime per 15 gallons of soil to raise the pH and to get the benefits of calcium and magnesium, but after almost 2 weeks the tomatoes plant leaves are now turning light green and the stems are getting spindley. We suspect we have over-limed.

What are your thoughts on this?

After reading your article on correcting pH we are desperate to know what we should do to correct the situation before our plants die and all our hard work goes to waste. Are aluminum sulfate or sulfate of iron or sulfate of ammonia good? We are concerned if the aluminum uptake is toxic in the tomatoes and if not, how much to use of any of these? we read that you sometimes use diluted distilled vinegar to raise the pH? If so, how much and how often should it be used? Also, would adding a little Epsom salts help the pH and how much?

Your advise would be very greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Jon and Christine