I don't know nothing about nothing... just reading along and
doing some research myself.

So correct me if the links I'm placing are wrong:
http://www.organiclandcare.org/stand...ducts_pest.htm
Indicates that there is hydrated calcium hydroxide as well as
calcium hydroxide. Plain calcium hydroxide is sometimes called
"hot lime". Hot lime should NOT be used for anything according
to that link. Hydrated calcium hydroxide is designated to be
used in a restricted manner as a fungicide only.

Perhaps that's where the confusion is coming into play. I don't
know nothing about it, so if this information looks correct,
please provide an afirmative statement. If it is incorrect, please
say so.

--
Jim Carlock


Jim

What it being called pulverized lime her is normally called ground limestone.
It is naturally occurring limestone (rock) that is ground into a dust in a
mill. Many times it is pelletized (A water soluble binder is added added to
the ground limestone and it is molded into pellet form) This makes it more
convenient to use in mecahanical spreaders and is the form most often seen at
lawn and garden centers, All calcium carbonate reacts with acid to form CO2 and
a calcium salt. Remember the marble chips in your high school chemistry.?

Next if you heat limestone to a high temp. the Carbon dioxide releases and
leaves Calcium Oxide. Usually called quick lime but hot lime is appropriate.
This is the stuff that was used in some cultures to dispose of bodies, When I
was a kid it was used to make white wash.

Now if you add water to calcium oxide (If you try this add the calcium oxide to
the water) it reacts rapidly forming Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2 Usually sold as
hydrated or water slaked lime. This a weak base but because no futher chemical
reaction is need will raise pH rapidly.

There are organisms like powdery mildew which do not thrive in a basic
environment, so hydrated lime may help in those situations. As an insecticide
it has no major effectiveness. Might descourage some soft bodied insects but
there are better solutions like safers soap.

dill