FINCHforum

I have arranged the water bowl to overflow once a day - this keeps me from entering the aviary too often. I put liquid calcium in the water at least twice a week, but the overflow goes directly onto the new honeysuckle plant at the point of dirt and plant. Is this going to kill the plant?

IDK but I would think if it is only a few days a week, you'd be alright. Hopefully someone else who knows plants can answer for sure. I am curious when you say you fill the water to overflow, what type of water dish/bowl etc? My finches need water change twice a day, no matter what type I use and they don't like the bottle waterers, which I know lots of people use in aviaries.

I have an outdoor aviary and have the water set to run at noon. The water dish is shallow and about 10" round, so when it comes on (1 min.) it fills to overflow and washes out old water. Some water is lost to evaporation, but once a week I wash out the bowl. This means they get fresh water daily. I thought I'd make use of the overflow, but I'm concerned about the supplements.

The suppliments should not affect the plant, especially honeysuckle (invasive plant) as it is very hardy. I actually throw eggshells into my garden for calcium -- I learned to do so from my grandmother. Supposedly as the egg shells biodegrade, it enriches the soil with calcium that is then used to strengthen the cells of the plants (making for stronger plants). Don't fret, overflow the bowl as you please.

Im not so sure with liquid calcium but my late grandmother usedto put crushed egg shell on her orchids and other flowering plants.

Great! Some sage advice on gardening too. LOL. I am a person WithOUT a green thumb, but I love plants and wish I could grow my garden, flowers etc better.

Thank you for all your thoughts. I'm good now

Calcium, same as the lime you apply for your plants or lawn, will raise the PH but with the small amount that you are applying it shouldn't phase it. You have to apply 2 TONS of lime to alter the PH by 1 point per acre if that betters explains on how little, if even, make a difference.

Foosa101 wrote:Calcium, same as the lime you apply for your plants or lawn, will raise the PH but with the small amount that you are applying it shouldn't phase it. You have to apply 2 TONS of lime to alter the PH by 1 point per acre if that betters explains on how little, if even, make a difference.

That means that it takes less than 0.1 lb. of lime per square foot to raise the pH by 1 point. That's not so much.

However, I agree that getting a little extra calcium on the plant once a week or so is probably not going to hurt it.

You will be able to tell if the PH is getting too high b/c the plant will start to decline in health. This can be easily fixed by applying a fertilizer and sulpher. Basically, what happens when the PH is too high it will prevent the plant from absorbing any nutrients from the soil.

I don't think that the quantity of calcium you are supplying will affect the plant long term. Especially if you are rinsing the water daily and overflowing in the same area. The calcium supplement will be leached out of the immediate area anyhow.

My professional response as this is actually what I do for a living. Plants.

My opinion rests with Monotwine's.