Sphagnum/Coco/Lime Question

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I'ts about time to get off me butt and mix up a batch of soil for Spring Planting.

In a "classic" Coots style mix, equal parts sphagnum, manure(s) and aeration, amongst the additional amendments there is generally some form of a liming agent used.
As I'm understanding this basic mix, the liming is primarily to act as buffer for the sphagnum.

If this be at all correct then the question...

If I use coco pith in place of the sphagnum would that obviate the need for the liming?
I would address calcium requirements with the other amendments...

Yes / No / Is I dumb or just plain stoopid
 
I might be wrong but 1/3 manure seams way to high to me. The lime is used as a PH balancer more than any thing. If you can get it the horse manure is the best in my opinion. When I run out of my steer manure I will be switching to horse. I don't fully mix from scratch so maybe I am wrong. I just modify my store bought soil.
 
The "manure" portion varies from one recipe to the next but many mixes that I've looked at use a combination of goodies for the manure.
A mix of EWC and compost and steer or horse poo for the manure portion.

The lime as a buffer/ "pH balancer" is the main thrust of my question. If I'm using coco instead of sphagnum do I really need the lime?
 
yes. feeding teas and any sort of composting and decaying matter will in turn funk up smaller things as it does and lime also helps feed the plant and buffer the goings on in a living mix and as we all know buffer the guanos and other components that run a lil hot.combined that creates Ph swing. so yeah man Lime it.
 
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