When it comes to adding dolomite lime to your Plumeria soil mix, both powdered and granulated forms are effective, but they have different characteristics that might make one more suitable than the other for your specific application:

Powdered Dolomite Lime

• Faster Acting: Powdered dolomite lime has a larger surface area in contact with the soil, which means it can adjust the pH more quickly than granulated forms. This can be particularly beneficial if you need to correct the soil pH in a shorter amount of time.
• Easier to Mix: Because it’s fine, powdered lime blends more easily and uniformly with soil, ensuring an even distribution of lime throughout the potting mix. This can help prevent pockets of soil with varying pH levels.

Granulated Dolomite Lime

• Slow-Release: Granulated dolomite lime breaks down more slowly, providing a more gradual pH adjustment and a longer-lasting effect. This can be advantageous for maintaining consistent soil conditions over time.
• Less Dusty: The granulated form tends to be less messy and easier to handle than the powdered form, with less risk of inhaling lime dust during application.

Which to Choose?

• For Immediate Adjustments: Powdered dolomite lime may be the better choice if you’re looking to amend the pH of your plumeria soil mix quickly, especially if preparing a new mix or addressing a significant pH imbalance.
• For Ongoing Maintenance: Granulated dolomite lime could be more suitable if you’re aiming for a slow, steady adjustment and long-term pH stability in your Plumeria’s potting mix.

Application Tips

• Dosage: Regardless of the form you choose, applying the correct amount is important. Too much lime can raise the pH too much, leading to nutrient availability issues. Generally, a handful of dolomite lime (around two tablespoons) per gallon of soil mix is a good starting point, but this can vary based on the initial pH of your soil and the specific needs of your plants.
• Testing pH: It’s wise to test the pH of your soil before and after adding dolomite lime to ensure it falls within the ideal range for Plumeria, which is typically between 6.0 and 7.0. pH testing kits or meters are readily available and easy to use.
• Mixing Thoroughly: Ensure the dolomite lime is thoroughly mixed into the soil to prevent localized pH imbalances. This is particularly important with powdered lime, which can clump if not mixed well.

In summary, powdered and granulated dolomite lime can be used to amend the soil for Plumeria, depending on your specific needs for speed and duration of adjustment. Always handle dolomite lime with care, using gloves and a mask if necessary to avoid skin irritation and inhalation of dust.