Making Lime Sulphur

[leatherback]

Hi All,

At the moment I am gathering everything needed to create lime sulphur myself.

Why? Because I can I suppose. I have ever since starting Bonsai wanted to make this stuff once. And after that, probably never again.
I was wondering whether there are people here who have made it, and whether there are any tips of things I should keep in mind. Naturally, the process is dirty so outside, and use personal protection gear.
But.. After that!?

Particularly what the options are for cleaning the final liquid. If I let lime sulphur sit outside, it oxidises / crystallises at the surface. So just letting it cool donw and sit in a corner for a day is probably a bad idea. But very fine filters will also take ages to pass the liquid. I see "cheese cloth" used but that will only grab the larger particles I think? Maybe I should not worry and just fill botlles with the suspended particles in it, and not care?

I am going to be using quicklime, CaO2 instead of the slacked lime, as I can get quicklime more easily ad I understand it dissolves easier.

 

[ShimpakuBonsai]

Maybe this video of Bonsai Notion can be helpful for you.

 

[leatherback]

Maybe this video of Bonsai Notion can be helpful for you.

I know the video, as well as some others, and the FAO manual and some academic publications.
On top, I am now after personal experiences.

 

[SeanS]

There was a recent thread where a member made their own but I can’t find it by searching. I’ll keep trying and post the link if I find it

Edit: found it!

D

Thread 'I made my own lime sulfur from limestone...and now I need help'

Apr 11, 2025

So I made my own lime sulfur (pretty cool right?!) from limestone and garden sulfur (90%) and there wasn't really a good way to measure its concentration without spending too much money for my liking, so I'm left with this solution of lime sulfur that is, I believe, super saturated, at least with the sulfur. After making the solution I let it cool overnight and the next morning I woke up and found that the bottom had about 1-2 inches of what I believed to be elemental sulfur. I strained the solution and seperated the crystals from the final solution, and so now I have a solution with less...

• dallin_hubb
• Replies: 12
• Forum: Soil, ferts, and chems (insecticides/fungicides)

• 

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Good luck! I myself have wondered... but was concerned about the smell. There was truly nowhere that I thought I could make it without annoying neighbors.

Make sure you share photos!!

 

[leatherback]

There was truly nowhere that I thought I could make it without annoying neighbors.

I will make sure to pick a warm day. All my neighbours will be hiding indoors.
And it is just an hour right?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I will make sure to pick a warm day. All my neighbours will be hiding indoors.
And it is just an hour right?

I don't know. Seems like when I work with lime sulfur the odor gets into my skin pores I smell it for a week afterwards

 

[leatherback]

the odor gets into my skin pores I smell it for a week afterwards

Its called gloves.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

If you can centrifuge the bottles safely, you can probably decant them.
Wear eye protection please.
Skin can be washed.. My skin has experienced a lot of chemical accidents.. it's still fine. Some things took a year to heal, but its fine.
My eyes have never experienced any chemical accidents because I protect them so well that it's impossible for them to get hurt. I hope you do the same.

If you want to chat about material suggestions etc. send me a PM.

 

[leatherback]

If you can centrifuge the bottles safely

sadly ..nope

Wear eye protection please.

Absolutely!
I am even trying to dig up my old chemical breathing filtermask and seeing whether I can get a new filter. The CaO2 with water reaction is no joke, and sulfates are not too great either I understand.

material suggestions

?

 

[blackadam]

get some throwaway clothes when working with sulfur, things may get stinky

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I am even trying to dig up my old chemical breathing filtermask and seeing whether I can get a new filter.

Make sure it's rated for acid vapors too. Acids can eat away carbon filters pretty rapidly and their byproduct is.. Not pretty.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

Over here it is so cheap I doubt I could make it for less than what Chewy (pet supply) sells it for. It is $24 for 16 oz which will last me a very long time, probably will crystalize first.

 

[leatherback]

get some throwaway clothes when working with sulfur, things may get stinky

I have some throw-away clothes that I use for gardenwork only.

 

[Attmos]

If you can centrifuge the bottles safely, you can probably decant them.
Wear eye protection please.
Skin can be washed.. My skin has experienced a lot of chemical accidents.. it's still fine. Some things took a year to heal, but its fine.
My eyes have never experienced any chemical accidents because I protect them so well that it's impossible for them to get hurt. I hope you do the same.

If you want to chat about material suggestions etc. send me a PM.

Yeah the whole idea sounds kind of dangerous... am I wrong about that?

I mean, I'm notorious for making bad decisions like this because... what the hell... lol

But Sulfur......

 

[leatherback]

Over here it is so cheap I doubt I could make it for less than what Chewy (pet supply) sells it for. It is $24 for 16 oz which will last me a very long time, probably will crystalize first.

Yeah, it is not a financial consideration. Although..

I ordered the chemicals, which was 30 bucks. this should be sufficient for 10 litres; Then add chemical grade bottles at a buck each and I am at 50 bucks for 20 bottles, so 2,50 per bottle.

Next to this I have some other costs, such as a pot from secondhand store, filters, spatula etcetc. Maybe another 30 bucks. All in all each bottle will cost 4 to 5 bucks if this is a once off and I never use the rest of the equipment.
Half a litre bottle here is about 16, 17 bucks

I use 2 bottles a year. So I am not going to keep all. I will take a few to my clubs and see who needs any. Else.. I have a big basement with pretty constant temps. I bet I can store it pretty long there.

 

[leatherback]

Yeah the whole idea sounds kind of dangerous... am I wrong about that?

As long as nothing happens and you pay attention it should be OK. I have seen how farmers are instructed in making this stuff and they are NOT covered in full body suits. Worst phase is adding quicklime to water.

 

[Attmos]

As long as nothing happens and you pay attention it should be OK. I have seen how farmers are instructed in making this stuff and they are NOT covered in full body suits.

Cool.. Just be careful... I guess.

 

[blackadam]

But Sulfur......

sulfur is easy to handle and safe, dont explode, hard to ignite... but combined with hydrogen stinks.

Worst phase is adding quicklime to water.

i assume u getting fine powders, wear mask, dont inhale that stuff
playing with chemicals is usually for fun, not for profit

 

[leatherback]

i assume u getting fine powders, wear mask, dont inhale that stuff

yeah, been working in too many labs.
In fact. I COULD do this work in a uni chemlab. But who does not like the opportunity to innocently annoy the neighbours.