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I used to use it in the past in my mixes. Haven't bought any lately, but seemed to make some of them grow more. I would just put a couple of scoops of it into my mix when I was mixing it up. I have also used coral calcium to add to the bottom of some of them's pots, but I can't rember which ones they were. Ha. I think imperialis was one that liked it.
Carol would know about this.
Name: Carol Noel Hawaii (near Hilo) It's all about choices.
Ted Greens catalogue talks about those which he thinks need calcium. I do not add it to my mix at all - I used to, but then again, I used to have a lot of problems with my media. Calcium tends to raise the pH in the soil and DL told me that the soil he tested in his wild collected plants was consistently between 5.5-6.5 so I haven't felt the need. Yet...I don't use a very acidic planting medium either. For the very serious collectors, I would recommend a total soil/medium analysis will give you an idea if you need calcium or not. Was also told that Eriostemmas like it.....
Well, I don't use it either - so I was just wondering if it made a huge difference.
I don't grow eriostemmas - ha! I know my limitations, and as for imperialis, I have one pathetic specimen that is clinging on...but doesn't grow much
So I guess I'll just stick to what I do for now - but perhaps change the medium imperialis is growing in to see if that helps.
Dee, pelleted lime could be a little risky - if its the kind made for your lawn it could have "quick lime" in it, which could burn the plants. If it was just pelleted dolomite, it would probably be OK, but I would let it dissolve slowly and naturally.
On egg shells: I remember reading something recently on just how insoluble egg shells are in soil. I didn't save the post, but is was from someone who had some soil science background and seemed credible. The upshot was that oyster shell or agricultural lime was better.
A big 50 # bag of limestone should cost less than $10 in the U.S. I save oyster shells and crush them by running over them with the car
Name: Carol Noel Hawaii (near Hilo) It's all about choices.
I really think that a soil analysis is necessary before starting to add any special minerals... Calcium IS necessary for cell health in plants...but not needed if your medium already has it. ALSO, calcium does not 'migrate' well...best to add it to the whole pot so it gets near the roots where it needs to be to do any good.
Testing is very informative. Unfortunately, the cheap testing kits and devices aren't accurate, and a good lab will be very expensive ( at least it is in the U.S. ).
I always add the oytershell in with plenty of compost - the acids in the organic matter buffer and aid in dissolution.
I wish I could run over the owner of the last restaurant I ate Oysters at here....never mind the b***dy shells....was very ill for nearly a whole week....!!
I use egg shells to. 
