Sulfur, Sulfa ----- Sulphur?

Paul Tyerman ptyerman@ozemail.com.au
Wed, 09 Nov 2005 14:22:43 PST
At 04:36 AM 10/11/2005, you wrote:
>Although mistaken about sulfur vs. sulfa, sulfur in both elemental 
>and ionic form is strongly anti microbial.  I use a good bit of 
>sulfur on my plants for fungus control. In the soil, I don't imagine 
>one would find large quantities of sulfur in these forms.  So 
>although sulfur is an anti-microbial in its own right, I've never 
>shied from applying some elemental sulfur to my blueberries.

I'm sorry, but I have to ask....... what exactly is "Sulfa" (never 
heard the word before) and for that matter what exactly is 
"Sulfur"?  The element is called Sulphur" without an F so I am 
wondering what these other words are supposed to mean?  Is it just a 
common method not of making it "easier" to spell by using an F or is 
there something else I don't know about?  I am assuming from the 
email above that "Sulfa" is something separate and not just a further 
bastardisation of 'Sulfur"?  Sorry to be a tad confused but I thought 
that when referring to elements you really should stick to 
traditional spelling or you just muddy the water more and more?

Can someone please explain?  Maybe it is just a new way of spelling things?

Cheers.

Paul Tyerman
Canberra, Australia - USDA Zone Equivalent approx. 8/9

Growing an eclectic collection of plants from all over the world 
including Aroids, Crocus, Cyclamen, Erythroniums, Fritillarias, 
Galanthus, Irises, Trilliums (to name but a few) and just about 
anything else that doesn't move!! 



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