A dry construction plaster composition made with at least stucco in an amount from about 25 to about 99 wt %; hydrated lime in an amount from about 0.5 to about 75 wt %; a phosphate-based lime bucking inhibitor in an amount from about 0.01 to about 1 wt %; and a setting reaction controlling agent, wherein the setting reaction controlling agent comprises a set accelerator, a set inhibitor, or any combination thereof is provided. Methods for preparing construction plaster slurries and pastes with reduced lime bucking and methods for finishing a substrate are also provided.