DIY Calcium

[ETXfigs]

I found this great article at The Fig Jam. We are blessed to have the author @Inflorescence (Rosy) as a member here. I know that there are products to add calcium to your soil that are easily found on Amazon and big box stores. I am on a budget and sometimes don't have the option of buying these products and I look for things that will work that I have around the house. I had asked Grok how to use egg shells to add calcium to my fig's soil. Grok gave me directions about putting the crushed up shells in vinegar. Grok said to not put raw egg shells into the soil because it will attract fungus gnats and take a very long time to break down. Then about a week or two later, I found this article that @Inflorescence took the time to put together for us fig growers. It is much better and more indepth that what AI had given me.

Got Eggshells? Make KNF Water Soluble Calcium

Why add water-soluble calcium to your grows? Let’s find out!

www.thefigjam.co

 

[NYC_Fignetic]

I found this great article at The Fig Jam. We are blessed to have the author @Inflorescence (Rosy) as a member here. I know that there are products to add calcium to your soil that are easily found on Amazon and big box stores. I am on a budget and sometimes don't have the option of buying these products and I look for things that will work that I have around the house. I had asked Grok how to use egg shells to add calcium to my fig's soil. Grok gave me directions about putting the crushed up shells in vinegar. Grok said to not put raw egg shells into the soil because it will attract fungus gnats and take a very long time to break down. Then about a week or two later, I found this article that @Inflorescence took the time to put together for us fig growers. It is much better and more indepth that what AI had given me.

Got Eggshells? Make KNF Water Soluble Calcium

Why add water-soluble calcium to your grows? Let’s find out!

www.thefigjam.co

I follow KNF and made my Calcium following KNF.. I am now 2nd week in the KNF OHN.

 

[grasshopper]

I know and had used vinegar and eggshells but didn't think of using other materials. Thanks for the post.

 

[ETXfigs]

I know and had used vinegar and eggshells but didn't think of using other materials. Thanks for the post.

If you are thinking about using other materials. I used these pills that my wife had. The directions Grok gave me says that it dissolves in vinegar. Mine did not dissolve all the way so I strained it in a coffee filter.

 

[grasshopper]

If you are thinking about using other materials. I used these pills that my wife had. The directions Grok gave me says that it dissolves in vinegar. Mine did not dissolve all the way so I strained it in a coffee filter.

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Thanks, I like the free/reused solution better. Turning some waste into a useful plant supplement feels better than turning a human supplement product into plant supplement, even though the later takes less time.

 

[ETXfigs]

Thanks, I like the free/reused solution better. Turning some waste into a useful plant supplement feels better than turning a human supplement product into plant supplement, even though the later takes less time.

These were pills that my wife was not taking. They were kinda old and not being used.

 

[Jigfig]

I do the eggshells and vinegar thing. It’s easy enough and took care of my trees calcium needs. No more funky leaves etc.

 

[NYC_Fignetic]

I do the eggshells and vinegar thing. It’s easy enough and took care of my trees calcium needs. No more funky leaves etc.

when you were done, what is your cal ph at ?

 

[Jigfig]

Never paid any attention to it tbh. Just watched for any adverse reactions from my trees.

 

[NYC_Fignetic]

Never paid any attention to it tbh. Just watched for any adverse reactions from my trees.

do you use it in watering or foliage spray ?

 

[julie]

That was a great article. One thing I learned (that was different from pretty much everyone else's article online) was that you need to let the eggshells and vinegar sit for I think it was 2 weeks, not just until it stops bubbling. I tested the pH after just 4 days when the bubbling stopped and it was still quite acidic. But after about 2 weeks (I don't remember the exact time length), it had an almost neutral pH.

 

[NYC_Fignetic]

That was a great article. One thing I learned (that was different from pretty much everyone else's article online) was that you need to let the eggshells and vinegar sit for I think it was 2 weeks, not just until it stops bubbling. I tested the pH after just 4 days when the bubbling stopped and it was still quite acidic. But after about 2 weeks (I don't remember the exact time length), it had an almost neutral pH.

hmmm i follow the steps from knf but my ph is at 4.55

 

[Jigfig]

I watered with it.

 

[Opiem10]

Next season, my soil mix will include crushed clam shells snd aged egg shells. During the summer months, I’ll top dress the pots with crushed, raw crab bodies. The crab bodies smell badly for a few days but once they dry up, they pulverize easily.

 

[julie]

Next season, my soil mix will include crushed clam shells snd aged egg shells. During the summer months, I’ll top dress the pots with crushed, raw crab bodies. The crab bodies smell badly for a few days but once they dry up, they pulverize easily.

Do the crab bodies attract pests? How long until they break down?

 

[superdave336]

I’ve always included oyster shells in my potting mix. I’m thinking of adding powdered eggshells too.

 

[ZomVee]

I follow KNF and made my Calcium following KNF.. I am now 2nd week in the KNF OHN.

That's exciting!

 

[Inflorescence]

Hey, thanks for the shout out! Vinegar extractions are fantastic for many things. I have one going now of the weeds I used to make an FPJ that will be very mineral rich when done. The acetic acid in vinegar is good for plants when diluted properly.

Best of luck with it and let me know if you have any questions!

 

[Opiem10]

Do the crab bodies attract pests? How long until they break down?

Bald face hornets and carpenter bees are drawn to the fresh crab bodies. The benefit is that they stay away from my ripening figs.

After about a week to 10 days, the shells are dry and can be crushed. I thought about drying the crab bodies in a mortar trough, but why waist any nutrients that leach into the soil.

 

[NYC_Fignetic]

Hey, thanks for the shout out! Vinegar extractions are fantastic for many things. I have one going now of the weeds I used to make an FPJ that will be very mineral rich when done. The acetic acid in vinegar is good for plants when diluted properly.

Best of luck with it and let me know if you have any questions!

Can you tell me what you use in your fpj?? I am growing mugswort so I can make fpj as soon as I have enough to cut..