Calcium

TorontoJoe

TorontoJoe

Administrator
Given that most soluble ferts don't have calcium I've usually added it in the forum bone meal at the beginning of the season. But I'm not sure how available the calcium really is.

Because it's soluble, I've been thinking of trying Calcium Nitrate (something I use in hydroponics) but given that the Ca(NO₃)₂ has a labelled NPK of 15.5-0-0 I'm wondering if it might throw my N levels all out of whack.

Does anyone have experience using Calcium Nitrate on figs?
 
Our municipal water usually has high pH, which tends to have plenty of Calcium in the form of limestone(Calcium carbonate). In pots media, I either add limestone or gypsum as a source of calcium (depending on the water pH).
 
superdave336 said:
Thanks to Lou Monty I add oyster shells to my potting mix. I’ve also seen Troy add it to his. I don’t get that scientific or exact with anything just dump it in. Lou made it not sound that important as far as amount. Not sure on calcium nitrate
https://www.amazon.com/Down-Earth-Organic-White-Oyster/dp/B07N2Z4Z9D/ref=sr_1_24?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8wxL82iOzC0S07yyCPN5vdsXxpSq-p2PpGxe6rvxboPubr-hvwZaCntXoFkVEtU-fzqzHYc2cmjm4dLpJGslF2qeS-F1lO693oFMCthVdfQN7pvksKM1lnVAVuzkzuB6XGUtTeajkYEGK8UH3lm86IvIpsl1jlweNYmc9F3MH4sF0DPbqpl34kKuEuEdQ4I2ZGqo4uVR_nxiEwAIDeMEKDmejxzsxh4YBnyHLkzUjH9vey5zm9j7eUGtS5T1hbTef_dDuf35MjYL-xUxlpzAXRtzYY6jsJoP6_aOP9l7ukI.cTrKugNHjFje4eppUi6ZE2kJmGji59BKdaUReQa4AwU&dib_tag=se&keywords=oyster+shells&qid=1747273852&sr=8-24&th=1
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I like oysters! Maybe I should grind down the shells to a powder
 
It's not just calcium Joe. You probably want to add magnesium as well I wonder if one has something to do with the uptake of the other since they're almost always packaged together in a liquid solution. A little Epsom salt would help with the uptake of course.
 
TorontoJoe said:
Would this provide calcium more available to the plants than bone meal?
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It would be more readily available. Bone meal would be too break down as would dolomite lime to provide calcium. Just using a liquid calcium or elemental calcium such as calcium nitrate or calcium carbonate is going to be more available instantaneously as would be used in something like hydroponics. I only use this method because I have a bunch of pharmaceutical grade left over from my reef aquariums.
 
Figless said:
It's not just calcium Joe. You probably want to add magnesium as well I wonder if one has something to do with the uptake of the other since they're almost always packaged together in a liquid solution. A little Epsom salt would help with the uptake of course.
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I hear you... it's not about neglecting the other nutrients... its just calcium is so obviously absent from mot soluble ferts
 
Q; Anyone uses this two products ?
I bought then last season, but I haven't had time to read about it or test the soil in container fig tree.
All I use for fertilizer is Millennial Gardener schedule + Gypsum and Epsom salt that I learn reading AsPete's recommendations.
Thank for your input in advance.
 

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@bigmike @TorontoJoe no reason to wonder about pH. A water droplet pH test kit will set you back $10 at almost any Hydro Store. If you spend $20 on ph Adjusters with the water droplet test kit you will certainly be able to adjust your pH to neutral every time. No sense adding lime to the soil or other slow and inefficient pH Adjusters. Just adjust the water/ fluid in your fertilizer solution, and you're done. Joe using this system no matter what fertilizer solution I am applying I've never watered with anything but a neutral pH solution since we first met. This is not rocket science. Your water droplet test kit will never need to be calibrated. You may willfully drop it a hundred times it will still work perfectly. Eventually you will know exactly what to dial in for your local water, or well water, Plus all the different supplements Solutions, additives you need to apply to your basic fertigation. No sense adding calcium without adding magnesium supplementation they go together like Love, and Marriage.
 
figologist said:
I've always added lime to my mix and I think it's very helpful.
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I am sure lime would, and is helpful. But it doesn't have an immediate effect when applied. It takes at least several weeks to a month to work its way into the soil to change the ph. A water droplet test kit with some small $10 bottles of PH adjuster up, and down will achieve a neutral pH immediately. Maybe applying both would be the most successful approach.
 
I havent tried this but for those who save egg shells for worms or other methods of composting, or for other purposes ... I saw a meme where you can grind them up into a powder and then soak with lemon juice for 12 hours and then dilute I think to 1/10 or 1/20

Its supposed to make it into calcium citrate which is allegedly very bioavailable for plants... and maybe even works as a foliar feed. I haven't verified it but I meant to repost the video
 
DallasFigShop said:
I havent tried this but for those who save egg shells for worms or other methods of composting, or for other purposes ... I saw a meme where you can grind them up into a powder and then soak with lemon juice for 12 hours and then dilute I think to 1/10 or 1/20

Its supposed to make it into calcium citrate which is allegedly very bioavailable for plants... and maybe even works as a foliar feed. I haven't verified it but I meant to repost the video
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That’s good to know. I have egg shell powder already. Bought a coffee grinder for doing that when I had compost worms. Also, we add them to the garden. I didn’t know about soaking in lemon juice though. Thanks for sharing.
 
In an attempt to meet up with FF member Coolwater77 (Andrew) to personally deliver his fig cutting winnings, a “calcium collecting river trip” was planned for December 22nd. However, the Creepy Crud infecting so many in NJ caught up with Andrew and I had to brave the ankle deep waters, in beautiful conditions, alone.

Mission accomplished with 5 gallons of stuffed calcium shell harvested. See attached pictures as proof.

I was able to meet up with Andrew just 24 hours later and his cuttings are now in his capable hands.

Now, what to do with all that wonderful protein sandwiched between those calcium rich shells?🤔

Another calcium collection trip is likely to occur in the middle of January.
 

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