From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Williamsburg,KY

Im getting ready to do some buying and calcium is on the list. So far I have found lots of products, some have nitrogen in them, some dont. There is Vigor Cal, Cal Mag and many others. Im hoping someone can give me some good advise. My soil test from last fall indicated my Ca % was 61 and I applied dolomite limestone and also some 0-0-60. Im sure I will need some sort of calcium spray for the growing season. I hope Im on the right track. Croley Bend

3/12/2009 10:32:17 AM

North of FRANCE

Croley,

there is not so much products in France but i can tell you i have find a foliar fertilizer with 3 per cent of CaO and 3 per cent of Mg , with Cu, Fe , B and Zinc, so i have find a calcium sprayer with oligo-éléments and i think it will be right to the growth and to the health of my plants (one spray every 10 days) Best, Stéphane. (for soil, i use Gypsum, no lime )

3/12/2009 11:12:16 AM

Sheridan . NY

croley bend--- have ya done a complete soil test 61 % cal and 0 0 60 k doent give much info--yes on the Vigor Cal LOTS !! of grower use it--it is a micro refined calicum speific for foliar feeding and diesese control--

3/12/2009 11:36:16 AM

Corbin, KY

I think I would look at adding the gypsom. Will not change your PH. Plus they have it locally at lowes and southern states.
Tim

3/12/2009 3:02:41 PM

Williamsburg,KY

Thanks for your replies. Im just thinking of a calcium foliar. I meant I did add some gypsum in the fall. Guess Im getting confused. Yes I did do a soil test in the fall and we talked Craig. I was wondering on what others thought on a calcium foliar.

3/12/2009 4:23:07 PM

Santa Rosa, CA

Croley,

I hope I can help with your question. The soil test will indicate if your calcium level is low. A great way to add it to the soil is like Tim mentioned, adding gypsum. It is sold in 50 pound bags that will cost about $5.00 per bag. For good measure, I add a 50 pound bag per each planting site. One grower at our California Grower's Meeeting said they use 12 bags per each planting site!

On the foliar calcium, check out Biomin Calcium. There is a growing supply place by me that sells a quart for about $14.00. (I think Joel Holland sells it too.) OK to spray on late in the day. Some growers soak sheets with it and place on the pumpkin to help with blossom end splits. We have also used it as a soil drench near the stump.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Chuck

3/12/2009 7:54:54 PM

Adams County

Croley , C&J products also known as the "old man" great stuff and a great price. craig@candjfirt.com . He will hook you up

3/12/2009 8:53:04 PM

Gays Mills, Wisconsin

Croley,

A few years ago I used Nutra-Cal. It has some nitrogen in it that I was told helps absorption. In my experience I thought it caused the fruit to ripen earlier than anticipated and ended it's growth prematurely.

I would like to know if this experience was typical and that one should avoid foliar calcium applications that contain nitrogen.

Anyone want to weigh-in on this?

John

3/12/2009 9:40:22 PM

Sheridan . NY

Vigor cal is $19.00 a GALLON--+ [SHIPPING>> $18.50 TO CALIF]-[less to any were else--] Cheaper than $14.00 a quart-- and is made to be foliar fed--on fruits and vegies will get in to the plant in 4-6 hrs
www.candjfert.com--hit our products--craig

3/12/2009 10:25:34 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

John,
We carry Nutri-cal, Nutri-Cal® liquid calcium works by being absorbed directly and immediately through the leaf and fruit cell walls.

Nutri-Cal® provides a unique delivery system, which protects the calcium from forming insoluble compound, enabling more efficient movement of calcium to the fruit/vegetable where it is needed most.

www.extremepumpkinstore.com
Tom

3/13/2009 12:55:35 AM

Somerset,Ky

Tom is on the money my # 1 choice nutri-cal awesome
product we used it the past two years.

John

3/13/2009 7:01:08 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Thanks so much for everyones replies. Im plan on doing another soil test soon. My fall soil test wasnt really that bad, just lacking some OM, which I am taking care of. Just want all my bases covered. I have learned more about soil than I ever thought I would. Its all in the soil and that is a fact.

3/13/2009 8:54:42 AM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

Croley, what does your pH look like? If it needs to come up any there is also a product called Solu-Cal that is great. It will increase your pH and also add lots of calcium. I used it last year and was very happy with the outcome.

3/14/2009 6:46:15 AM

Williamsburg,KY

My pH, from my fall soil test, is 6.5 with a buffer of 7.0. My Calcium was 4196ppm and 61% on the CEC.

3/14/2009 11:29:14 AM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

Wow! 4196ppm calcium! Why do you need to add more??? Recommended is 3000 to 4000. pH isn't bad either.

3/14/2009 10:41:51 PM

if you mean 61% on the base saturation ,,then yes in order to get things balanced you need to raise the CA levels a touch of Calcified lime will boost the Ph a bit,,add some gypsum to make up the difference

balance is the key

3/14/2009 11:58:01 PM

Williamsburg,KY

Yes I my CA levels are 61% on CEC. My other CEC levels are: %K 3, % Mg 6, Base Sat 70 and CEC (meg/100g) 15. Im trying my best to understand the balance of soil. I am not familiar with calcified lime...what exactly is it and how do I find it. I did add some gypsum last spring but not in the fall. Im taking soil samples today and will see what the results are once I get my report back.

3/15/2009 11:00:01 AM

that's a good plan,,things can change over the winter

calcified lime, or pel lime is usually sold in a pelletized form here, lawn and garden centers would be the easy source

36%Ca .05 Mg is the usual makeup

3/15/2009 11:09:18 AM

umm,,looking again at your posted numbers if I'm reading them right now. You would be better off using standard dolomite lime to get the Mg up shooting for around 12-18% of the base saturation

add more gypsum for the extra Ca,,,best to get the new tests before adding anything at this point though

a link for simple lime explanations

http://www.wvu.edu/~Agexten/hortcult/turf/liming.htm

3/15/2009 11:21:50 AM

North of FRANCE

If i can help, i use a marine alga called "lithotamne" to raise the Ph and the Mg (40% ca and 10% mg) but Dan has made a great work before !!!

3/16/2009 4:14:43 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Thanks for the link Dan, can never learn too much. I will get a test before I add anything. Thanks again.

3/16/2009 8:50:23 AM