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Azores,terceira Island

I heard of people using calcium for pumpkins, whats it do?and how do i apply to already growing plants?

thanks ryan

6/12/2004 10:23:17 AM

Wichita, KS

A day and a half and nobody has any information for Ryan? I would take a stab at it, but I am not yet confident in my understanding of this topic. I'm kind of interested in what will be said in reply, too.

Toby

6/13/2004 8:59:11 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Busy in the patch is why. This is winter fodder. But let's see what we can do.

Calcium is a major element for pumkins. We can deliver it several ways & milk isn't one of them. LOL

>>Limestone. If your soil's pH is low, raising the pH with Limestone (Calcium Caronate) delivers calcium. Dolomitic Lime also delivers Magnesium as is commonly needed as well. If Mg is OK (according to soil tests), then Calcitic ot Hi-Calcium Lime is a better choice.
Slaked, Burnt, or hydrated limes are very fast, but no recommended in most cases.

>>Gypsum: Caclium Sulfate. Most commonly used to deliver calcium when the pH is near or at neutrel. May also be used to help leach surplus salts from soils especially sodic soils. It's pretty hard to over apply Gypsum n& rates can climb as high as several hundred pounds on 1000 sq ft. Soil test again to make sure.

>>Calcium Nitrate: Usually 19% Calcoim & 15.5% Nitrogen. Thus about 1 lb per 100 row feet as a side dress. A strong oxidizer, people purchasing Calcium Nitrate today must fill out paperwork proclaiming their intentions. While not as much fun as ammonium nitrate, CN can be used to make bombs.

May also be used in solutions & sold as a liquid in a variety of concentrations. May or may not be chelated for enhanced availability.

continued

6/13/2004 9:38:03 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

>>Liquid Chelated Calcium. Usually made with Calcium Nitate, but hydroxides are also encountered. EDTA or other organic chelating agents like sulfunates or gluconates should be employed to make the calcium more readily available to plants through foliar absorbtion. This is good stuff since there is almost no way for soils to deliver true "luxury levels" of calcium for optimum competitive fruit growth. Calcium that is root absorbed is gradually absorbed by vines leaves & stems so not all of it is going to make it to the developing fruit. Applying chelated liquid calcium helps insure that no part of the plant become deficient during high rates of growth.

Some growers apply Calcium Wraps by soaking towels or blankets in a liquid calcium solution then wrapping the fruit. These wraps may be left on for a week at a time in the hopes that irrigation cycles will "reactivate" the calcium for absorbtion by the fruit.

Others (myself included) like to inject chelated calcium directly into the sprinkler system to reduce labor. This can be done as often as daily if desired, but rates must be adjusted.

Weekly (or twice weekly depending on who you ask) range for chelated calcium from 1-3 oz per gallon of water for a 10% Ca solution. More isn't better since 6% Nitrogen is often the norm & only so much calcium can be used anyway.

There other ways to deliver Calcium to plants. I've heard of folks using hair, crab meal, crushed mollusk shells, etc. These are very slow to release to plants but can be added anually until such time that their decay begins to cause an effect in plants.

All fertility programs should be based on good soil test from better labs. In season tissue analysis is the best way to judge the effects of a solid nutrient program & calcium absorbtion & availability is no exception.

Phew.

6/13/2004 9:38:13 PM

In the shade - PDX, OR

Ryan - Don't forget to use the "Site Search" feature in the upper right hand corner.

For the most part nearly all of the questions you might have already have answers to them. - You just have to find them.

Don't get me wrong here....just do some searching first, then ask the questions.

Calcium Nitrate and Chelated Calcium are your best bets for plants that are already in the ground.

Good Luck
Ceis

6/14/2004 1:08:10 AM

Ontario, Canada.

Ryan, last fall I was able to purchase CMS (Calcium Magnesium Sulphate) it helped to raise the ppm of ca & mg in my patch. Soil test is the key point. You need to find the current conditin of your soil, otherwise you run the risk of sending the balance of nutrients out of control. Steve and others have pointed you in the right direction.

6/14/2004 5:18:32 AM

Azores,terceira Island

thanks guys sorry i am buggin with all the ?'s just dont want to screw this up will be shure to use the search feature in the future thanks ryan

6/14/2004 10:35:56 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Questions are good Ryan. It's how we learn & why this website exists. But we're all a little slower this time of year. With good reason.

Grow Well!

6/14/2004 11:13:24 AM