calcium mxing directions

[pattieclemm]

I was told to get some calcium for my catts. so I ordered calcium nitrate 15.5-0-0 it had no mix directions on the bag. The the bag only had the manufactures name and chemical name. how do I mix it, 1-2 teaspoons per gallon? An how often to use it 1-2 times a month, please any and all advice is welcomed.

[dickjo]

that is all nitrogen. I would not use it on any plants. It will burn roots
dick

[tucker85]

Calcium nitrate is excellent for your orchids. Calcium is most important when the plant is making new growth in the spring and summer. I would use it, in place of your regular fertilizer, once a month at 1/2 teaspoon per gallon. That's about 100 ppm nitrogen. Don't mix it with your regular fertilizer. Use it, by itself, once a month. For the rest of the month, use your regular fertilizer as usual. Calcium builds stronger plant cell walls that helps to resist fungus and insects.

[PaphMadMan]

Originally Posted by dickjo

that is all nitrogen. I would not use it on any plants. It will burn roots
dick

Sorry, but that just isn't true. To put it simply, at 15-0-0 calcium nitrate is less likely to "burn roots" than a typical 10-10-10 balanced water soluble fertlizer because the total salts content is lower.

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[PaphMadMan]

Tucker has it right, I'll just emphasize a couple things.

Start using it just before you expect to see a flush of new growth in the spring. If you wait until you see new growth you have already lost some of the benefit.

As he said, do not mix it with any other soluble fertilizer. Also, use only distilled water, rain water or other mineral-free water. The advantage of calcium nitrate is that the calcium is 100% soluble. As soon as you mix it with almost anything except other nitrate compounds you can lose some calcium from solution.

If your plants need this kind of calcium supplement they almost certainly need magnesium too. You might want to consider magnesium nitrate or magnesium sulfate too, used similarly.

And since calcium nitrate supplies nitrogen too, you might want to use lower nitrogen fertlizer the rest of the time to keep things balanced.

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[Cym Ladye]

You chemists can all play with your formulas, but I add oyster shell to my mix. It is natural and simple and gives the Ca the plants need. Epsom salts added to the fertilizer or used separately takes care of the Mg on a once a month basis.

CL

[pattieclemm]

thanks everyone. will do. advice was great..............

[Orchid Whisperer]

To add to something PaphMadMan posted, if you are using calcium nitrate, but also using Epsom salts, I would use each of those during different times during the month. Maybe time things so that you are using one about 2 weeks separate from the other. Any sulfate (like Epsom salts) will cause some of the Ca you add with the calcium nitrate to precipitate (as calcium sulfate).

If you accidentally use them together, don't worry, the calcium sulfate (gypsum) itself will also slowly dissolve and provide Ca for your plants.

[PaphMadMan]

Originally Posted by Cym Ladye

You chemists can all play with your formulas, but I add oyster shell to my mix. It is natural and simple and gives the Ca the plants need. Epsom salts added to the fertilizer or used separately takes care of the Mg on a once a month basis.

CL

Interesting that you belittle those who want to 'play with formulas', then repeat one of the same suggestions... epsom salts (magnesium sulfate).


And for the record, I am a professional chemist who also happens to have a horticulture degree.

To be clear, I didn't advocate the use of calcium nitrate, just answered the question about use of a product already acquired. Though it is a valid practice it is not at all what I would recommend in a non-commercial application.

[fotofashion]

I have a fertilizer made by Peters that also has calcium and magnesium + Micro Nutrients. The analysis is: 15-5-15-5-2 (N-P-K-Ca-Mg) On the label you are advised to add a drop of Superthrive and to water with plain water once a month during the growing season. In the winter it says to use it half strength.
Comments, advice?
Beverly A.