Calmag for orchids and jasmine.

[BrassavolaStars]

Hello all,

Many of the local growers around me have problems with calcium, magnesium, or iron deficiencies. Because of this, I thought it couldn’t be detrimental to add calmag to my fertilizer mix.

While I don’t have any deficiencies I know of with my orchids, my jasmine has chlorosis and it would be easier just to be able to use the same hose for both.

How much should I use per gallon considering I am going to use it every time I water?

It is 2 0 0 with 3% calcium, 1.2% magnesium, and 0.12% iron.

[SouthPark]

I use this one here Click Here.

I didn't buy it from that site though. I just use that same item.

For your item, maybe you could just try something like 5 millilitre per 10 litres of water. Pretty sure if there becomes a deficiency - then something is better than nothing. I just do a once per month application into my potting media ----- scoria media.

[Leafmite]

I also use Ironite for my Jasmine sambac (as well as many other plants).

[Ray]

The general NYC area has some pretty pure water, so many folks up there use either K-Lite or MSU RO, as they contain the needed Ca and Mg.

K-Lite contains 10% Ca and 3% Mg
MSURO 8% and 2%, respectively.

One teaspoon of your supplement per gallon is going to provide about 25 ppm N, 40 ppm Ca and 16 ppm Mg.

[BrassavolaStars]

I forgot to mention that I also have a bottle of chelated iron.

Originally Posted by Ray

The general NYC area has some pretty pure water, so many folks up there use either K-Lite or MSU RO, as they contain the needed Ca and Mg.

K-Lite contains 10% Ca and 3% Mg
MSURO 8% and 2%, respectively.

One teaspoon of your supplement per gallon is going to provide about 25 ppm N, 40 ppm Ca and 16 ppm Mg.

If I understand correctly, what you are saying is that the supplement that I have (calmag) is fairly weak compared to others that are commonly used in my area? Does that mean I should put more than 1 teaspoon per gallon?

I am sorry but dosing minerals isn’t my strong suit.

Are those ppm numbers for 1 teaspoon per gallon that you listed for calmag adequate for my plants every time I water? Or is that too high or too low? Should I just water with this stuff once a month? Should I maybe do a one time addition of the chelated iron to just the jasmine?

In short, I’m not quite sure what the nutritional goal should be for either the orchids or the jasmine.

[Ray]

Using that particular formula at a teaspoon per gallon gives the levels I mentioned and is fine for weekly use. What it is lacking at that concentration, is sufficient nitrogen and every other element.

I like to use about 75-100 ppm N, applied weekly, so with your 25 ppm N provided by the cal-mag supplement, I’d mix it with a 50-75 ppm N solution of your regular fertilizer.

4 divided by the nitrogen percentage of the fertilizer gives you the teaspoons per gallon for 50 ppm N, and 6/%N give it for 75.

4/20=0.2 and 6/20=0.3, so split the difference and use 1/4.

So for weekly feeding, I’d mix 1 teaspoon of the cal-mag and 1/4 teaspoon of your fertilizer per gallon of water.