Foliar Calcium (Ca): Which Types are Best?

General Fruit Growing
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Per instructions from Tony Dembski, I’ve been applying foliar Ca (WinField United MAX-IN® Calcium) to apples during cover sprays. I suppose it helps with storage quality. Years ago, I bought 2.5 gal at Door County Farm Bureau Co-op and brought it back (100 mi) on my motorcycle. I’ve run out now, and I can’t do that anymore, so I ordered this:

The old product was a fluid. The new product is a water-soluble powder. I’m wondering whether the new product is a (good or bad) substitute for the old one for foliar application.

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As a foliar, micronized Calcium does not disburse evenly. I prefer liquid derived from Calcium Nitrate. Here’s a product I used to distribute:

Grow More Maxi-Cal 10-0-0 10% Ca

It is sold retail by the pint and wholesale by 2.5 gallon tote.

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this probably won’t produce as much as you need, but maybe good in a pinch. https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/sa-10.pdf

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Hawaii.edu won’t serve Web content to the TOR network. :frowning:

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Yes, I see <using my “let it all hang out” browser>.

When eggshells are mixed with a weak acid, such as vinegar (3% acetic acid), the chemical reaction converts the calcium into an available form,

I’m on a low-fat, low-sugar, low-salt diet, so eggshells are in short supply.

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Sea shells might work in a DIY formula.

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Here’s some additional DIY info. GardenMyths - Garden Myths

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8

Ummm, clams.

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Yes, soil is a more important source of Ca than foliar application. I live on a sand dune, so my soil is nutrient poor. I applied a little gypsum in 2010, 2011, and 2014.

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Absolutely. But some species and specific cultivars do not metabolize enough in root processes and thus foliar application is used as a supplement.

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