I have been reading about the use of calcium chloride in foliar sprays. Initially I was looking for ways to improve our tomato plants as in some years we have experienced blossom end rot. As I researched I also read this article published by scientists in Wenatchee, Wa where numerous commercial orchards are managed. USDA ARS Online Magazine Vol. 43, No. 4.
I would like to know if other members have used calcium chloride as a foliar spray and found it beneficial.
Dennis
Kent, Wa
I haven’t used calcium chloride, and I don’t recommend it (because of the chlorine). I’ve used (better options) calcium nitrate and calcium chelates, but not on fruit trees. I use it myself (for peppers, tomatoes), and also when I worked in a cooperative overseeing production (jalapeño peppers, gherkins), calcium nitrate was part of the regular fertilization program, both through fertigation and foliar application. For example, in jalapeño pepper production, in cases where blossom end rot appeared, I recommended calcium nitrate or calcium chelates foliar. My observation (anecdotal) - very rapid positive effect on improving the condition and overall progress of the crops.
I hope it helps anyway.
There are better choices. Commercial orchards I’m familiar with use low doses of foliar calcium-potassium nitrate.
I’m curious to know what the objections are to the chlorides. Is it that they are spent too rapidly or that they leave chloride residues, perhaps?
Chlorine has a somewhat bad reputation in agriculture due to potential phytotoxicity (foliar application) and the salinization and degradation of soil with prolonged use of chlorides (salts). However, it also has a positive role in plant physiology, though it’s rarely intentionally added through fertilization.
Also, chloride and some other forms of chlorine (Chlorine Dioxide) is used for plant pathogens suppression and even control (non-officially).
Ive been studying this for apples. I havent yet pulled the trigger yet.
Its said to be the most effective way to increase Ca in apples. Other commercially available sprays dont have enough Ca in them to be effective.
A lot of info from Penn State on this.
They have a formula. Ill be trying it soon. But slowly.
Seem like a common practice in commercial orchards for bitter pit.
i read somewhere. maybe here, to use diluted whey to prevent fungal diseases. i bet it would also benefit the tree with its calcium and micronutrient content. i got lots of it from making my own yogurt and buttermilk from making butter. i usually give it to the chickens and dogs. im going to experiment using it diluted as a spray on struggling plants and trees. it should help improve the microbes in the soil poured around the plants as well.
This strikes me a lot like vitamins and supplements in human diets. Lots of hype and very little science. I personally just eat good food. That’s what most dietitians recommend.
A current article in Good Fruit Grower touched on this subject. Calcium is applied to fruit trees with little evidence of benefit. The researcher recommended reducing applications of most nutrients. But growers are afraid to cut back.
Remember, if you have blossom end rot on your tomatoes, peppers, squash etc . Once the fruit is affected, you cannot correct it. Snap them off and hopefully use a calcium rich foliar spray on the remaining leaves.
It’s caused by calcium deficiency, often due to inconsistent watering or nutrient imbalances.
We use Gypsum (calcium sulfate) and normally mix it with the compost before planting.
The aforementioned article refers only to the application of calcium against bitter pit on apples (Honeycrisp).
Author:
but:
An earlier, seemingly more detailed study, finds that calcium treatment significantly reduces the occurrence of bitter pit immediately after harvest and after storage, and leads to different conclusions and recommendations.
Source:
Controlling-Bitter-Pit-in-Honeycrisp-Apples
Also other articles on calcium application have been published on this same website (Good Fruit Grower )
https://goodfruit.com/calcium-improves-cherry-quality/
Anyway, it seems that research on the topic evolving (other processes and conditions being involved), but I wouldn’t say there’s no evidence generally.
Before these nice organic (Tone) fertilizers came out…
Plantone, Gardentone, Tomatotone, Hollytone, Treetone…
I always used a custom mix of bloodmeal, bonemeal, gypsum, epsom salt, greensand … and homemade compost for fertilizer.
TNHunter
Calcium has been shown to work somewhere at some point for something. But that’s by professional growers with probably a million years of combined experience, fairly similar conditions, and dedicated research staff. Still they as a group aren’t really sure what, where, or when.
Then there are us each with little experience, poor access to the right material, and widely varying conditions and issues. So our helpful members have so far suggested: bloodmeal, bonemeal, gypsum, epsom salt, greensand, homemade compost, whey, calcium-potassium nitrate, calcium chloride, calcium nitrate, and calcium chelate. Hang on a minute and we’ll probably get a few more. Great, grab one, throw it out there when you have time, and I’m sure it will help.
Guess what, I hear cod liver oil is back in vogue. That used to be the real deal when I was a kid.
nearly exactly what i do. except i use fish bonemeal.
You are replying to a wrong person.
