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Massachusetts

When does everyone start applying calcium directly to the fruit? Can you refresh my memory as to why this is done?

Thanks,
Jamie

7/9/2006 7:20:20 PM

Kevinstinindians@yahoo.com

The idea is/was that the fruit would absorb it, have thicker walls and be a stronger healthier fruit in general. I'm not sure this idea panned out though. I believe the only people to have any success with it were the companies behind it, and mostly on tomatoes. They claimed it reduced blossom end rot, spotting and improved shelf life. I'm not sure where it stands now but would like to hear if there is any newer information on its actual effect. I think foliar calcium is a good idea and spraying the fruit at the same time wouldn't hurt as long as the blossom and stem ends were kept dry.

7/9/2006 8:55:43 PM

Rocky-r@stny.rr.com

Ask the world champion Larry Checkon if he uses it and then make your assessment on how successful calcium soaked blankets are over fruits. I too would like to know about what size fruits should be before they start getting the soaked blankets.

7/9/2006 10:25:50 PM

Massachusetts

Thanks for the info Pharmer. Rocky, how would I go about reaching/ asking Larry?

7/9/2006 11:14:20 PM

Ohio

does the skin on the fruit have pours to absorb the calcium or does the calcium just dry on the skin giving it kinda like a protected coating?

7/10/2006 3:59:16 AM

Rhode Island

you can start by reading larry checkons article in our "will flash for pumpkins " series

personally i believe if the calcium levels are where they should be in the soil you will get whatever the fruit is capable of giving.i would not want a wet blanket or towel covering anything for a period of time. let the fruit get some fresh air. especially during humid days.

also there are calcium sprays you can use both on the pumpkin and as a soil drench.

pap

7/10/2006 6:17:55 AM

Mocksville, NC

From what i here it is a fact , that calcium is absorbed by the pumpkin itself, more elastic, and stonger cell membrane. less prone to rupture aka splits. From Don Langevin book 3. (Farmers with just 1 application of calcium, have found that they had bigger thicker Cantalopes, and the shelf life doubled on there harvast)I have had pumpkins go flat, Later to find out calcium deficiant. I now use Gypsum in the soil, and foliar calcium on plant as well as on fruit. I start spraying calcium on the fruit at basketball size you know when they are just getting vainy, and start to take off! Does it help? It hasnt hurt anything, and i havent had any blow at that point (yet) This is just what i do, and find what works best for you. If we could get Nick Welty to explain this process to us it would be a great help!

7/10/2006 6:50:14 AM

Sheridan . NY

HI --I suggest you put a micro refined calicum on at barbie propane tank size---Sprayed on daily at 1/4 oz to gal of water as out line on the AGRO-K feeding sked--the towels dont work as well i feel because the towels pull most of the calcium back up in to the towels just as a wick on a oil lamp-----the melon inc has as ROGER said been using calcium for many years and works well ---in the past 5 years LOTS Of GP have been using foliar calcium seeing the results---the calcium help to make health bloom set on all fruits and vegies---helping farmers have much better crops and more money in there pockets----you can read a lot of data oN calciums --VC & VCP AT-- www.candjfert.com or www.agro-k.com -- grow em big*** craig

7/10/2006 8:51:40 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

I just got off the phone with Dave Stelts. (it's gonna be some cell phone bill!)

He grew the world record 1140 Stelts in 2000 which was his first year using Nutr-Cal. Prior to then he was plaqued with light fruit. He's never stopped using it.

Dave uses a half cup per in a 5 gallon bucket. Toss old beach towels or light blankets into the solution, pull it out dripping & wrap each fruit after it's 3 weeks old. Leave the wraps on until the next time you're out there. Maybe once every 2-3 days. Spray all of the foliage & soil with 1.5-2 oz per gallon solution too. An irrigation line injector is a good way to get this done. Time the injection so is starts toward the end of your irrigation cycle & make sure that 1.5 oz goes out for evey 1000 square feet the system covers.

This isn't rocket science. We're just trying to make sure the plants never *WANT* for Calcium during the season.

7/10/2006 1:24:14 PM

President - GPC

Another question, Can one apply too much Calcium and what would be the results, or would it just be wasting material??

7/10/2006 1:47:45 PM

Mocksville, NC

yes to much Calcium can lockup some uptake of other nurients it kind touchy feely thing a foliar is most likely not going to effect that though.

7/11/2006 7:31:54 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Wiz,

Keep the rates in the range the manufacturer labels their product for any deliver method. More can cause spotting of the young fruit.

7/11/2006 8:36:01 AM

President - GPC

I sprayed Cal last night and will stay on the Agro-K program once I have a fruit I will spray to the fruit...I'll try the cal blankets at the other patch. Thanks

7/11/2006 10:03:04 AM

Eugene,OR

If you have too much calcium in your water you soak your towels in you WILL burn your pumpkins. I have direct experience with this. The results were a 10% heavy 947 pound pumpkin though, so I'm not complaining...but it was ugggglllllyy.

7/11/2006 12:15:40 PM

Western NY

russ is right, it will burn. i wait until about day 40 or so to start. doesn't seem to affect the skin if it has already started to canteloupe.

7/11/2006 1:10:07 PM

Massachusetts

Thanks for all the info guys. Sounds like I'll be using it.

Jamie

7/11/2006 5:07:46 PM

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

So we are to leave these towels on 24/7? I assume they dry out after a day or two and then they are remoistened and put back on? This is in addition to shading...correct?

Thanks

7/18/2006 2:21:03 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Yes Eric...most people who use this technique leave the towel on the fruit. I have & the towel is dry the following day in which case it is just helping to shade the fruit. Cucumber Type 2 Mosaic Virus ruined the vines, but the fruit remained healthy regardless. LOL

7/18/2006 11:29:32 PM

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

So I use 1.5 oz per gallon of the 13% Calcium solution, dunk my towel in and then put it over the fruit. I will give it a try but will wait until the 100+ days cease.

7/19/2006 12:28:14 AM

Cologne Brescia Italy

Hi, Steve, I have a sign of a dill ring on my 1127 Glassier, and 1420 Larue can the calcium (chelate) to help the problem?
how I can do with the calcium
Any advice will be welcome

7/23/2006 11:55:07 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Sergio,

I think it will help but will not solve the problem entirely. Calcium might make the fruit more elastic which cannot hurt.

How is the soil calcium in your garden?

7/23/2006 5:37:59 PM