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Location

Message

Date Posted

Caceres, mid west of Spain

When is the best moment to apply it?

7/18/2003 11:18:12 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Carlos,

I cannot speak from hands on experience. But a large US manufacturer & his best technical field sales rep both feel that their product would be be applied as often as every 2-3 days starting once fruit set is certain & sure. So around basketball size.

Our staff agronomy people (one is Phd) agree but also feel that lower rates sooner would also be advantageous in many cases.

I've heard of at least one hitter soaking burlap bags, towels, & such and just leaving them on the fruit for days on end. The theory here being that as irrigation cycles ocurr, the material becomes available again. I'm sorry I do not hold much promise for this theory myself but to each his own.

Steve

7/18/2003 1:32:26 PM

churchville, ny

Hi Carlos and Steve-I bought 2.5 gals.of 6-0-0 Calcium nitrate ($91) from Lesco but the store had no idea what concentration to spray it foliar-I was thinking of 1 oz./gal-what do you think? Thanks Tom

7/18/2003 2:03:19 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Tom,

I work for Lesco. 2-3 oz per gallon soil as a drench or evening foliar. Keep the foliar rate a little lower (1-2 oz per gal) when very warm weather is anticipated the following day or spraying in the morning.

We must be mindful of that 6% Nitrate. So when I do the foliar apps at night & they upgrade the following days temperature predicition, I make sure to leave the mist cycles programmed.

Thanks for your patronage!

Steve

7/18/2003 6:22:13 PM

Key West, FL

Why would you apply Calcium as a foliar feed? It has to travel through the plant from the roots.

7/18/2003 6:43:32 PM

Utah

Ben-
some folks think it can be absorbed directly through the leaves... or the pumpkin skin...
if you spray it on and water it in then it goes directly to the root node at each leaf.
you can buy chelated calcium at peacefully vally farm supply... at www.groworganic.com ... pretty sure that is the right web site. it is on apples to prevent bitter pit.
i think it was like $34 per 2.5 gal. 12% derived from calcium acetate and calcium choride... it has a fairly low pH ... so it can burn your plant if you over do it ... just ask me ... I know ! I would worry about putting it directly on a fruit for that reason.
the recommend rate for apples is 1 gal with 20-200 gal of water for 12 acres, every 10-14 days... really helps you with your 1,000 sq ft patch huh ? :)
I use 1/4 cup per plant in a 5-10 gal water drench once a week.
to answer Don's question ... from what I have heard steve has it right on... again ... :)
if you are spraying you want to do that in the evening ...
if drenching/watering it in then I don't think it matters what time of day.

7/18/2003 11:48:10 PM

nanaimo,B.C,Canada

Yes i also heard that too, Ben. I watched a growers seminar and the guy from one of the soil labs said that calcium go only enter the plant via the roots. It can't get to the pumpkin through the leaves.

Dave

7/19/2003 12:49:00 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

The 6-0-0, aka "Nutri-Cal" that Lesco sells is pectin-based. This allows for transference of the calcium thru leaves, roots, stems, and yes the pumpkin skin. A pectin-based product is easily and immediatly available to the plant through absorption.
The idea with the Nutri-Cal, and I can't speak for other brands, is that a towel soak left on will allow the skin to absorb the calcium which then makes it stronger and more pliable in cases of quick growth where splits are a concern.
I researched the product heavily before I bought my 5 gallons. I've been using it as a foliar since Day 1..and I've got the healthiest leaves I've ever had.

7/19/2003 5:49:26 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

1-3 ozs per gallon H2O for foliar spray. I use a mister/ sprayer and apply to just before runoff.

7/19/2003 5:56:58 AM

Key West, FL

It makes sense for spraying it on the leaves if you are trying to funnel it to the secondary roots, and I believe the pumpkin skin absorbs it too, but the leaves will not.

7/19/2003 11:21:27 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

Ben,
As I said, pectin-based, it will absorb thru leaves...that's why growers use it as, and it's made as, a foliar.

7/19/2003 3:43:18 PM

porterville,california usa

Southern, sounds like it could be a great product if they could figure out a way to make it soak into the leaves! maybe they should try adding something like,.... oh i don`t know.....maybe pectin to it? ya! then they could try for a foliar.

7/20/2003 2:06:52 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

:0)

7/20/2003 5:21:46 PM

Il

I just ordered some Biomin calcium is this the right stuff.

Jasper

7/20/2003 6:50:29 PM

Mastic Beach, New York

i been using a liquid calcium called pro cal 8% and it says to apply foliar ..1 tbsp per gallon

7/20/2003 8:02:04 PM

Mastic Beach, New York

forgot i got it from www.ageoldorganics.com

7/20/2003 8:06:31 PM

Montoursville, PA

AGRO-K has several calcium products all for foliar use. They suggest specific timing in their pumpkin fertilization plan. Your North Eastern rep is Craig Lembke who frequents this board. His near thousand pound pumpkins speak for themselves. 716-672-2367. Only sells gallons for commercial fruit and vegetable production.

7/21/2003 3:54:20 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

How was vacation Doc?

7/21/2003 6:38:11 AM

Montoursville, PA

Great!

7/21/2003 7:20:29 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

Good to see ya' back..

7/21/2003 7:34:29 AM