lexxivexx
The Willamette Valley, Oregon
Posts: 266
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| Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 9:22 am Post subject: BER- how do I get the calcium to my Zukes? |
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I've got a mild case of blossom end rot. I think I over-fertilized the puppies (they were looking pretty sickly) and apparently the excess nitrogen/burst of new growth inhibits calcium intake, causing BER.
So how the heck do I give them calcium? My first thought was to take some fortified soymilk outta the fridge and pour them a glass, but I *have a feeling* that's wrong. Tums? Women's Daily Chewables? Maybe I should give em' a vodkatini while I'm at it, just to take the edge off a bit...
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eileen
 Forum Moderator
Scotland
Posts: 18013
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| Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 9:43 am Post subject: |
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Lexxi no need to worry you can just go along to your local garden centre and they should have a calcium supplement you can use.
Bet the plants will be disappointed about not getting the Vodkatini though!!! 
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aprilconnett
Winston_Salem, NC
Posts: 186
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| Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 4:48 pm Post subject: |
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try powdered milk.
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Anitra
Seattle WA (Zone 8)
Posts: 38
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| Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 4:31 am Post subject: I love bone meal |
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I found that bone meal works wonders, and is not very expensive when scooped out of the bulk bins. I think it was $1.39 a pound -- and a pound goes a LONG way in a small garden. I bought ground oyster shell when the garden store was out of bone meal. Like April says, some people have used powdered milk, apparently with success.
I first used bonemeal when my zukes were newly transplanted and almost died young. It took them less than a week to perk up from it, and they've thrived ever since.
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CritterPainter
Washington State
Posts: 1425
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| Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 6:03 am Post subject: |
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Sometimes you can get ground oyster shell at a farm store waaay cheaper. I give it to my chickens this time of year.
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Mary 
I have a mind like a steel...sieve
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lexxivexx
The Willamette Valley, Oregon
Posts: 266
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| Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 11:04 am Post subject: |
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I feel so silly! Okay, I’m one of those kooky herbivore types, and although it’s more than likely all the organic produce I buy is fertilized with things like bone and blood meal, I just can’t bring myself to do it! It’s less principal and more of a personal guilt ordeal. Lol.
I’ll have to try the powered milk in one tub and my vegetarian calcium supplements for the other. I’ll let y’all know how it pans out. Thanks for the advice; sorry I didn’t mention my aversion to bone meal earlier!
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CritterPainter
Washington State
Posts: 1425
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| Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 2:59 pm Post subject: |
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I'm not a veggie, but the thought of putting blood meal on my plants has always kinda gagged me. But hey, go for a stroll on the beach collecting shells, spend an afternoon with a hammer, & there's your cruelty-free calcium powder!
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Mary
I have a mind like a steel...sieve
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lexxivexx
The Willamette Valley, Oregon
Posts: 266
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| Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:21 am Post subject: |
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I wish I'd read that before returning from the coast on Sunday!!!! Fogerty Beach had the most shells and pretty rocks I've ever seen anywhere in the Northwest. Oh well, it gives me an excuse to go back SOON and collect more agates while I'm at it! I'm thinking about re-planting my thyme in a pot with a bunch of beach stones. I'm soaking the agates in water now, is there a special way to go about getting the sea-salt off?
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CritterPainter
Washington State
Posts: 1425
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| Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 6:07 pm Post subject: |
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a toothbrush, a few drops of strong dish soap, a bowl of hot water, and a cup-or-so of vinegar should get them shiney. Let em soak a bit then go at them with the toothbrush. Depending on how stubborn the stuff is you might need a spray of strong bleach-water solution. I've had nice effects by rubbing a tiny bit of furniture polish oil into stones with deep color.
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Mary
I have a mind like a steel...sieve
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nan1234
Chicago Area
Posts: 160
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| Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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Adding calsium rich matter into soil is not the complete solution. Usually, your soil should contain enough calsium. Plants just need a very little calsium. The question is, how do you let your plants to get calsium from the soil? Check the following:
1. Do you have amper water? Insufficient water flows in the plant slows the transportation of calcium to the plant and will cause the calcium deficiency. Add organic matter to the soil to improve moisture-retaining capacity.
2. Check your soil's PH value. Acid soil inhibits calcium intake. If the PH is lower than 6.5, add lime to acid soil.
3. As you already mentioned, excessive usage of potassium or nitrogen fertilisers will casue lower calcium solution in the water.
4.Calcium deficiency is difficult to reverse, so take corrective action immediately. If the plant damage (stunted) is extensive, it may not be worthwhile to keep it. Correct the soil problem and replant, if time permits.
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