Re: [nafex] Calcium Sprays

["Ed Fackler" <rocmdw@aye.net>]

Don:

     I've never seen any problem re: mixing Ca in any tank mix solution.
     For max effeciency, spray around 5-7am.

ed
----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Yellman" <dyellman@earthlink.net>
To: <nafex@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2002 11:20 AM
Subject: [nafex] Calcium Sprays


> 1.  This year, for the first time, I plan to use a calcium spray on my
> apples and stone fruits.  Had to go out to Winchester, VA, an apple
> growing area, to find it.  It's not expensive; $20 buys a 2.5 gal.
> container.  The brand name is "Stop-It", and it is 12.1 % calcium
> chloride, and 23% of that is listed as "chlorine".
>
> 2.  The reason I want to try this is frequent evidence of corky spot,
> bulls-eye and other rots on the apples.  The soil here is an acidic
> clay/shale, and I don't think I have moved it much with annual
> applications of dolomitic limestone on the land.  So I am reasonably
> certain the soil is calcium deficient, and I believe that calcium is
> more readily absorbed through the leaves than the roots in any case.  I
> know that calcium sprays are frequently used by commercial growers to
> improve the quality, color, and even the keeping qualities of their
> fruit, but they are not commonly sold at retail, and I don't think too
> many backyard orchardists use them.
>
> 3.  The label recommends 4 qts. product per 100 gallons of water, which
> translates to about a 50:1 dilution rate.  I plan to use 10 oz. in a 4
> gal. backpack sprayer.  For apples, the label recommends applications at
> 10-14 day intervals, from petal fall until harvest.  I would plan to mix
> it in my usual pesticide spray, Imidan,  which I will combine this year
> with a low rate of lime/sulphur or sulphur.   For stone fruits, only two
> applications are recommended, at 2 and 4 weeks before harvest.
>
> 4.  I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has used calcium,
> particularly experienced commercial growers.  Guys like Ed, for example.
>  Are there things I should know about calcium use and compatibility with
> other chemicals before I start adding it to the program?  I am getting
> some apple petal fall right now, and will probably start spraying around
> April 22/23.  I am particularly keen to learn any negative effects that
> could result from through-the-season use of this substance at the
> recommended dilution rate.  I do know that it is pretty corrosive (I
> think it's basically the same thing as road salt), and I will have to
> rinse my sprayer carefully after use.
>
> Rgds, Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA
> Where a warm, sunny spell is giving us the best apple pollination
> conditions I have ever seen.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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