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Cranston, Rhode Island

I have only 1 plant. I had a pumpkin develope blossum end rot and blossum end split. It was at 90" circumference, 225 lbs. I'm not sure if the cause was from genetics, or low calcium deficiency. I have one fruit left on a secondary vine. I'm not going to take any more chances. I work in a lab and on the shelf I found a small container of pure calcium nitrate powder. If I dissolve 100 grams into 1000 ml of water I'll get a 10% calcium nitrate solution. My question is this. How much of this solution makeup should I add per gallon of water for a root drench,and at what frquency? 2) How much per gallon of water for a towel soak for resting on the pumpkin? 3) How much per gallon as a foliar spray (mixed with coco-wet organic wetter for better absorbtion through leaf veins? I appreciate the help since I don't want to lose my last fruit after all the hours,money,and effort since May. Not to mention my wife getting a little jealous of splitting my free time between her and the patch lol.
Thanks, Will

8/22/2003 2:54:25 PM

Sequim, WA

Calcium Nitrate is usually 15.5-0-0. Meaning that if you have 100 g of CaNO3 you have 15.5 g of nitrogen. I usually use it by the pound, although my patch is rather large, and it is in a soluble form so I just fill a hose end sprayer and hit the whole patch. That's as technical as I can get. Too busy for precision. If you add lime to your soil to bring the pH up you'll be getting calcium from that as well. I also use calcium metalosate. The only problem with overdoing calcium is it can inhibit the uptake of potassium and vice versa. I add both and let the plants take what they think they need.

8/23/2003 5:57:56 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

I use 2-3 oz. per gallon of water during a drench. When I foliar I use the same except thru my mister sprayer, just enough to wet the leaves.
Pretty much the directions on the product I use.

8/23/2003 6:27:44 AM