Myth-Busters Challenge - Calcium Nitrate (the "Snack")

rnewste · September 20, 2011

Last Season, I bought a 5 pound bag of Calcium Nitrate (15.5-0-0 19% Ca) to experiment with strengthening the plant over the growing Season.

My results were inconclusive, as I didn't have a "control" method to observe "with, and without"

This Season, I aligned 2 EarthTainers side-by-side, and planted 4 identical Brandywine from Croatia plants. The 2 plants in the 'Tainer on the left were my "control" plants, while the 2 plants in the 'Tainer on the right received the "Snack" treatment.

Not a great photo, but I think you can see the significant difference in plant vigor with the ones given the "Snack". Dosage was one Teaspoon per plant, per month watered in. Is this the optimal dosage - - probably not, but it is an indicator that adding Calcium Nitrate does indeed produce a more vibrant plant. I sense no taste difference in the fruits from both sets of plants.

I just purchased a (life-long) supply of 25 pounds for about $22.00 delivered, on eBay tonight.

Raybo

September 20, 2011	#1
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	Myth-Busters Challenge - Calcium Nitrate (the "Snack") Last Season, I bought a 5 pound bag of Calcium Nitrate (15.5-0-0 19% Ca) to experiment with strengthening the plant over the growing Season. My results were inconclusive, as I didn't have a "control" method to observe "with, and without" This Season, I aligned 2 EarthTainers side-by-side, and planted 4 identical Brandywine from Croatia plants. The 2 plants in the 'Tainer on the left were my "control" plants, while the 2 plants in the 'Tainer on the right received the "Snack" treatment. Not a great photo, but I think you can see the significant difference in plant vigor with the ones given the "Snack". Dosage was one Teaspoon per plant, per month watered in. Is this the optimal dosage - - probably not, but it is an indicator that adding Calcium Nitrate does indeed produce a more vibrant plant. I sense no taste difference in the fruits from both sets of plants. I just purchased a (life-long) supply of 25 pounds for about $22.00 delivered, on eBay tonight. Raybo