Using Cal-Mag+ for BER

[AKmark]

Originally Posted by Yak54

When I began using grow bags I also had issues with BER for the first two years. After that I switched to a 4-18-38 fertilizer with Cal. Ni. & Mag. Sul. liquid feed applied 1 or 2 times per day. Also started checking moisture twice daily in the soil less mix of the grow bags and BER went away almost totally. Now I'm a happy camper even though this is labor intensive but the productivity is worth it.

That is a great formula that is well tested. To be exact, we add equal parts of 4-18-38 and CaNO3, and about two thirds of those ratios is Epsom Salt/ MgSO4. For 100 gallons, 8oz, 8 oz ,5 oz- every time you water if the media is similar to Pro Mix. If watering is good, a grower should rarely if ever del with BER . pH should be around a 6.2 with an EC of 2.0- 2.2.

[Yak54]

Yes Sir !

[Yak54]

Originally Posted by AKmark

That is a great formula that is well tested. To be exact, we add equal parts of 4-18-38 and CaNO3, and about two thirds of those ratios is Epsom Salt/ MgSO4. For 100 gallons, 8oz, 8 oz ,5 oz- every time you water if the media is similar to Pro Mix. If watering is good, a grower should rarely if ever del with BER . pH should be around a 6.2 with an EC of 2.0- 2.2.

AKmark question---So you are saying more than 4 oz of MgSO4. (two thirds instead of one half ratio). Are you talking "Heirloom" varieties or Dutch greenhouse type varieties ?

Dan

[AKmark]

Originally Posted by Yak54

AKmark question---So you are saying more than 4 oz of MgSO4. (two thirds instead of one half ratio). Are you talking "Heirloom" varieties or Dutch greenhouse type varieties ?

Dan

I do believe HG raised it to 5, Masterblend is 5. I use even more in AK with our long Summer days. A leaf sample sure helps dial in the product for your area, other than that if you see no signs on the lower leaves of deficiency don't mess with it. We grow many varieties every year, I grow our own crosses of heirlooms, we grow hybrids and no Dutch varieties currently. Ive grown them in the past, just not my thing

[Yak54]

OK thanks for the heads up. I was not aware that HG raised it. I will try increasing it for my upcoming growing season.

Dan

[NmRuss]

For ber i use milk. 2 cups per plant along with epsom salts. Works wonders and is quite cheep.

[Gardeneer]

Age OLD issue, BER
Other than what has been mentioned (container growing, uneven watering Ca deficiency )
another factor is that some varieties are more prone to BER than most other.

I have mainly experienced it on ROMA.



HINT. you can make your own Cal supplement right in your kitchen.
simply save your eggshells. Wash them,crush them and add good old vinegar to it..
Wat you will get is Calcium Acetate (plus the water in the vinegar already).
Add like a cup of it per gallon of water.

You can use also fast acting lime (instead of egg shells)to make a big batch.
Wood ash also has lots of calcium.

Since the Ca is in ionic form Ca++, it wiill be readily available to plants.