Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Nutri-Cal® Garden Fertilizer
- Is Nutri-Cal® a product I can trust?
- Why do I need calcium on my fruits or vegetables?
- What are the physiological disorders that Nutri-Cal® minimizes or eliminates?
- What causes these deficiencies, when my soil tests show I have adequate calcium levels in my soils?
- What about CaCl and other inorganic salt calcium formulation?
- What is Nutri-Cal® garden fertilizer and why is it different?
- What crops can I use Nutri-Cal® garden fertilizer on?
- When do I apply Nutri-Cal® garden fertilizer?
- What is the difference between a chelated calcium and complexed calcium?
- Why should I use Nutri-Cal®?
- What should I not mix Nutri-Cal®with?
Is Nutri-Cal® a product I can trust?
Nutri-Cal® is the Number 1 organically complexed calcium product sold today. It is made by the C.S.I. Corporation; a family owned and operated fertilizer manufacturing company which first opened its doors in 1955 in Bondurant, Iowa. Until 1973, C.S.I. manufactured liquid fertilizers for grain farmers and other retail dealers throughout the mid-west. Since that time, we have diversified into the fruit, vegetable and turf markets throughout the United States and now, worldwide.
Back in 1980 we learned from our customers who grew fruits and vegetables that there were many physiological disorders associated with calcium deficiencies. Through our subsequent research and development program, we began a five year project to develop a more efficient, effective and safer product than what was on the market. In just five years we introduced Nutri-Cal® and today it remains the Number 1 organically complexed calcium product sold.
Today, Nutri-Cal® is sold all over the world on and used on nearly every crop grown by professional growers.
Why do I need calcium on my fruits or vegetables?
Calcium...
- Enhances quality, sustains firmness and extends shelf-life
- Reduces or eliminates many physiological disorders
- Is the primary building block for cell wall structure
- Is necessary for cell division, pollination and flower formation
- Helps seed germination and root development
- Regulates the exchange balance of other nutrients
- Enhances disease resistance naturally
- Aides in plant recovery as a result of stress
What are the physiological disorders that Nutri-Cal® minimizes or eliminates?
There are several physiological disorders that are related to calcium deficiencies. Some of these include: bitter-pit or corking in apples or pears; blossom-end rot on tomatoes, peppers, and melons; internal brown spot or hollow heart in potatoes and other root crops; tip-burn on many lettuce crops, black-heart in celery; and split-pit in cherries and stone fruits, to name a few.
In addition some experts believe soft fruit yield is linked to low fruit calcium levels.
What causes these deficiencies, when my soil tests show I have adequate calcium levels?
There are many reasons. Much of the calcium in your soil is tied-up in insoluble compounds and is unavailable to be absorbed by plant roots.
Calcium only moves into the fruit during a short period of time known as the cell division phase. Usually most calcium deficiencies occur during rapid plant growth, during periods of stress, or with the excessive use of nitrogen fertilizer (Ca/N ratio is too high.)
The calcium ion is very immobile within the plant. Calcium only moves upward in the plant from the roots through the xylem vessel by way of the water transpiration stream. Since the leaves have a larger surface to volume ratio than the fruit, leaves transpire more water and therefore most of the calcium goes to the leaves and never reaches the fruit. Fruit cell tissue can become critically deficient of calcium allowing for breakdown of the cell wall. The cell leaks sugars that pathogens and fungi feed on, and generally decay sets in.
During rapid plant growth, the calcium cannot move from the root to the fruit fast enough to ensure adequate calcium uptake into the tissue. In addition, during heat stress periods, very little water is moves in the plant and calcium does not get translocated to vital cell tissue. Also during periods of high humidity, plants are transpiring less, and again, very little calcium gets translocated. At the same time, cells that are actively growing and therefore continually calling on calcium do not obtain it and that is when disorders begin to appear.
Furthermore, since calcium only moves into the fruit during the cell division phase, which in many cases is a few weeks after bloom, the plant cannot absorb and translocate calcium quickly enough, so the fruit cells become deficient. As plant moves into its fruit growth and development phase the calcium uptake is further diluted. It's important to note as well that large fruit is more susceptible to calcium deficiencies.
APPLY MULTIPLE FOLIAR APPLICATIONS OF NUTRI-CAL®, BEGINNING AT BLOOM AND THROUGHOUT THE SEASON TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FRUIT CALCIUM LEVELS!
What about CaCL and other inorganic salt calcium formulation?
- CaCl is very corrosive
- CaCl is a highly concentrated salt that may burn leaves and fruit
- Inorganic salts are in an ionic form and must have surface ion exchange to be absorbed. This makes them very inefficiently absorbed by the leaf or fruit
- After entering the leaf, the calcium quickly forms insoluble compounds that can not be translocated within the plant
- Calcium suspensions require constant agitation or in-tank precipitation occurs
- Dry products are bulky, hard to handle, and need agitation
- Synthetic chelates are foreign to the plant & use up valuable net energy to be metabolized by the plant
- EDTA & other true chelates are very stable, resisting calcium release
- Limited periods of application
- Limited products to apply in combination
- Should not be applied during cell division, when the fruit cells are calling for calcium
What is Nutri-Cal® and why is it different?
Nutri-Cal® is an organically complexed calcium solution which consists of specific polyhydroxycarboxylic acids and 5-carbon carbohydrate groups, referred to as T.O.G., which are extracted from natural plant tissue. The T.O.G. complexes the elemental calcium ion, allowing the ion to be absorbed directly and immediately through the leaf and fruit cell walls. Inorganic forms of calcium must go through ion exchange to be absorbed by the plant, and after entering the plant, readily form insoluble compounds that are not available for translocation to the fruit or vegetable. The T.O.G/Calcium complex provides a unique delivery system which protects the calcium from forming insoluble compounds and enables more efficient movement of calcium to the fruit or vegetable where it is needed most.
The Nutri-Cal® (2) 5-carbon carbohydrate groups are of the same elemental makeup as pectin, the gel-like substance that binds cell walls together. As such, it enables more of the calcium from Nutri-Cal® to be absorbed and utilized by the pectin and subsequently form calcium pectate. The latter solidifies the gel and therefore strengthens the cell wall against disease and breakdown.
In the end, Nutri-Cal® treated fruits and vegetables maintain their quality much longer.
What crops can I use Nutri-Cal® on?
Nutri-Cal® can be used on peppers, grapes, pears, peaches, apples, tomatoes, potatoes, berries, grass, annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, lawns, and wherever gardeners need a safe and effective way to improve plant health or improve production.
When do I apply Nutri-Cal®?
Below are two charts that show when Nutri-Cal® should be applied. In most cases, weekly application, after the start of blooming, is the best timing for fruits and vegetables.
Other application rates:
Cool Season Grasses
Apply 3-9 fl oz. per 1000 square feet every 7-28 days throughout growing season.
Warm Season Grasses
Apply 3-9 fl oz. per 1000 square feet every 7-28 days from mid-summer to mid-fall, then every 4-5 weeks as needed.
Ornamentals
Apply in a dilution of 2 oz. per 1 gallon of water or 2 quarts per 100 gallons (400 ppm) of water every 7-21 days throughout the growing season.
Flowering Plants
Apply foliar or in a soil drench in a dilution of 2 oz. per 1 gallon of water every 7-21 days. Spray to wet, not to run-off.
Potted Plants
Water plants with a dilution of 2 oz. per 1 gallon of water every 14-28 days throughout growing period.
Greenhouse, Transplants
Apply foliar or in soil drench with a dilution of 2oz. per 1 gallon water or 2 quarts (400 ppm) per 100 gallons water every 7–28 days throughout growing period.
More detailed information on applying Nutri-Cal® can be found in the Crops area.
Research on the results of using Nutri-Cal® is found in the Technical information area.
What is the difference between a chelated calcium and complexed calcium?
A chelate and a complexing agent are somewhat similar in the fact they form a claw or ring formation around an ion, in this case a calcium ion. They actually sequester the ion, changing the charge, and form a new molecule.
A chelate attaches itself to two or more sites on the ion creating a very tight bond. A complexed ion is only attached at one site, allowing for quicker release of the calcium.
A problem with a synthetic chelate, such as EDTA, is that the molecule which is formed may be larger than the leaf pores absorbing the calcium, making it difficult to enter. Also, the calcium ion is held so tightly that the rate of release of the calcium is very slow. And finally, once the calcium ion is released, the plant has to use up considerable net energy to metabolize it or remove it from the plant.
Chelates have shown to be very efficient in soil applications, but less so when applied directly to plant foliage.
Nutri-Cal® is a natural organic complexed calcium source.
T.O.G, the natural organic complexing agent used in Nutri-Cal®, consists of unique carboxylic acids and carbohydrates that are completely metabolized and utilized by the plant. In addition the T.O.G. provides 6% nitrogen and is involved directly with the photosynthesis and respiration processes of the plant. These organic acids are extracted from natural plant tissue, which are already present in plants, and thus the plant readily accepts them.
T.O.G. sequesters the calcium ion forming an organic molecule that has a neutral charge so it can be absorbed immediately. The calcium ion is masked so that plant doesn't even know it is calcium. In this way the organic molecule can move more freely within plant, protecting the calcium ion from forming insoluble compounds, and ultimately significantly improving the chances of getting to the fruit cells where it is needed.
Why should I use Nutri-Cal®?
30 years of research shows Nutri-Cal:
- Improves the quality and quantity of your fruits and vegetables
- Reduces many physiological disorders
- Helps build the amount of calcium in food for healthier bodies
- Helps build healthy stems, leaves, and flowers for all types of plants
- Is completely safe for you, your plants, and the environment
- Will not burn
- Is a pure solution
- Is non-corrosive and easy to handle
- Is economical
What should I not mix Nutri-Cal®with?
Do not mix with phosphate fertilizers. Consult the manufacturer or dealer if there is a question.