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I know that peppers need more magnesium, sulfer and calcium to really thrive and produce. I live in a 4-plex so all my vegetables are in containers. Before I planted my peppers I added to the potting soil something called Sul-Po-Mag by E.B. Stone Organics which is a mineral that is supposed to gradually release sulfur, potassium, and magnesium into the soil and also added some eggshells which I had ground into almost a powder using a mortar and pestal. I also mist the plants every morning with a weak solution of organic Kelp meal.
Now I am told that eggshells are a poor source of calcium because they breakdown very slowly and that I should add a liquid calcium supplement. A local garden supply shop sells something called Max-Cal but it is 10-0-0 and I don't know that I really want to be adding that much nitrogen now that my plants all have blooms and even some small peppers. Has anyone ever used liquid calcium meant as a human nutritional supplement? If so, what was the dose and what was your result. My plants seem to be triving but my mom's always looked great but never really produced much. (She didn't know about the Sulfur, Magnesium, Calcium thing)
Thanks,
Sara
Now I am told that eggshells are a poor source of calcium because they breakdown very slowly and that I should add a liquid calcium supplement. A local garden supply shop sells something called Max-Cal but it is 10-0-0 and I don't know that I really want to be adding that much nitrogen now that my plants all have blooms and even some small peppers. Has anyone ever used liquid calcium meant as a human nutritional supplement? If so, what was the dose and what was your result. My plants seem to be triving but my mom's always looked great but never really produced much. (She didn't know about the Sulfur, Magnesium, Calcium thing)
Thanks,
Sara
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Re: Peppers and calcium?
Sun, July 12, 2009 - 2:49 PMI haven't tried it either. But I did just give mine a little dose of epsom salts and they are happily putting out new flowers and fruit.
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Re: Peppers and calcium?
Sun, July 12, 2009 - 6:05 PMYes, bone meal is what you'd want to use to add calcium to the soil. However, if you're using a quality potting soil, pepper plants really don't need much in the way of additional fertilizing (again, as long as you have good soil). Fish emulsion a couple times before fruit set is beneficial. If you're getting all leaves and not much fruit, that usually means too much nitrogen. After fruit set, you can use a phosphorous-rich 'blooming' fertilizer like Alaska Morbloom (0-10-10). Same thing applies to tomatoes, esp. in containers.
Some of the chinense varieties (like habanero) do require more calcium than other varieties and it's a good idea to mix some bone meal into the soil when you plant them. Same applies to all tomatoes, which need more calcium than peppers. Otherwise, try to work some into the top couple inches of soil taking care not to damage any roots. Again, additional calcium is generally not necessary unless you're growing habaneros.
Don't worry about needing to do much to feed your pepper plants unless they look unhealthy, they are remarkably easy to grow in containers. Also, I would not recommend wetting the leaves unless necessary for pest control. This can invite bacterial and other diseases. And definitely don't over-water, they're used to growing in hot and dry conditions and don't like 'wet feet'. Happy pepper growing!
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Re: Peppers and calcium?
Mon, July 13, 2009 - 12:30 PMHi Sara,
I use regular old lime or Diatomaceous Earth. Mix a teaspoon-tablespoonfull per plant into 2 cups of water per plant. mix well and pour straight onto the root area. You will know when your plants need it when they begin to yellow, brown or blacken. Calcium also guards against fungus. I water my peppers every other day and allow them to dry out in between when I bring them inside the house to winter.
Diatomaceous Earth is also good to dust the underside of the leaves in case of infestation. An easy way is to fill the toe of a nylon stocking and dust it on. (don't breath it! do it outside. wear protective clothing and wash up well.)
Nan -
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Re: Peppers and calcium?
Mon, July 13, 2009 - 3:31 PMForget using Diatomaceous Earth for dusting. I understand ordinary flour will do the same job for whiteflys and aphids as Diatomaceous Earth without all the fuss of having to keep it out of your eyes and off your skin. lol :)
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