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[nafex] Calcium Sprays



1.  This year, for the first time, I plan to use a calcium spray on my 
apples and stone fruits.  Had to go out to Winchester, VA, an apple 
growing area, to find it.  It's not expensive; $20 buys a 2.5 gal. 
container.  The brand name is "Stop-It", and it is 12.1 % calcium 
chloride, and 23% of that is listed as "chlorine".

2.  The reason I want to try this is frequent evidence of corky spot, 
bulls-eye and other rots on the apples.  The soil here is an acidic 
clay/shale, and I don't think I have moved it much with annual 
applications of dolomitic limestone on the land.  So I am reasonably 
certain the soil is calcium deficient, and I believe that calcium is 
more readily absorbed through the leaves than the roots in any case.  I 
know that calcium sprays are frequently used by commercial growers to 
improve the quality, color, and even the keeping qualities of their 
fruit, but they are not commonly sold at retail, and I don't think too 
many backyard orchardists use them.

3.  The label recommends 4 qts. product per 100 gallons of water, which 
translates to about a 50:1 dilution rate.  I plan to use 10 oz. in a 4 
gal. backpack sprayer.  For apples, the label recommends applications at 
10-14 day intervals, from petal fall until harvest.  I would plan to mix 
it in my usual pesticide spray, Imidan,  which I will combine this year 
with a low rate of lime/sulphur or sulphur.   For stone fruits, only two 
applications are recommended, at 2 and 4 weeks before harvest.

4.  I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has used calcium, 
particularly experienced commercial growers.  Guys like Ed, for example. 
 Are there things I should know about calcium use and compatibility with 
other chemicals before I start adding it to the program?  I am getting 
some apple petal fall right now, and will probably start spraying around 
April 22/23.  I am particularly keen to learn any negative effects that 
could result from through-the-season use of this substance at the 
recommended dilution rate.  I do know that it is pretty corrosive (I 
think it's basically the same thing as road salt), and I will have to 
rinse my sprayer carefully after use.

Rgds, Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA
Where a warm, sunny spell is giving us the best apple pollination 
conditions I have ever seen.  


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