Calcium deficiency in plants can wreak havoc and it can destroy all your hard work that you put on your garden to make it beautiful and fascinating.
If you see any signs of slow growth in your plants, then there is a maximum chance that it is lacking calcium. It means you should know how to fix calcium deficiency.
If left unchecked, then your plants will look weak and stunted.
This clearly shows the deficiency of calcium but there are so many ways to fix it. Fixing calcium deficiency can be overwhelming sometimes if you are a novice gardener. But, we will help you in this matter in order to make your plants more vigorous and better.
So is calcium needed in plants? The answer is yes. Calcium is really important for your plants and garden soil. Just like animals and people, plants also face calcium deficiency. The relationship between calcium and good soil are linked and the right amount of calcium can make your plants healthy.
Here we are going to discuss some important factors about calcium deficiency and how to fix it.
How does calcium affect your plants?
The soil contains plenty of essential nutrients in the form of minerals, but calcium is one of the most important nutrients. It is responsible for keeping the walls of the plants strong so that they grow vigorously upright.
When you introduce calcium to your plants, its like you are giving your plants a boosting pill. A gardener can easily detect the calcium deficiency in plants by their undersized growth in tissues and leaves. In short, calcium is really important for the good growth of your plants.
How to increase the amount of calcium in soil
We are going to discuss the easiest method of increasing the amount of calcium in plants. Just add lime to the soil of your plant and increase the content of calcium.
Eggshells are also good for boosting the amount of calcium in plants. It is crucial to find out the deficiency of calcium in your plants early so that you can figure out the best possible solution.
It is imperative for the good growth of your plant and makes your plant healthy and strong.
Major Symptoms of Calcium Deficiency in Your Plants:
If your plants are facing calcium deficiency, then it shows the following tell-tale symptoms. Be attentive to notice these signs.
1). Necrosis:
This shows the death of a portion of the plant lacking calcium. It results in the browning of newer foliage. After a few days, they will fall off and it shows the deficiency of calcium.
According to horticulturists, calcium is an immovable nutrient which means it does not move between the tissues.
Due to this reason, newer leaves are the first element that affected by calcium deficiency. It means calcium does not move from the older leaves to the newer ones and they will turn brown.
2). Stunted Growth in Leaves and Tissues:
If your plants are experiencing the deficiency of calcium, it results in the form of poor roots. The lack of growth in roots reduces its power to take water and nutrients from the soil.
You will see stunted growth in the leaves and tissues, especially newer ones. This may have happened due to the insufficient sunlight.
3). Poor Production of Fruits and Flowers:
If a plant is calcium deficient then it causes poor production of its flowers and fruits. Dropping of leaves is another big sign. The flowers or fruits look slightly small and diseased.
The common sign is the affected blossom end rot. This thing affects the blossom end rot of peppers and tomatoes. You can clearly see some black or brown spots on the fruit.
What causes the deficiency of calcium in plants?
There are various causes of the deficiency of calcium in plants. Sometimes, higher amounts of calcium in the soil can create big trouble. Here are some possible causes of calcium deficiency in plants.
1). Improper Soil pH:
Every nutrient in the soil has a specific pH range where a plant can easily absorb it. The ideal pH range of calcium is 5.5 to 6.5 where it can absorb it effortlessly.
If the pH of calcium in the soil is too high or too low, then your plant will face trouble to absorb it. This thing results in the calcium deficiency in your plants. So, check the pH of before adding calcium to your soil.
If the pH is high, then add sulfur. If the pH is low, then add lime. Improper soil pH can lead to calcium deficiency and you should take it seriously.
2). Insufficient Watering:
If you are not providing enough water to your plants, then it can be one of the biggest causes of calcium deficiency. The science behind it is that plants take calcium via water. So, you should provide water to your plant regularly so that it absorbs adequate nutrients.
You can check the dehydration in plants by checking the physical condition of soil. If it is dry, then provide water in the morning or when the sun is not too bright. Do not pour water on leaves at night as it causes moldy or rotten leaves.
Moderation is the key in this matter because the excess of water can also create problems for your plants.
3). Imbalance of Nutrients:
Technically speaking, you have to maintain the right balance in gardening. You have to check everything from soil to plant health, environment, and everything in between to make your efforts fruitful.
Sometimes nutrient imbalance can lead to many problems such as calcium deficiency.
So, you must pay heed to the quantity of nutrients. Excess ratio of magnesium can block the ability of a plant to absorb calcium. It mostly happens when you utilize the excess amount of magnesium salt. This thing goes the same for potassium.
Always purchase those fertilizers labeled with N-P-K. Don’t forget to check the ratio of these nutrients in a fertilizer.
High amounts of these nutrients can cause calcium deficiency. So, it is crucial to check your soil before adding fertilizers.
4). Severe Environmental Conditions:
Controlling weather conditions is not in your hand, but you can take some important measures to protect your plants from extreme weather. The long and high impact of cold weather can cause calcium deficiency.
On the other hand, high humidity conditions are not suitable for your plants and can lead to calcium deficiency. So, the ideal temperature is suitable for plants and they grow happily in this condition.
5). Deficiency of Calcium in the Soil:
After trying the above methods, you can easily determine the calcium deficiency in your plants. You can change the soil and other useful methods like giving fertilizers, compost, and more.
Planting plants closely can lead to the depletion of calcium. Try to repot plants in different locations for better growth.
How to fix calcium deficiency in plants
If you are able to find out your plant is facing calcium deficiency, then you should add calcium to your plants in the spring. The following methods will show you how to fix calcium deficiency in plants.
1. Gypsum:
You can add or mix gypsum in both pellets and powdered form in your soil. It creates a significant impact on the pH of soil. It can fix the deficiency of calcium in plants. If the soil is not deficient, then you can skip this process. You can easily get or buy gypsum from nursery stores or garden centers.
2. Lime:
Calcium carbonate or lime is really beneficial for those plants that are calcium deficient. It is widely available at stores and comes in powder form. So, you can easily mix lime powder in soil to raise the pH of soil.
3. Bone Meal:
It is made from animal bones and available in both coarse and fine powder. In order to fulfill the deficiency of calcium, you can use bone meal and mix it in your soil in early spring.
It offers phosphorus to soil and helps to balance the ratio of calcium.
4. Compost:
If you don’t have money to buy the above things, then you can simply use compost that comprises banana peels, grass clippings, coffee grounds, and other food wastes. Avoid adding meat-based items. It is a simple yet inexpensive method.
5. Fertilizer:
A wide variety of fertilizers available in the market that is really good for fulfilling the calcium deficiency. They are really good at it and do not harm your plants if used properly.
Avoid using excess amounts of magnesium and potassium because they can block the plant’s ability to absorb calcium.
There are so many liquid solutions out there for fulfilling the deficiency of calcium in plants. Gardening is all about the right balance of things and without the right balance your plants can’t grow healthily.
After reading this guide, you can easily understand what calcium deficiency is in plants and how to fix it efficiently. This article will help you a lot in this matter.
