Calcium nitrate: composition and formula, instructions for using fertilizer

Plants are demanding not only for the presence of nutrients and moisture in the soil. Of great importance for vegetation, flowering and harvest is the acid-base balance of the soil. On acidic lands, growth is inhibited in most plants, weak roots are formed, which leads to a weakening of plantings and a decrease in yield. To enhance plant growth and at the same time reduce soil acidity, you can add calcium nitrate.

What is it, properties

Calcium nitrate, calcium nitrate or calcium nitrate is an inorganic s alt of nitric acid used in agriculture as a fertilizer. It consists of the following components:

• Calcium - 19%.
• Nitrogen - 15.5%.

It is a white powdery or granular substance that has neither taste nor smell. Its chemical formula is CaN₂O_6.

Calcium nitrate is also called Norwegian s altpeter. The product has a high hygroscopicity, due to which it dissolves perfectly in water. Can be used as dry fertilizer, water solution for irrigation and foliar application.

What do you need?

Because s altpeter contains an alkaline component - calcium - it is especially suitable for use as a fertilizer for acidic and slightly acidic soils. The presence of calcium gently neutralizes acidity, helping plants to adapt to not the most suitable soils.

In addition, the presence of calcium in the composition of the product promotes enhanced growth of the root system and strengthens the cellular structure of the plant.Calcified soil becomes less acidic after fertilization, allowing plants to grow better.

The presence of nitrogen in the composition of the preparation helps crops and seedlings to “start” quickly and gives them a supply of an important nutrient for the formation of strong shoots and a powerful root system. Since nitrogen causes rapid growth, fertilizers based on it are applied in the spring, at the very beginning of the growing season, or a little later if the plantings are stunted.

Advantages and disadvantages

Calcium nitrate has the following positive characteristics:

1. Suitable for application to all types of soils, especially acidic and slightly acidic soils.
2. It is a stimulant of spring growth of plants, including winter crops.
3. Promotes a he althy, strong and well developed root system.
4. Helps plants adapt to adverse environmental changes.
5. Improves the palatability of the crop.
6. Neutralizes high soil acidity.
7. The "calcium + nitrogen" pair helps the mutual assimilation of crops.

The disadvantage of fertilizer can be attributed to what is considered its advantage: the ability to change the acidity of the soil. S altpeter cannot be used to fertilize plants growing exclusively on acidic soils and negatively related to the presence of calcium in the soil and additives.

Instructions for use

Calcium nitrate can be applied in the following ways:

1. In dry form - for digging before sowing seeds, planting tubers, bulbs or seedlings.
2. In the form of an aqueous solution - to enhance the growth of seedlings, seedlings and seedlings. It can be applied 2-3 times in the early stages of crop development. Also suitable for use in drip irrigation.
3. Foliar top dressing - for garden, ornamental, indoor and agricultural plants.

Each culture has its own requirements for the concentration of the solution or the amount of dry s altpeter.

For seedlings

For feeding seedlings, dissolve 10-15 grams of calcium nitrate in a liter of water, then dilute to obtain 10 liters of working fluid. Top dressing is applied to moist soil to stimulate the growth of young plants and build up the root mass. Since nitrogen contributes to the growth of green mass, fertilizers based on it are applied only in the early stages of development.

For cucumbers

If cucumbers are grown in nutritious soil in a garden, it may be enough to add a tablespoon of dry fertilizer to the soil when planting. Weak plants can be fed repeatedly with a liquid solution. Covered ground plants need more nutrition, so foliar top dressing is also used for them.It is better to treat them 2-3 times with a weak working solution of nitrate than to overfeed at one time. Such a plant begins to "fatten", that is, to increase the green mass due to flowering and fruiting.

For tomatoes and peppers

One and a half tablespoons of granules are poured into the hole under each bush, falling asleep with soil. If the seedling develops poorly or lags behind in growth, it is additionally fed 1-2 times by spraying with a weak solution of s altpeter. It is impossible to overfeed plantings, as they will grow rapidly due to flowering and transition to fruiting, and for peppers and tomatoes, the formation of full-fledged fruits is the main task.

Calcium nitrate is useful for nightshade crops, because it allows them not to get sick with a dangerous disease - blossom end rot. It is capable of destroying crops over large areas. The use of calcium-based fertilizers helps to avoid disease and preserve the fruits.

For cabbage

When planting cabbage, put a tablespoon without top of dry powder or granulate into the hole, cover it with soil and plant the plant. Roots should not come into contact with fertilizer.

Cabbage vegetables do not tolerate acidic soils, plants form a keel of roots on them, they weaken and gradually die off. Therefore, the use of calcium-containing fertilizers for these crops helps to improve plantings and get a strong, he althy and abundant harvest.

For strawberries and raspberries

Berries are fertilized with a more concentrated fertilizer solution: 25-30 grams of s altpeter is diluted in a liter of water, then the volume is adjusted to 10 liters.

For flowers

Calcium nitrate is fed only to those flowers that prefer neutral, slightly alkaline and alkaline soil. Garden plants are watered with a solution of 10-15 grams of calcium nitrate per 10 liters of water at the rate of 1-1.5 liters of the finished mixture per square meter.

When fertilizing indoor flowers, calcium-containing fertilizers are best avoided, as the earth quickly alkalizes in a small pot capacity. Such products may only be suitable for plants requiring calcareous, alkaline soils for growth.

Precautions

When working with calcium nitrate, the following precautions must be observed:

1. Use personal protective equipment - overalls, goggles, mask or respirator, rubber gloves.
2. During processing, do not drink, eat or smoke.
3. After finishing work with s altpeter, wash your hands with soap and water, wash your face and take a shower.

In case of contact with skin and mucous membranes, wash off with running water, if swallowed, induce vomiting and seek medical help.

Compatibility with other substances

If necessary, calcium nitrate can be mixed with other nitrogen-containing fertilizers and chelated trace elements, taking into account the need of plants for this element. Do not combine calcium nitrate in tank mixes with sulfur and phosphorus based preparations.

Terms and rules of storage

Calcium nitrate can be stored for a long time, subject to the rules:

1. Staying in a dark, cool room with good ventilation.
2. Closed labeled packaging.
3. Store separately from food, beverages, medicines and animal feed.
4. Strangers, animals and children should not have access to the premises.

Calcium nitrate is hygroscopic, so the fertilizer must be protected from high humidity. The expiration date is indicated by the manufacturer on the package, the drug must be stored in the original container.

What crops don't like calcium nitrate

Calcium nitrate should not be used for plants that prefer acidic or slightly acidic soil, such as citrus fruits and most tropical houseplants. It is also undesirable to apply fertilizers containing calcium under conifers, hydrangeas, rhododendrons, lupins, roses, peonies, sunflowers and other garden and ornamental plants.

The limitation of the use of calcium nitrate is due to the fact that it can reduce the acidity of the soil, and this is undesirable for plants grown only on acidic soils.

Analogues

Since calcium nitrate consists of two components, other nitrates can replace the nitrogen component, and chelate compounds of this element can replace calcium. There is no ready-made full-fledged analogue of calcium nitrate.

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