The first signs will be overall slow stunted growth among the plants while the foliage color starts to fade to a lighter green.
New coming growth of the plant is where you see the calcium deficiency.
New growth comes out somewhat twisted along with interveinal chlorosis. Interveinal Chlorosis is the leaves turning yellow and sometimes white while the veins stay green. Remember, this is only on new growth for it to be a calcium deficiency. Lower old Growth will be staying green during a calcium deficiency unless there are multiple deficiencies at hand along with calcium.
Calcium Deficiency will also appear in fruit producing plants, like tomatoes! It will cause the tomato or even Jalapenos to start to form, and along the way rot and fall off the plant. This is called Blossom and Rot.
POSSIBLE CAUSES OF CALCIUM DEFICIENCY:
Calcium is naturally a mineral that is used up really fast among plants. So it is entirely normal to have a portion of your gardens and your wall asking for calcium about twice a year. Recommended times of applying calcium additives would be in spring and fall or when deficiencies are at hand and need to be treated.
Overwatering is also something that can cause nutrient deficiencies, and this is because when the soil stays too saturated the roots do not have to reach to find pockets of water and minerals at some point leaching all nutrients out. It also stops the minerals from being able to travel through the cell walls and tissue of the plant, which is why you will see yellowing and Chlorosis.
If you are seeing any type of deficiency make sure you dig your finger about an inch into the soil to see if there is saturation and moisture in the lower levels of the pot, Let your plants dry out until the first inch or so of soil is dry so that calcium and other minerals have a chance to be found by the roots and taken up through the cell walls. Oxygen is key for these plants to collect the elements they need.
Another thing to think about is the last time you added magnesium (Epsom Salt) to your water basin. Magnesium and Calcium are direct competitors in the soil so it's best to keep the amount of Magnesium and Calcium pretty even among the soil.
Make sure to watch your plant performance as time goes on. If you notice that your plants start to grow slower and growth is not as dark green growth, you will need to add Calcium and bring on the eggshell boil!
CALCIUM IS IMPORTANT IN PLANTS FOR:
Proper nutrient uptake within the plant regarding all types of minerals in the soil.
Proper root production and extension of roots, which is why stunted growth is the first symptom.
Proper cell wall production and distribution of proteins among the plant. This is why twisting and chlorosis appear in new growth and why blossom and rot will happen among fruiting plants.
Lastly calcium promotes the secretion of a protective mucus on the ends of roots. This prevents plants from getting plant disease and bug damage.
TO CARE FOR CALCIUM DEFICIENCY
Check out our Eggshell Boil or use alternative calcium additives you can find at your local nursery or hydroponic stores.
Once additives are placed in a water bin and distributed among the plant, results should show almost immediately in the new growth. But the damage done does not always return back to normal green growth. However, the next round of growth will come fast, green, and tasty !
