Calcium Nitrate

Description

Calcium Nitrate is a fertilizer high in nitrogen and calcium. It’s often used as one of the parts in a hydroponic nutrient solution. Calcium is incredibly important to plants, sometimes called the 4th biggest cation. Calcium makes up cell walls and membranes protecting from pathogens, giving plants their rigidity and resistance to pests and disease. Without it, plants will be weak and unable to support their fruits and flowers. Calcium also aids in nutrient uptake.

Add calcium products to hydroponic solutions first. In solution the calcium ion is positively charged and will readily bond with phosphorous and sulphur. Once bonded, these nutrients are unavailable to plants. By adding calcium and chelators like fulvic acids first will help prevent bonding of these ions.

More on How to mix a hydroponic Nutrient Solution here.

Calcium Nitrate Registered Analysis:

• Nitrogen (N): 15.5%
• Nitrate-Nitrogen (N-NO3): 14.4%
• Ammoniacal Nitrogen (N-NH4): 1.1%
• Calcium Oxide (CaO): 26.5%
• Calcium (Ca): 19.0%

Silica and calcium can sometimes cause problems with each other when used together leaving a struvite precipitate. This precipitate is not available to plants as nutrients. Add silica products to nutrient solutions before adding calcium. Dissolve calcium nitrate in a smaller container before adding to your solution when also using silica, stirring as you pour.

Preparing Stock Solution – 1kg Calcium Nitrate = 4L Stock Solution

• Fill a 5L container with 3L water.
• Add 1kg Calcium Nitrate to the container of water stirring until all is dissolved.
• Once dissolved, top container up with water to reach 4L of solution.
• Store container closed tightly and out of direct sunlight.
• 4ml Stock Solution = 1g Dry Calcium Nitrate