In case you’ve been wondering how to fix calcium deficiency in your plants, this article will help you. In this article, we’ll discuss the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for this problem. We’ll also talk about Gypsum, a mineral that can make the soil more calcium-rich. Read on to learn more. Until next time, happy growing! And don’t forget to mulch!
Symptoms
Calcium is one of the essential nutrients for plant development and growth. This nutrient helps plants form larger leaves and strong roots. These attributes allow plants to absorb more water, nutrients, and energy from the sun. Lack of calcium in plants leads to several symptoms. Young leaves curl downward, often with a brown spot on the leaf tip. Eventually, the leaf falls off. In some cases, the plant may show signs of calcium deficiency as yellow or scaly leaves.
Causes
A plant’s ability to absorb calcium is affected by extreme weather conditions. The roots and leaves of a plant cannot absorb enough calcium if the temperature and humidity are too high or low. Low temperatures also inhibit the process of transpiration, the movement of water from the roots to the leaves. This is critical because calcium is absorbed through water. When it is not available, it is lost through the leaves. Fortunately, calcium deficiency can be easily prevented with adequate irrigation and humidity. A calcium-deficient plant will have curled leaves, sometimes called parachute leaves, and a shorter root length.
Treatments
The first step in treating a calcium deficiency in plants is to ensure that they are getting enough water and calcium. If they do not get enough water, calcium can leach out of the soil. Soils that are rich in ammonia can be deficient in calcium. Plants can recover from this problem within a week, depending on the severity of the calcium deficiency and the length of time that they have been suffering from it.
Gypsum
Applied as a solid, gypsum can easily correct a calcium deficiency in plants. Its use is not required in severely compacted soil, however. Gypsum is a more absorbent substance than clay and is visible when saturated. It is also non-toxic and does not change the pH of the soil, although it does raise it slightly in alkaline soils.
Commercial foliar calcium sprays
Commercial foliar calcium sprays are the fastest and easiest way to fix a calcium deficiency in plants. This type of spray is also a good option for growing plants in containers, as they can be applied to the leaves of plants. However, these sprays should not replace proper soil management, such as adding lime to the soil. While this is one of the easiest ways to add calcium to your soil, you should also consider adding lime to it as it raises the pH and makes the soil less acidic.
Low transpiration rates
One of the reasons for low transpiration rates in plants is a calcium deficiency. This mineral is bivalent, meaning that plants must work twice as hard to absorb it than other minerals like potassium or magnesium. This property makes calcium uptake a passive process. As a result, the movement of calcium is dependent on the movement of water through the xylem, the inner tissue of the plant stem. This property also affects transpiration rates in plants.
Over fertilization
Calcium deficiency in plants is caused by low soil pH. The pH level is directly related to the plant’s ability to absorb calcium. To determine the pH level, test your plant’s soil and adjust as necessary. Ideally, the pH level should be between 6.0 and 7.0. However, you can’t just add calcium to the soil. The plants must be provided with adequate water as well.