North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Dennis Norton" <dmnorton@royaloakfarmorchard.com>]

Jim,
You are right, nothing should be added to the soil until a soil test is 
completed.  For those of us who operate large orchards, that is a given. 
But for those with only a few trees, the soil testing may not be a top 
priority.  Here is a brief overview of the process for the home grower:
http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/homegard/fertsmlft.htm

We have used A&L Great Lakes fro years and they have fair prices. You can 
view their services at http://www.algreatlakes.com/lab_agr_soi.asp to get an 
idea of what they have to offer.

By the way, if our Ph is high, they always recommend lime and if not, 
calcium chloride.  We have not added calcium chloride or lime since 2003. 
Last season we had a real bitter pit problem with some of our varieties. 
Cause:  lack of calcium over previous 2 years even though Ph was stable. 
Solution: Summer sprays of calcium chloride(CaCl2) or calcium nitrate 
(Ca(NO3)2).  If the trees cannot get enough calcium from the soil, then a 
spray is necessary.  Some years we have had to add calcium to the soil to 
raise Ph and do a foliar spray.  I have said all this to say that this 
orchard thing is not simply to add this or not add that.  We have to 
maintain a delicate balance between our Ph, the acid we add each year to our 
irrigation lines to clean out the iron deposits, results of our soil and 
leaf analysis  and our bitter pit issues.  Are we having fun yet?


Dennis Norton
Royal Oak Farm Orchard
http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com
http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Fruth" <jfruth@uslink.net>
To: <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 04, 2006 7:08 AM
Subject: [NAFEX] Calcium for fruit trees


>    I'm reading alot of calcium recommendations but nothing based on 
> Science
> or on the needs of the soil.
>    Before adding calcium carbonate, you should first check your pH! ! ! !
> If your pH is over 6.5 (or whatever the optimal pH is for your plants ),
> adding calcium carbonate could be a definite detriment because it is going
> to raise your pH.  IF you soil NEEDS calcium, and your pH is where it 
> should
> be for your crop, then you should be using chelated calcium (comes in 
> liquid
> form) or gypsum (calcium sulfate).  Neither of these will raise pH. 
> Calcium
> chloride and hydrated lime should NEVER be used unless it is recommended 
> by
> a soil scientist; and the odds of that ever happening are close to zip.
>    If you are just adding fertilizer for the sake of adding it or based on
> what your neighbor is using, you could be wasting your money or, at worst,
> doing your soil a disservice.  Do yourself, and your orchard, a favor and
> get a soil test.  And get your test done by a private lab - I use K Ag
> International in Oshkosh Wisconsin.  University soils labs tend to charge
> less but in States where I have attempted to use them, they refuse to do a
> micronutrient analysis and if you need calcium AND your pH is already too
> high they still recommend lime because some lime companies contribute to
> their research fund.
> --
>
> Jim Fruth
> Brambleberry Farm
> Pequot Lakes, MN
> www.bberryfarm.com
> Jams, Jellies and Syrups
> (218)568-8483 [Store]
> (218)831-7018 [My cell]