NPK Industries RAW Calcium/Mag

RAW Soluble Calcium Magnesium: Essential Macro Elements

RAW Calcium/Mag contains 15% calcium and 3% magnesium. RAW Calcium/Mag has optimised the ratio of each element in a Water soluble formulation of calcium nitrate and magnesium sulphate so that it doesn’t leave the media salty. This product is a stand alone Calcium / Mag supplement. Due to its low dilution rates a little RAW Calcium / Mag goes a long ways. Its also ideal for preventing deficiencies, treating deficiencies and for creating optimal recipe solutions. Works in conjunction with all nutrient and feeding programs.

With all of the emphasis on N-P-K in agriculture, calcium and magnesium are sometimes overlooked. RAW Calcium magnesium are essential macro-elements, used in relatively large quantities. In fact, plants take up more calcium than phosphorus! Calcium is sometimes combined with magnesium, since calcium can act as a buffer for magnesium uptake, helping to prevent toxic levels of magnesium from being taken up by the plant.

Calcium is an immobile element. In other words, once it is locked up in the plant tissue, it can ‘t be translocated to other parts of the plant. So a calcium deficiency normally shows up in the new growth at the growing tips of the plant, causing deformed leaves and reduced root growth. Anything that interrupts the flow of water in the plant could cause a calcium deficiency. For example, if relative humidity is too high, the plant won’t transpire as much water so calcium may not make it to all of the cells of the plant. As a result, calcium deficiency may show up as tip burn in lettuce or blossom end rot in tomatoes.

Calcium nitrate is one of the few sources of water soluble calcium fertilizer. It is 98% water soluble and immediately available to the plant. Most hydroponic nutrient formulas have at least two parts: Part A and Part B. The Part A has all of the calcium nitrate, and the Part B contains the phosphates and sulphates. For example, if concentrated calcium nitrate is added to concentrated magnesium sulphate, the calcium could react with the sulphate to create insoluble calcium sulphate. The result would be gypsum, which is 98% water insoluble. The calcium would be locked up and unavailable to the plant, as well as the sulphur. So when using both calcium nitrate and magnesium sulphate, make sure that they are combined in complete diluted form! Magnesium is a mobile element. In other words, if there is a magnesium deficiency the plants will take magnesium out of the lower leaves and transport it to the new growth where it is needed the most.