Hello from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Brilliant! Finally! Well done sir. Leaching calcium, with right proportion of vinegar to achieve optimum pH. Simple practical information from your grand-mother optimised with your education. Wherever she is, I am certain she is proud of you for helping others grow better food.
I absolutely love your video!!!! You are detailed and explain everything in a very simple and understandable way. Thank You!!!!!!!!!!! I always need to know the "why" and "how" of things. I thank you for being so detailed!
If you grind them to powder and then let them sit in the vinegar until dissolved or mostly dissolved, then you will have an acetate solution that will also be good for making gelled alcohol like in sterno cans and other camp stoves.
Excellent video, thank you for sharing this info. I searched to see if there was comment about foliar spray as that is what I wanted to do but the only question/comment about it Vegetable Doctor responded with question about what type of plants were at issue and the poster never responded back to you. So, I was wanting to foliar feed/spray tomatoes, melons and peppers and wondering how to dilute mixture and whether it would be effective to get the calcium to the plants.
We'll have to break this down into two separate recommendations: 1. melons (lower fertilizer req), 2. peppers and tomatoes (higher fertilizer req). Their basic information can be found here: aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/easy-gardening-series/ 1. Melons The papers I read indicated foliar Ca application on strawberries had good results. www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/13/2390 2. Tomatoes & Peppers Looks like the greatest amount of Ca is absorbed within one hour of application. Also, the amount of calcium is low [0.1 mol L−1] (you would have to dilute the recipe 1 ounce fertilizer solution to 1/4 gallon part water to get similar concentration). www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/11/6/832 www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/20/15/3777 www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/14/2587 TL;DR Foliar application is not recommended to fix nutrient deficiencies because plants only absorb 5% of the nutrients applied to their leaves (when compared with the amount absorbed by roots).
This took a bit for me to research: The overall consensus is yes, you can use crab shell powder. The calcium carbonate ratio is different (usually much higher) from that in chicken egg shells. I would recommend conducting an experiment with 1g of crab shell powder and slowly add in vinegar until the solution stops producing bubbles (I would add 1mL of vinegar, stir, let settle, check for bubbles, then repeat until no bubbles). - The Vegetable Doctor Team
Fertilizing schedules are plant specific, for example a tomato needs more fertilizer than chives. This link organizes them by plant variety: aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/easy-gardening-series/ or you can message us back using the following format: 1. Plant/tree name or variety 2a. Where the plant is growing (ie container, lawn, raised bed, etc.) 2b. What zone you're in (Zone 4 or Zone 8, etc. planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/) 3. What stage of growth the plant/tree is in (sprout, seedling, growing, blooming, fruiting, etc.) - The Vegetable Doctor Team
Should I filter the solution (maybe through a coffee filter) before adding the water? I’ve made several batches and filtered the solution. Seeing all the left over eggshell has me questioning if I shouldn’t just mix it all with water without filtering it.
If you're seeing leftover eggshells there may be more calcium (in your eggshells) than the amount of vinegar. Since this reaction is an acid-base reaction (also called Neutralization), and has a 1 : 2 ratio, you'll need twice as much acetic acid as calcium ions. Calcium amounts can change drastically depending on diet, environment, and rearing conditions. As far as what you can do, you've got two options: Option 1: Drain off the clear liquid and store it for use. Then take the excess eggshell mixture and grind it to break it down a bit more (you don't have to do this if the initial eggshells were finely ground). Slowly add more vinegar and stir, pausing every 1 tablespoon to look for bubbling or frothing. If you see bubbling or frothing, add enough vinegar to cover the eggshells and let sit. If there is no reaction, stop there. Adding more vinegar can make the solution too acidic for your plants. You can add this mixture to your compost or add it back to the original fertilizer solution (make sure to shake the container prior to applying to your plants). Option 2: Dispose of the leftover eggshells as you see fit. The amount of vinegar used in this experiment is safe to pour down the drain or be spread on your compost.
This question is a tough one as eggshells can vary too much in both size and thickness, so it was impossible for me to get a perfect ratio (I purchased eggs from several different stores and the weight per shell could vary as much as 1g). The smallest amount I used was roughly: - 1 teaspoon finely ground eggshell - 1/2 cup of white vinegar In metric: 2 eggshells for every 100mL of vinegar I hope this helps. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
We don't throw the residue away since it contains other trace elements, like phosphorus; we re-mix the solution before application. However, if you'd like to remove it, I'd recommend using cheesecloth or flower sack towel in either a funnel or sieve. - The Climate Doctor Team
I got one more question, once the chemical reactions between the eggshell and the vinegar is complete can i add a little bit of baking soda to try to make it less acidic? My soil is already around 5.5 and i am already working on make more alkaline for the plants that need it. Thanks!
As long as you measure the pH before and after each change, it should be fine. I'd recommend making small changes, ie for every 1 pint (473 mL) of fertilizer add 1 teaspoon (5 g) so that you don't overshoot the target pH. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
As you did not mention the total weight of your eggshells i have to try some extrapolation. You mentioned at the beginning that 1.5 eggshells was 59 g. This would equate to approximately 413 g total, which would be about 10.5 eggshells. 10 eggshells would be about 393 to 400 g to be put into 500 ml of vinegar. Please let me know if I am wrong ty.
I'm sorry for my previous response. I had apparently misheard and misunderstood a lot which probably shows some of the results of my stroke. As I listened to the video again it became obvious to me that I was in error. Your total weight was 59 g and each eggshell was about 5.9 - 6 g.thank you for your patience and understanding of my difficulties and ty for your work and kindness.
For this experiment, I used roughly: - 4 & 1/2 teaspoons of fine ground eggshells - 2 cups & 2 tablespoons of white vinegar The smallest amount I used was roughly: - 1 teaspoon finely ground eggshell - 1/2 cup of white vinegar The smallest amount ratio will be safe for your plants since there will always be a bit more eggshell than vinegar. If you're feeling unsure about the mixture, you can always add an additional 1/4 teaspoon of eggshell and wait 30 minutes before applying it to the soil around your plants. Adding the 1/4 teaspoon will ensure that there is always an excess of calcium in the solution, which will lower the pH and prevent chemical burns on the plant. Let me know if you have any more questions. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
A so-so pH meter runs about $20 USD and I'd recommend something like the API Calcium Test Kit instead of a meter (kit is ~$15 USD and the meter more like $400 USD) since the cost is so high. Let me know if you need more help. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
@@VegetableDoctor Ooh, yeah, I did see the $420 price tag on the calcium meter after finishing the video. I'll look at the kit you suggest instead. And for pH meters, those are more reasonable for something decent, yes? Figure more people measure pH than calcium, and so maybe more prolific? Any recommendations?
The one shown in my videos is made by Hanna Instruments, Combo pH, EC, and TDS meter. Take a look at their pH only meter, model HI98107, and see if that would work for you (it runs about ~$60 USD). Also, make sure to get calibration and storage liquid with any meter you purchase. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
@@VegetableDoctor Good stuff. Saw a few offerings for both what you use and the one you recommend. Perhaps the pH-only unit is...good enough for me. 😅 And thanks for mentioning the liquids.
If you live in a sunny, warm climate, it should be fine to dry them in the sun. I recommend washing them with water before you sun dry them - washing the eggshells will remove egg yolk/white residue and make it harder for unwanted mold or bacteria to grow. -- The Vegetable Doctor Team
Hello, Stir plate ? You’re the only one to have that machine ! So…since I have to mix every 10 minutes b with a spoon, please tell us how much time approximately it will take to attain ~ that number of 6PH ? Thank you very much !
You only need to stir for about 5 seconds after each eggshell powder addition. If you did not finely grind your eggshell, frequent stirring--every ten minutes for an hour, so 6 times in one hour--will help speed up the reaction because it breaks up the large eggshell pieces. The reaction speed depends on the exposed surface area of the reactants (and powder--with hundreds of small grains--has the most surface area). Let me know if you have more questions. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
It can be ACV, but you'll need twice as much volume if it's at 5%. For example, my 100 mL will become 200 mL if you're using 5% ACV and 167 mL if you're using 6%. I think 170 mL should be ok if it's somewhere in the middle of 5% and 6%. Let me know if you end up testing this! - The Vegetable Doctor Team
Yes, it would; however, it will also dilute the amount of calcium in your fertilizer. For example, you start with 1 gallon of fertilizer and add another gallon of neutral or alkaline water, your fertilizer has half the original calcium concentration. This means you would need to put 14 ounces instead of 7 ounces to get the same amount of calcium per plant. This may work for a typical in ground garden, but I don't know how well it will work for potted plants. If you do decide to do this, let me know how well it works. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
Pay attention to the pH and test your total calcium values. Too much calcium and it can build up in the pipes, pumps, and other areas causing a clog. If this does happen, you can always clean the parts by letting them sit in a vinegar solution. For plants, too much calcium can make it harder for them to absorb magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, iron, boron, and other nutrients. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
Unfortunately, the calcium fertilizer made in this video is not in the correct form for foliar absorption. "Best sources for foliar calcium are calcium nitrate (10 to 15 lbs./acre), calcium chloride (5 to 8 lbs./acre) and some chelated Ca products (manufacturers recommendations)" MU ipm.missouri.edu/MPG/2019/4/foliarFeeding/ . Let me know if you still have questions. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
@@trisheverett6950Yes, there are. The cooking vinegar used in this video was 'Great Value Distilled White Vinegar' and has a 5% acidity. Apologies for the confusion. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
In general, I recommend every few weeks after the plant has started growing, however I think you were wanting plant specific information, correct? If you were, head here aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/easy-gardening-series/ where you'll find fertilizing information for individual vegetables (fertilizing schedule varies by plant). Let me know if you don't find information for the vegetable you're trying to grow, and I'll either provide it in a video or comment. -The Vegetable Doctor Team
Since the fertilizer is made using vinegar, it should still smell like vinegar even after the reaction is done. Can you tell me more about what you did? For example, did you grind your eggshells or put them in crushed? - The Vegetable Doctor Team
Wonderful! If the vinegar smell is still as potent as when you first started, I'd recommend adding one more ground eggshell, stir vigorously for about 10 seconds, and let it sit for about 2 hours--keep in mind there will still be some cloudy white material at the bottom. While chicken eggshells have ~96% calcium carbonate (this is what reacts fully with the vinegar) the remaining 4% of organic matrix and trace elements like phosphorus are going to cause some of the eggshell to not dissolve completely. This cloudy white layer doesn't need to be removed: It's fine to just shake the container and apply the mixture to your plants. If you believe your fertilizer is still too acidic, I'd purchase an aquarium pH test strip from your local pet store and test the mixture prior to use. Feel free to message back if you still run into some issues. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
You don't need a lab, you can substitute my hot plate for a pot on the stove and use a spoon for the stirrer. Let me know if you have more questions, thanks for the view! - The Vegetable Doctor Team
i believe you kind of confuse people when you talk about raising the pH to 6 by adding more calcium carbonate in the form of eggshells. you are trying to extract calcium from the eggshells, not raise the pH of anything although the pH would indicate more calcium being extracted. (note - in soil tests, high pH though does not necessarily equate to high calcium.)...blessings to all
I listened to the video again and heard what you're talking about. I should've clarified that I was using the pH to indicate how much acetic acid was present in solution and available to react with the calcium in the eggshell. You're explanation about calcium in the soil and pH was spot on as well. Thanks for watching my video and commenting! - The Vegetable Doctor Team
@paulbraga4460 just that eggshells and vinegar does extract calcium, but also that calcium carbonate does raised the ph level so eggshells does both. Although I persllrsonally believe that to use eggshells to raise the ph enough means there will be an excess of eggshell pieces that have to be discarded in some manner. If the focus is on calcium extraction, the ph can be adjusted with a different product.
What percentage of calcium in the shell can i extract? I want to know roughly how many grams of calcium are in my final solution but i dont have the ca meter. Eggshells are about 40% calcium. How much of that dissolves?
If the reaction is allowed to run to completion, an 85% yield of Ca(C₂H₃O₂)₂ would be reasonable for an at home experiment (Yao et al., 2006, Optimization of preparation of calcium acetate from eggshell by Response Surface Methodology, Free article). For 10g of dried, powdered eggshells at 40% Ca content, you would expect roughly 3.4g of Ca(C₂H₃O₂)₂ by mass.
Hello from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Brilliant! Finally! Well done sir. Leaching calcium, with right proportion of vinegar to achieve optimum pH. Simple practical information from your grand-mother optimised with your education. Wherever she is, I am certain she is proud of you for helping others grow better food.
This is by far the best calmag diy video on youtube. Thank you!
When this video was made our team had hardly any experience making videos; so we truly appreciate your thanks and comment! - The Vegetable Doctor Team
Excellent video, from 1 to 10, I rate this a10 sir.
Thanks so much for the watch! Let us know if there are other topics you'd like to learn about. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
I absolutely love your video!!!! You are detailed and explain everything in a very simple and understandable way. Thank You!!!!!!!!!!! I always need to know the "why" and "how" of things. I thank you for being so detailed!
Finally a proper professional video about this with the best data ❤️❤️🚀🚀 thank you!👏
🤩very helpfu! Thank you!
Great job, i don’t like guessing on the ratio and lack the necessary equipment to test. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to do it right.
If you grind them to powder and then let them sit in the vinegar until dissolved or mostly dissolved, then you will have an acetate solution that will also be good for making gelled alcohol like in sterno cans and other camp stoves.
Thank you for showing us the Laboratory Techniques and Equipment! We have used this for the Colorado Science Fair State contest!
We're so glad it was helpful! -The Vegetable Doctor Team
Excellent information! Thank you .
Very informative video,much appreciated.
Just a suggestion,if you try to add 50%distilled water to it,i think the water will increase the ph a bit.
Very helpful! Thank you so much
I just read the whole description thank you will do
Watching from India. Helping knowledge video. Sir, can use this fertilizer in garlic ginger crops
Yes, this fertilizer can be used for any plant when applied to the soil above the roots. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
Thanks sir
Love the info. The video makes me think of Gru from despicable me and the guy looks like an older steve carell
Excellent video, thank you for sharing this info. I searched to see if there was comment about foliar spray as that is what I wanted to do but the only question/comment about it Vegetable Doctor responded with question about what type of plants were at issue and the poster never responded back to you. So, I was wanting to foliar feed/spray tomatoes, melons and peppers and wondering how to dilute mixture and whether it would be effective to get the calcium to the plants.
We'll have to break this down into two separate recommendations: 1. melons (lower fertilizer req), 2. peppers and tomatoes (higher fertilizer req). Their basic information can be found here: aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/easy-gardening-series/
1. Melons
The papers I read indicated foliar Ca application on strawberries had good results.
www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/13/2390
2. Tomatoes & Peppers
Looks like the greatest amount of Ca is absorbed within one hour of application. Also, the amount of calcium is low [0.1 mol L−1] (you would have to dilute the recipe 1 ounce fertilizer solution to 1/4 gallon part water to get similar concentration).
www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/11/6/832
www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/20/15/3777
www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/14/2587
TL;DR Foliar application is not recommended to fix nutrient deficiencies because plants only absorb 5% of the nutrients applied to their leaves (when compared with the amount absorbed by roots).
You can always add baking soda to neutralize the ph to whatever you want.
Mmmmm... i love me some balanced equations
Don't we all! 😄 - The Vegetable Doctor Team
Do you think this procedure would be of any use with crab shell powder?
This took a bit for me to research: The overall consensus is yes, you can use crab shell powder. The calcium carbonate ratio is different (usually much higher) from that in chicken egg shells.
I would recommend conducting an experiment with 1g of crab shell powder and slowly add in vinegar until the solution stops producing bubbles (I would add 1mL of vinegar, stir, let settle, check for bubbles, then repeat until no bubbles).
- The Vegetable Doctor Team
How often do you recommend to add it to a plants/trees on the ground and pots? BTW this was the best video for this topic i have found so far.
Fertilizing schedules are plant specific, for example a tomato needs more fertilizer than chives. This link organizes them by plant variety: aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/easy-gardening-series/
or you can message us back using the following format:
1. Plant/tree name or variety
2a. Where the plant is growing (ie container, lawn, raised bed, etc.)
2b. What zone you're in (Zone 4 or Zone 8, etc. planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/)
3. What stage of growth the plant/tree is in (sprout, seedling, growing, blooming, fruiting, etc.)
- The Vegetable Doctor Team
Should I filter the solution (maybe through a coffee filter) before adding the water? I’ve made several batches and filtered the solution. Seeing all the left over eggshell has me questioning if I shouldn’t just mix it all with water without filtering it.
If you're seeing leftover eggshells there may be more calcium (in your eggshells) than the amount of vinegar. Since this reaction is an acid-base reaction (also called Neutralization), and has a 1 : 2 ratio, you'll need twice as much acetic acid as calcium ions. Calcium amounts can change drastically depending on diet, environment, and rearing conditions.
As far as what you can do, you've got two options:
Option 1: Drain off the clear liquid and store it for use. Then take the excess eggshell mixture and grind it to break it down a bit more (you don't have to do this if the initial eggshells were finely ground). Slowly add more vinegar and stir, pausing every 1 tablespoon to look for bubbling or frothing. If you see bubbling or frothing, add enough vinegar to cover the eggshells and let sit. If there is no reaction, stop there. Adding more vinegar can make the solution too acidic for your plants. You can add this mixture to your compost or add it back to the original fertilizer solution (make sure to shake the container prior to applying to your plants).
Option 2: Dispose of the leftover eggshells as you see fit. The amount of vinegar used in this experiment is safe to pour down the drain or be spread on your compost.
hello, I have been searching what is the ratio to use for vinegar/egg shell powder, to extract. 10/1 or 15/1 ? could you give me any advice?
This question is a tough one as eggshells can vary too much in both size and thickness, so it was impossible for me to get a perfect ratio (I purchased eggs from several different stores and the weight per shell could vary as much as 1g). The smallest amount I used was roughly:
- 1 teaspoon finely ground eggshell
- 1/2 cup of white vinegar
In metric: 2 eggshells for every 100mL of vinegar
I hope this helps. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
I would like to ask how much eggshell residue you have at the end to throw away in some manner
We don't throw the residue away since it contains other trace elements, like phosphorus; we re-mix the solution before application. However, if you'd like to remove it, I'd recommend using cheesecloth or flower sack towel in either a funnel or sieve. - The Climate Doctor Team
I got one more question, once the chemical reactions between the eggshell and the vinegar is complete can i add a little bit of baking soda to try to make it less acidic? My soil is already around 5.5 and i am already working on make more alkaline for the plants that need it. Thanks!
As long as you measure the pH before and after each change, it should be fine. I'd recommend making small changes, ie for every 1 pint (473 mL) of fertilizer add 1 teaspoon (5 g) so that you don't overshoot the target pH. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
As you did not mention the total weight of your eggshells i have to try some extrapolation. You mentioned at the beginning that 1.5 eggshells was 59 g. This would equate to approximately 413 g total, which would be about 10.5 eggshells. 10 eggshells would be about 393 to 400 g to be put into 500 ml of vinegar. Please let me know if I am wrong ty.
I'm sorry for my previous response. I had apparently misheard and misunderstood a lot which probably shows some of the results of my stroke. As I listened to the video again it became obvious to me that I was in error. Your total weight was
59 g and each eggshell was about 5.9 - 6 g.thank you for your patience and understanding of my difficulties and ty for your work and kindness.
would it be best to use a coffee filter as the lid during the first stage since the solution will bubble/foam?
Yes, a coffee filter would be the easiest to use (since the material is breathable), just make sure it won't fall off. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
Give the measurements in cups or spoons. I can’t measure out 10 eggs shell to be a certain weight for this
For this experiment, I used roughly:
- 4 & 1/2 teaspoons of fine ground eggshells
- 2 cups & 2 tablespoons of white vinegar
The smallest amount I used was roughly:
- 1 teaspoon finely ground eggshell
- 1/2 cup of white vinegar
The smallest amount ratio will be safe for your plants since there will always be a bit more eggshell than vinegar. If you're feeling unsure about the mixture, you can always add an additional 1/4 teaspoon of eggshell and wait 30 minutes before applying it to the soil around your plants. Adding the 1/4 teaspoon will ensure that there is always an excess of calcium in the solution, which will lower the pH and prevent chemical burns on the plant. Let me know if you have any more questions. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
Agreed
Yes I grind them to a powder and feed them to my earthworm farms
Same, but I add the ground egg shell to the planting hole and in my inground compost buckets.. I read earthworms like the grit.
Sorry I don’t have all of this measuring equipment to make this fertilizer… I’ll purchase fertilizer
Good stuff. Will a pH and calcium meter cost me an arm and a leg? Off to go see... =)
A so-so pH meter runs about $20 USD and I'd recommend something like the API Calcium Test Kit instead of a meter (kit is ~$15 USD and the meter more like $400 USD) since the cost is so high. Let me know if you need more help. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
@@VegetableDoctor Ooh, yeah, I did see the $420 price tag on the calcium meter after finishing the video. I'll look at the kit you suggest instead.
And for pH meters, those are more reasonable for something decent, yes? Figure more people measure pH than calcium, and so maybe more prolific? Any recommendations?
The one shown in my videos is made by Hanna Instruments, Combo pH, EC, and TDS meter. Take a look at their pH only meter, model HI98107, and see if that would work for you (it runs about ~$60 USD). Also, make sure to get calibration and storage liquid with any meter you purchase. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
@@VegetableDoctor Good stuff. Saw a few offerings for both what you use and the one you recommend. Perhaps the pH-only unit is...good enough for me. 😅 And thanks for mentioning the liquids.
Can they be dried in the sun instead of oven?
If you live in a sunny, warm climate, it should be fine to dry them in the sun. I recommend washing them with water before you sun dry them - washing the eggshells will remove egg yolk/white residue and make it harder for unwanted mold or bacteria to grow. -- The Vegetable Doctor Team
Hello,
Stir plate ?
You’re the only one to have that machine !
So…since I have to mix every 10 minutes b with a spoon, please tell us how much time approximately it will take to attain ~ that number of 6PH ?
Thank you very much !
You only need to stir for about 5 seconds after each eggshell powder addition. If you did not finely grind your eggshell, frequent stirring--every ten minutes for an hour, so 6 times in one hour--will help speed up the reaction because it breaks up the large eggshell pieces. The reaction speed depends on the exposed surface area of the reactants (and powder--with hundreds of small grains--has the most surface area). Let me know if you have more questions. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
@@VegetableDoctorMerci !
how much % vinegar? should it be white vinegar or it can be ACV? in my country white is 10% and ACV is 5/6%
It can be ACV, but you'll need twice as much volume if it's at 5%. For example, my 100 mL will become 200 mL if you're using 5% ACV and 167 mL if you're using 6%. I think 170 mL should be ok if it's somewhere in the middle of 5% and 6%. Let me know if you end up testing this! - The Vegetable Doctor Team
If you have a neutral or alkaline water and you dilute it with a gallon of water or something similar wouldn’t that also raise the ph of the solution?
Yes, it would; however, it will also dilute the amount of calcium in your fertilizer. For example, you start with 1 gallon of fertilizer and add another gallon of neutral or alkaline water, your fertilizer has half the original calcium concentration. This means you would need to put 14 ounces instead of 7 ounces to get the same amount of calcium per plant. This may work for a typical in ground garden, but I don't know how well it will work for potted plants. If you do decide to do this, let me know how well it works. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
You can add this fertilizer right to your aquaponics growbeds without harming the fish 🐟 etc ?
Pay attention to the pH and test your total calcium values. Too much calcium and it can build up in the pipes, pumps, and other areas causing a clog. If this does happen, you can always clean the parts by letting them sit in a vinegar solution. For plants, too much calcium can make it harder for them to absorb magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, iron, boron, and other nutrients. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
what is the dosage if foliar form
Unfortunately, the calcium fertilizer made in this video is not in the correct form for foliar absorption. "Best sources for foliar calcium are calcium nitrate (10 to 15 lbs./acre), calcium chloride (5 to 8 lbs./acre) and some chelated Ca products (manufacturers recommendations)" MU ipm.missouri.edu/MPG/2019/4/foliarFeeding/ . Let me know if you still have questions. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
What kind of vinegar are you using ?
We are using a simple white vinegar you would use for cooking. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
@@VegetableDoctorthere is a range of strengths of vinegars being sold
@@trisheverett6950Yes, there are. The cooking vinegar used in this video was 'Great Value Distilled White Vinegar' and has a 5% acidity. Apologies for the confusion. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
How often should we apply this solution?
In general, I recommend every few weeks after the plant has started growing, however I think you were wanting plant specific information, correct? If you were, head here aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/easy-gardening-series/ where you'll find fertilizing information for individual vegetables (fertilizing schedule varies by plant). Let me know if you don't find information for the vegetable you're trying to grow, and I'll either provide it in a video or comment. -The Vegetable Doctor Team
@@VegetableDoctor Thank you!
I left my eggshell in vinegar overnight, it has a strong smell can i still use it
Since the fertilizer is made using vinegar, it should still smell like vinegar even after the reaction is done. Can you tell me more about what you did? For example, did you grind your eggshells or put them in crushed? - The Vegetable Doctor Team
@@VegetableDoctor yes I ground them to fine powder first
Wonderful! If the vinegar smell is still as potent as when you first started, I'd recommend adding one more ground eggshell, stir vigorously for about 10 seconds, and let it sit for about 2 hours--keep in mind there will still be some cloudy white material at the bottom. While chicken eggshells have ~96% calcium carbonate (this is what reacts fully with the vinegar) the remaining 4% of organic matrix and trace elements like phosphorus are going to cause some of the eggshell to not dissolve completely. This cloudy white layer doesn't need to be removed: It's fine to just shake the container and apply the mixture to your plants. If you believe your fertilizer is still too acidic, I'd purchase an aquarium pH test strip from your local pet store and test the mixture prior to use. Feel free to message back if you still run into some issues. - The Vegetable Doctor Team
So, can we use this as a foliar feed on plants when there is no sun in the forecast? 🤔 (diluted, of course)😁
What type of fruit or vegetable are you applying the fertilizer to? -The Vegetable Doctor Team
I don’t have a lab !!!
You don't need a lab, you can substitute my hot plate for a pot on the stove and use a spoon for the stirrer. Let me know if you have more questions, thanks for the view! - The Vegetable Doctor Team
li ke
i believe you kind of confuse people when you talk about raising the pH to 6 by adding more calcium carbonate in the form of eggshells. you are trying to extract calcium from the eggshells, not raise the pH of anything although the pH would indicate more calcium being extracted. (note - in soil tests, high pH though does not necessarily equate to high calcium.)...blessings to all
I listened to the video again and heard what you're talking about. I should've clarified that I was using the pH to indicate how much acetic acid was present in solution and available to react with the calcium in the eggshell. You're explanation about calcium in the soil and pH was spot on as well. Thanks for watching my video and commenting! - The Vegetable Doctor Team
@@VegetableDoctor wonderful
Calcium carbonate in the form of eggshells does both you get more calcium and you raise the ph
@@magapefarmshomestead6453 what is the point? blessings
@paulbraga4460 just that eggshells and vinegar does extract calcium, but also that calcium carbonate does raised the ph level so eggshells does both. Although I persllrsonally believe that to use eggshells to raise the ph enough means there will be an excess of eggshell pieces that have to be discarded in some manner. If the focus is on calcium extraction, the ph can be adjusted with a different product.
What percentage of calcium in the shell can i extract? I want to know roughly how many grams of calcium are in my final solution but i dont have the ca meter. Eggshells are about 40% calcium. How much of that dissolves?
If the reaction is allowed to run to completion, an 85% yield of Ca(C₂H₃O₂)₂ would be reasonable for an at home experiment (Yao et al., 2006, Optimization of preparation of calcium acetate from eggshell by Response Surface
Methodology, Free article). For 10g of dried, powdered eggshells at 40% Ca content, you would expect roughly 3.4g of Ca(C₂H₃O₂)₂ by mass.