Make this Easiest Calcium Rich Soil Amendment in just 2 minutes for your houseplants, tomatoes, and peppers. The ingredient is probably in your wastebasket!
Do you know that the secret to Making the Miraculous Soil Amendment is super easy, and it is available in your kitchen wastebasket? Surprised? Read ahead to discover more!
Symptoms of Calcium Deficiency in Plants
Calcium plays a vital role in plant growth, assisting in the development of cell walls and membranes. A lack of calcium can cause discoloration, deformation, and curling of leaves. It can also crack fruits in apples, tomatoes, eggplants, and cherries. It also reduces root development and promotes stunted growth.
The easiest way to identify calcium deficiency is to observe the new growth. The younger leaves will look small, misshapen, and sometimes discolored.
Calcium deficiency in houseplants often shows up as subtle but noticeable changes. New growth might appear stunted or deformed, with leaves looking smaller than usual or twisted.
You might also notice the edges of young leaves browning and drying out, sometimes called “tip burn.” This browning can spread, and the entire leaf may wither and die in severe cases.
It can also affect roots, making it harder for your plants to absorb water and nutrients effectively. So what’s the solution? Eggshells!
Quick Calcium-Rich Soil Amendment
The cheapest and most organic way to fix this issue is to use eggshells—yes, the ones you throw away! They are rich in calcium carbonate (37%), which can help plants develop strong cell walls and resist diseases.
But that’s not all! Eggshells aren’t just a source of calcium. They also help improve soil structure. As the eggshells decompose slowly, they create tiny air pockets in the soil. These air pockets are like little breathing holes for your plant’s roots, allowing them to get the oxygen they need to thrive.
- All you have to do is grind 6-8 eggshells in a grinder and make a fine powder.
- Add it to the growing medium by mixing it well in the soil, and you are done!
Do this while growing tomato family plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and eggplants, as it protects the plant against blossom end rot that generally occurs due to a lack of calcium.
You can also steep crushed eggshells in water for a few days to create a weak “eggshell tea” that can be used as a foliar spray. We have a detailed article on it here.
