Has anyone ever tried using Calcium and Potassium nitrate on their figs? I just read part of a study done in Turkey that said (in part)

"Applications exerted marked effect on fruit width, length, shape, and width of ostiolor opening. Similar results appeared on texture and sugar as fructose... (also) previous researchwork carried out on figs reveal that calcium and potassium fertilization has important impact on fruit quality and that potassium/calcium balance is the main decisive factor... (and) The size of fig fruits was highly affected by the foliar application. All the treatments were foudn to be statistically different than the control trees."

The rest of the article in only available on a paid site I do not have access to through my university. However, this was enough to get me thinking and wondering if anyone is using calcium and potassium nitrates on their figs? This could be an important step to larger fruit.

There should be calcium and potassium (P) in most fertilizers, also Nitrogen. I use Cal-Mag additive sometimes. Why potassium nitrate formulation?

Hi Rafael,
Why should there by calcium (ca) in every fertilizer ?
Most fertilizers are made of  N ( nitrogen / nitrogen associated with something = nitrate of something) - P - K ... Where did I read (ca) ?
I often read people here on the forum using fertilizer with micro-nutrients. (ca) would be included in some of those.
The one, I use, has a N-P-K ratio , but no mention of any (ca). You get what you pay for, I guess .
If you're looking for an easy source of calcium ... Next time you or madame boil an egg, go take the shells and put that on top of your pots or in the dirt to keep the place clean.
Egg shells are what I run after in my own bin (Don't scream it in all the places; I'm the cook at home) - they are full of micro-nutrients - that is when the chicken was properly fed of course.
As for the effects of egg shells on fig, that is a test I should do :) if the expected outcome is bigger size.

I've been using both this year but too early to say much or share experiences.

I recently started use of an agronomist and will be taking monthly samples of leaves and also soil solution at 20cm and 40cm.  My first samples were submitted a week ago and my agronomist will make an updated fertigation recommendation shortly.

Per Dr Powell at Petals from the Past...1st growing season, 1/2 cup 13-13-13 fertilizer.  Follow with 1 cup calcium nitrate (or 1/2 cup ammonium nitrate) in early May and repeat in mid June (zone 8b).  During 2nd season start at same rate 3 times, increasing each time by 50%.  By 3rd and 4th season, only 2 applications are needed (early March and mid June). Continue using 13-13-13 fertilizer above at 2-3 cups per plant in in early march followed by 2-4 cups of calcium nitrate (or 1-2 cups of ammonium nitrate) in mid June.  Maintain soil ph at 6.0-7.0.  In year 5 increase the fertilizer to 5-6 cups. Follow with a light application of calcium nitrate (1/2-1 cup) following harvest, especially if trees have borne a large crop.

Thanks for the info Bamafig!

I can't find calcium nitrate in my area, and online stuff has VERY high shipping, so I am trying to find a different way. I remember reading that someone was using Espoma "Tomato-tone" on figs, and perhaps it was for the extra calcium it contains. Does anyone remember reading this?

As long as you're willing to buy a 50lb bag - check out places like Ewing or John Deer Landscape. Wherever the landscapers go for irrigation supplies. They should have Calcium Nitrate at a reasonable price.

There's calcium in your lime (CaCO3), so I wouldn't worry too much about hunting down exotic sources as your trees won't care where it's come from. If you want to try out Ca as a foliar feed then I found this that you could try out if you don't mind a bit of kitchen chemistry: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/SA-10.pdf

Also Potassium is K, Phosphorus is P. N = nitrogen = leaf growth, P = Phosphorus = root growth, K = Potassium = fruit growth. A mnemonic that I recall to remember what does what in N-P-K is 'leave rotten fruit', or leaves, roots, fruit.

You can purchase a 50 lb bag of Calcium Nitrate from Southern States or ACE for $5-7. I used the Calcium nitrate 4 seasons ago and end up burning few of the plants, so be cautions.

Navid.