How to apply calcium for bitter pit in a honeycrisp apple tree - Ask Extension
I have a honeycrisp apple tree. We've lived here 11 years and it was several years old (maybe 5) when we moved in. It has only bloomed for the past 4 ...
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How to apply calcium for bitter pit in a honeycrisp apple tree #872501
Asked June 10, 2024, 6:41 PM EDT
I have a honeycrisp apple tree. We've lived here 11 years and it was several years old (maybe 5) when we moved in. It has only bloomed for the past 4 years. The first year we had blooms there was just one apple, and it was delicious. We cut down some trees and it has more light now, and the second year it bloomed it made maybe 30 apples and they were delicious. For the past 2 years, there have been far more blooms and apples, but the apples have been inedibly bitter and brown on the inside. I learned that the soil is probably calcium deficient and would like to know how to apply gypsum (how often, how much, and how to apply) as well as any info about a calcium foliar spray. Thanks!
Washington County Vermont
Expert Response
Hello Heather:
Here is information that the UVM Fruit Specialist provided:
They should be able to find gypsum for ground application at most garden centers, a pound per tree twice a year once in spring and again in fall would be fine. Foliar calcium every other week once fruit form would also help. Again, available at any garden center, often marketed for tomato blossom end rot. Follow package directions.
I also wanted to provide the following info. re: bitter pit in apples, for your reading pleasure - https://extension.umd.edu/resource/controlling-bitter-pit-apples-best-practices-growers-fs-2023-0701/agnr.umd.edu/resource/controlling-bitter-pit-apples-best-practices-growers-fs-2023-0701
Hope this helps!
Here is information that the UVM Fruit Specialist provided:
They should be able to find gypsum for ground application at most garden centers, a pound per tree twice a year once in spring and again in fall would be fine. Foliar calcium every other week once fruit form would also help. Again, available at any garden center, often marketed for tomato blossom end rot. Follow package directions.
I also wanted to provide the following info. re: bitter pit in apples, for your reading pleasure - https://extension.umd.edu/resource/controlling-bitter-pit-apples-best-practices-growers-fs-2023-0701/agnr.umd.edu/resource/controlling-bitter-pit-apples-best-practices-growers-fs-2023-0701
Hope this helps!
Thank you for replying.
I was trying to get directions on exactly how to apply the gypsum to the soil. Does it need to be dug in? How deep? If other plants are growing near the apple tree, should they be removed? (I guess for that matter, should other plants be allowed to grow near the tree or should it just be mulch?)
The link you gave me for the article about bitter pit did not work.
Also, I’m wondering what percentage foliar spray I should be looking for for calcium. They seem to range dramatically in percent calcium. I have already tried two gardening stores, and neither of them had anything like a foliar spray for calcium (or had even heard of it), so it’s clearly not as widespread as one might think. if I do find a product that is designed for something like tomatoes and not apple trees, I don’t know that following the directions on the package will be relevant to an apple tree. That’s why I want to know how much spray of calcium I should give an apple tree.
Are you able to give any further detail? Thank you,
Heather.
On Jun 11, 2024, at 11:50 AM, Extension Foundation <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The gypsum does not need to be dug in, but can be scattered under the tree out to the dripline. There would be no other plants within that area I assume. As far as foliar calcium, I see a lot of products on the internet. Not sure why a garden store would not have these. Here is a 10% product used for fruit trees with the following instructions:
(Fruit )TREES & VINES:
Apply 6 fl. oz. in 4 gallons of water after fruit set and repeat at 14 day intervals throughout the season.
https://www.arbico-organics.com/product/foli-cal-calcium-deficiency-concentrate/foliar-fertilizers?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw65-zBhBkEiwAjrqRMOHYWcvfmCJkA4HbnVQm7yEEwJK-mPGbdqpsrZqAp9dHRVYQzrHWRhoCxscQAvD_BwEThe gypsum does not need to be dug in, but can be scattered under the tree out to the dripline. THere would be no other plants within that area I assume. As far as calcium, i see a lot of products on the internet. Here is a 10% product used for fruit trees. https://www.arbico-organics.com/product/foli-cal-calcium-deficiency-concentrate/foliar-fertilizers?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw65-zBhBkEiwAjrqRMOHYWcvfmCJkA4HbnVQm7yEEwJK-mPGbdqpsrZqAp9dHRVYQzrHWRhoCxscQAvD_BwE
