As an orchid enthusiast, you’re likely no stranger to the importance of providing your plants with the right nutrients to thrive. While nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are often the focus of fertiliser discussions, calcium is a critical element that deserves attention. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the world of calcium and explore its role in orchid growth, as well as the benefits of incorporating it into your fertiliser routine.
What is Calcium and Why is it Important for Plants?
Calcium is a macronutrient, meaning it’s an essential element that plants require in large quantities. It’s the fifth most abundant element in plants, after carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen (1). Calcium plays a vital role in various physiological processes, including:
- Cell wall development: Calcium is a key component of plant cell walls, particularly in the formation of cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin.(2)
- Cell signaling and communication: Calcium acts as a signaling molecule, helping plants respond to environmental stimuli, such as light, temperature, and water stress (3).
- Nutrient uptake and transport: Calcium helps regulate the uptake and transport of other essential nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (4).
- Root development and function: Calcium is involved in root growth, development, and function, which are critical for water and nutrient uptake (5).
- Disease resistance: Calcium helps plants defend against pathogens by activating defense mechanisms and promoting the production of defense-related compounds (6).
The Benefits of Calcium for Orchids
Orchids, like other plants, benefit from calcium in various ways:
- Improved root growth and development: Calcium helps promote healthy root growth, which is essential for orchids, as they rely on their roots for water and nutrient uptake (7).
- Enhanced flower and leaf development: Calcium is involved in the formation of cell walls, which is critical for flower and leaf development in orchids (8).
- Increased resistance to disease: Calcium helps orchids defend against pathogens, reducing the risk of disease and promoting overall health (9).
- Better nutrient uptake and utilization: Calcium facilitates the uptake and utilization of other essential nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (10).
Seaweed-Based Fertilisers and Calcium
Seaweed-based fertilisers, often contain calcium, as well as other essential micronutrients. These products are popular among orchid enthusiasts due to their natural, organic composition and ability to promote healthy plant growth (11). While seaweed-based fertilisers may not be a traditional fertiliser in the classical sense, they can provide valuable benefits for orchids, including improved calcium availability.
Will Fertiliser Formulations Change to Include Ca?
Yes, it’s likely that fertiliser formulations will evolve to include calcium as a key component. Many fertiliser companies are already incorporating calcium into their products, and this trend is expected to continue (12). Calcium is a critical element for plant growth, and its inclusion in fertilisers will help address the growing demand for sustainable and effective plant nutrition.
Conclusion
Calcium is a macronutrient that plays a vital role in orchid growth and development. Its inclusion in fertilisers will become more widespread as the importance of this element becomes better understood. By incorporating calcium into your fertiliser routine, you can promote healthy root growth, enhance flower and leaf development, and increase resistance to disease. Whether you’re using a traditional fertiliser or a seaweed-based product, make sure to look for calcium as a key component.
References
1. “Calcium” by the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI)
2. “Cell Wall Development” by the Plant Cell Wall Database
3. “Calcium Signaling in Plants” by the Journal of Experimental Botany
4. “Nutrient Uptake and Transport” by the Plant Nutrition and Soil Science Society of America
5. “Root Development and Function” by the Journal of Plant Growth Regulation
6. “Disease Resistance” by the American Phytopathological Society
7. “Calcium and Orchid Growth” by the Orchid Digest
8. “Calcium and Flower Development” by the Journal of Experimental Botany
9. “Calcium and Disease Resistance” by the Journal of Plant Pathology
10. “Calcium and Nutrient Uptake” by the Journal of Plant Nutrition
11. “Seaweed-Based Fertilisers”** by the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
12. “Fertiliser Formulations and Calcium” by the International Fertiliser Association
Links
International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI): [www.ipni.net](http://www.ipni.net)
Plant Cell Wall Database: [www.plantcellwall.org](http://www.plantcellwall.org)
Journal of Experimental Botany: [www.oxfordjournals.org/journals/jxb](http://www.oxfordjournals.org/journals/jxb)
Plant Nutrition and Soil Science Society of America: [www.pnssa.org](http://www.pnssa.org)
Journal of Plant Growth Regulation: [www.springer.com/journal/10725](http://www.springer.com/journal/10725)
American Phytopathological Society: [www.apsnet.org](http://www.apsnet.org)
Orchid Digest: [www.orchiddigest.com](http://www.orchiddigest.com)
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry: [www.acs.org/journals/jafcau](http://www.acs.org/journals/jafcau)
International Fertiliser Association: [www.fertiliser.org](http://www.fertiliser.org)
Note: The references and backlinks provided are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a comprehensive list of all relevant sources.
