Budget Calcium Acetate Fertilizer to Boost Cucumber and Tomato Growth and Prevent Blossom-End Rot

In the opening segment, Ivan addresses a common issue many gardeners face: the stagnation of growth in cucumbers and tomatoes, especially in greenhouses or outdoor settings. He explains that fluctuating weather conditions—either too hot or too cold—impair the plants' ability to absorb key nutrients, particularly phosphorus and calcium. These nutrients are critical for healthy development, and their poor uptake leads to halted growth and fruiting problems.

"Дело в том что погода бывает слишком жаркая или слишком холодная растения очень плохо усваивают некоторые питательные вещества в первую очередь это фосфор и кальций..." 0:10

Key points:

• Weather extremes disrupt nutrient absorption.
• Calcium and phosphorus deficiencies are primary culprits.
• This leads to halted growth in cucumbers and tomatoes.

Ivan introduces a simple, cost-effective calcium fertilizer made from calcium acetate, which can stimulate growth in cucumbers, peppers, and eggplants. This homemade solution also helps combat blossom end rot (вершинная гниль) and various infectious diseases common in greenhouses. He emphasizes the multiple advantages of this calcium acetate feed and points viewers to a detailed article on his Dzen channel for more information about vinegar and acetate benefits.

"В этом видео я поделюсь с вами рецептом очень бюджетной подкормки ацетатом кальция... поможет избавиться от вершин гнили и инфекционных многих инфекционных болезней вашей теплице..." 0:42

Key points:

• Calcium acetate fertilizer is budget-friendly and effective.
• Helps prevent blossom end rot and infections.
• Vinegar and acetate have special properties beneficial to plants.

Ivan details the preparation process using accessible calcium sources such as marble chips, chalk, dolomite flour, or finely crushed eggshells. He uses about one cup of these materials in a 10-liter bucket, adding 2-3 liters of water. Then, he pours in a whole bucket of 9% table vinegar, triggering a reaction that dissolves the calcium source with bubbling carbon dioxide release. The reaction time varies: marble chips may take overnight, chalk dissolves in 10-15 minutes, and eggshells about a day, depending on how finely crushed they are.

"Для приготовления бюджетной кальциевой подкормки... заливаем их небольшим количеством воды... берём самый обыкновенный столовый девятипроцентный уксус и выливаем сюда... наблюдаем за реакцией растворения..." 1:14

Key points:

• Use common calcium sources: marble chips, chalk, dolomite, eggshells.
• Vinegar reacts with calcium source, releasing CO2 bubbles.
• Reaction time depends on material and fineness.
• Excess calcium source ensures full vinegar reaction.

After the reaction completes, Ivan tops up the solution to 10 liters and dilutes 1 liter of this calcium acetate concentrate into 9-10 liters of water for use. He recommends watering large tomato plants with half a liter of this diluted solution and smaller tomatoes or cucumbers with 1 liter. This treatment delivers a strong growth-stimulating effect.

"Доводим объём до 10 л... 1 л получившегося кальциевого раствора разбавляем в 10 раз... по 1 л поливаем крупные растения томата по поллитра небольшие растения томата или огурца..." 2:55

Key points:

• Final concentrate diluted 1:10 before application.
• Large tomatoes get 0.5 liters per plant; smaller plants get 1 liter.
• Strong stimulation of plant growth.

Ivan explains that calcium and other nutrients are absorbed primarily by the tips of young roots. When tomatoes and cucumbers enter fruiting, root growth slows, reducing nutrient uptake. To counter this, he recommends using biostimulants like Mixlink and Multibact, which can be added to any feeding solution to enhance nutrient absorption and root growth, especially under cold conditions.

"Кальций... поглощаются только кончиками молодых корешков... рост корневой системы приостанавливается... используйте такое средство как mixlink... добавлять в любые подкормочные растворы для улучшения поглощения питания..." 3:19

Key points:

• Nutrient uptake depends on active root tips.
• Root growth slows during fruiting, limiting nutrient absorption.
• Biostimulants Mixlink and Multibact improve root function and nutrient uptake.
• Especially useful in cold weather.

If growth has completely stopped, Ivan suggests replacing Mixlink or Multibact with amino acid-based products like Maltamin. He notes that Maltamin, Multibact, and Mixlink are compatible and can be combined flexibly depending on the situation. He personally adds a small amount of Maltamin and 30 ml of Mixlink to his 10 liters of calcium acetate solution to prevent any growth stoppage or blossom end rot.

"Если огурцы встали на месте... добавляйте аминокислотные препараты например такие как мальтамин... Мальтамин, Мультибакт и Микслин все совместимы друг с другом..." 4:23

Key points:

• Amino acid supplements like Maltamin help restart growth.
• Compatible with other biostimulants.
• Personal recipe: Maltamin + Mixlink + calcium acetate solution.
• Prevents blossom end rot and growth halts.

Ivan reassures viewers that this calcium acetate solution is gentle and can be applied to both moist and dry soil. He encourages gardeners to use these vinegar-calcium feedings to keep their plants healthy and productive. The video closes with a friendly farewell and music.

"Поливы такие можно делать как по влажной так и по сухой почве... раствор этот получается совершенно нежчий... пользуйтесь кальциевыми уксусными проливами..." 5:12

Key points:

• Fertilizer is mild and safe for various soil moisture conditions.
• Regular use promotes plant health and productivity.
• Encouragement to try this budget-friendly method.

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This video offers a practical, low-cost solution for gardeners struggling with calcium deficiency and growth issues in cucumbers and tomatoes. Ivan’s step-by-step recipe for calcium acetate fertilizer, combined with biostimulants and amino acid supplements, provides a comprehensive approach to overcoming nutrient uptake problems caused by weather extremes and root growth slowdown during fruiting. The personal tips and clear instructions make it accessible for home gardeners seeking chemical-free, effective plant care.