WHAT IS WCA?
Water soluble calcium (WCA) is an Korean Natural Farming (KNF) input that is made from eggshells and vinegar. WCA makes calcium available to plants to assist in root growth and fruiting. During the reproductive stage of a plant’s growth cycle, WCA can be applied as a foliar spray to reduce the vulnerability of blossom-end rot.
BENEFITS OF USING WATER SOLUBLE CALCIUM (WCA):
- Prevents overgrowth of crops
- Helps to harden the fruit
- Increases storage life of vegetables
- Helps plants absorb phosphoric acid, and accumulate nutrients
HOW IS WATER SOLUBLE CALCIUM (WCA) MADE?
Water Soluble Calcium (WCA) is made through the process of conversion. Converting calcium carbonate into water soluble calcium is a 7-10 day process.
Getting Started:
The first ingredient is egg shells. Lots of them. This is the part you wish you had planned for sooner. The amount of egg shells you have will determine how much Water Soluble Calcium (WCA) you can create. Secondly you’ll want to find a container that your egg shells will take up roughly 1/10 of it’s total capacity. The third ingredient you’ll need is Brown Rice Vinegar (BRV). If you do not have BRV, white vinegar will work just fine.
Materials:
Egg shells, Vinegar, Container
Roasting Your Shells:
Crush the shells down to 1/4 diameter. Place shells on frying pan and set to low heat. Remove any organic substances as you rotate the shells. The browning process will take about 45 minutes. The finished shells should be a light to dark brown but not burnt.
Mixing with vinegar:
Pour the egg shells into the container you choose. I prefer to use a one quart mason jar for this. Calculate the rough amount of egg shells you have in the container and pour in 10 times that amount of vinegar. Place a paper towel over the lid and secure with a rubber band.
Bubbling bubbles:
You will quickly notice that as the vinegar mixes with the shells, many bubbles start floating to the top of the jar. This bubbling process will continue until all of the calcium carbonate in converted into water soluble calcium. The bubbles are also a great indicator to judge when the conversion process is complete. Usually 7-10 days and you will be ready to use the Water Soluble Calcium (WCA).
Extracting the Water Soluble Calcium (WCA)
Strain your newly created Water Soluble Calcium (WCA) into a new container through a strainer, and place a permanent lid on the it. Use the dilution table and directions for applications.
DIRECTIONS
Water Soluble Calcium (WCA) should be diluted with water (1:1,000 ratio). Apply WCA in the evening or early morning to prevent leaf burn and to allow for suitable absorption time. Apply to fruiting and flowering fruits and vegetables. Apply as a light mist. WCA can be used in combination with other KNF inputs, Fish Amino Acid (FAA) and Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ).
WHAT IS KNF?
Korean Natural Farming (KNF) is a sustainable system developed by Master Han Kyu Cho of the Janong Natural Farming Institute in South Korea, based on generations of sustainable farming methods practiced in Japan, China, and Korea. KNF optimizes the production of plants or livestock through farming methods. Korean Natural Farming methods maintain a balance in nutrient input and output. This practice minimizes any detrimental effects on the environment. The balance is maintained by encouraging the growth of naturally occurring indigenous microorganisms (IMO), which in turn produce nutrients that are used in the production of crops and livestock. Virtually all of the inputs used in KNF, as compared to those used in conventional agricultural practices, are available locally at a fraction of the cost of imported feeds, composts, and fertilizers. Cultivation of IMO was covered in a previous publication (Park and DuPonte 2008).