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Alex, IN

Ok, we have two major products that help supply CO2 and calcium to our plants. One is the Extreme Gardening CalCarb and the other is Lithovit. I have been reading many articles and discussions on the two products and while the opinions vary no one has said whether one product is more effect than the other.

So my question is, which product should I use? And please give me a reason why you would choose one or the other product.

Thanks,
Mikkal

2/20/2015 1:45:01 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Good question...

2/20/2015 2:13:07 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

in all honesty there is not a grower alive who can answer that question with proof but i am all ears.I say use both!!!

2/20/2015 3:56:33 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Maybe there someone that has used both and over a certain amount of time tested each area with a high quality co2 monitor. In a greenhouse would be most accurate of course.

I know I would if I had the money!

2/20/2015 4:03:43 PM

Whitehall Montana

I will be trying CO2 generators this year for the greenhouse.You might look into those.

2/20/2015 7:55:45 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Just be cautious on what you read here. Example, there is a bullshitter in "fertilizing and watering" posting false weights of pumpkins when you can look up their actual results... and letting everyone believe it.

2/20/2015 9:04:47 PM

Cameron

Okay, I can only talk about the Lithovit. I was part of a test group here in Ontario for a new European product, Lithovit in 2009. That year we used it on all our pumpkins, along with a couple other growers. We planted 3 plants, but 2 split, leaving us with only 1 plant. Although it started very slow (53" Cir day 20), it ended up being a new Canadian Record & the 2nd largest grown in the World that year at 1678#. Losing to the famous 1725 Harp. We have been using it ever since that 1st year & are quite happy with the results. In fact I liked it so much that a friend of mine picked up the rights to sell it in Canada.
Oh, one last thing I can say about Lithovit is that Beni uses it. Enough said there.

Now I have never used the Calcarb, but it is likely the same thing or close to the same thing. I think the only difference is where it comes from & the way it's ground up, but don't quote me on that either.

good luck,
Jane & Phil

2/21/2015 7:32:51 AM

Bethlehem CT

Where do I purchase lithovit or cal/carb?

2/21/2015 9:02:35 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

I have only used cal carb.... Only use a few times in a season normally once we get real hot.. July August. Unsure on exact gains but I have seen a difference in flagging of plant on hot days and helps to limit the amount of grow tips that I have had burn off. I don't use shade cloth or covers on grow tips. Co2 levels would be very very hard to elevate in an outdoor grow environment. Co2 when used in high concentrations (ppm) in a controlled environment will have significat gains.

2/21/2015 11:36:04 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

So if you grow indoors in a controlled environment then use a co2 generator..

2/21/2015 11:38:00 AM

Lymington UK

I for one really need to get my head around both products. Probably if we could get the science in depth on both products it would help a lot. I'm sure they both work but if someone could enlighten us on how they both work it would be great.
Ian

2/21/2015 2:14:27 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Cover your based and use both on rotation. Do not over apply or apply too often...do not be a "more on" kinda user with these products....slow a steady.

Now I wanna see this bullcrapper that Luke is pointing out....lol...

2/21/2015 5:57:47 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Me too Glenn,,,,,,,,,,, I looked but couldn't figure it out?

We need a clue Luke.

2/21/2015 7:07:16 PM

Wixom MI.

This co2 generator stuff is new to me, what products due you use and how much of each product due you use to make this co2 gass ?and how often would you due it ? Im thinking of doing this to a tomato plant to see what happens but could use some info or advice ?

2/21/2015 8:15:31 PM

Whitehall Montana

Amazon and most hydro stores carry the co2 generators and sounds like they last a long time depending on space they have to fill.All you do is hang and spray with water.They start working after wet,and after that point shut greenhouse and let it work over night

2/21/2015 8:26:59 PM

50 Acres

Do they work like a co2 fire ext.

2/21/2015 9:21:34 PM

Whitehall Montana

They are pads.You hang them or set them around your plants and just spray with water to get moist.The water in the pads causes the co2 to fill the area.The folks that grow weed use the pads in their inclosier to help boost growth and size.Reasonable priced at amazon.I will use mine over night so as to not keep going in and out and losing the co2.

2/21/2015 10:01:13 PM

Lymington

Nice one Phil and Jane how did you applie it and what rate and frequency stewie

2/22/2015 1:57:13 AM

Lymington

Hi slim you need to use it during the day when the plant photosynthesis stewie

2/22/2015 2:02:59 AM

Cameron

Hi Stu

We applied it at a rate of 1tsp per gallon sprayed every 2 weeks. I think it works best in a greenhouse environment like Beni's, but Lithovit was originally produced for the outdoor & commercial field crops.
The year we grew our 1678, it was under remay for the last week in Aug & all of Sept. I hope his helps.

phil

2/22/2015 9:33:38 AM

Cameron

Best time to apply is either mornings or after 7 pm.

This is the shortened version of how Lithovit is suppose to work. Google Lithovit to read more.

The reasoning behind it is that these very tiny particles of Calcium Carbonate are blown onto the leaf surface. Some of these particles enter into the stomata, where it produces CO2 as it breaks down. Providing the plant with extra Co2 it wants.
Some of the remaining product on the leaf surface is picked up & moved into the stomata by the dew forming on the leaves in the overnight/morning. This helps ensure there is enough calcium carbonate in the stomata to provide CO2 for the next week or so or until the rain washes it off the leaf surface.
I hope this makes sense. LOL.
Good luck.
Phil

PS. my friend's website (www.lithovitcanada.ca) should be on-line in a week or so. Canadian growers will be able to buy it right off the internet. If anyone wants some now or has any questions for him, email him at lithovitcanada@gmail.com

2/22/2015 9:55:38 AM

Lodi, California

This might sound inefficient, but on a hot day, some dry ice and a fan might do well in a greenhouse.

2/22/2015 3:09:39 PM

Whitehall Montana

Ashton what an excellent idea.I also find that overnight is when I get best vine and pumpkin growth,thats why I thought use the co2 pads at night.

2/22/2015 3:19:41 PM

Tasmania, Australia

CO2 is mainly required during the day for photosynthesis. At night plants will consume oxygen, and produce co2 as they use the energy in sugars produced during the day.

An open tub of water sugar and yeast is an inexpensive way to supplement co2 in enclosed green houses.
cheers,
AC

2/22/2015 3:58:05 PM

Johnston, Iowa

I use Lithovit and I'm very satisfied with it. For US Growers, Lithovit can be ordered by contacting Doug at lithovit@aol.com

2/23/2015 10:15:23 AM

Whitehall Montana

Thankyou ACpumpkin

2/23/2015 10:36:22 AM

Cameron

Just one last note. Lithovit isn't very expensive & a 1 pound bag (@ $20 per pound) will last 2-3 years depending on the size of your patch & it lasts forever. Good luck with whatever product you use.
Cheers,
Jane & Phil

2/23/2015 10:47:22 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

Slim I think the pads you are referring to are exhale bags/ pads... another way instead of a co2 generator is to get co2 bottles like what they use for tap beer.... Or welding supply shops... Or grow emporiums ... Plum in some lines and let her eat..

2/23/2015 10:07:54 PM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

One small bag of cal carb has lasted me a few seasons

2/23/2015 10:09:03 PM

Whitehall Montana

Big city Grower I think cal-carb is the best way to go as far as expense.I am putting so much in my soil this year that I have to find something that works good a a great price.The wife has a hip replacement next month and I need to save a little bit of moneys

2/23/2015 10:23:46 PM

Central Illinois

could co2 bottles be piped into drip tape ? but I think pot heads inject the gas from above and let it drift down over the plants

2/24/2015 7:56:05 AM

Gays Mills, Wisconsin

Co2 applied via driptape, genius!

2/24/2015 9:20:36 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Thanks for that this morning!

2/24/2015 10:03:19 AM

West Paris Me.

Has anyone ever tried using dry ice. Obviously I do not mean to put it directly next to the plant. I start a couple of plants in a 20 x 22 greenhouse and I have often wondered if dragging home a little dry ice from work be worth the trouble. Often we have an inch or two of dried ice left in a 10" x 10" cooler.

2/24/2015 11:06:10 AM

Gays Mills, Wisconsin

Some research re: driptape application, the CO2 is heavier than air and this method may just have a low lying CO2 layer that never "raises" up to bathe the leaves' stomatas. Possibly adjusting pressure may cause an upward direction. Sounds like an experiment!

2/24/2015 11:11:53 AM

Stanwood, Washington

I have used CalCarb the last two years. With the wide variety of things that I am doing to my plants its hard to really isolate just how much benefit you are getting from any one thing. But my weights keep getting better so as long as that continues I will keep on with the CalCarb.

2/24/2015 12:57:37 PM

Central Illinois

Does calcarb state how much co2 their product can produce ,gas can be measured at least by its potential

2/24/2015 6:17:44 PM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

Wouldn't water sugar and yeast make co2 sprayed drenched.. I used some Brewers left overs one year and it had yeast added after for animal feed.. Just another idea maybe a simple way.. Like patch brew... Or patch wine.. Just no finishing done to it.. RAW form

2/24/2015 7:14:08 PM

Massachusetts

Is someone here seriously suggesting that spraying 15 grams (or so) (a tablespoonful) of finely ground calcium carbonate weekly on the underside of our leaves is going to supply some meaningful amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) to our plants?

2/24/2015 8:00:50 PM

Torrance, Ca.

I have a funny feeling " Big City Grower " is up to something this season.

I can read those wheels turning faster and faster!


Just don't burn the pizza while leaning,,,, the kids don't like that!

2/24/2015 8:01:48 PM

West Paris Me.

http://www.lithovitusa.com/distributors/
I tried going to the above email but had no luck, I did a search and found this email.

2/24/2015 8:37:49 PM

Central Illinois

For the pot heads I believe the most efficient and cost effective way is to use gas, they have experimented with it for decades.They have tried yeast, dry ice, and calmag. Co2 generators have been favored by some usually using propane.

If someone tried using drip tape,I think the pressure would drop off quickly down the length of the tape, the molecules of the gas being smaller than water.

Drip tape could be hung from string in a greenhouse, with select emitters being plug shut

2/25/2015 8:11:06 AM

West Paris Me.

I thought this was interesting. http://www.marijuanagrowing.eu/growroom/dry-ice-grow-room-t41700.html

2/25/2015 11:19:11 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

Pizza... Lol... Yes the wheels have spun

2/25/2015 7:25:33 PM

Whitehall Montana

I bought the co2 generators,called green pads.Hang above plants,spray with water and they start to work.The co2 is heavier then oxygen and moves down across the plant

3/1/2015 4:44:12 PM