Epsom salt fertilizer: Which plants tolerate it? | Application
Epsom salt – a colorless, odorless and water-soluble mineral is known for its various uses. It is used not only in medicine and chemistry, but also in agriculture and horticulture. Now many hobby gardeners swear by the “miracle cure” Epsom salt. However, some caution is required when using it in the home garden. The desired success does not always occur. However, when used correctly, the plants benefit from it with healthy growth.
Points to discuss:
Epsom salt fertilizer
Epsom salt for sulfur supply
Soil analysis
Carrying out soil analysis
Dosage
Granules or liquid fertilizer
Suitable plants
Epsom salt fertilizer
The natural mineral is a magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) and also known as epsomite or Epsom salt. Epsom salt contains 15 percent magnesium oxide (MgO) and 30 percent sulfuric anhydride (SO3). This makes it an excellent source of magnesium and sulfur, in short a special fertilizer for plants.
Magnesium is a building block of the plant pigment chlorophyll (responsible for the green color of leaves). Plants need magnesium to build sugars, from which they ultimately produce cellulose and other endogenous substances that are necessary for photosynthesis. Epsom salt is also an important component in various complex fertilizers, the so-called “complete fertilizers”.
In agriculture and horticulture, the mineral is mainly used to compensate for magnesium deficiencies in the soil. At the same time, the pH value of the soil is reduced during use. Epsom salt is used as granules, but also as a liquid fertilizer, but not all plants tolerate this fertilizer. More on that later.
A notice :
The salt is also successfully used in medicine, for example in “heat packs” to generate therapeutic heat or as a laxative, for detoxification, for strains, sprains and arthritis.
Epsom salt for sulfur supply
Since Epsom salt also contains a very high proportion of sulfur, it is ideal as a sulfur fertilizer. A sulfur deficiency in the soil manifests itself primarily in a similar way to the symptoms of a nitrogen deficiency. The entire leaf, including the leaf veins, usually turns yellow . However, this usually only affects young leaves.
A lack of sulfur in the soil can be prevented in advance by regularly incorporating mature compost or rotted cattle manure. In addition, the sulfur balance can also be balanced through targeted doses of Epsom salt or other mineral and organic complex fertilizers.
Not all soils tolerate an application of Epsom salt equally well. Before fertilizing with Epsom salt, the condition of the soil must be known. The pH value can easily be determined using a quick test. However, a detailed soil analysis should be left to a laboratory.
Soil analysis
Before fertilizing with Epsom salt, it is important to know the soil conditions. A soil analysis offers protection against over-fertilization with nutrients. Otherwise, excessive salt content can quickly lead to root burns. Ultimately the plants then dry out. A professional soil analysis provides information about this
Soil pH
Overview of the nutrients present such as
magnesium
Nitrogen
potassium
phosphorus
copper
iron
boron
Fertilizer recommendations are made at the same time
Carrying out soil analysis
At least 500 g of soil should always be taken from a uniformly used garden area, such as a vegetable garden or lawn. The more samples are available, the more reliable the result will be.
Evenly taking 10 to 15 samples over the entire area
Mix samples thoroughly in the bucket
Pour 500 g into a plastic bag
with name, date and garden area
What is important when removing is the correct depth from the entire root zone of the plants in question. The nutrient reserves, which are also reached by the plant roots, are important.
Lawn at least 10 cm
Vegetable and perennial bed 30 cm
Fruit and coniferous trees maximum 60 cm
Dosage
Depending on the nature of the soil and the magnesium value present per 100 g of soil, the following dosage recommendations arise:
Light soils
Water seeps away quickly
Washing out of increased magnesium content
30 g of salt per square meter with a magnesium value of 1 to 2 mg per 100 g of soil
15 g of salt per square meter with a magnesium value of 3 to 5 mg per 100 g of soil
No administration if magnesium value exceeds 5 mg per 100 g of soil
Fertilize two to three times per season
first fertilization in June
Repeat in August
Medium floors
30 g of fertilizer per square meter with a magnesium value of 1 to 4 mg per 100 g of soil
15 to 20 g of fertilizer per square meter with a magnesium value of 5 to 10 mg per 100 g of soil
No administration if magnesium value is higher than 10 mg per 100 g of soil
Fertilize once per season
Heavy soils
30 g of fertilizer per square meter with a magnesium value of 1-8 mg per 100 g of soil
15 to 20 g of fertilizer per square meter with a magnesium value of 9 to 13 mg per 100 g of soil
No administration if magnesium value exceeds 14 mg per 100 g of soil
Fertilize once per season
Granules or liquid fertilizer
Epsom salt can be applied in liquid form or as granules. A few things should be taken into account:
Spray solutions
Use in acute magnesium deficiency
Dissolve 200 g of salt in 10 liters of water
never use in sunshine
then burns occur
Do not apply before periods of rain
Before use, spray plants with a garden hose
alternatively spray after rain
Cloudy April days are well suited
Granules
Spring time
If necessary, repeat in the fall
sprinkle around plants
not directly on roots
some distance from the trunk
then water well
Caution: Do not wash out the salt completely
Not all plants tolerate salt fertilization equally well. Therefore, caution is always advised. When used correctly, the special plant fertilizer can serve the following plants well:
Conifers
All coniferous trees, thuja and cypresses have a high magnesium consumption.
20 g of salt per square meter compensates for the deficit
Use as granules or for casting
For yellow-colored needles, apply 2% spray solution
Spray the underside of needles and shoots
Preparation solution Dissolve 200 g of salt in 10 liters of water
A notice :
If the needles are already brown in color, there is a potassium deficiency. Then it is advisable to use special fir fertilizer or potassium sulfate.
Race
Many lawns are undersupplied with nutrients such as potassium or magnesium. Epsom salt fertilizers can help.
Spring time
Fertilization after the first lawn cutting
50g salt per square meter
Spread well on lawn
then water
Ideal for days before rain
prevents weed growth
Ericaceous plants
Rhododendron, azalea and heather love an acidic environment to grow. If the pH value of the soil is too high, the salt can be used.
Dissolve 150 g of salt in 10 liters of rainwater
Water soil evenly
Support photosynthesis
Stabilization of the chlorophyll content of the leaves
A solution applied to one square meter lowers the pH value by one point.
vegetable plants
Heavy eaters such as tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, beetroot or spinach have a high magnesium requirement. Deficiency symptoms can quickly occur. A targeted administration of the salt fertilizer then ensures a sufficient supply of magnesium.
weekly foliar fertilization
Use 0.5% saline solution
Tip :
In the case of leaf spot, the symptoms can also be improved by spraying an Epsom salt solution in a 2% concentration. However, the administration of nitrogen-based fertilizer must then be avoided.
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