[gardener247]

can i use normal bath salts or do i need to buy some special ones??

[JayG]

You need proper Epsom salts; bath salts can contain almost anything, which may or may not include magnesium sulphate but will certainly include artificial scents and colourings (unless you actually want lavender-flavoured tomatoes, that is!)

[savbo]

BTW, when I needed them last year all the chemists had sold out - get some in advance!

Found them in Sainsburys pharmacy in the end...

M

[Trillium]

Not sure if its the same in the UK but I got mine (magnesium sulphate) in a 50 lb bag very cheap from an animal feed shop, one that makes feed for chickens, horses, etc. They use it in quantity for something but I can't remember what. The sack has lasted me for many years.

[mumofstig]

They sell it cheap on e bay as well..that's where I got mine last year, when I couldn't get any from the chemists

[viettaclark]

What are the signs of magnesium deficiency, please and what crops are particularly susceptible? Ta!

[Trillium]

What are the signs of magnesium deficiency, please and what crops are particularly susceptible? Ta!

Here you go:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium_deficiency

[Kristen]

IME much cheaper at Garden Store (bulk) than at Chemist / Pharmacy (medicinal quantity)

[viettaclark]

Thanks Trill. Don't think I've got a problem with that......yet

[savbo]

50lb! struth you guys must have a lot of toms!

[8doubles]

Thanks Trill. Don't think I've got a problem with that......yet

Yet ........ if you grow greenhouse toms you almost certainly will. The tom plants grow so fast they nearly alway end up with a mag deficiency and i think that a little extra epsom salt is better than not enough.
Stock up and be ready.

[Trillium]

I paid the equivalent of 8 pounds for the 50 lb bag about 15 years ago. As well as some veg, I also make a spray with epsom salts for my many roses to keep up their vigour. Its a trick I learned from Martha Stewart who has the most beautiful lush roses I've ever seen.

[solway cropper]

crushed dolomite (magnesium limestone) will also help but it is slow release and will slightly reduce the acidity of the growing medium. Don't overdo the epsom salts though. Too much can be worse than not enough. Like most plant nutrients you need just the right amount. Magnesium is a trace element used in the production of chlorophyll and one teaspoonful in a 2 gallon watering can is about right.