[aubergine]

Hi

I think some of my tomato plants have a magnesium deficiency.  I have heard a dose of epsom salts are the solution.

Can anyone tell me where I get epsom salts? and what is the corrent dosage/method?

Regards

Aubergine

[hindy]

Boots or any chemist will sell epsom salts but not sure what dosage you require.

[DD.]

From recent postings, I wouldn't guarantee that!!

Our local Wyevale actually sell them as a plant food.

As regards dosage, try this antique reply from our leader!

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=685.msg5265#msg5265

[mumofstig]

I ordered mine from ebay........it's only a couple of quid, no postage and delivered next day...well mine was
LINK

[home made pie]

I saw it in my local garden centre today, not sure on the dose but I guess it will come with intructions.  It's actually Magnesium Sulfate which has many other uses including bathing (bath salts) which is probably why Boots did or does sell it

Just a thought though, does the tomato feed not have some magnesium in it ? not absolutely sure on this but I thought it did

[mumofstig]

Tomorite has 'added magnesium' but i dont think it's in all of them

[Kristen]

Tomorite has 'added magnesium' but i dont think it's in all of them

I'm not sure that will "cure" the problem, but I am basing my thought on Dr Hessayon and reading it again it could be ambiguous in this regard: "A common and serious disorder [Magnesium deficiency] which is made worse, not better, by standard feeding"

"standard" is either using a Non-Tomato-Specific fertilizer, or specifically: a Tomato specific fertilizer

[aubergine]

Thanks for the info,brilliant as always.
Aubergine

[jolly]

From DD.

Very long uncited copy/pasted post removed. as citation/link would lead to a site unsuitable for this forum.

Jolly, whilst we thank you for trying to be helpful - please read the forum policies on copy/pasting, citing & linking.

[Jake]

Thanks Jolly

2 of mine are deficient but I think its because of the ants nests underneath them!

[Elcie]

How do you know if your tomatoes have a magnesium deficiency?

[Jake]

How do you know if your tomatoes have a magnesium deficiency?

they go yellow I think

[jolly]

How do you know if your tomatoes have a magnesium deficiency?

all leaves have veins, just like humans, when the cells of the leaf between the veins start to go lighter, lower down the plant, it means the newer growth at top is drawing magnesium from the sun leaves made by it's vegetative growth (by this i mean the main leaves used for photosynthesis) due to a lack of mag in the soil

only the lightening of leaves between veins mean it's a mag def

hope i have explained it clearly, as i have not grown a plant in 5 years, but it looks right  

[Elcie]

How do you know if your tomatoes have a magnesium deficiency?

all leaves have veins, just like humans, when the cells of the leaf between the veins start to go lighter, lower down the plant, it means the newer growth at top is drawing magnesium from the sun leaves made by it's vegetative growth (by this i mean the main leaves used for photosynthesis) due to a lack of mag in the soil

only the lightening of leaves between veins mean it's a mag def

hope i have explained it clearly, as i have not grown a plant in 5 years, but it looks right  

Thanks for that.  So I'm guessing the yellow is just in the veins of the leaf, not the whole leaf?  The reason I ask is that I gave away lots of tomato plants and now everyone thinks I'm an expert!  Anyway, one of them today asked what to do about yellow leaves at the bottom of the plant.

Perhaps this is the answer!

[mumofstig]

So I'm guessing the yellow is just in the veins of the leaf

No the yellow is between the veins of the leaf the veins are still greenish