Epsom Salts Bath Crystals for use in bathtubs, hot tubs and whirlpool baths, advises the package from Recochem ($3.99 for 2kg at the local drug store). Add four cups to the bathtub for relaxing, soreness and to ‘help soothe away daily stress’ as well as ‘helps relieve the discomfort of insect bites.’
Then as a last piece of advice: ‘Suitable as a Plant Food Supplement.’ This baffled the druggist never mind many a gardener, keen or otherwise. Epsom salts are naturally occurring deposits of hydrated magnesium sulphate, first discovered at Epsom, Surrey, a county close to London, England, where the Derby horse race has been held annually since 1780 at Epsom Downs race track.
Some claim it as mere garden folklore. Nevertheless, even plant experimental stations have been known to use it on such crops as glasshouse tomatoes. The secondary nutrient magnesium (Mg) strengthens cell walls, is essential for seed germination, and in the formation of seeds, fruit. It is also vital to photosynthesis, a molecule of magnesium being at the heart of the action.
The foliage of tomatoes, peppers, roses along with hydrangeas, citrus, hibiscus, even African violets, will turn a deeper shade of green within hours of a liquid application of Epsom salts.Caution should be exercised not to apply excessive amounts. Recochem does not appear to have any recommendations on this score but it is usually suggested as a single teaspoon per gallon of water every two to four weeks following flower formation.
Wes Porter is a horticultural consultant and writer based in Toronto. Wes has over 40 years of experience in both temperate and tropical horticulture from three continents.
