How does epsom salt affect plant growth?
Young City, This is a great question, because although Epsom salt can be beneficial to plants, it isn’t always in the way that gardeners think. Usually Epsom salts are sold as a fertilizer component or used as a tool to change soil pH. Here’s how it really affects plants: Epsom salts contain two elements important for plant growth-magnesium and sulfur. Magnesium helps form chlorophyll in plants and is essential for photosynthesis. Magnesium is present naturally in the soil and is also found in organic fertilizers. Sulfur helps activate many plant proteins and enzymes needed for growth. It helps plants resist the cold, assists in root production and seed growth. Sulfur is often delivered to plants in the form of rainwater. The claim is often made (at least by the folks selling it) that plants are usually deficient in these two elements. Not so. Some plants, like chrysanthemums and gardenias for example, do sometimes carry high levels of magnesium in their leaves, and can benefit from ha
Young City, This is a great question, because although Epsom salt can be beneficial to plants, it isn’t always in the way that gardeners think. Usually Epsom salts are sold as a fertilizer component or used as a tool to change soil pH. Here’s how it really affects plants: Epsom salts contain two elements important for plant growth-magnesium and sulfur. Magnesium helps form chlorophyll in plants and is essential for photosynthesis. Magnesium is present naturally in the soil and is also found in organic fertilizers. Sulfur helps activate many plant proteins and enzymes needed for growth. It helps plants resist the cold, assists in root production and seed growth. Sulfur is often delivered to plants in the form of rainwater. The claim is often made (at least by the folks selling it) that plants are usually deficient in these two elements. Not so. Some plants, like chrysanthemums and gardenias for example, do sometimes carry high levels of magnesium in their leaves, and can benefit from ha
