Magnesium sulfate as fertilizer: application and instructions

What this fertilizer gives

Continuous cultivation of the same piece of land gradually reduces the content of micro- and macroelements in it, which are necessary for plants for growth, flowering, and fruit formation. Magnesium is intensively selected by plants, so it must be regularly added to the soil. Magnesium sulfate or magnesium sulfate, or as it is also called, magnesia, Epsom or bitter salt is a complex mineral fertilizer, which contains 17% magnesium and 13% sulfur, the rest of the components are presented in very small doses.

Magnesium, as a constituent of chlorophyll, plays an important role in the process of photosynthesis. It stops oxidative processes, promotes the accumulation of essential oils, the formation of substances important for the ripening of fruits. It is he who stimulates the accumulation of ascorbic acid and sugars in berries and fruits, helps lush flowering of ornamental plants. Florists note the invariably wonderful result of using magnesia when caring for indoor flowers. This fertilizer maintains lush flowering and good condition of geranium leaves. With a lack of magnesium, the leaves turn pale, at first they lose their bright green color, then turn yellow, dry. It starts with the lower old leaves, then the young ones fall off, so the pelargonium can completely die.

Epsom salt never oversaturates the plant, it is added to the soil, and the plant will take exactly as many elements as it needs at every moment of its life. What often happens to geraniums on the windowsill can happen to vegetable or fruit crops in the garden. The soil should contain a sufficient amount of fertilizer so that vegetables can grow green mass, form fruits, concentrate sugars and vitamins in them.

When to deposit

Magnesium sulfate is introduced into the soil during the spring digging of the soil - this is the main application. Then they feed the plants as needed, the state of the leaves will tell you whether you need to feed them more. When planting vegetable and ornamental crops in a permanent place, magnesia is introduced into the hole prepared for the roots. It dissolves with water and, with the help of the same water, moves through the soil, so it is good to carry out top dressing before rain or during rain. If precipitation is not planned, it is necessary to make abundant watering after applying fertilizers.

For 1 square meter of the garden, add up to 10 g of the substance, for flowering and ornamental shrubs, the portion is increased to 15 g. For fruit crops, fertilizer is applied to the trunk circle, after 1 - 2 days it is necessary to water it, otherwise magnesium will not get to the roots. The optimum water temperature is 20 degrees, the colder it is, the slower the dissolution will take place.

Indoor flowers are not fertilized while the dormant period lasts; you can water with magnesia in the spring, when intensive growth begins. So pelargonium is fed in the spring under the root, and then, as necessary, sprayed and watered alternately, but not more often than once every 2 weeks.If the state of the leaves does not signal a lack of magnesium, then pelargonium can be fed only during flowering to add splendor and extend the period.

Magnesia combines well with other mineral fertilizers, but excess salts can interfere with the absorption of calcium by plants, so you need to carefully study the instructions before using.

Video "Fertilization of shrubs with magnesium sulfate"

A demonstration video with tips and helpful information provided by a plant expert.

How to apply

Magnesium sulfate is perfectly absorbed by all parts of the plant, so the application can be root and foliar, usually the leaves are sprayed with a solution. It is advisable to carry out foliar feeding in the morning or in the evening, when it is dry and cloudy, otherwise the rain will simply wash off the substance, not allowing it to be absorbed, and the sun can simply burn the wet leaves. The plants are watered with a solution of magnesium throughout the season, more precisely, until the fruits ripen. 25 g of magnesia is dissolved with 10 liters of water, this amount should be enough for 5 square meters of the garden. From 1 to 3 such dressings over the summer should be quite enough for the plants for adequate nutrition. For foliar dressing, a not so concentrated solution is used - only 15 g of the substance is diluted with 10 liters of water.

If the plants do not lose their leaves, if the leaves retain their bright green color, this indicates the absence of magnesium hunger. This means that the soil has the required number of elements, then the usual spring application and one root top dressing per season in the garden is enough. As for pelargoniums and other, especially large-leaved indoor plants, one root and one foliar application of magnesium per season is enough for them.

Magnesia is used on all types of soils, a special effect is observed on sandy soils, it is there that there is a significant deficiency of magnesium. The increased acidity of the soil makes it difficult for plants to consume magnesium, therefore, before applying fertilizer, you must first deoxidize the soil - for this, lime is applied in the fall. Magnesium sulphate helps to make geranium bloom abundant, lush and almost permanent. It is the combination of magnesium with sulfur that gives such wonderful results. Fertilizers are laid during transplantation, or rather, transfer of geraniums to the main container. If a prepared soil is used, then it already contains all the main elements, you only need to add magnesia and nitrogen, it can be in a dry granular form.

For several months of growth, fertilizers will be enough - each watering will dissolve the required amount of the substance and make it available to the roots of pelargonium, then it is worth watering with a solution of magnesia at least once a month, if necessary, it can be done more often. It is better to alternate top dressing: root and leaf. A solution for watering geraniums is prepared as follows: 15 g of powder is dissolved in 5 liters of warm water (at least +20 degrees). For spraying, a less concentrated solution is made: only 10 g of magnesia is taken for 5 liters of warm water.

Security measures

Fertilizer is produced in the form of a white or grayish powder (or granules) that dissolves easily in warm water. You can store it for a long time, it will not lose its qualities, the main thing is to protect it from moisture and sunlight. It is easily transported, the substance is not toxic. But it should be borne in mind that the dust of magnesium sulfate with systematic frequent contact with the skin can cause dermatosis. The mucous membrane can also react painfully to it - if you inhale or rub your eye with a hand with a small amount of dust on the skin, then irritation of the mucous membranes is guaranteed.

To prevent this from happening, when processing the garden, you need to use gloves and a respirator. But we are talking about dust, not granules. Dust is formed if the powder or granules are stored for a long time, poured, and moved from place to place.When caring for pelargonium at home, using pellets, carefully handling fertilizer, it is very difficult to harm yourself.

Video "Fertilizing tomatoes with magnesium sulfate"

Demonstration video with practical recommendations for fattening tomatoes with magnesium sulfate.