I remember a while back reading an old post about potting medium and it mentioned something about putting epsom salts with the medium. What exactly does the epsom salt do and how should it be added to the medium?

Epsom salt is magnesium. I use it on all my citrus as well as my lawn. Sprinkle a little on top of the soil or mix it in with your water...

And the other half of Epsom salts is sulfate, the most available form of sulfur to the plant. Many soils (well drained, highly leached) are chronically deficient in S as well as Mg. Certainly, most Florida soils are.

And on my deep sandy soil here in North Florida it made a noticeable difference after I started using it too. My container citrus as well. It's now a part of my regular fertilizer regimen.

.....Alan.

If you mix epsom salt with complete fertilizer, it does have synergestic effects. And the fertilizer can remain very cheap too unlike the very costly specialty fertilizers.

BUT..... It is past my fertilizer application schedules now, the only thing that I am applying is gypsum. Strictly no more nitrogen until next year otherwise my inground plants won't be as cold hardy. Not applying any more fertilizers will prevent tender growth just before the first frost and minimize damage to my citruses. If you keep them fertilized, make sure you can protect the whole tree during winter just in case.

thanks guys and will definatly have to try it and since i have to bring in all of my plants i won't have to worry about fertilizing.

Valenciaguy, you ask "what does magnesium do." The answer is PLENTY! Magnesium (Mg) is important to citrus by the uniting of various chemical elements in the production of the tree's protein, and it is the main elemental constituent in chlorophyll, the green color of the tree's leaves. The green color in the leaves (chlorophyll) is how the tree makes its food. When Mg is deficient, reduced chlorophyll in the chloroplasts results, and the common symptom is chlorosis (yellow leaves). In grapefruit this results many times in "bronzing" of the leaves. Further a deficiency of Mg limits the fruit yeild in citrus trees, and also makes citrus more sussceptible to cold injury, accentuating damage from the cold weather. It also aids in the respiration of the tree. Respiration is the chemical processes by which the tree supplies its cells and tissues with the oxygen needed for metabolism and relieves them of the carbon dioxide formed in energy-producing reactions. Mg is very mobile within the tree, and deficiencies appears first in the older leaves, as yellow blotches, especially in leaves near fruit, and finally in a delta shaped green marking near the center base of the leaf. If not treated the leaf can turn totally yellow and leaf drop occurs. To correct a Mg deficiency mix one tablespoon of Epsom salts to one gallon of hot watr, apply cooled mixture to the tree once a week until symptoms disappear. - Millet

Do you recommend that the container citrus be well watered before pouring in the epsom salt mixture or does it matter? Thanks!

Just got a container of Epsomsalt and want to try it .
how much should i use when sprinkling ?
Tammy

OK im kinda scared

To correct a Mg deficiency mix one tablespoon of Epsom salts to one gallon of hot watr, apply cooled mixture to the tree once a week until symptoms disappear. - Millet

.....Do you recommend that the container citrus be well watered before pouring in the epsom salt mixture or does it matter? Thanks

I would not apply any fertilizer to an absolutely dry container. However, if your soil is moist you can apply it any time, or you can apply it when you fertilize you trees. Dissolve one tablespoon per gallon of hot water, apply cooled mixture to plants, every couple months, or whenever deficiency symptoms occur. - Millet

thanks ALL,
Ill go make a mix and let it cool.

any thoughts as if i should ever use this on a banana plant ?

Tammy

Banana plants in the shade would need a lot of magnesium.

But banana plants in full sunlight would rather need more K than Mg.

Anyway it helps to add Mg in the form of epsom salt.

.....Do you recommend that the container citrus be well watered before pouring in the epsom salt mixture or does it matter? Thanks