I use it not only for AV but for all other plants, but I have been using it all the time, so I don't really have a before-and-after comparison.

Hi dave,

Do you know what part of the plant that the Epsons salt benefits? Ie, root system or something else?

I think in gardening, epsom salt is used mostly for the Magnesium and sulfure content, which I read is beneficial for chrolophyl production, especially in soil that has Magnesium deficiency.

When I first used it 2 or 3 years ago, I was trying hydroponics, and since I read that epsom salt was a natural mineral, I bought it hoping for some impurity to supplement the micro nutrient; but at that time I couldn't find it from garden centers, so I bought it from the pharmacy section. The epsom salt bought there is so clear and clean I think it must have been processed or at least cleaned. I think if you can get a cheaper grade it would be better (I now see them in Lowes or HD).

And since I have it, I use it almost all the time for my indoor plants. Sometimes if I was lazy, I didn't add it in. Most of the time I use 1 part fertilize + 1 part epsom salt. Sometimes I use 1 part fert. + 0.5 part epsom salt, but I just eyeball it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Epsom Salt Council

Dave,

Thanks for the information! Could you tell me how much you put in a gallon of water?

Larry

Dave,

I just looked at your link. 2 Tbs. of Epsom salt per gallon of water seems like a lot. Is that what you do?

Thanks,

Larry

Hi Larry,

I normally use 1 tspn (teaspoon) fertilizer + 1 teaspoon of Epsom salt per gallon of water for my indoor houseplant. When they are actively growing in the spring/summer, I sometimes use 2 tspn fertilizer + 1 teaspoon Epsom salt per gallon of water.

My thinking is since I didn't have problem without it before, I am just supplementing on my own, so I don't need that much.

But I use regular soil for my indoor plants. If you use sterile mix, then maybe it is ok to use a little more. 2 Tbs per gallon does seem a lot.