A good friend of mine, who usually knows what she's talking about, told me to sprinkle epsom salts around the base of my roses before I water. Finding it odd, but trusting her, I purchased the epsom salts.

Now, an issue has arisen. See, at my house, I am the planter/weeder/clipper of dead heads gal while Mr. Stuspot is the waterer/fertilizer guy. So I told him what my friend said, and he refused to use the epsom salts, saying that putting salt on plants will kill them.

Hmmm. I said. You have a point dear. But perhaps epsom salts is not really salt? Well then, why would they call it that? he asked me.

So. I put it to you. What is the long and short on this topic? Is it salt? Do roses love it? Is it safe?

See, he's afraid that if he puts it down and then waters, it'll be HIS fault when all my pretty roses die. Smart man.

And now, what he has said about salt has scared me off from using it, even though I trust my friend and I know if she told me to use it, that means she is doing the same.

Please help!!

Thanks Cinta!!

That's just the kind of info I was looking for. Turns out it's not really salt, and derives its name from the town it was discovered in plus the chemical structure:

quote:

---

Why is Epsom Salt called Epsom Salt?
Answer:
One of the earliest discoveries of magnesium sulfate, the scientific name of Epsom Salt, occurred back in Shakespeare's day in Epsom, England, which explains the first half of the name. The term "salt" probably refers to the specific chemical structure of the compound, although many people mistakenly assume it refers to the crystalline structure of Epsom Salt, which has an appearance similar to that of table salt. (Table salt, of course, consists of sodium chloride, so it's an entirely different substance than magnesium sulfate.)

---

I meant to say also, how much thicker and greener the leaves are. Plus more blooms that seem to stay fresh longer.
Good stuff !

* * * *

I was going to answer here,
but everyone's covered it, quite nicely

A good rule of thumb, especially for Northerner Gardener's,
to apply the Epsom Salts' on a schedule they can remember....
April/May 1st *depending on weather*
June 1st, July 1st and August 1st,
Nothing past that...
*you don't want to promote new green *tender* growth on a rose bush you are going to try to put to nightie~night in a couple of months....*

* * * *
Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2





http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

I've been using Epsom Salt for years on all my plants and have always been very pleased with the results!

* * * *


"Lord, I love you and I need you, come into my heart, and bless me, my family, my home, and my friends, in Jesus' name. Amen!"