Tomato plants are susceptible to a range of pests, diseases and deficiencies that can cause them to stop growing, and one common problem is a lack of magnesium.
For any gardener who’s marvelled at a bountiful tomato harvest, it’s hard not to hope for the same results from your own burgeoning crop.
Unfortunately, these plants are prone to attack from a horde of pests such as aphids, leaf miners, mealybugs, caterpillars, plant bugs, and spider mites, not to mention diseases like blight and leaf spot. They can also suffer from nutritional deficiencies, which are often missed in the quest for the perfect crop.
Garden enthusiasts might be stumped as their once lush tomato plants begin to display yellow leaves, lacklustre fruit and stunted growth. Despite nurturing them with tender care, something seems to be missing.
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Luckily, gardeners need look no further than the household bathroom cupboard for a possible remedy. Though many turn to potassium-rich feeds during the bloom and fruit period of tomato growing, an essential nutrient that’s frequently forgotten is magnesium, reports the Express.
The Royal Horticultural Society underscores the importance of magnesium in chlorophyll production, vital for plant photosynthesis and overall vigour.
Epsom salts may just provide the answer for a confirmed magnesium shortfall, as long as they are used sensibly. Horticulture whizz Andrew Koehn from Scribner’s Catskill Lodge in Hunter, New York, shared his insights with Martha Stewart: “Magnesium deficiency usually appears as leaves with bright green ribs and veins and otherwise discoloured areas of yellow, red, or brown.”
The gardening expert explained: “Magnesium is the centre of the chlorophyll molecule, so it’s crucial for good green colour in leaves and therefore good for overall plant health.”
A lack of magnesium could stunt your plants’ growth and result in fewer tomatoes to harvest. To check if your soil is lacking in magnesium, a simple home test kit should do the trick. Otherwise, look out for signs on the plant itself, such as yellowing between the veins of older leaves, sometimes accompanied by reddish-brown tints.
Older leaves might also develop brown patches and fall off prematurely. But don’t fret – you can sort this issue out by feeding your tomatoes Epsom salts once a month throughout the growing season.
Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, is a naturally occurring mineral compound made up of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen. Just dissolve one tablespoon of Epsom salts in a gallon (just under four litres) of water and apply it to the base of the plant.
Alternatively, you can dissolve one tablespoon of Epsom salts into a gallon of water and spray it onto the leaves for quicker absorption.
Remember, a magnesium deficiency doesn’t always mean there’s not enough magnesium in the soil. High levels of potassium from fertilisers can interfere with magnesium uptake, so balance is key.
Epsom salt should be used as a supplement, not a miracle cure, so use it sparingly. Keep an eye on your plants after application and stop if you don’t see any improvement.
Andrew warned: “Applying Epsom salt or additional magnesium when your plants don’t need it may stunt plant growth and turn them too green, which is not good for plant health overall.”