"Rolling Thunder" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 26 May 2005 23:16:21 -0500, "cat daddy"
wrote:


"Kayla" wrote in message
news
Could somebody please tell me if epsom salts are used to feed roses
and what strength do I make the solution.

Fertilize with Epsom Salts
http://doityourself.com/fertilizer/f...epsomsalts.htm

The History and Science of Epsom Salts
What Our Testers Found
Recent Studies of Epsom Salts

Roses
Many rosarians agree that Epsom salts produces more new canes at the
bottom
of the plant (bottom breaks) and darker green foliage. Recommendations on
how much to use vary, but generally you can apply 1/2 cup of granules in
spring before buds first begin to open and 1/2 cup in fall before leaves
drop. Apply a foliar spray (1 tablespoon per gallon of water per foot of
shrub height) after the leaves open in spring and again at flowering.



What's your take on alfalfa tea with epsom salts?

I started using it on some severely stressed 75 year-old pecan trees in
our park this Spring. They had languished for years and suffered limb end
die-off and sick looking leaves. The top soil had all washed away leaving
high PH limestone rock and sand and several trees had died over the past few
years.
Last Fall, we ringed the trees with leaves (about 12' diameter) that
eventually composted to a 6" layer, and spread composted wood chips over the
whole area and had one of the wettest Novembers on record.
In February, we spread about 200 lbs. of Starbucks coffee grounds per
tree under the drip line and then about 12 gallons of alfalfa tea with Epsom
salt twice per tree in early March.
We've had one of the driest Springs on record here in central Texas, yet
the pecans look great so far, and have even blossomed and are making little
pecans for the first time I've seen in 10 years.
Taken as a whole, the results have been better than expected. Whether
the mulching and Fall rain alone would have achieved the same result is
debatable, although I feel the added nutrients (including Triacontanol in
alfalfa, a growth stimulant) and Epsom salt allowing their uptake
contributed. We'll have another go at it starting next week and also feed
the bermuda grass with it.
I intend to have the leaves tested in July for nutrient deficiencies.

Here's a good site, although I make aerobic tea with aquarium air pumps.

Alfalfa Tea, the natural flower booster
http://www.nurserysite.com/clubs/peninsular/tea.html