Grow monster tomato plants by feeding them one simple item from your bathroom

Wales Online

2 days ago

Grow monster tomato plants by feeding them one simple item from your bathroom
Tomato plants can be fussy and are prone to a range of pests and diseases, as well as nutritional deficiencies, which can be easy to miss in the quest for the perfect crop
Plump, red tomatoes can be tricky to grow
(Image: Getty )
Any gardener who has ever marvelled at a tomato plant laden with fruit might long for similar success in their own garden. Yet, these plants are often under siege from a legion of pests like aphids, leaf miners, mealybugs, caterpillars, and spider mites—aside from diseases such as blight and leaf spot. Additionally, they're susceptible to nutritional deficits that may go unnoticed by those aiming for the optimal harvest.
Gardeners may be perplexed as their previously verdant tomato plants start to suffer from yellowing leaves, uninspiring fruits, and hindered growth. Despite the most attentive care, there appears to be a critical missing piece.
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There's good news, however: the answer might lie with a commonbathroom cupboard staple. While potassium-rich fertilisers are standard during the flowering and fruiting stages of tomato cultivation, gardeners might overlook an essential element: magnesium.
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Tomato leaves can turn yellow between the veins, especially on older leaves
(Image: Getty )
The Royal Horticultural Society highlights magnesium's key role in chlorophyll production, which is crucial for photosynthesis and overall plant health, reports the Mirror.
For gardeners noticing signs of magnesium deficiency, Epsom salts might be the saving grace, provided they're applied correctly. Andrew Koehn, horticulture expert from Scribner's Catskill Lodge in Hunter, New York, described typical symptoms to Martha Stewart: "Magnesium deficiency usually appears as leaves with bright green ribs and veins and otherwise discoloured areas of yellow, red, or brown."
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The gardening guru noted: "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 shortage of magnesium can impede your plants' growth, leading to a smaller tomato yield. To ascertain if your soil is deficient in magnesium, you can utilise a straightforward home testing kit.
Alternatively, keep an eye on the plant's older leaves for yellowing between the veins, which may be paired with reddish-brown hues.
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Occasionally, older leaves might also develop brown spots and shed too soon. Still, there's no need to worry – this problem can be remedied by feeding your tomato plants Epsom salts once monthly during the growing period.
Epsom salt, known chemically as magnesium sulfate, is a natural mineral compound consisting of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen. Simply dissolve one tablespoon of Epsom salts in just under four litres of water and drench the base of the plant with the solution.
Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, can be beneficial for tomato plants with magnesium deficiency
(Image: Getty )
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As an alternative, fast-track the process by dissolving a tablespoon of Epsom salts in just under four litres of water and spraying it directly onto the foliage for faster uptake.
Bear in mind that a magnesium shortfall doesn't necessarily indicate a lack of magnesium in the ground. An excess of potassium from added fertilisers can hinder magnesium absorption, necessitating a delicate balance.
Employ Epsom salt as an occasional boost rather than an all-encompassing remedy; apply it only occasionally. Monitor your plants post-application and cease use if no progress is evident.
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Andrew cautioned: "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."