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It makes blues even bluer
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Posted by texjagman 7A (My Page) on Fri, Nov 20, 09 at 8:21
| Last night I rescued a Picea pungens from a local tree farm who thought it was getting too large for his field where it was located and so he was going to cut it down. When he was transplanting it for me he turns and says to me..." Now this blue isn't as blue as it could be because it's been shaded quite a bit. But if you'll sprinkle a little epsom salts around the base once or maybe twice a year, it'll really blue it back up. "
Now this is the second tree guy in the last year that has told me that. Am I hearing some old agri-tale, or is there truth to this? And if it is true, why does it work?
mark |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: It makes blues even bluer
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| i think you need some better tree guys ... first ... NEVER AMEND YOUR SOIL WITHOUT A SOIL TEST.... if your soil is lacking Mg ... then add some Mg .... not because some old coot says its a miracle additive ... geez ... blueness... or the glaucous coating is a wax .... which reflects the blue sky ... and that is why they look blue on clear days.. and nearly gray on cloudy days .... being a wax... the wax is at its best in spring as soon as the new growth comes out... through the summer... because of heat.. rain.. waterings... etc.. the blue starts wearing off ... in fact... go out to your tree and just rub some off.. there is a green pungens underneath ... one would think in your zone.. that the wax would be in tough shape at the end of summer .... how will adding epsom change that ...???? one would also think that a little shade in a warmer zone.. would help retain the wax over the summer ... given enough light to be properly vigorous ... your plants blueness is a function of its genetics .... it will be as blue as its genes allow .... according to the conditions in your garden ...it is my position ... that you will NOT change its genetics.. with a little epsom salt ... and that is why you should buy a named variety.. so you have some ability to forecast what is supposed to happen .... without a picture.. it sounds like you got a decent tree ... at a bargain ... enjoy it for what it is.. dont go getting yourself all worked up hoping to make it something it isnt.. lol.. sounds like divorce court.... have a great day ... ken PS: does it make you leary to apply something called a SALT to your garden???? didnt the romans add that to carthage.. to make a point .... |
RE: It makes blues even bluer
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- Posted by bboy USDA 8 Sunset 5 WA (My Page) on
Fri, Nov 20, 09 at 12:55
| Their land may have been magnesium deficient, resulting in improved leaf appearance in response to applications of epsom salts. They should be sampling their soil (or foliage) and having it tested periodically to monitor their results, and guard against over-application. I also wonder if they are using the most cost-effective approach. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Microsoft Word - Epsom salts myths for MG magazine
RE: It makes blues even bluer
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Hi. Agree, a blue spruce will look dull or even green when it's not receiving enough sunlight. A ton of Epsom salts won't change that. That said, I remember discussing this subject sometime last year on the forum, even suggesting that MgSO4 would make blue conifers even bluer.
Either some people read this and repeat it because they have nothing else to say, or -wich seems more likely-,they have tried it and noticed that it is true.
Let me explain:I think it is true when plants are growing on soils where magnesium is available at 'less than ideal' levels. Those soils can be acid or alcaline.In the first case it would probably be wiser to use dolomitic limestone (Calcium-magnesium carbonate).In the second,(our personal experience),yearly top-dressings of MgSO4 have done wonders,but then, we knew from analysis that our soil is deficient.(Iron too, is lacking).
Lastly, I suspect Magnesium is one of those elements wich may be subject to 'luxury-consumption' by some plants.I have seen Cacti litterally burst open at the seams after receiving Magnesium treatment.They looked very waxy indeed; rather like someone who's had too many greasy hamburgers for his own good! |
RE: It makes blues even bluer
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| tunilla, Very well said. Here in Oregon, commercial forestry seedling growers and ornamental conifer growers both know the importence of Epsom Salts and Dolomite (normally Epsom Salts are just used in container production and dolomite in the soil) for short term/long term Mg needs. Schmoo PS. Ken...."does it make you leary to apply something called a SALT to your garden" Had to laugh at that one!! So while you may have great knowledge in conifers, when you make a comment like that...I would assume your knowlegde of fertilizer is limited??? Or is this a shock&awe to the OP to get them to think your way?? |
RE: It makes blues even bluer
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| oh schmoo ... NEVER...>>>>> EVER <<<<< ... assume anything ... lol all ferts are salts ... you know that.. i know that ... but as you suspect.. a 'recall' trick ..... a vast majority of our browsers are neophytes.. and i use it as a trick to MAKE THEM THINK ABOUT IT .... TREAD LIGHTLY WITH THE SALTS.. AND start with a soil test ... and as tunilla points out.. theories about salt use in growing stock in pots IS NOT THE SAME regarding growing them in mother earth .... the effect of watering.. or drenching pots.. means all kinds of things need to be done with the potting media.. and said logic does NOT necessarily translate to mother earth ... KEN ps: its browser season here.. and i relish every picture of those 4 hooved vermin being harvested .. a pox on the lot .... |
RE: It makes blues even bluer
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| In my high pH high calcium soil I noticed my Pseudotsuga m. 'Dandy Doug' get greener each year until last year (after reading tunilla's post)when I added some Epsom Salts. It returned to it's original bluish color this year. Anecdotal at best, I know. tj P.S. I thought I read/heard somewhere that Epsom Salts actually can help mitigate the effects of salt build-up from synthetic ferts. Anyone else hear of this or is it myth? |
RE: It makes blues even bluer
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| "a blue spruce will look dull or even green when it's not receiving enough sunlight. A ton of Epsom salts won't change that" Yes it would, it would turn it brown ;-) Resin |
RE: It makes blues even bluer
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| Have you noticed that Resin is full of useful comments lately...must be boredom :0) |
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