1. IMPORTANT - NEW & EXISTING MEMBERS

    E-MAIL SERVER ISSUES

    We are currently experiencing issues with our outgoing email server, therefore EXISTING members will not be getting any alert emails, and NEW/PROSPECTIVE members will not receive the email they need to confirm their account. This matter has been escalated, however the technician responsible is currently on annual leave.For assistance, in the first instance, please PM any/all of the admin team (if you can), alternatively please send an email to:

    [email protected]

    We will endeavour to help as quickly as we can.
    Dismiss Notice

Got my Potash & Magnesium sulphate mixed up!

Discussion in 'Compost, Fertilisers & Recycling' started by PhilC, Jul 13, 2020.

  1. PhilC

    PhilC Gardener

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2020
    Messages:
    105
    Gender:
    Male
    Ratings:
    +39
    Hey everyone,

    A few days ago I'd bought a box of Miracle gro Potash and a box of Miracle gro Epsom salts.

    I'd been using them on my palm trees and then it started raining (wetting the cardboard boxes) so i stupidly continued by taking the bags out of the boxes (now i have no idea which is which)

    Does anyone happen to have used these before and know which are the round shaped balls and which are the small gravel textured ones?
     
    • Friendly Friendly x 1
    • NigelJ

      NigelJ Total Gardener

      Joined:
      Jan 31, 2012
      Messages:
      6,128
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Mad Scientist
      Location:
      Paignton Devon
      Ratings:
      +21,331
      I might recognise from photo. Epsom salt crystals tend to be geometric and slightly translucent. They do taste different, but I wouldn't recommend that you do, though a crystal of either will not hurt.
       
      • Agree Agree x 1
      • shiney

        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

        Joined:
        Jul 3, 2006
        Messages:
        61,368
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired - Last Century!!!
        Location:
        Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
        Ratings:
        +118,493
        Unless they come in little bags like this! :heehee:

        upload_2020-7-13_7-20-0.jpeg
         
        • Funny Funny x 1
        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

          Joined:
          Jan 9, 2005
          Messages:
          48,233
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Retired
          Location:
          Mid Kent
          Ratings:
          +85,990
          I think Epsom salts are more soluble than potash :scratch:
           
        • PhilC

          PhilC Gardener

          Joined:
          Apr 3, 2020
          Messages:
          105
          Gender:
          Male
          Ratings:
          +39
        • Mike Allen

          Mike Allen Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Jan 4, 2014
          Messages:
          2,861
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Retired. Plant Pathologist.
          Location:
          Eltham. SE. London
          Ratings:
          +6,097
          Alas. I am not a chemist. When it comes to chemicals and drugs, I pass to my Hon. friend Nigel.
           
        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

          Joined:
          Jan 9, 2005
          Messages:
          48,233
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Retired
          Location:
          Mid Kent
          Ratings:
          +85,990
          Don't think I've ever bought them in that form.
           
          • Agree Agree x 1
          • NigelJ

            NigelJ Total Gardener

            Joined:
            Jan 31, 2012
            Messages:
            6,128
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Mad Scientist
            Location:
            Paignton Devon
            Ratings:
            +21,331
            @PhilC Thanks for the pictures. Like Pete I don't recognise either, certainly the Epsom salts I have used has been white crystals with a tendency to absorb water.
            Good news I remembered I had a box of Miracle Gro Magnesium Salts in the shed so a quick scoot out and what I have is in a white bag and looks most like the RHS picture. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but the box states that it contains 15% more magnesium than traditional Epsom salts.
            So the LHS photo is most likely the Miracle Gro Sulphate of Potash.
            I think they are produced from crushed rock, which is why they look a bit like gravel, with little refining and they will probably be slower release than traditional Epsom salts or potassium sulfate,
             
            • Like Like x 1
            • Informative Informative x 1
            • Jerry Spencer

              Jerry Spencer Apprentice Gardener

              Joined:
              Jun 8, 2022
              Messages:
              22
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              sports turf consultant
              Location:
              Australia
              Ratings:
              +9
              Do you mean it contains 15% Mg or 15% more Mg? Im thinking it might be kieserite which is a granular form of magnesium sulphate
               
            • JWK

              JWK Gardener Staff Member

              Joined:
              Jun 3, 2008
              Messages:
              30,884
              Gender:
              Male
              Location:
              Surrey
              Ratings:
              +46,160
            • Jerry Spencer

              Jerry Spencer Apprentice Gardener

              Joined:
              Jun 8, 2022
              Messages:
              22
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              sports turf consultant
              Location:
              Australia
              Ratings:
              +9
              Never said im quick lol
               
              • Funny Funny x 2
              Loading...

              Share This Page

              1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                Dismiss Notice