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Magnesium deficiency - organic remedy?

neongreen

neongreen

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I don't think I put enough magnesium (lime and seaweed meal) in my soil when I amended it, and the plants are looking deficient in it. What would be the best way to treat it?

I've been foliar feeding at least every other day with kelp extract (usually 1/2 strength) added to the EWC/guano tea, but the plants still look like they want magnesium.

I don't want to resort to epsom salts if I can avoid it. The only other thing I can think of doing is mixing up some extra soil with lime and seaweed meal in it and piling that on top of the base of the plants, which I was going to do (and have been doing) anyway, but, with the start of flower only 10 days away, is it going to make any difference?

 
Clackamas Coot

Clackamas Coot

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neongreen

Brew up some kelp meal tea - 1/4 cup per 5-gallons of water. Bubble out for a day or so.

You'll be impressed with the instant results, IMHO

HTH

CC
 
Clackamas Coot

Clackamas Coot

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Molasses is also a decent source of magnesium. Perhaps a kelp meal tea with molasses would be better than kelp meal tea by itself.

HTH

CC
 
habeeb

habeeb

follow your heart
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I have used epsom salts to with good results. Remember some other nute could be locking it out..

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habeeb

habeeb

follow your heart
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Veteran
Clackamas Coot said:
Molasses is also a decent source of magnesium. Perhaps a kelp meal tea with molasses would be better than kelp meal tea by itself.

HTH

CC
Click to expand...

so true, molasses, has a crap load of calcium and magnesium

I did not know kelp had mag in it, learn something everyday


maybe doing kelp, then molasses, then trading off with epsom will solve the problem
 
E

EvilTwin

Hi Neon,
I second Jack's suggestion. That's what hydro guys do both for prevention and treatment. Epsom salts are MgSo4 so you're adding both Mg and S...both of which the plants can use.

It dissolves best in warm or hot water and if you have a serious deficiency, you can go as high as a tsp per gallon.
Peace,
ET
 
M

mexilandrace

Why can't you just top dress the soil with more dolomite lime?

no one even mentioned it yet, i guess it is slower acting but it is a long term solution.
 
neongreen

neongreen

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Thanks for the replies all.

I don't think it's a lockout, but it's been raining quite a bit, and the soil has stayed fairly wet most of the time. Perhaps that could be the cause? I saw a similar pattern with my indoor plants, which had similar amendments in their soil, although the soil was based on store bought soil/compost. I did over water them at first also.

I'll increase the frequency of the kelp meal. Usually I use it together with high N Indonesian guano.

If that doesn't work, then I'll foliar with the epsom salts.
 
Clackamas Coot

Clackamas Coot

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Wow!

As an artisan bread baker I thought I was fairly familiar with the nutrient levels in various flours but the magnesium levels of brown rice flour is off the chart!

Good find indeed!

CC
 
neongreen

neongreen

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mexilandrace said:
Why can't you just top dress the soil with more dolomite lime?

no one even mentioned it yet, i guess it is slower acting but it is a long term solution.
Click to expand...

I think it takes to long, and it really needs mixing in... but I've also wondered the same...


JackTheGrower said:
I've been experimenting with rice and so far so good.. Maybe we should look at brown rice flour..

http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/cereal-grains-and-pasta/5753/2

CC have a look
Click to expand...

Interesting Jack. Good microbe food too. What kind of application rate would you think?

Edit: yes indeed - very good find jack!
 
Clackamas Coot

Clackamas Coot

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neongreen

RE: Brown rice flour

Here's what I would do/try. Take 1 cup of brown rice flour and add to that 1 cup of purified water along with 1 tbsp. of a good 'live' organic yogurt and let it sit for a couple of days in a bowl covered with a sheet of kitchen plastic wrap. Let it ferment.

When you ferment a grain, you are basically pulling out the flavor and nutrients into the 'chef' (aka levain or sourdough) - basic sourdough process.

After you see a myriad of bubbles and the 'chef' has a strong fermented smell then take 1 tbsp. and add to a gallon of pure water and apply either as a soil drench or as a foliar spray.

HTH

CC
 
J

JackTheGrower

I do the Epsom salts for sulfur.. And Mag.. But mostly sulfur now.. Top dressing with a "mix" with brown rice flour base and Kaboom!

Health food stores have the flour so you can save your blender or coffee bean grinder some wear.


Jack
 
J

JackTheGrower

neongreen said:
I think it takes to long, and it really needs mixing in... but I've also wondered the same...




Interesting Jack. Good microbe food too. What kind of application rate would you think?

Edit: yes indeed - very good find jack!
Click to expand...

Well I was holding back since this is the first year I am top dressing with rice flour.. So I have been doing this.

I have a flour sifter and I put grain rice in it enough to cover the screen and keep it covered when I "swish" and "shake" it moderately..

On top of that I pour the powder mix and then go "allover" ( didn't know that was a proper word till now ) and dust.. It's microbe food...
I like to do it after the soil is moist.. Wait a while, a couple days or so depending on biological activity and then work in to the surface and lightly water again.

Now I have been adding whole grain rice in my compost for years.. I really recommend composting our premium top dressings or compost with rice.

I was going to wait till I can sample the bud to say anything on the flour top dressing but hey.. Now I can hear from you guys too..


Jack
 
J

JackTheGrower

Clackamas Coot said:
neongreen

RE: Brown rice flour

Here's what I would do/try. Take 1 cup of brown rice flour and add to that 1 cup of purified water along with 1 tbsp. of a good 'live' organic yogurt and let it sit for a couple of days in a bowl covered with a sheet of kitchen plastic wrap. Let it ferment.

When you ferment a grain, you are basically pulling out the flavor and nutrients into the 'chef' (aka levain or sourdough) - basic sourdough process.

After you see a myriad of bubbles and the 'chef' has a strong fermented smell then take 1 tbsp. and add to a gallon of pure water and apply either as a soil drench or as a foliar spray.

HTH


CC
Click to expand...



Wicked!

We are all Mad Scientists!


LOL!


Jack
 
neongreen

neongreen

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Yeah coot, that sound like a good idea to me too.

Should get quicker results with fermentation. I'll have to get some tomorrow.

Just the job for the Lacto B. I collected too I think.


I've gotta go with Coot on this one Jack. Top dressing should work I guess, buy my plants need Mg quick, and I think fermenting it should do that.

In the mean time I may hit them with a little epsom salts.

Thanks guys!
 
J

JackTheGrower

Agreed..


For your outside just toss cheep white rice around the base with some kelp meal and washed raw cane sugar.


That will perk up the fungi too
 
Clackamas Coot

Clackamas Coot

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neongreen

I forgot that you're a 'lactobacillus' guy - my bad.

For future treatments I would definitely recommend using the brown rice flour as a FPE (fermented plant extract) - in fact I would probably recommend using brown rice as most of the nutrients are in the 'bran' or the seed covering.

Just a thought.

CC
 
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