Use Epsom Salt for Cucumbers to improve productivity and grow crispy and juicy cucumbers.
Why Epsom Salt and What it Does?
The compound name of Epsom salt is Magnesium Sulfate. You already get a general idea from this name that this salt is rich in magnesium and sulfur. Absence or scarcity of these compounds from the soil makes the plant lose its vigor, affect its growth, and harvest.
The magnesium-rich soil is known to give higher yields, bushier, and greener plants compared to the soil that is low in magnesium content.
Note: Just because Epsom salt is beneficial for plants, don’t apply it on every plant unless magnesium is deficient in the soil. Only some plants such as tomatoes, peppers, hostas, roses, and cucumbers benefit from the extra boost of magnesium because of their requirements.
Also Read: Amazing Epsom Salt Hacks in the Garden
Epsom Salt For Cucumbers
Belonging to the gourd family, cucumber is a vining plant that bears fruits we call cucumber. The high water content of cucumbers makes it perfect to beat the heat in summers, and its crunchiness makes it an excellent addition to salads.
The cucumbers grow in the warm weather, but as days pass, it loses its vigor and looks weathered down. Not only that but the plant starts to produce less and fewer fruits. Epsom salt gives this vegetable plant a boost that rejuvenates them. The trick is to apply it at least once in the mid-season and not weekly.
When to Apply
Deficiency of magnesium results in decreased yield, and also plants become more susceptible to diseases. You’ll also see younger leaves turning yellow due to sulfur deficiency. Other symptoms you should look for are slow growth and smaller than usual or late maturing fruits.
How to Use Epsom Salt For Cucumbers
The most important thing to keep in mind is not to use Epsom salt as a fertilizer. Weekly usage of Epsom salt will do more harm than good and might even kill your cucumber plant. For look out for the signs whether your cucumber plant may require it or not.
If you’re growing cucumbers in a pot, you can apply it every 4-5 weeks. On the ground, maintain the interval of 4-6 weeks but again, check out for the symptoms of Magnesium and Sulfur deficiency before the application.
Also Read: How to Grow Cucumbers on a Trellis
1. Watering
To apply it, take one Gallon of water in a container and add a tablespoon of Epsom salt in it. Use a spatula to stir the solution until the salt dissolves completely. Replace that day’s watering by this solution and thoroughly feed your plant with it. You could wait for 3-4 weeks before reapplying if the deficiency symptoms are not subsiding.
2. Foliar Spray
You’ll need to spray the foliage of the plant, which makes the plants absorb nutrients through their leaves rather than roots. This method is highly considered for boosting plant growth but do not think it a substitute for watering as it’s effective only in case of nutrient deficiencies.
Also Read: How to Use Epsom Salt for Ferns
To use Epsom salt as a foliar spray, mix two tablespoons of Epsom salt in a Gallon of water. Pour this solution in a spray bottle and spray cucumbers monthly with it. For bi-weekly application cut down the Epsom salt from two tablespoons to one tablespoon. Make sure there is an actual deficiency of magnesium or sulfur in the soil before the application of Epsom salt foliar spray regularly.
3. Sidedressing
You can spread 2-3 tablespoons full of Epsom salt around the base of your cucumber plants growing in the garden during the midseason to boost its growth.
Also Read: Epsom Salt Uses for Tomatoes
