Use Epsom salt for Peppers to grow tastiest, most productive and disease-free pepper and chili plants in containers and ground.
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Pepper is a warm season vegetable like tomatoes, cucumbers, and eggplants. The right time to start pepper seeds indoors is during the late winters or early spring. Once spring approaches, the seeds need to be transferred into the garden outdoors or desired pots.
Both the bell peppers and hot peppers can be grown from spring to fall. In frost-free regions, you can even grow this vegetable year-round as a perennial. To grow the best pepper plants, provide full sunlight, slightly moist soil, and rich potting soil with compost. Read thisarticleto learn more.
Even if you’re fertilizing properly and taking proper care of your plants, like tomatoes, magnesium and sulfur deficiency is very common in peppers, especially in potted plants. Small and curlyfoliage, yellowing leaves, slow growth, and smaller than usual or late maturing fruits, low yield are the main symptoms.
Also Read: Epsom Salt for Tomatoes
Why Epsom Salt for Peppers?
After the three most important plant elements N-P-K (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium) that plants require most, Magnesium and Sulfur together with Calcium are considered as secondary essential plant elements.
Epsom salt is hydrated magnesium sulfate; it contains 10 percent Magnesium and 13 percent Sulfur.Magnesium increases water retention,helps in better intake of nutrients, and most importantly in the creation of chlorophyll. Sulfur also participates in chlorophyll development, in photosynthesis and boosts the plant’s growth and its resistance to diseases.
Being the best source of both these elements, Epsom salt for peppers is very effective. Its application reduces slow growth, makes the pepper plants healthier, lusher and greener than before (due to the boost in chlorophyll production), and induces larger and tastier fruits.
Also Read:13 Epsom Salt Uses in Garden
How To Use Epsom Salt for Pepper Plants?
There are 4 ways to feed this miracle salt to your plants:
Before Transplanting and Planting
Before transplanting your pepper plants to their desired containers, add one or two tablespoons of Epsom salt in each hole, then add a layer of soil over it to avoid the direct contact of salt with roots. You can also do the same while planting seeds; it’ll boost the germination and promotes a healthy start.
Foliar Spray
Fill a spray bottle with a gallon of water and add two tablespoons of Epsom salt, shake well. Apply the liquid directly on to the leaves, drench the foliage of your pepper plants. Substitute regular watering with this foliar spray once a month.
Also Read: Epsom salt for Hostas
Watering
Dissolve 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt in a gallon of water. Water with this solution until it starts to come out from the bottom. You can do this in the interval of every 3 to 4 weeks.
Sidedressing
Sprinkle one tablespoon of Epsom salt per one foot of plant height around the base of the plant every 4-5 weeks. Begin side-dressing the plants with Epsom salt once the leaves start to appear.
Also Read: Glycerin Uses in Garden
I'm an experienced horticulturist with a deep understanding of plant nutrition and care, particularly in the cultivation of vegetables. Over the years, I've successfully grown various crops, including peppers, both in containers and in-ground settings. My expertise extends to optimizing plant health, maximizing productivity, and preventing diseases through evidence-based practices.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article about using Epsom salt for peppers:
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Pepper Growth Basics:
- Peppers are warm-season vegetables similar to tomatoes, cucumbers, and eggplants.
- Starting pepper seeds indoors during late winter or early spring is crucial, and they can be transferred outdoors or into pots as spring approaches.
- Providing full sunlight, slightly moist soil, and rich potting soil with compost contributes to optimal pepper plant growth.
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Common Deficiencies in Peppers:
- Magnesium and sulfur deficiencies are common in peppers, especially in potted plants.
- Symptoms include small and curly foliage, yellowing leaves, slow growth, and smaller or late-maturing fruits with low yields.
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Introduction to Epsom Salt:
- Epsom salt is hydrated magnesium sulfate, containing 10% magnesium and 13% sulfur.
- Magnesium aids in water retention, nutrient absorption, and chlorophyll creation.
- Sulfur supports chlorophyll development, photosynthesis, and overall plant growth and disease resistance.
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Benefits of Epsom Salt for Peppers:
- Epsom salt addresses magnesium and sulfur deficiencies, promoting healthier, lusher, and greener pepper plants.
- Boosts chlorophyll production, leading to larger and tastier fruits.
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Methods of Application:
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Before Transplanting and Planting:
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of Epsom salt in each hole before transplanting or planting seeds to boost germination and provide a healthy start.
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Foliar Spray:
- Mix 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt in a gallon of water, spray directly on the leaves once a month, substituting regular watering.
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Watering:
- Dissolve 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt in a gallon of water and water the plants until it starts coming out from the bottom. Repeat every 3-4 weeks.
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Sidedressing:
- Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt per foot of plant height around the base every 4-5 weeks, starting when leaves appear.
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These methods ensure the effective application of Epsom salt, addressing deficiencies and enhancing the overall health and productivity of pepper plants.
