I don't know in what form or chemical composition magnesium is normally present in natural soil and how stable it is. But Epsom salt (Magnesium Sulfate) is water soluble, like nitrogen in the fertilizers. This means that it can be depleted and leached by watering and frequent rain, the same way it happens to nitrogen. I usually apply it in small amounts few times in the season. The normal recommendation is ONE TBspoon per gallon. I use ONE TBspoon per two gallons and with that I water an area of about 20-30 square foot. JMO Here you will fine an article written by WSU Here is a link that might be useful: Adding Epsom salts to garden This post was edited by seysonn on Sun, Feb 2, 14 at 8:26

I removed some of the leaves. It is hard to tell at the moment about them as they are small. they are light green, but not yellowing. I'll see if they green up the next couple of days. My outside faucets are plumbed to the water softener, but there is one that is on the outside of the unit itself. I believe that one bypasses the system (is not soft). I've hooked the hose to that one and am now using the unsoftened water. I also repotted them in new potting soil. Thanks for such great advice. I really appreciate it and hope it works. I think these are such neat flowers. I bought one this weekend from the trade days and it has flowered. I'm like a kid on Christmas morning with it. It is pinky/ peach color (NOID).

Im sorry I stole this thread, but the real thruth about BER must be known....I hate tossing half of my crop, some years, and some years are different. I grow several heilooms and hybrids, no matter what I do...BER will get 1 or 2 of those types. well good g-den to Ya. ****** AS I said in my post above the main problem is maldistribution of Ca++ within the plant. When plant tissue from plants that have BER fruits is analyzed the tissue has sufficient Ca++, so uptake is NOT the problem in the majoity of cases and I think that's the most important fact to be stowed away. In my post above I said nothing at all about the many stresses that can induce BER. You've mentioned one, and that's inconsistent moisture, whether that be natural rain with no waterings in between , or deluges or whatever, or same with irrigation. But you didn't mention one of the most common stresses and that's too rapid plant growth and that usually comes about b[c folks over fertilize. Rapid growth to a plant is stressful/ In addition, too windy and too dry, added to too wet are additional stresses. Some tomato varieties never get BER, no, there is no list, and some are very prone to it, that's the many paste type varieties, and plants grown in containers are also more susceptible to developing BER fruits. So a variety of stresses, and they are many, can all contribute to the development of BER. However, as the plants mature they can better handle those stresses and so for most folks BER is something seen primariuly with early fruits. Thanks for giving me the chance to expand on the very brief statement I made above as regards maldistribution of Ca++ within the plant. And to be able to share with others about some of the other common stresses that can induce BER. Carolyn

Georgysmom, that's exactly the way I am. I always said that if I ever bought a house the first thing I would take out are the jacuzzi tubs. They all have them, and they're just water and energy hogs. Give me a large shower. I use the tub for cleaning the kitty litter boxes, and that's it, and now, taking boring baths. Grainlady, if I'm not absorbing the magnesium, what other benefits are there to epsom salts? I've heard for years that soaking in them is good for you. Moni, I keep the raisins in a glass jar with the lid on, once they've absorbed the gin. I guess there's no need to have them sealed in a jar, I can keep them covered with the coffee filter that I use initially. Maybe that will alleviate the taste somewhat. I think it's also the sweetness of the raisins I'm not keen on as well, so it's a double-whammy for me. Rhizo, I can sit and watch a tv show or two, and I like sorting recipes or doing a jigsaw puzzle at the same time. When I get tired, I start rubbing my feet on the carpet. Hubby wonders I have any soles left in my socks at all. But laying in a tub or at a spa is a total waste of time for me. I'll try reading a book, and Yayagal, I like the idea of the whole towel over my body. I do put my facecloth on my chest but mmmmmm a hot towel would be nice.