2 weeks Ago By Shania King-Soyza
Roses are among the most stunning flowers in the world - but they are also one of the most difficult to grow. Roses need around six to eight hours of sunlight to produce healthy, shiny petals. The flower is also dubbed a "hungry plant " that needs continuous nutrients throughout the growing season.
Celebrity lifestyle expert Martha Stewart has revealed that a simple bathroom essential people use when taking a much-needed TLC soak can help grow rose bushes to look bright and vibrant. Martha said: "If your roses are looking a little worse for wear, there is one cure that gardeners swear by: Epsom salts." Also known as magnesium sulfate, Epsom Salt is a chemical compound of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen, reported Healthline.
Not only is it beneficial for the human body, but gardeners also swear that it contains many benefits for plants. Epsom salts enhance nutrient uptake in roses. On her lifestyle blog , Martha Stewart interviewed Wes Harvell, rose category manager of Jackson & Perkins, for more in-depth information on this hack.
He said: "Magnesium (found in Epsom salts) aids in the absorption of important nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. "When rose plants have sufficient magnesium levels, they can more effectively utilize these nutrients, promoting overall growth and development." Magnesium in Epsom salts is also essential for chlorophyll production, which gives leaves their green colour.
Wes added: "Epsom salts can help prevent magnesium deficiency in roses, resulting in healthier foliage. "What's more, additional magnesium supply may produce more blooms, larger flowers, and support the formation of strong stems." Additionally, Epsom Salts contain sulfur, which "aids in the production of amino acids, enzymes, and vitamins, and it plays a role in the formation of proteins within the plant.
He added: "By ensuring an adequate supply of sulfur, Epsom salts can contribute to improved nutrient availability and utilization in rose plants." Sulfur is also needed to balance out the pH level in the soil. The expert shared that roses generally prefer more acidic to neutral soil conditions (pH 6 to 7), so using Epsom salts will balance out the pH level if it is too alkaline.
It is also believed that Epsom Salt can fight against rose diseases caused by fungi such as Black Spot, Botrytis Blight, Cankers, Crown Gall, Downy Mildew, Rust, Powdery Mildew, Rose Mosaic Virus, Rose Rosette, reported the Gardeners Path. Wes added: "While research on this topic is limited, some gardeners claim that regular applications of Epsom salts can help reduce the risk of diseases like black spots, powdery mildew , and rust in roses." Before using Epsom salts, the expert advised examining whether your plant needs them.
He suggested doing a soil test to check the pH level and to observe your plants for signs of magnesium deficiency, such as yellowing leaves, stunted growth, or reduced flower production..
