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Pennsylvania

I have been using epsom salt as a magnesium/sulfur supplement for my pumpkins via folair and regular application for a while now and I decided to see if because of its sulfur content it could be used as a fungicide. So one day I sprayed some of my epsom salt/hydrogen peroxide/water cocktail on some mushrooms outside. After a while they died. What really amazed me too is that I used half as much epsom salt as I usually do for my pumpkin applications. So, there you go. Epsom salt can be used as a plant mineral supplement/fungicide.

6/2/2008 5:02:14 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

But will it have nearly the same effect on PM or Downey Mildew? I'd hate to chance it just because it killed some lawn mushrooms.

6/2/2008 5:33:57 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

So, just because you believe the epsom salts killed the mushrooms, you are convinced that epsom salts will also be usefull as a fungicide.....because muchrooms are from the fungi family??

6/2/2008 5:34:43 PM

Long Island,New York

If my plants ever get a bad portobello infection that might come in handy !!!

6/2/2008 6:01:45 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Sam,
That's a good question. I don't know the answer, but it sounds like it could be helpful as an antifungal.
I use a garlic spray to keep insects from eating my plants. Garlic has antifungal properties, so am hoping it will help prevent fungal-based foliar diseases.
You might not want to use epsom salt as your only preventative measure against fungal disease, but it may help. For organic growers, it's something to consider IMO.

6/2/2008 7:38:11 PM

San Jose [email protected]

your idea may or may not be correct, but i get the occasional outcropping of mushrooms and "after a while they die" just like yours.

6/2/2008 8:54:55 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

The biggest problem is that the:
"So, there you go. Epsom salt can be used as a plant mineral supplement/fungicide" is unfounded, new growers can get the wrong idea with this info and maybe not use a fungicide and end their season early.
We have to be real careful what we post.

6/2/2008 9:06:23 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Thanks Tom, that is right to the point that I was dancing around. Misleading or unproven theories like this can cause alot of problems for new and old growers alike.

6/2/2008 9:38:20 PM

[email protected]

Sam says it was a mix of epsom salt/HYDROGEN PEROXIDE/water. Hydrogen peroxide can and is used as a fungicide. Epsom salts I don't know about. I'm with Tom and Glenn, I wouldn't trust it to kill fungi on my plants. Not without furter investigation anyway.

6/2/2008 9:54:33 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

I misread your statement Sam, as I thought you asked a question regarding epsom salt as a possible antifungal. Now I see there was no question.
I agree that it would be risky to use it as your only antifungal, especially if you live in an area that is prone to plant fungal infections. It would be interesting if a controlled study was done using epsom salts(and maybe garlic spray) to see if they would be reliable antifungal alternatives.

6/2/2008 10:36:05 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

I dont want to appear that I am bashing Sam, I applaud him for experimenting, this is how some of the best things were invented and discovered. We just need to make sure that this isnt misleading for others.

6/3/2008 6:20:08 AM

Pennsylvania

You guys are right. I'm gonna try out some controlled expiraments with powdery mildew etc. and see if it actually works.

6/3/2008 10:17:35 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Could put your MG out of whack.

6/4/2008 11:28:05 AM

Somers, CT

Jordan brings up the most important part of all. Magnesium needs to be balanced with Calcium about 10% of the Calcium level. This allows all the nutrients to become available to the plant. The importance of soil tests are to identify levels of N,P,K Ca, Mg and micro nutrients to make sure they are all balanced. I would look into garlic barrier or a fungicide.

6/4/2008 12:03:08 PM