Is it possible for one pinch of epsom salts in a gallon of water to cause calcium lockout?

TrippleDip

Well-Known Member
Hi, quick noob question. Is it possible for a single pinch of epsom salts in a gallon of what I usually feed to cause lockout? I am wondering because I have 1 plant out of three genetically identical ones that started showing calcium deficiency only the week after I added a pinch (~1/4 tsp?) of epsom. I didn't do it again and it got better. Sometime later I figured it wasn't related and tried again, and the deficiency came back worse.

Why I think the epsom salts are unrelated is that it is only 2 feedings, and it is only 1 plant out of 3. I am feeding about 100ppm ca and 40 ppm mg before the pinch of epsom salts, and my water is usually between 140 and 180 ppm hardness.
 

TrippleDip

Well-Known Member
A pinch of epsom salt isn't gonna cause a Ca definitely. I would suspect something else. And you know epsom salt is just Mg and S.
Thanks, I added the epsom salts because my feed is really low in sulphur. I thought excess mg could cause a ca lockout because they are both +2 cations. I read that they should be in a 4:1 or 3:1 ratio, a pinch of epsom salts (1-2g) should be like 25-50ppm in a gallon so I didn't think it would be too far off the ideal ratio but wasn't sure if it would be enough to cause problems.
 

PadawanWarrior

Well-Known Member
Thanks, I added the epsom salts because my feed is really low in sulphur. I thought excess mg could cause a ca lockout because they are both +2 cations. I read that they should be in a 4:1 or 3:1 ratio, a pinch of epsom salts (1-2g) should be like 25-50ppm in a gallon so I didn't think it would be too far off the ideal ratio but wasn't sure if it would be enough to cause problems.
I've heard some about the ratio, but I guess it's kinda a debated topic. Anyways, 1/4 tsp isn't much at all. Most of the things I've read said 1 Tbls for foliar and 2 Tbls for a soil drench. The foliar spray is more quickly available to the plants. I've done both.
 

Wangdoodler

Member
Thanks, I added the epsom salts because my feed is really low in sulphur. I thought excess mg could cause a ca lockout because they are both +2 cations. I read that they should be in a 4:1 or 3:1 ratio, a pinch of epsom salts (1-2g) should be like 25-50ppm in a gallon so I didn't think it would be too far off the ideal ratio but wasn't sure if it would be enough to cause problems.
Why do you think it’s a calcium deficiency. I have to assume the other genetically identical plants are getting the same identical nutes and are not suffering. Correct?
 

Renfro

Well-Known Member
Honestly from looking at the image I don't think you have a calcium problem. It looks more like a potassium issue although not a classic presentation. What is your feed comprised of? What medium? pH? PPM?
 

TrippleDip

Well-Known Member
Honestly from looking at the image I don't think you have a calcium problem. It looks more like a potassium issue although not a classic presentation. What is your feed comprised of? What medium? pH? PPM?
I am running ph 6.0 in pro-mix hp. My feed is gh 3 part right now, but I was running my own calcium nitrate, micronutrient mix instead of the micro until I saw the problem but the numbers are the same. I don't know the ppms but it is the least I've ever fed plants because they are autos and smaller than usual. The other two genetically identical plants are fine.

I am feeding 80 ppm N, 55 ppm P, and 160 ppm K. I actually thought the soil ph was off so I checked it and it was 6.0 too.
 

TrippleDip

Well-Known Member
Why do you think it’s a calcium deficiency. I have to assume the other genetically identical plants are getting the same identical nutes and are not suffering. Correct?
Yep. There is some very minor yellowing on the bottom fan leaves but I was thinking minor N def because I usually feed about 100 ppm of N in flower not 80.

Re lights, this is the shortest plant, and it happened from the bottom up.

Edit, I also usually feed around 130ppm of Ca instead of 90, this is why my mind went there first.
 

Renfro

Well-Known Member
I am running ph 6.0 in pro-mix hp. My feed is gh 3 part right now, but I was running my own calcium nitrate, micronutrient mix instead of the micro until I saw the problem but the numbers are the same. I don't know the ppms but it is the least I've ever fed plants because they are autos and smaller than usual. The other two genetically identical plants are fine.

I am feeding 80 ppm N, 55 ppm P, and 160 ppm K. I actually thought the soil ph was off so I checked it and it was 6.0 too.
Whats the total PPM? Sounds like you have a weak feed perhaps? I would want to be around 1000 PPM (EC 2.0) I would get the soil pH up to 6.5, lower than 6.3 and I see issues with magnesium uptake.
 

TrippleDip

Well-Known Member
Whats the total PPM? Sounds like you have a weak feed perhaps? I would want to be around 1000 PPM (EC 2.0) I would get the soil pH up to 6.5, lower than 6.3 and I see issues with magnesium uptake.
700, which is less than I thought (assuming the meter is still calibrated) 1.5 EC. I will increase everything. Thanks for your help.


How many weeks are left
I figure about two on that plant. The only one showing deficiencies is two weeks ahead of the others for whatever reason.
 

TrippleDip

Well-Known Member
It can but it's going to take more than a pinch.

Interesting that both Ca and Mg are antagonistic to K. I am assuming @Renfro that the reason you believe that it's uncharacteristic K def is the large amounts of intervenal yellowing? There are also some burnt tips all twisted upwards too.
 
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