Got my Potash & Magnesium sulphate mixed up!

Discussion in 'Compost, Fertilisers & Recycling' started by PhilC, Jul 13, 2020.

  1. PhilC

    PhilC Gardener

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    Hey everyone,

    A few days ago I'd bought a box of Miracle gro Potash and a box of Miracle gro Epsom salts.

    I'd been using them on my palm trees and then it started raining (wetting the cardboard boxes) so i stupidly continued by taking the bags out of the boxes (now i have no idea which is which)

    Does anyone happen to have used these before and know which are the round shaped balls and which are the small gravel textured ones?
     
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    • NigelJ

      NigelJ Total Gardener

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      I might recognise from photo. Epsom salt crystals tend to be geometric and slightly translucent. They do taste different, but I wouldn't recommend that you do, though a crystal of either will not hurt.
       
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      • shiney

        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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        Unless they come in little bags like this! :heehee:

        upload_2020-7-13_7-20-0.jpeg
         
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        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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          I think Epsom salts are more soluble than potash :scratch:
           
        • PhilC

          PhilC Gardener

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        • Mike Allen

          Mike Allen Total Gardener

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          Alas. I am not a chemist. When it comes to chemicals and drugs, I pass to my Hon. friend Nigel.
           
        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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          Don't think I've ever bought them in that form.
           
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          • NigelJ

            NigelJ Total Gardener

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            @PhilC Thanks for the pictures. Like Pete I don't recognise either, certainly the Epsom salts I have used has been white crystals with a tendency to absorb water.
            Good news I remembered I had a box of Miracle Gro Magnesium Salts in the shed so a quick scoot out and what I have is in a white bag and looks most like the RHS picture. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but the box states that it contains 15% more magnesium than traditional Epsom salts.
            So the LHS photo is most likely the Miracle Gro Sulphate of Potash.
            I think they are produced from crushed rock, which is why they look a bit like gravel, with little refining and they will probably be slower release than traditional Epsom salts or potassium sulfate,
             
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            • Jerry Spencer

              Jerry Spencer Apprentice Gardener

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              Do you mean it contains 15% Mg or 15% more Mg? Im thinking it might be kieserite which is a granular form of magnesium sulphate
               
            • JWK

              JWK Gardener Staff Member

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            • Jerry Spencer

              Jerry Spencer Apprentice Gardener

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              Never said im quick lol
               
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