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  • From: "Bill Shoemaker" <wshoemak AT inil.com>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Speaking of sweeter...
  • Date: Mon, 3 May 2004 08:22:05 -0500

In theory, epsom salts could make melons sweeter because they have a large
concentration of magnesium (Mg). Mg is an essential element that plays a
critical role in photosynthesis. Insufficient Mg could lead to limits on
photosynthesis, which is the process plants use to produce sugar. When melon
plants are ripening fruit, the sugar from photosynthesis largely moves from
the leaves into the fruit. However, this is all irrelevant if the soil has
adequate Mg and the plant is functioning properly. On the other hand, a
foliar spray of epsom salts (very low concentration) just before fruit
maturity just might give the plants a boost, resulting in slightly sweeter
melons. But I don't think it's necessary for sweet melons, nor do I think
it's organically sound.

Bill Shoemaker
Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops
Univ of Illinois - St Charles Hort Research Center




-----Original Message-----
From: herbthyme AT simcon.net <herbthyme AT simcon.net>
To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Date: Sunday, May 02, 2004 11:41 AM
Subject: [Market-farming] Speaking of sweeter...


>Does anyone know if Ephsom salt really makes melons sweeter?
>
>Courtney McLeod
>Herb Thyme
>Middlefield, Oh
>
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