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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 09:22:21 -0500

Marty

In theory, yes. But in the field, the process is complicated and
impacted by many factors. Tomatoes don't get as sweet as melons either so
the increments of improvement are likely to be smaller and less noticeable.

Bill

>Will the foliar spray technique work on tomatoes too?
>
>Marty Kraft
>
>> 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.






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