Eggshells and Epsom Salt
- Thread starter BlackBean
- Start date
Richard Drysift
Well-Known Member
Eggshells take for-frikkin-ever to break down even if they are composted in a worm bin. Epsom salt will work but I think garden gypsum is a much better source. Either way you will need time to cook these in and become available through decomposition so you should put them in before they are ever actually needed. Waiting for a deficiency will be too late. Always give them what they need before it is needed and the roots will find it as long as it is there and available to them.
If you are using RO water then you may still need to add a liquid cal-mag but if you give rain or water from a well it may already have sufficient minerals for uptake. Cal/mag helps absorb other nutrients so it is kind of important to add if you use water with low ppm. I still use general organics calmag+ because my main source is distilled water from a dehumidifier. I add 6-7 drops per gal at each watering which reads about 25ppms on a TDS.
If you are using RO water then you may still need to add a liquid cal-mag but if you give rain or water from a well it may already have sufficient minerals for uptake. Cal/mag helps absorb other nutrients so it is kind of important to add if you use water with low ppm. I still use general organics calmag+ because my main source is distilled water from a dehumidifier. I add 6-7 drops per gal at each watering which reads about 25ppms on a TDS.
Observe & Report
Well-Known Member
Garden gypsum is a much better source than epsom salts of what, exactly?
Richard Drysift
Well-Known Member
Calcium; I say that because gypsum supports fungi which is what helps absorb everything else
Observe & Report
Well-Known Member
Epsom salts are a source of calcium but not as good as gypsum?
Richard Drysift
Well-Known Member
If you have Epsom salts on hand there is nothing wrong with that I just prefer gypsum because it supports fungal health and helps reduce compaction in a soil container. Oyster shell is a good source of calcium as well but it also takes a super long time to break down and become available. The finer it is crushed the faster it will break down. Oyster shell also helps regulate ph in the root zone; very good stuff to have in your mix. You want diverse sources of everything; it's ok to have more than one or even several mineral/NPK inputs.
I have no idea if what you add into your mix globally will be sufficient to avoid the need for a liquid calmag because IMO it mostly depends upon your water source. If you use RO or distilled water you'll likely need a liquid cal mag at least until your mix begins decomposing the dry amendments you added in. That takes a few cycles in my exp. If you have a well or collect water that contains macros like rainwater you won't need to add anything at all.
I have no idea if what you add into your mix globally will be sufficient to avoid the need for a liquid calmag because IMO it mostly depends upon your water source. If you use RO or distilled water you'll likely need a liquid cal mag at least until your mix begins decomposing the dry amendments you added in. That takes a few cycles in my exp. If you have a well or collect water that contains macros like rainwater you won't need to add anything at all.
Last edited:
Johnei
Well-Known Member
Why are you looking for things. You already have oyster shells in the mix. Calcium is main ingredient in shells. You're good. Egg shells are definitely inferior to oyster shell. Good Growing.
(edit- I'd focus on growing and feeeding a massive microbe army to help digest, dissolve and make available the Ca and everything else.
I like fish bone meal for P and Ca. Bone is packed with Ca.)
(edit- I'd focus on growing and feeeding a massive microbe army to help digest, dissolve and make available the Ca and everything else.
I like fish bone meal for P and Ca. Bone is packed with Ca.)