From Orchid1995@aol.com Wed Dec 11 18:44:14 1996
To: ahicks@nmt.edu
Subject: Re: Mineral crusts!

      [Ed. note: This is Charlie's adaptation of how to get rid
of mineral crusts through the use of commercially available epsom
salts, a.k.a. magnesium sulfate]


Magnesium sulfate [epsom salts].  I buy 50# at J.R.Johnson [my nearest
agricultural supply house] for about $18. Yep, that's right, $18.

I have a Dosmatic proportioner I run at 100/1 ratio. For the average
hobbyist, the solution would be 1 tbs per gallon maximum; Harry suggests 2
tsp per gallon. 
Usual procedure is to water first; then while the pot/media/plant roots are
wet, spray with the mag.sulfate.  I usually do this monthly.

For the Dosmatic at 100/1, I mix 5 lbs., 3 oz. in 5 gallons of water [equal
to 1 tbs per gallon],  and soak everything monthly, as mentioned above.

Since I grow mainly vandaceous, and feed heavily from March thru the end of
October/early November, mineral deposits [Peters fertilizer] built up quite a
bit; mag. sulfate solved the problem.

Please feel free [I insist!] to reword this info as you see fit.  I just got
your Email, and immediately dashed this off to get back to you.


Charlie