I live in the country and some have strange ideas

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figpig_66

Registered:1416870358
Posts: 2,678

Posted 1466207603	Reply with quote #1

Ok. I know this is going to sound just stupid I have been told by many that live in Hickory Louisiana that fig trees love table salt. I know right table salt. Figured I'd ask after hearing it again by a old man. Has anyone heard of this before Richie from hickory louisiana. Lol __________________ RICHIE BONI HICKORY LOUISIANA ZONE 8B WARM HUMID WINRERS ARE VERY MILD LOW 20'S BUT WARMS RIGHT UP DURING THE DAY. SUMMER IS EXTREMELY HOT & HUMID 100 degrees 100% humidity fig tree grow like crazy but some split from rain & humidity Wish list. Col de dame blanc Col de rimada Lsu numbered figs

fignutty

Registered:1374034473
Posts: 580

Posted 1466219621 · Edited	Reply with quote #2

Dump a cup full on your potted fig right before you water next time and see how much they like it. They'll be crisp in a couple of days. __________________ Steve in Alpine TX 7b/8a Wish list: Sangue Dolce, Siblawi, Victoria, Emalyn's Purple, Colonel Littman's Black Cross

Sas

Registered:1350079929
Posts: 1,364

Posted 1466220427	Reply with quote #3

My X neighbor was a landscaper, he used to feed all his flowering trees with about half a teaspoon full of Epsom salt, about once a month during the growing season. I don't recall the exact frequency. He told me that it boosts growth. __________________ Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B Wish list: Becane

sobelri

Registered:1429038724
Posts: 89

Posted 1466222231	Reply with quote #4

You might want to check w/ your parish extension agent. If it works in your area, they'll know about it. __________________ SE Texas, zone 8b

eboone

Registered:1378418906
Posts: 1,101

Posted 1466223023	Reply with quote #5

Epsom salt is magnesium - figs love it. Doubt table salt has quite the same benefit Guess you could test on a duplicate that u don't care for.... __________________ Ed Zone 6A - Southwest PA --------------------------- Short wish list: CDDG, LSU Red, Dark Greek (Navid), Col Littman's Black Cross. And any cold hardy early fig.

elin

Registered:1360863025
Posts: 1,272

Posted 1466233846	Reply with quote #6

Salted figs: http://www.marthastewart.com/319128/honey-roasted-salted-figs __________________ Eli ,Israel ,Zone 10? Too humid and hot, yada yada yada https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1298814119 Growing: Sbayi, Hmadi, Black Portugal, Black Brazil,Excell, Flanders, Hmari , RDB, Niagra Black,Natalina, CDDN,Maya, Preto Torres, Preto Arge

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,118

Posted 1466252159	Reply with quote #7

Richie, Did they recommend table salt for eating figs? I haven't tried it but some people love salt and now we have heard of roasted salted figs. For growing figs table salt sounds detrimental since in the soil it breaks down to NaCl (sodium and chloride) free positive and negative ions. The sodium is close enough to potassium so the plant takes it up instead of the beneficial potassium to the detriment of the plant. Salt deposit concentrations in farmland is an issue. __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

fignutty

Registered:1374034473
Posts: 580

Posted 1466262379 · Edited	Reply with quote #8

Table salt, NaCl, is extremely detrimental to most plants. Only a few that live by the oceans or other salty areas can stand much at all. NaCl is the primary reason that soils salt out in dry irrigated climates. It reduces yields and ruins soils on millions of acres around the world. If you lived in Phoenix or many areas of CA you'd understand. Ask Harvey, he's fighting salt full time on his land. The lower Sacramento river is brackish, ie salty ie NaCl, due to lack of flow in drought conditions. When he pumps that water on his land for irrigation it causes issues. Enough salt and his figs would die. In Louisiana you could apply a little once in a while because the high rainfall in that area would leach it out. Epsom salts is another matter entirely. You could use that to benefit if the soil is short in Magnesium., __________________ Steve in Alpine TX 7b/8a Wish list: Sangue Dolce, Siblawi, Victoria, Emalyn's Purple, Colonel Littman's Black Cross

don_sanders

Registered:1429304713
Posts: 219

Posted 1466263303	Reply with quote #9

Table salt may increase flavor and reduce ripening times in tomatoes I think it would be worth a try with figs but I haven't gotten around to it yet. As with anything, just be careful to not apply to much or it will adversely affect the trees. A little salt may be good, a lot will kill the tree. I'd be interested to see your results. http://www.growingformarket.com/articles/Improve-tomato-flavor __________________ Don - Columbus, OH. Zone 5b/6a Wish list: Rafed/Adriano's Genovese Nero, Your favorite fig.

bigbadbill

Registered:1357527109
Posts: 376

Posted 1466264319 · Edited	Reply with quote #10

I think this is a very bad idea. In addition to the detrimental osmotic effects that the NaCl will have ( especially if in decent quantity) - wilting, the Na ions can inhibit necessary enzymes for protein synthesis. Both sodium and chloride ions can collect in chloroplasts to cause damage, and finally sodium ions can "kick out" calcium ions in cell membranes, allowing any solute to pass through. I just see no up side. Edit: not trying to criticize anyone if they want to try it themselves, just explaining my thoughts on the subject. __________________ SE Pa, zone 6b https://www.facebook.com/offthebeatenpathnurseries

smatthew

Registered:1423266323
Posts: 180

Posted 1466270615 · Edited	Reply with quote #11

And if you have clay soil - the sodium can bind to the clay, ruining the soil structure. It's then called "Sodic Soil" - and it's nasty gunky digging-is-a-nightmare stuff. The best treatment for sodic soil is battery acid. Or Gypsum in amounts that would scare a farmer (3-5lb/square foot = 65-110 Tons/acre) Stay away from table salt. Btw - here's a great link that explains how plants use sodium and chloride, and why we don't need to add extra. http://www.pthorticulture.com/en/training-center/role-of-sodium-and-chloride-in-plant-culture/ __________________ Blackberry & Fig Farmer in East Bay San Francisco - Sunol. Wanted (4): Emalyn's Purple, IT-258, Pastiliere and Milco Caprifig.

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