Encanto Farms Nursery > Categories > I live in the country and some have strange ideas

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figpig_66

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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

fignutty

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Posts: 580

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.

Sas

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Posts: 1,363

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.

sobelri

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Posts: 89

You might want to check w/ your parish extension agent. If it works in your area, they'll know about it.  

eboone

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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....

elin

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Posts: 1,271

Salted figs:
http://www.marthastewart.com/319128/honey-roasted-salted-figs

pino

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Posts: 2,118

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.

fignutty

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Posts: 580

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.,

don_sanders

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Posts: 219

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

bigbadbill

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Posts: 376

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.

smatthew

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Posts: 180

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/