"The idea is that oats break down and enrich the soil, while Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate) top up magnesium to keep leaves green and glossy. Social media says a spoonful of each will pep up tired plants without the need for proper feed. The method The hack says unpot your plant and mix the old soil with 12 tablespoons of dry oats, a sprinkle of Epsom salts and a bit of fresh compost. Then pop the plant back in the pot, firm it around the roots and water it in."
"The test I tried it on one plant and left its twin with normal feed. Within a couple of weeks, the breakfast pot had developed a fuzzy white film on the surface, smelled off and was attracting fungus gnats. Growth wasn't better. It was just messier. The verdict Oats rot, encouraging mould, gnats and sour smells long before they do anything remotely helpful."
"Epsom salts can be useful if you know there's a magnesium deficiency, but throwing them in just in case risks salt buildup and knocks other nutrients out of balance. If you want to do something kind for your plants, stick to peat-free compost and a balanced liquid fertiliser and leave TikTok soil superfoods in the kitchen cupboard."
Oats and Epsom salts are promoted as quick, kitchen-based soil boosters: oats to enrich soil and Epsom salts to supply magnesium. The suggested method mixes old soil with 12 tablespoons of dry oats, a sprinkle of Epsom salts and some fresh compost before repotting. A side-by-side test produced a fuzzy white film, sour odours, fungus gnats and no improved growth. Oats rot and encourage mould and pests. Epsom salts only help for diagnosed magnesium deficiency and can cause salt buildup and nutrient imbalance if used indiscriminately. Use peat-free compost and a balanced liquid fertiliser instead.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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