Topic: Where can I get Borax?

[lancelotment]

Veg plot is showing classic boron deficiency problems but I can't find Borax anywhere.  Grateful for assistance in pointing me in the right direction please.  Regards.  Lance  ???

[OllieC]

Boots sold it a couple of years ago... Good luck!

[ceres]

Wilko's used to do it in the household detergents area, same brand as the bicarbonate.  Otherwise as Ollie says, Boots.

[grannyjanny]

How do you know when the plot is boron deficient please. I've got borax in the cupboard & don't even know why I bought it ??? ??? ???.
Janet.

[BarriedaleNick]

Most decent pharmacists should stock it.. we seem to have loads at home but we use it for making creams and stuff

google shop search if you want to go online
http://www.google.co.uk/products?hl=en&q=borax&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=pSkRSt-qIdyZjAfe8uGlBg&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title

[Bjerreby]

I'd be careful. Plants need only a trace of boron, and in large amounts consumed over a number of years, it can cause liver cancer I believe.

Instead, I would recommend repeated spraying with seaweed extract, which has all the boron your plants need, and in the minute amount required.

[Plot69]

Borax is used to develop photgraphs, the old fashioned film type. So maybe you can get it in a photography shop like Jessops.

Be careful though. Like the others say, it's lethal stuff.

iPhone.

[Robert_Brenchley]

You can get it from an ironmonger. I think something like seaweed would be better, but if you must use it, remember it's a trace element and only put a very little (maybe a pinch) in a watering can. Trouble is, if you put it on in soluble form, it'll leach out in a few weeks.

[lancelotment]

Thanks all.  I'd read it was pretty caustic stuff and I'd much rather use the seaweed solution to overcome the problem.  In reply to your question grannyjanny cauliflower curds blow completely before they get to any size and have brown patches on the white curd.  Additionally turnips have brown rings and markings inside rather then the pure white you might expect to see.  The plot is acid clay over pure sand on a south facing slope so drainage is very free.  Lance

[Robert_Brenchley]

If it's an acid soil, then nutrients are going to leach out faster. It sounds as though it needs liming as well as perhaps the addition of trace elements.

[jethro87]

I bought a 500 gm box from a chemist in Warwick a couple of weeks ago, about £5 or so. you should be able to get it from most chemists.

[PurpleHeather]

How do you know when the plot is boron deficient please. I've got borax in the cupboard & don't even know why I bought it ??? ??? ???.
Janet.

My gran always had some in the cupboard with the vim, Lux soap flakes, dolly blue bags, a lemon and Persil detergent. She would make up her own cleaning blends for every occasion

This site may give your memory a jog about why you bought some

http://homeparents.about.com/od/miraclecleaners/tp/borax.htm

[Digeroo]

Are you sure about boron deficiency.  What are the symptoms?  Not sure I would know if I had it or not.  Would suggest a good all round fertilizer they have trace boron.

[manicscousers]

we use it with icing sugar to get rid of ants  :)

[jethro87]

http://www.rd.com/advice-and-know-how/extraordinary-uses-for-borax/article23763.html

[telboy]

About once in every 10 years I sprinke 'lightly' - basic slag.
Loads of trace elements there.

[powerspade]

My Gran used to use Borax to kill Black Pats ( Cockroaches)

[MrBean]

Are you sure about boron deficiency.  What are the symptoms?  Not sure I would know if I had it or not.  Would suggest a good all round fertilizer they have trace boron.

Agreed, certainly need to know why you conclude there is boron deficiency. Boron is toxic. I would think an annual spreading from the compost heap is all that's needed.