Foliar feeding the application of fertilizer to the leaves of plants rather than to the roots. Foliar feeding can be a powerful stimulant to plant growth as leaves take up to 95% of the nutrients in the fertilizer. Root feeding takes up much less.
Why Foliar Feed?
There are many instances when foliar feeding is very beneficial:
To perk up wilted or damaged plants whose roots are in poor condition
When variegated plants are too white, foliar feeding with fish emulsion or other high nitrogen fertilizer will ?green up? the leaves
For newly rooted leaves, foliar feeding helps in the development of baby plants. Baby plants have little or no root system, so foliar feeding provides nutrients to help build a strong root system.
Show plants may also benefit with the extra boost foliar feeding provides
How to Foliar Feed
Select a fertilizer that is recommended for foliar feeding. Use 1/8 to ? tsp. to a gallon of hot water. Your spray bottle should deliver a fine, even spray. Mist the entire plant lightly, early in the morning so the leaves can dry before cooler nighttime temperatures set in. If any water accumulates in the center of the plants, blot dry with a tissue.
Do not foliar feed more often than 2 times per week and not during hot months when soil bacteria is more active.
The benefits of foliar feeding will be noticed in 2 to 3 week.
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