Foliar Nutrient Application

The foliar nutrient solution should be applied as a fine mist until run off so that the entire leaf surface is wetted. The time of day when the solution is applied is also important. It is best to spray just before the lights come on and temperatures are cool; or when the lights go off and conditions are warm. These conditions allow the leaf to dry rather than stay wet for an extended length of time. Foliar solutions should not be applied during hot, bright conditions or if the plants are wilting or under water/osmotic stress as the plant's stomata are likely to be closed making application ineffective.

The use of Essentials Non Ionic Wetting Agent is vital for foliar feeding. Essentials Non Ionic Wetting Agent is necessary to assist in the absorption of droplets on difficult to wet leaves as well as assisting with the absorption of the nutrient solution into the plant tissue. Do not use domestic soaps or detergents as these contain perfumes and other plant unfriendly ingredients.

Foliar feeding can by carried out on a regular weekly basis, or can be limited to the times when the crop comes under high nutrient demand such as early flowering set and heavy fruit loading. Often the
greatest response to foliar feeding will occur during the active growth phases of plants (period of exponential growth). During these active growth stages, leaves show a particularly high efficacy for absorbing nutrients.

If a period during which the plants have difficulty in absorbing nutrients via the root system should coincide with a period when there is a particularly vigorous demand for nutrients, the result will be a significant loss in yield potential, without the grower seeing any visible signs of deficiency. Under such conditions foliar fertilisation can provide particularly impressive results.

Nutrient products we recommend for foliar feeding include VitaLink Foliar.

The Process of Foliar Feeding
Foliar Nutrient Application
Keeping a Check on Soil Hydration to Maximise Growth

Products

WETTING AGENT