Re: timing of foliar feeding
- To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
- Subject: Re: timing of foliar feeding
- From: P*@aol.com
- Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1998 11:59:13 EDT
Dan,
Actually, you are not losing the fertilizer when it is washed off the
leaves. It runs down the leaf stem and right in to the tap roots and main
roots. A few years ago I had a discussion with one of the tech experts at
Peters Plant food. The subject was the efficacy of foliar feeding. They did
controlled studies where they sealed off the root system from the rest of the
plant, so no foliar fertilizer could wash off the leaves and get into the
roots. They found only a very slight growth response from foliar applications
of fertilizer. They took the same test where the root system was not protected
from runoff and found foliar applications had a marked growth response. The
conclusion was that 10% or less of the fertilizer was actually entering the
plant through the leaves. 90% or more, was washing off the leaves and entering
the roots. There is a distinct possibility that foliar feed salesman may be
overstating their claims. Now that I've stated that, let me say foliar
spraying (not foliar feeding) is a great way to deliver elements to your
plant. Who cares if the elements enter the leaves or the roots, as long as it
gets into the plant. Foliar spraying is a good way to distribute fertilizer
over your entire area, let it run off the leaves and into the roots. You may
hear claims of how necessary foliar feeding is during periods of high growth
times....they say the roots can't supply all the elements by themselves and
need the extra input through the leaves. In my opinion, this is a bunch of
bologna. The root system is by far, the best way for elements to enter the
plant. The roots can also take up much more than the plant needs. You can
overdose your plant with fertilizer , right through the roots. All my
fertilzer is applied with overhead watering, so if a small amount is getting
in through the leaves, that's cool but my money is on the root system. Early
morning is probably the best, unless you are using misting for cooling
purposes. As long as the fertilizer gets into the plant somehow.
pumkinguy
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