Foliar feeding

[leelanauferg]

Could someone give me some more info about this? I hear folks talk about it alot, but am not sure when why or what you would do. Compost tea? Fish emulsion? When they set fruit? Why foliar instead of just regular feeding?

[crazy1]

What I do for foliar feeding is to mix 50% compost tea and 50% water in a sprayer. Then spray the plants leaves, top and bottom (if I can get to the bottoms), I try to do it 2x a week. But sometimes it only gets once a week. I always foliar feed in the early mornin'. Hope this helps.

[Compost Pharmer]

crazy, that sounds familiar. Now I just add the compost tea to the pump up sprayer at 100%. I first give each plant a cup full then with the remainder I spray each plant. I am finding that 5 gallons is not enough at a time. Gonna try making 10 gallons at a time.

leelanauferg - if you want me to sent you my receipe, PM me with your email address and I will be more then happy to do so. I have sent it to a few people so far.

[crazy1]

LOL It should my phreind, I learned from YOU! 5gal isn't enough for me either. I'm lookin fer a bigger vessel as well. I think I'll need at least 15 - 20 gal at a time. Got alot of feedin to do!

[crazy1]

Well leelanauferg, I hoped some one would chime in. As to why to foliar feed, here it goes. The plant can also absorb nutrients through the leaves. The "feed" that is sprayed on the leaves top and bottom is absorbed thru the leaf. Foliar feeding is much faster and more effective than root feeding. Root feeding is 10% effective over time. Foliar feeding is 95% effective..........IMMEDIATLY hope this helps ya understand. I'm still learnin this suff as well. It's always good to keep learning, and gardening more naturaly and effectivly.
Here's a link to a very informative artical:
www.ext.vt.edu/news/periodicals/commhort/2002-11/2002-11-03.html

[Pharmer Phil]

Very good Crazy, Greg! Geez, I can vacation Brothers!

[crazy1]

Just make it a short one We would be lost without our fearless leader!!!!

[crazy1]

I'm headin' out to feed shortly. If you haven't read the link I posted please do. It is extreamly informitive and only about 1 1/2 pages.
We had 2 lettuce plants we got that were in really sad shape. After being foliar feed 2x in three days, they look like champs!

Happy Gardening this weekend.............and always!

[deb65802]

Ype those plants will stand up and wave, "Over here, over here", when I start with the fish emulsion and compost tea.

You can almost see them smiling.

[leelanauferg]

WOW! I read that article and looks like foliar is the way to go!! Wonder why everybody doesn't know about it? I always thought that it would burn the leaves, and if you diluted it to the point that it wouldn't, then it couldn't be effective. Guess I was wrong!! Can't wait to try it!

[Compost Pharmer]

Thanks crazy for the link. Can't never learn to much. In talking to people about compost tea, one of their excuses is 'thought it was hard to make and very time consuming' Compost tea makes itself, once you add the ingredients. I believe it is the best folair feed there is. My plants thank me after giving them a delicious treat of compost tea. It sure will green up a plant in a short period of time.

[chickenfarmer]

Great info guys... I'll stay on vacation...

[crazy1]

Taker easy there CF!