Foliar Feeding Anyone??

[steverthebeaver81]

So here is my question. I understand the art of foliar feeding, at least partially. I dont practice it a lot simply because i have a few reservations about it. I dont understand the when or why, and also, are you still able to feed through watering. how often do you do this? so any feedback is appreciated.

 

[mellokitty]

foliar feeding solution recs tend to be less concentrated than what you water with.
i personally shy away from foliar after about week 6 but that's because i live on the wet coast and we tend towards moisture issues like bud rot here. and yes, you can do a combination of the 2 with great results, although your main nute source is still going to be your watering.
foliar is good when your plants are a little listless looking. there are foliar greenup solutions you can get, but a spritz of even plain water will perk up most ladies (unless they're listless because they're having moisture/overwatering issues). you want to try to avoid spraying some stuff on the bottoms of your leaves because that's where they breathe through (although when you're spraying for pest control you want to coat every possible surface). as a general rule, you want to avoid foliar feeding at 'night' (unless 'sunrise' is close), but you also don't want to do it at the hottest/brightest time of day either. we like to do it right before or right as the lights come on so any liquid has a chance to evaporate while the light is less intense.

does that answer any of your q's?

 

[Dominathan]

Foliar feeding is a good tool for giving plants nutrients, but like mellokitty said it can cause bud rot is you do it too late. Also, I would shy away from using chemical foilar sprays ESPECIALLY during a hot time. The chemicals will burn the leaves on your little babies.

 

[canefan]

Foliar feeding is an excellent way to give a boost to your plants and misting in itself helps to maintain leaf moisture. I have read many threads here and there seems to be a great misunderstanding about foliar feeding and its benefits and dangers. The biggest danger outside of budrot, which is usually caused by spraying at inappropriate times or under poor weather conditions, is burning your plants either by lights and sun on a wet leaf or by overdosing on the nutes.
Spraying with supplements should be done within an hour of sunrise or within an hour of sunset. The reason for this, is this is the time of the day the stoma is open on the leaf to absorb the solution. Spraying in the evenings is a dangerous pratice because there can be a lack of time for the solution to completely dry especially in fully flowering plants.
There are different solutions and emulsions you can use which have anti fungal and bacterial properties such as fish emulsion. The most important part to remember is spraying should only be done when there is sufficent time for the plant to properly dry which with flowering plants can take several hours.
You have a great advantage foliar feeding your supplements, you have great absorbtion of the nutes directly into the leaf, you have less waste as you can spray a liter mister over a good dozen plants and the plants will receive more of the goodies than they would through regular watering. This is a huge savings in a short period of time. Not to say that you still do not have to feed with your waterings. I personally never ever foliar feed with anything over a rating of 8 in nitrogen because it is so easy to burn the leaves.
Also remember with foliar feeding more is not better, less is best. You want to start spraying at a lower strength than the directions, like a 1/4 strength solution and build up to the max if you wish by adding a little each time you apply.
Hope this helps, sorry for the ramble but just was hitting the pipe and it all came out.
Good Luck and Happy Growing

 

[Gastanker]

I sprayed hamburger meat all over my body and I was still hungry...

But really, foliar feeding is great. I stay simple and just go with a bat guano tea spray once a week. Organic nutes help prevent you from burning your leaves but make sure you get soluble ones like guano. Bone meal is not soluble for instance.

 

[mellokitty]

bwaaa hahaha i feel like i should be inserting a smarta$$ remark about rolling around in melted chocolate... but i can't think of one right now....

 

[Wolverine97]

foliar feeding solution recs tend to be less concentrated than what you water with.
i personally shy away from foliar after about week 6 but that's because i live on the wet coast and we tend towards moisture issues like bud rot here. and yes, you can do a combination of the 2 with great results, although your main nute source is still going to be your watering.
foliar is good when your plants are a little listless looking. there are foliar greenup solutions you can get, but a spritz of even plain water will perk up most ladies (unless they're listless because they're having moisture/overwatering issues). you want to try to avoid spraying some stuff on the bottoms of your leaves because that's where they breathe through (although when you're spraying for pest control you want to coat every possible surface). as a general rule, you want to avoid foliar feeding at 'night' (unless 'sunrise' is close), but you also don't want to do it at the hottest/brightest time of day either. we like to do it right before or right as the lights come on so any liquid has a chance to evaporate while the light is less intense.

does that answer any of your q's?

I agree with all of that except for one thing, the bottom of your leaves is precisely where you want to concentrate your spraying if you're foliar feeding. That's where the stomata are located. I don't foliar feed very often, I only use it as a revival type of thing if a plant really needs it.

 

[mellokitty]

hmmm. i had heard that there are certain comedogenics (ie pore-cloggers) you don't want to spray on the bottoms of leaves but i may be getting confused with another exotic... thanks. will return after due diligence.

 

[Wolverine97]

hmmm. i had heard that there are certain comedogenics (ie pore-cloggers) you don't want to spray on the bottoms of leaves but i may be getting confused with another exotic... thanks. will return after due diligence.

They can certainly be clogged, it's the same stomata that they breathe through. You don't foliar feed often if at all, and if you do, you should spray with plain water occasionally to rinse away residue.

 

[mellokitty]

+reps for rinsing!! almost forgot!

 

[hoagtech]

I find it works best to get nutrient sprayer because the nozzles on the nutrient sprayer make a fine mist.
Spray your leaves about once evry 2 -3 weeks in any stage after your lights go off. I learned it the hard way by spraying my plants when my light cycle was on for 4 hours and noticed brown and yellow spots everywhere the next day.
You should always spray when your lights are off and leave your fans blowing or turn them up when you foliar feed so your solution gets absorbed/dissipated faster.
Always mix lightly on the nutrients. Feeding schedules usually tell you to make a 25% mixture when foliar feeding but I go much lighter. A successful foliar feed will bring your wilting plants back to life

 

[Wolverine97]

I find it works best to get nutrient sprayer because the nozzles on the nutrient sprayer make a fine mist.
Spray your leaves about once evry 2 -3 weeks in any stage after your lights go off. I learned it the hard way by spraying my plants when my light cycle was on for 4 hours and noticed brown and yellow spots everywhere the next day.
You should always spray when your lights are off and leave your fans blowing or turn them up when you foliar feed so your solution gets absorbed/dissipated faster.
Always mix lightly on the nutrients. Feeding schedules usually tell you to make a 25% mixture when foliar feeding but I go much lighter. A successful foliar feed will bring your wilting plants back to life

I'm gonna have to disagree with that, you should spray before the lights come on, not after they go out. You risk mold that way.

 

[hoagtech]

Well Im set in my ways and you know how we like "our ways". But you make a good point and Ive never tried spraying them as soon as I turned my lights on. Also I add my living room's Oscillating fan when i foliar spray to help with evaporation.

 

[steverthebeaver81]

Ive heard right before the lights go on until a bit after theyve been on, like 30 mins. Or like 30 mins before the lights go off. to prevent mold as wolverine suggests.

 

[Wolverine97]

Well Im set in my ways and you know how we like "our ways". But you make a good point and Ive never tried spraying them as soon as I turned my lights on. Also I add my living room's Oscillating fan when i foliar spray to help with evaporation.

Yeah, you actually want to do it about thirty minutes before the lights come on that way it has time to be absorbed before the heat and light evaporate it away.

 

[hoagtech]

Your probably right. I just did the opposite of what spotted my plants up and its worked so far. Just dont do it when your lights have been on for awhile or youll cook it into the leaves and get spots evrywhere.

 

[Wolverine97]

Your probably right. I just did the opposite of what spotted my plants up and its worked so far. Just dont do it when your lights have been on for awhile or youll cook it into the leaves and get spots evrywhere.

That be truth

 

[mellokitty]

I'm gonna have to disagree with that, you should spray before the lights come on, not after they go out. You risk mold that way.

done ^that.

 

[mellokitty]

Your probably right. I just did the opposite of what spotted my plants up and its worked so far. Just dont do it when your lights have been on for awhile or youll cook it into the leaves and get spots evrywhere.

done ^that too.

 

[Snow Crash]

That be truth

Wolverine Be Truth.

This guy knows what he's talking about. Many a thread recently I've found full of well researched and experienced lessons. I would +rep you again today if I could.

I'm working with foliar feeding for two purposes.

1. Utilization of Sea Kelp extracts to reduce internode spacing.

2. Utilization of Bio-Activators to increase resin production.

The recipe I am using includes:
Veg -
General Organics BioWeed
Botanicare Liquid Karma
25ppm-ish of Epsom Salt
Surfactant

Flowering-
General Organics BioWeed
Botanicare Liquid Karma
25ppm-ish of Epsom Salt
Advanced Nutrients Bud Candy
Emerald Triangle Snow Storm Ultra
Surfactant

I'm also considering adding a few other things.
I have some Earth Juice Catalyst (organic oat/barley extracts) and Botanicare Hydroplex. I'd also like to add ET Gravity to the mix as well at some point near the end of the foliar cycle.

Foliar feeding will be done once during veg after I transplant to assist in stress rebounding and root production. It will then be done once every 5 days during the first 2 weeks of flowering with the Veg recipe to reduce internode spacing. I plan to foliar into week 6 of flowering because I can control my humidity and mold isn't that much of a concern for me indoors.

The last 4 weeks of foliar feeding is dedicated to assist in resin production by the combination of Snow Storm and Bud Candy.

The BioWeed is the kelp extract that, in combination with Liquid Karma, provide a diverse array of amino-acids, micro-nutrients, B-vitamins, and other crazy sounding compounds that enhance metabolic cycles.

The Epsom Salt provides that extra little bit of soluble magnesium and sulfur the plants will need while I'm running a variety of supplements and enhancers. The Magnesium supplies needed elements for the mobility of energy inside the plant cells.

Of course. Always only just before the lights come on. Never to excess. Sprayed on the underside of the leaves. Clean water foliar washes to remove excess and prevent build up which could block the stomata.

Let's see what happens