Two days ago I shared a photo about spraying foliar fertilizer, and I received many messages from my flower friends asking which fertilizers can be used as foliar fertilizers, what is my foliar fertilizer formula, how often should I spray, and how to solve the problem that fertilizers don’t easily stay on the leaves. Today, I will answer these questions in detail, I hope to provide you with some reference.
一、what fertilizer can be used to spray foliar fertilizer?
When it comes to foliar fertilizer, many gardening enthusiasts may mistake it for a specialized fertilizer. In fact, foliar fertilizer is more accurately described as a fertilization method rather than a specific type of fertilizer.
There are a variety of fertilization methods that we commonly use, such as root irrigation, flushing, shallow burial, burrowing and foliar sprays. If you want to learn more about fertilization techniques, you can refer to my book, How to Care for Roses from Scratch.
Once we understand the nature of foliar fertilizers, we can determine which fertilizers are suitable for use as foliar fertilizers. Since it is applied via foliar spray, this fertilizer must be able to dissolve in water. Therefore, any kind of water-soluble fertilizer or nutrient solution can be used as a foliar fertilizer.
However, it should be noted that fertilizers that tend to contaminate leaves are not recommended for use as foliar fertilizers. For example, ferrous sulfate tends to leave rust-like residual spots on leaves that are difficult to remove, and is therefore less suitable for use as a foliar fertilizer.
When spraying foliar fertilizer, the fertilizer will be absorbed and used directly by the plant through the leaves, which is faster and does not burden the root system. This method is particularly suitable for plants with weak root systems, or seedlings that have just been transplanted and whose new roots have not yet fully developed. For these relatively weak plants, root fertilization is more likely to lead to fertilizer damage or root injury.
How do I dose foliar fertilizer?
Many newbies may not be sure how to dose foliar fertilizers. Generally speaking, the dilution ratio of the fertilizer should be adjusted according to the status of the plant: small or weak seedlings need a larger ratio of dilution, while large or strong seedlings can be diluted according to the instructions.
For beginners, I recommend using only one fertilizer at a time and adjusting the concentration according to plant strength by referring to the instructions. Observe the plant for signs of fertilizer damage 1-2 days after spraying before making further adjustments.
It may take several attempts for a novice to master the safe dosing concentration for different plants. Personally, when I spray foliar fertilizers, I usually use 2-3 fertilizers at the same time. If you are confident enough in your roses, or are not concerned about fertilizer damage, you can also try mixing multiple fertilizers.
I usually choose one all-element fertilizer with one micronutrient fertilizer, or use one chemical water-soluble fertilizer with one organic water-soluble fertilizer, plus micronutrient fertilizer. The exact mix can be adjusted according to the state of the plant. Since some of my roses have deficiency problems and I use a uniform management approach, I will uniformly add micronutrients when spraying foliar fertilizers. If you only have a small number of potted roses, it is best to adjust the fertilizer mix individually according to the specific conditions of each plant.
二、how often to spray foliar fertilizer?
Many flower friends are concerned about how often to spray a foliar fertilizer. In fact, there is no fixed answer to this question, only according to the performance of roses after spraying to adjust.
I personally used to spray every 2 days or 3 days, sometimes even every day. This is because it takes about 3 to 4 hours to fertilize the roots in one application, whereas foliar sprays can be done in as little as 20 minutes. For this reason, I hardly ever do root irrigation to fertilize, but instead increase the frequency of foliar sprays.
If you can usually do root irrigation every 5 days, it is recommended that you add a foliar spray between root irrigations.
三、the fertilizer is not easy to stay in the leaves how to do?
Many florists reflect that when spraying foliar fertilizer, the fertilizer sprayed on the leaves will rebound and can not stay. This situation is usually related to two factors:
- Spraying method: If the spray nozzle is too close to the leaves, the impact of the sprayed mist is too strong, and it is easy to be bounced out.
- Rose variety: Some rose varieties have very smooth leaves that make it difficult for water droplets to adhere to them. The problem can be even more pronounced if the spraying method is not done correctly.
There are several ways to solve this problem:
- For those who grow a lot of roses, I recommend using an additive, such as silicone. It enhances the extensibility and adhesion of the fertilizer solution, thus increasing its effectiveness and potency.
- If you only grow a small amount of roses, you can increase the distance between the nozzle and the plant appropriately when spraying, spraying water mist into the air and letting the fertilizer solution naturally float down to the leaves.
- Some people suggest adding detergent, although it is feasible, I do not recommend that novices try it because the amount is not easy to grasp, and it can easily lead to leaf burns.
Lastly, a reminder: spraying foliar fertilizer is best done in the evening, avoiding operation at noon or in direct sunlight, so as not to burn the leaves. In addition, the absorption capacity of the back of the leaf is usually stronger than the front, so it is recommended to try to do 360 degrees spraying. If you don’t have a curved nozzle, you can tilt the pot or place it on a high spot and spray from bottom to top.