Foliar spraying can be used successfully to supplement nutrition, providing specific nutrients during the critical stages of plant growth, flowering, fruit set, and fruit development. Foliar nutrition should ideally supplement normal fertilizer application, particularly when the supply of nutrients via the root system is not sufficient to meet the demands of the plant because of limitations in the root system, conditions unfavorable for nutrient adsorption, unfavorable weather, prolonged periods of pest and disease, and limitations in the mobility of the nutrient in the plants.
Apart from this foliar spraying is also the major mechanism for Pest Management. While protected horticulture drastically reduces the incidence of many pests and diseases there are still many varieties of pests and diseases that infect greenhouse crops. Maintaining the right nutrition and climatic conditions is the core to preventing disease however when things go wrong in this front, diseases do infect the crop and the grower must fall back on spraying pesticides, fungicides, etc. for damage control. It is to be noted that avoiding the usage of harmful chemical pesticides is of utmost importance and thankfully there are excellent organic and biological pesticides and fungicides in the market these days.
Tips:
Always use Purified (no minerals /chlorine) water to avoid clogging sprayer or damaging sensitive plant leaves.
The best effect is achieved by creating a fine mist out of the spray content. Use of pressurized / compression sprayers is recommended.
It is best to spray when the temperature is below 26 deg. C. At this temperature, the stomata on the undersides of the leaves are open. It is best to spray at the end or beginning of the day.
Absorption is best when environmental conditions are humid. 55-70% Humidity.
pH solution to whatever either the label suggests or else to whatever pH you are currently feeding plants at. An example of this is 6.0 for Hydroponics.
If foliar spraying is done for the purpose of nutrient absorption, then the spray should stay put on leaves for a prolonged duration allowing for maximum absorption.
It is advisable to mix penetrating agents or surfactants. These wetting agents are not just “detergent” or “dish soap”, they will not damage the cuticle layer of the plant’s leaves. Wetting Agents will make the water molecules “wetter,” spreading them apart from one another; preventing “blotching” or grouping together of water spots. This blotching of water molecules in turn will create a magnifying glass effect which when intense light hits it can, in turn, burn your leaves. Wetting agents will also help deliver additives into the plant up to 300% better than just spraying alone (without the use of a wetting agent).
It is advisable to maintain neutral pH when spraying biopesticides or biofungicides.
Finally, Whenever spraying something new, we suggest spraying one strain of each type of plant you have. Wait to see if each plant takes to the foliar delivery well (1 day should suffice). See how that plant does. (This is for additives, enhancers, nutrients, or pesticides.) If this one plant is healthy that continue to spray the entire crop.
To purchase the best foliar spray nutrients, biopesticides, biofungicides, and surfactants please contact us at or +91 91084 98102.
GROW HEALTHY! EAT HEALTHY! STAY HEALTHY!