| Using a foliar spray to increase the number of | | | | mistake of simply covering the top, greener side |
| nutrients that your plants receive is a powerful, | | | | of each leaf. To ensure more full absorption of |
| proven way to enjoy healthier plants. Yet at the | | | | the fertilizer, completely cover the leaves, both |
| same time, many hydroponic gardeners have | | | | top and bottom. |
| probably heard of instances where someone used | | | | Spray in Slightly Cool Conditions - Studies show |
| a foliar spray but only experienced very little | | | | that stomata close in conditions that are too |
| benefit. Most of these cases are not the fault of | | | | warm. So if your grow room is about eighty |
| the ingredients in the spray itself, but rather how | | | | degrees or more, you should hold off on foliar |
| they are applied. If you do not carefully consider | | | | feeding under your plants are under cooler |
| every aspect of the proper application of the | | | | conditions. Most people choose to foliar feed in the |
| foliar fertilizer, you probably will not enjoy as big a | | | | very early morning or late evening when |
| return on your investment as you were hoping. | | | | conditions are coolest. You should try to avoid |
| Fortunately, careful application does not have to | | | | using a foliar spray if the temperature is over |
| involve a lot of time or effort. Through a few | | | | seventy-two degrees Fahrenheit. |
| small tweaks, you can easily make the most of | | | | Have Your Foliar Spray pH Balanced - It is a |
| your foliar spray feeding. | | | | mistake to think that you do not need to |
| Apply Your Spray in a Fine Mist - A common | | | | measure the pH balance of your foliar spray. Much |
| spray bottle can work fine, assuming that it can | | | | like your nutrient solution, the pH of your foliar |
| deliver the liquid in a very fine mist. If it can only | | | | spray should be slightly acidic, with a pH of around |
| deliver the liquid in a straight stream, the water | | | | 5.8. This will allow the solution to penetrate the |
| will run off more, and less will be absorbed by the | | | | film on the leaf and be absorbed much more |
| plants. Try and test spray bottles that you have | | | | easily. Make sure you accurately measure your |
| on hand if they deliver water in this manner. If | | | | pH and make any adjustments that are |
| they can't, you would probably benefit from a | | | | necessary with a pharmaceutical grade pH |
| quick drive down to your local hydroponics or | | | | adjuster. |
| gardening supply store to pick up a more suitable | | | | Use a biological surfactant - A surfactant is |
| bottle. | | | | something that lowers the surface tension of a |
| Cover the Leaves Thoroughly - Leaves are able | | | | given liquid. As a result, it is able to spread more |
| to absorb the nutrients in a foliar spray through | | | | evenly. So when you spray your foliar spray on |
| the stomata, or pores that cover each leaf. The | | | | your leaves, less of the moisture will clump |
| majority of these stomata are on the underside | | | | together and run off. This adds up to more |
| of each leaf. Many hydroponic growers make the | | | | absorption, and increased uptake. |