From

Location

Message

Date Posted

N S W Australia

i have heard that it is an advantage to spray the under side of the leaves when folier feeding. is that correct?, and if so how often should that be done??? thank you in advance

1/20/2015 6:32:59 PM

Tasmania Australia

Just found out this information myself.
Apparently the leaves can take in more food from the underside of the leaves.
I have started doing mine every second - third day depending on how the leaves look.
Something like fish fertilizer Mondays, Calcium Wednesdays, Potassium / Phosphorous type fertilizer Fridays.
I am trying about 3/4 under the leaf and a 1/4 ontop.

Seams to be working so far, but more experienced growers here might be able to correct me if i am wrong.

1/21/2015 12:30:45 AM

Tasmania, Australia

When foliar feeding, has anyone experimented with using organosilicone adjuvants/surfactants? (eg. Pulse by Nufarm) I always mix some when spraying systemic insecticides and herbicides for increases absorption. You can visually see the spray getting sucked onto the surface of the leaf instead of beading and running off.

1/21/2015 12:41:25 AM

Tasmania Australia

Is that like a wetting agent?
Sort of like they use on apple tress when spraying them, helps to absorb water

1/21/2015 2:36:58 AM

Springfield, Missouri

Yep, dish soap. I use a couple drops per gallon, and it works great.

1/21/2015 2:51:26 AM

Plymouth, Mass.

Does dish soap work as well as a commercial sticker spreader?

1/21/2015 12:32:27 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Depends on who you ask..the purpose of the sticker/speader is to bind the ingredients to whatever you are spraying. Dish Soap often contains nonionic surfactants. It does the same thing, is it as effective as a commercial sticker. I think it would matter if we were spraying 100's of acres.

1/21/2015 1:32:45 PM

West Paris Me.

Linus, LD, are there dish soap brands that would be better than others? In others words would a strong degreaser like Dawn be something to avoid vs something else?

1/24/2015 3:52:02 PM

Tasmania, Australia

http://www.flairform.com/hints/foliar_sprays.htm
good info on the importance of wetting agents.
If you are worried about dish soap, maybe ask a local farmer for a small bottle of spray wetting agent, will have a recommended mix rate as well.

1/24/2015 4:13:52 PM

N S W Australia

thanks guys; that rings a bell, i put dishwashing liquid in with grazon, when i am spraying lantana on my property,so it sticks to the leaves, therefore working better; and it is much cheaper than the surfactant they sell you in the country shop.

1/24/2015 5:34:06 PM