I really appreciate you sharing the science and published results. So many things that work in one garden don't have the same results in others and it's great to see someone come out and set reasonable expectations. Many thanks!
There is so much contradictory information on the internet that it's always best do to your own additional research before spending time and money on the next best thing. I've never used a foliar spray but am using compost tea this year on all my vegetables. So far I can't tell if it's making any difference or not yet many gardeners swear by it. What I have noticed is that vegetables planted in inground new beds (first time this year) are doing much better than those in the 12" raised beds that I've used for 4 years. I'm not sure what I can infer from this yet but will definitely make more inground beds next year. I've been gardening for over 20 years and continue to think I will never know enough 😆
I had a foliar fertilizer spray specifically marketed for orchids but what really helped my plants was giving them a half-strength regular houseplant soluble fertilizer to their roots. My orchid had a good burst of growth after I did this and sent up two bloom stocks. I've never done any foliar feeding in my outdoor gardens and I have good success with my flowers and vegetables. I use lots of rotted manure and compost, and supplement with some granular or soluble fertilizer at peak growing times.
I use worm compost extract diluted to do a preventative for mildews. It does seem to keep the plants healthier and mildew down. I am in the PNW where rain and wind are almost perfect for mildews. I spray top and bottom, dilution ratio 10-1. All this summer due to the cold, wet spring I have been boosting my potted plants outdoors with an activated compost extract. So far my cucumbers are mildew free, thankfully.
That's a bit different though, that's a foliar spray not foliar feeding. Studies do show that foliar sprays can help reduce disease in plants. For example, there have been a number of studies on the benefits of foliar sprays containing the bacteria Bacillus subtilis.
Thank you a scientifically guided mini lecture. I have a science based background and love this type of lesson. I'm w new gardener and this is so useful to me.
I use foliar feeding for emergency use to help troubleshoot nutrient deficiencies and to help stressed plants recover quicker while I correct the soil problems.
This is why I still subscribe to Master Gardener Scott, he speaks with SCIENCE! Science is what separates a master gardener and the average youtube gardener.
Again, Gardener Scott, you're singing to the choir. All the crap out their, good soil is all you need. I do disagree with soil test, only because it tells you the available nutrients, it's the soil microbes that will unleash all that nutrition for the plants. Giving the worse dirt on the planet, with the appropriate microbes ,will turn it into a virtual oasis. (Elaine Ingham) 1st year without blight on my tomatoes,(foliar fungus) because I paid more attention to my soil. Gardener Scott, you are such an asset to us newbie gardeners, have a very long and happy life and keep spitting out those videos!
I was actually recommended foliar feed from my local horticultural expert at uf/ifas. My well water is high in calcium and is blocking nutritional up take by the roots. Waiting on soil test to come back but she also expects it to be high alkalinity
Thank you for covering this topic. I’m an experienced gardener but never understood why foliar feeding was even useful. You used science based information to help explain it. I probably won’t use this method and stick with improving soil fertility and compost.
A timely video for me as I was thinking that maybe I needed to do foliar feeding. Nope, just need to focus on soil health. I do use fertilizers though because our soil is very poor. Really just sugar sand with some dust thrown in for good measure. And we're too cheap / poor to buy the amount of soil we'd need. So we just keep adding compost etc. Thank you for saving me time and $.
This is why I love your channel.Listened twice because this is fantastic information. Will stick with feeding the roots, though - admittedly, spraying is easier than mixing and pouring organic goos on each plant. May still try some foliar feeding on my potted plants and potted citrus trees and see what may (or may not happen). In the meantime, will keep working on amending to make the soil do the heavy lifting. : )
I have used folia feeds through out my life - late 50s now - to very useful effect. My understanding is commercial tomatoes growers regularly use folia-feeds.
This was a very interesting video. As you said, foliar feeding is terribly misunderstood. We have friends who swear by it, but they've never done side-by-side comparisons of their fruit trees, so they're really going on faith. Foliar feeding is OK for micronutrients, but NOT appropriate for N, P or K.
This is the best gardening info Ive heard since I started gardening. Makes perfect sense. Even a dumb gardener like myself took in your info. You nailed it. Just one thing though, if the leaves absorb through the day and expel at night, wouldnt it be best, if you were going to use liquid feed, do it early morning so the plant is absorbing the nutrients in?
Early morning is also a good time, but the stomata begin to close as temperature rises during the day, so some of the liquid may be wasted by evaporation and lack of absorption.
I foliar feed my grapevines in my vineyard because they take up all micronutrients far better through the leaves than the roots and if they are in a soil prone to leeching then you dont lose any of it if you foliar feed.
Advancing Eco Agriculture is a professional group that can triple photosynthesis. Start with balancing the soil's needs. The gardener's goal is to grow amazingly healthy soil. AEA uses sap analysis to see what the plant is missing in its sap at critical points in the plant's development. Then they use a well designed foliar spray that might typically cost $35 an acre that pays for itself in an increased yield that is superior in quality so the farmer is rewarded both for the better looking crop and the greater abundance. Also there is reduced need for pesticides.
Compost tea has pretty dramatic impacts on my plants. Not sure how it’s absorbed since I spray the leaves and soak the roots. I just know it does stuff
Gardener Scott, I have harvested my onions, carrots and garlic. I now want to use those beds for fall harvest. Planting beets, peas and kale. How much compost would you use to amend 4x8 beds?
For intermediate amending like that, an inch or two of compost worked into the soil at sowing can help. I save big amending, like 3-4 inches, until after the last harvest.
Thank you. This question just popped into my head. Does anyone know any articles on the physiology of foliar intake, whether sprays or atmospheric elements in general?
Miracle Grow, for years, used to advise soaking your plants’ leaves with their various fertilizers mixed in water. Today, I have three different versions of Miracle Grow and they all advise to, “soak soil around the roots,” and say nothing about wetting the leaves. Apparently they have concluded that foliar feeding isn’t much of a thing and is just wasting the product.
Some things dont require reserch or any university investigations because the farmers or gardeners who got profit from this is enough to proove the efficiency
This is in stark contrast to what Dr. Christine Jones (and others) is saying in her "Secrets of the soil sociobiome" lecture, specifically that "photosynthesis and plant root exudates are now recognised as the primary pathway for soil-building... if you're still thinking in terms of the classic soil foodweb model, you need to put that aside and think about the fungal energy channel". Also according to her, "plant root inputs build soil carbon 5 to 30 times faster than carbon derived from above-ground biomass."
That's a common method of feeding grass when it's actively growing. But it's also a reason why so much nitrogen fertilizer ends up washing into our waterways. If the soil is deficient in nutrients, granular fertilizers may be better.
Scott, my tomato plants are growing splendidly. However, while there are abundant flowers, they do not seem to go to fruit. There is a spray available to use on the plant that is purported to add the hormone necessary to enable the fruit to grow. Is that what the plants need? What else do you suggest?
It's more likely hot, dry, or windy conditions. Temperatures above 90F can cause blossoms to drop off. Hormone sprays won't make a difference if that's the issue. If you are having weather like that, shade cloth and consistent soil moisture can make a big difference.
30-50% shade i use 50% because it was cheaper when i bought it in the winter and seems stronger (because more material in the net).. tomatoes are doing great.. but mulch is also important .. for peppers not recomended
I think some, silica, CalMag and fish nitrates are good in a foliar spray and I swear by it. I grow soilless, and I like to do it during dryback so the kPa is only low when the plant isn't feeding. I don't want the stomata closed when they are feeding, but I don't care if they are closed beforehand. I like to open up my grow, spray them right away before it gets hot and then mix my nutrients. By the time the spray has evaporated it's time to feed. I didn't know it was only 15% though. That's interesting. It made me pause for a second, but then... I only mix about 250ml at a time, so the cost is about $0.03. I've also heard that silica is better absorbed through leaves. I'm not sure if that's true or not.
I planted 4year back blueberry, blackberry, cherry bush typ. But I’m not getting any berries when I planted that time I just dig hole and kept some compost and soil. And every year I’m putting some compost near by root area. I didn’t know that time that I have so other than this. Can you pls help? I thought that I need foiler spray but after this video I’m confuse what to do.
I've been wondering the same thing. Some garden channels I like to watch will talk about how we need to use gardening methods that mimic nature. I could be wrong, but I've never seen foliar spraying in nature.
He is in Zone 5B in Colorado. It's on the channel description in the "About" tab. I've found that if the poster doesn't specify their zone in the video, usually you can find it on the channel page under the about tab.
Is it really that much of a waste even at less than half efficient? Genuinely asking as I'm questioning this with my intuition rather than having the facts. Many of the things you feed plants are minerals. Meaning that even if the water dries the food is still on the leaves to be rained on and drip down into the soil. Perhaps with a wider footprint that allows some of it to go to grass or weeds, but it shouldn't be lost. You've foliar fed and wasted it. No, it's still there.
BRILLIANT information on folier feeding Scott. You nailed this one. so much good info passed on to the community. Great job mate
Thanks, Tony!
Foiler feeding is very effective for me at every step ..
I always use foiler feeding and it never disappoint me
same and come to think of it if weedicide can kill a plant through folair spray same foliar fertilizer will work
Great lesson on foliar feeding & science! Keep up the awesome gardening lessons Scott! 🌱👍
I really appreciate you sharing the science and published results. So many things that work in one garden don't have the same results in others and it's great to see someone come out and set reasonable expectations. Many thanks!
This is the kind of through of information I love you for. Best gardening channel on TH-cam.
Thank you Scott. That has cleared up a lot of questions I was weighing about the merits of this technique.
There is so much contradictory information on the internet that it's always best do to your own additional research before spending time and money on the next best thing. I've never used a foliar spray but am using compost tea this year on all my vegetables. So far I can't tell if it's making any difference or not yet many gardeners swear by it.
What I have noticed is that vegetables planted in inground new beds (first time this year) are doing much better than those in the 12" raised beds that I've used for 4 years. I'm not sure what I can infer from this yet but will definitely make more inground beds next year. I've been gardening for over 20 years and continue to think I will never know enough 😆
Finally some great and honest information on foliar feeding. There is more to it than people think. Very informative!
I had a foliar fertilizer spray specifically marketed for orchids but what really helped my plants was giving them a half-strength regular houseplant soluble fertilizer to their roots. My orchid had a good burst of growth after I did this and sent up two bloom stocks. I've never done any foliar feeding in my outdoor gardens and I have good success with my flowers and vegetables. I use lots of rotted manure and compost, and supplement with some granular or soluble fertilizer at peak growing times.
I use worm compost extract diluted to do a preventative for mildews. It does seem to keep the plants healthier and mildew down. I am in the PNW where rain and wind are almost perfect for mildews. I spray top and bottom, dilution ratio 10-1. All this summer due to the cold, wet spring I have been boosting my potted plants outdoors with an activated compost extract. So far my cucumbers are mildew free, thankfully.
That's a bit different though, that's a foliar spray not foliar feeding. Studies do show that foliar sprays can help reduce disease in plants. For example, there have been a number of studies on the benefits of foliar sprays containing the bacteria Bacillus subtilis.
Thank you a scientifically guided mini lecture. I have a science based background and love this type of lesson. I'm w new gardener and this is so useful to me.
I use foliar feeding for emergency use to help troubleshoot nutrient deficiencies and to help stressed plants recover quicker while I correct the soil problems.
I have really struggled with foliar Fertilizer. thanks for the information
Great info. I stopped doing foliar feeding after doing an experiment last year. There were no differences in the plants that didn't get it.
This is why I still subscribe to Master Gardener Scott, he speaks with SCIENCE!
Science is what separates a master gardener and the average youtube gardener.
Thanks Scott, answered my question nicely!
Again, Gardener Scott, you're singing to the choir.
All the crap out their, good soil is all you need.
I do disagree with soil test, only because it tells you the available nutrients, it's the soil microbes that will unleash all that nutrition for the plants. Giving the worse dirt on the planet, with the appropriate microbes ,will turn it into a virtual oasis. (Elaine Ingham)
1st year without blight on my tomatoes,(foliar fungus) because I paid more attention to my soil.
Gardener Scott, you are such an asset to us newbie gardeners, have a very long and happy life and keep spitting out those videos!
I was actually recommended foliar feed from my local horticultural expert at uf/ifas. My well water is high in calcium and is blocking nutritional up take by the roots. Waiting on soil test to come back but she also expects it to be high alkalinity
i watched 3 or 4 useless videos until i finally found what im looking for-- scientific thinking! thanks scott!
Lots of new information and food for thought for me. Thank you for an interesting and thought provoking video
Thank you for covering this topic. I’m an experienced gardener but never understood why foliar feeding was even useful. You used science based information to help explain it. I probably won’t use this method and stick with improving soil fertility and compost.
A timely video for me as I was thinking that maybe I needed to do foliar feeding. Nope, just need to focus on soil health. I do use fertilizers though because our soil is very poor. Really just sugar sand with some dust thrown in for good measure. And we're too cheap / poor to buy the amount of soil we'd need. So we just keep adding compost etc. Thank you for saving me time and $.
More great stuff from GS. Thanks.
This is why I love your channel.Listened twice because this is fantastic information. Will stick with feeding the roots, though - admittedly, spraying is easier than mixing and pouring organic goos on each plant. May still try some foliar feeding on my potted plants and potted citrus trees and see what may (or may not happen). In the meantime, will keep working on amending to make the soil do the heavy lifting. : )
Great info! I've never experimented with foliar feed and now I know I must likely don't need to . Thx for the facts!
I have used folia feeds through out my life - late 50s now - to very useful effect.
My understanding is commercial tomatoes growers regularly use folia-feeds.
This was a very interesting video. As you said, foliar feeding is terribly misunderstood. We have friends who swear by it, but they've never done side-by-side comparisons of their fruit trees, so they're really going on faith. Foliar feeding is OK for micronutrients, but NOT appropriate for N, P or K.
This is the best gardening info Ive heard since I started gardening. Makes perfect sense. Even a dumb gardener like myself took in your info. You nailed it. Just one thing though, if the leaves absorb through the day and expel at night, wouldnt it be best, if you were going to use liquid feed, do it early morning so the plant is absorbing the nutrients in?
Early morning is also a good time, but the stomata begin to close as temperature rises during the day, so some of the liquid may be wasted by evaporation and lack of absorption.
@@GardenerScott Yep, understand now. Thank you for the reply. 👍
Straight up good info! Thanks for your efforts.
I foliar feed my grapevines in my vineyard because they take up all micronutrients far better through the leaves than the roots and if they are in a soil prone to leeching then you dont lose any of it if you foliar feed.
Extremely helpful information!
Thank you, I see many other videos that recommend to do that and 3 weeks ago I burned some of my plants. Thank you again for the great information
Advancing Eco Agriculture is a professional group that can triple photosynthesis. Start with balancing the soil's needs. The gardener's goal is to grow amazingly healthy soil. AEA uses sap analysis to see what the plant is missing in its sap at critical points in the plant's development. Then they use a well designed foliar spray that might typically cost $35 an acre that pays for itself in an increased yield that is superior in quality so the farmer is rewarded both for the better looking crop and the greater abundance. Also there is reduced need for pesticides.
Compost tea has pretty dramatic impacts on my plants. Not sure how it’s absorbed since I spray the leaves and soak the roots. I just know it does stuff
Gardener Scott, I have harvested my onions, carrots and garlic. I now want to use those beds for fall harvest. Planting beets, peas and kale. How much compost would you use to amend 4x8 beds?
For intermediate amending like that, an inch or two of compost worked into the soil at sowing can help. I save big amending, like 3-4 inches, until after the last harvest.
@@GardenerScott thank you sir!
Thank you. This question just popped into my head. Does anyone know any articles on the physiology of foliar intake, whether sprays or atmospheric elements in general?
Question bed prep for next year is it better in the fall, compost, manure, ,fertilizer etc or better in the spring?
I think it's better in fall. That gives more time for microbes to break down the material so the bed can be planted in spring.
Thank you
Miracle Grow, for years, used to advise soaking your plants’ leaves with their various fertilizers mixed in water. Today, I have three different versions of Miracle Grow and they all advise to, “soak soil around the roots,” and say nothing about wetting the leaves. Apparently they have concluded that foliar feeding isn’t much of a thing and is just wasting the product.
Thanks!
Wow! Thanks, Brian!
Some things dont require reserch or any university investigations because the farmers or gardeners who got profit from this is enough to proove the efficiency
I've noticed my papaya tends to do better when I water the leaveas as well as the roots.
Are you a Master Gardener.
I am. I went through the Master Gardener training in 2004
This is in stark contrast to what Dr. Christine Jones (and others) is saying in her "Secrets of the soil sociobiome" lecture, specifically that "photosynthesis and plant root exudates are now recognised as the primary pathway for soil-building... if you're still thinking in terms of the classic soil foodweb model, you need to put that aside and think about the fungal energy channel". Also according to her, "plant root inputs build soil carbon 5 to 30 times faster than carbon derived from above-ground biomass."
This video is inline with that. The soil biome is important and nutrients are absorbed through the roots and soil, not the leaves.
@@GardenerScott I'm still trying to figure it out. Thank you very much!
Thanks for the video, would foliar feeding work on grass?
That's a common method of feeding grass when it's actively growing. But it's also a reason why so much nitrogen fertilizer ends up washing into our waterways. If the soil is deficient in nutrients, granular fertilizers may be better.
Scott, my tomato plants are growing splendidly. However, while there are abundant flowers, they do not seem to go to fruit. There is a spray available to use on the plant that is purported to add the hormone necessary to enable the fruit to grow. Is that what the plants need? What else do you suggest?
It's more likely hot, dry, or windy conditions. Temperatures above 90F can cause blossoms to drop off. Hormone sprays won't make a difference if that's the issue. If you are having weather like that, shade cloth and consistent soil moisture can make a big difference.
30-50% shade
i use 50% because it was cheaper when i bought it in the winter and seems stronger (because more material in the net).. tomatoes are doing great.. but mulch is also important ..
for peppers not recomended
I think some, silica, CalMag and fish nitrates are good in a foliar spray and I swear by it. I grow soilless, and I like to do it during dryback so the kPa is only low when the plant isn't feeding. I don't want the stomata closed when they are feeding, but I don't care if they are closed beforehand. I like to open up my grow, spray them right away before it gets hot and then mix my nutrients. By the time the spray has evaporated it's time to feed.
I didn't know it was only 15% though. That's interesting. It made me pause for a second, but then... I only mix about 250ml at a time, so the cost is about $0.03.
I've also heard that silica is better absorbed through leaves. I'm not sure if that's true or not.
I planted 4year back blueberry, blackberry, cherry bush typ. But I’m not getting any berries when I planted that time I just dig hole and kept some compost and soil. And every year I’m putting some compost near by root area. I didn’t know that time that I have so other than this. Can you pls help? I thought that I need foiler spray but after this video I’m confuse what to do.
Compost and mulch on soil can help perennial plants, but it may take time if the soil is deficient in nutrients at the start,
@@GardenerScott
Thank you so much for your reply. So now what should I do? Can I dig them out and plant in container?
What do you use the garden mailbox for?
Storage of hand tools
It's for some tools. Here's the video on it: th-cam.com/video/IIrpGCqcc6E/w-d-xo.html
Does foliar feeding exist in nature?
I've been wondering the same thing. Some garden channels I like to watch will talk about how we need to use gardening methods that mimic nature. I could be wrong, but I've never seen foliar spraying in nature.
@@wildersupplycohmm does rain count ? Does rain fountain nutrients ?
It rains, there could be runoff nutrients from different sources… for example there could be bird poop on a leaf that runs off when wet
Hi Scott .. which zone are you in?
Thanks!
He is in Zone 5B in Colorado. It's on the channel description in the "About" tab.
I've found that if the poster doesn't specify their zone in the video, usually you can find it on the channel page under the about tab.
@@sbffsbrarbrr thank you! am pretty new to TH-cam 🙂
I'm in 5b.
@@GardenerScott thank you 🙂👍
Is aloe Vera foliar spray good?
I haven't seen any research on that.
First thing you need is a composter. Or you just build a pile of it. And thats pretty much all you need accept a little elbow power
water solubilize fertilizer works as folier feeding
Is it really that much of a waste even at less than half efficient? Genuinely asking as I'm questioning this with my intuition rather than having the facts. Many of the things you feed plants are minerals. Meaning that even if the water dries the food is still on the leaves to be rained on and drip down into the soil. Perhaps with a wider footprint that allows some of it to go to grass or weeds, but it shouldn't be lost. You've foliar fed and wasted it. No, it's still there.
It isn't a waste, but there are more efficient ways to provide plant nutrients.
The all mighty contradictor...
Saw you complaining on Gardening In Canada's channel, too. I know winter sucks, but get a life.