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• Disadvantages of foliar feeding (cons)
• Application of foliar feeding
• Dosage foliar feeding

Foliar feeding, also called ‘foliar fertilization’, is seen as another method to apply fertilizers to the plant besides the regular method (through the plant’s roots). When a (temporary) need for change in fertilization is remarked, this is often caused by a poor intake of nutrition by the crop’s roots. This can be caused by the following factors: 

• Low evaporation
• Too wet/dry substrate
• Weak roots (susceptible for diseases e.g.)
• Quick plant growth 
• Young and underdeveloped roots
• High pH in the root environment
• High pressure on the crop due to stress factors

One or more of these factors could result in the necessity to change to foliage fertilizers. Foliar fertilization can happen through the stomata, trichomes, layer of wax on the leaf (cuticula), or through the intake and supply of the plant cells (endocytosis). The method that is ‘used’ eventually, is dependent on the fertilizer. Read here more about different types of fertilizers for horticulture and about organic fertilizers. One of these manners is activated by the specific fertilizer that is used.  

In order to be able to determine if foliar fertilizers are suitable in your situation, a consideration should be made, based on the pros and cons. Some help is offered by our fertilizer specialist by listing the ins and outs of foliar feeding below: 

A few of the benefits of foliar feeding or foliar fertilization are:

• Quick intake of nutrients
• Low amount of energy needed for transport of nutrients, because the nutrients are in the right place immediately
• Also non-mobile nutritional elements remain in the plant
• High utilization of nutritional elements
• No risk for fixation in the soil or substrate
  

Some disadvantages of foliar feeding / fertilization are:

• Limited intake of nutritional elements
• Solely applicable in low dosages
• No after-effects, so repetition in application is necessary
• Increased risk for leaf damage or burning

It is important to know that foliar fertilization could also occur by nature. This is the case when the phyllo sphere (micro biology on the leaf) of a crop is arranged properly. Micro organisms are able to convert dead lice, insects and other organisms into nutrition, which after that can be taken in through the plant's leaf easily.

Several things should be taken into account when switching to foliar feeding. This should be done under high pressure, but with a fine and delicate drip. This, so that damage to the crop can be prevented. When use of a large drip is made, the risk for leaf damage is increased. Drops are believed to have a ‘prism effect’, leading to a risk of burning the leafs. When making use of foliar feeding, take into consideration: 

• Irradiance. High concentrations of sodium combined with a rapid evaporation could lead to burning of the leafs.
• Composition of the foliar nutrition. Make use of water soluble fertilizers and trace elements. A layer of dust could remain on the leaf, when a non-suitable fertilizer such as a granular fertilizer, is chosen. Because pH is not relevant on leafs, both chelated trace elements and trace elements in the form of sulphate can be used. 
• Thickness of the wax layer on the leaf. When this layer of wax is too thick, an obstruction in the effect of the fertilizer, in terms of intake, is seen.
• Age of the leaf. A variation in the intake of nutritional elements is seen for older and younger leafs. 
• Humidity and temperature. Nutrition is taken in better by the plant, in an environment with high humidity and a temperature around 20°C. 
• Moment of application. When the pressure in the leafs is high (turgor pressure), nutrition is taken in the best. Therefore, this pressure should always be monitored.
• Method of application. In order to remain an optimal effect, foliar feeding should never be mixed with chemical products. Besides, application under high pressure is preferred in comparison to sprinkling from above.

If the pH value is taken into consideration during the cultivation, you can easily correct the pH of both water and substrates when too acidic or alkaline. The pH value ensures a very precise correction when the pH has to be raised or lowered.
However, the correction of the pH value cannot always be done in the same manner. This is partially dependent on the liquid or substrate, in which the pH has to be corrected. 

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