Archive for the 'Nutrients and Fertilization' Category

Tips for Foliar Spraying

April 02nd, 2011 Comments(0)

Here are guidelines for foliar spraying:

• When mixing up your formulation, whether mineral, organic fertilization, or compost tea, use non-chlorinated, well-oxygenated water. Bubble air through chlorinated water or leave it to off -gas overnight. You can try using seltzer in your foliar spray to give plants an added CO2 boost.
• Make sure mineral ingredients are dissolved and the solution is very dilute. Chemicals in high concentration tend to “burn” foliage and leave a salt residue. Compost teas need to be diluted 10 to 1.
• Add a natural surfactant or wetting agent to help the solution fl ow over and stick to foliage. Yucca is a natural surfactant and is often a component of compost teas. Use true organic soaps such as Dr. Bronner’s, Tom’s, or Pangea. The great majority of other soaps contain detergents that do not break down easily.
• Young transplants prefer a more alkaline solution (pH 7.0) while older growth prefers a somewhat more acid spray (pH 6.2). Use baking soda to the raise pH of your spray and apple cider vinegar to lower it.
• Spray with a fine sprayer for foliar fertilization and with a coarser, low-pressure sprayer for compost tea. The microbes in compost tea need large protective water droplets. Apply in the early morning or evening when the stomata are open. Do not spray if the temperature is over 80ºF (~27ºC) or in the bright sun. Harsh ultraviolet rays can kill microbes in compost tea.
• Cover at least 70 percent of the foliage, paying particular attention to the under surfaces of the leaves.
• Apply foliar fertilization or sprayed compost tea every two to three weeks during the growing season.

Nutrient Lockout and How to Avoid It

February 10th, 2008 Comments(1)

To understand the mechanics of nutrient lockout and how to prevent it from occurring, you must first have a basic understanding of how plants take in nutrients. (WARNING! Science content!) Most of a plants sustenance is taken in through the roots through a process called osmosis. Osmosis is the physical process by which a solution of low concentration translocates through a semi-permeable membrane to a solution of higher concentration on the other side of the membrane. This process is what allows roots to absorb water from the surrounding soil. As osmosis occurs, energy is released and used to fuel plant growth. Now enter nutrient lockout.

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Macro and Micro Nutrients Explained

January 26th, 2008 Comments(0)

Macronutrients
Macronutrients are the core elements that are most needed by plants. The three major macronutrients are: Nitrogen “N”, Phosphorus “P”, and Potassium “K”. If you have ever purchased any type of fertilizer, then you will recognize these letters. All fertilizers consist of these elements in varying quantities. This is also referred to as the N-P-K ratio of the fertilizer and can be found on the side of the bag (20-20-20). Based on these three numbers you can choose a fertilizer that meets the needs of your plants during the different stages of growth. Most vegetables thrive primarily on “N” and “P” during the vegetative stage and in their flowering-stage, “P” and “K”.

Micronutrients
In addition to macronutrients, plants also require trace-elements for optimum growth. These trace-elements or micronutrients include:

  • Calcium – Ca
  • Magnesium – Mg
  • Sulfur -S
  • Manganese – Mn
  • Boron – B
  • Zinc – Zn
  • Copper – Cu

They are present in many fertilizers, but in much less quantities than macronutrients.