Foliar sprays on houseplants

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Shule
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Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2019 3:29 pm
Location: SW Idaho, USA

Foliar sprays on houseplants

#1

Post: # 43513Unread post Shule
Tue Mar 23, 2021 6:30 pm

I've decided I like doing foliar sprays on houseplants.

Pros:
* You don't have to time it with the watering. No worry of overwatering. Some plants might not need water very time you want to fertilize.
* It's harder to over-fertilize.
* It's also a misting of your plant.
* You don't have to worry about what's available in the soil.
* You don't have to do worry about it influencing the soil pH or killing soil microbes.
* If you have a smaller pot and a larger plant, it probably gets more fertilizer to the plant.
* It feeds the plant quickly.
* One spray bottle of fertilizer can last through many fertilizations. You can spread it out a lot longer.

Cons:
* The leaves might look like they need polishing afterward.
* It's easy to spray walls and stuff on accident.
* You might have to wear goggles and a mask for some fertilizers. Also, be sure to turn off any fans you have going before you start, and make sure pets, children and other people are not there.
* Not all fertilizers can be given as a foliar spray.
* Most foliar sprays are with synthetic fertilizers.

Anyway, I've been trying it out with Ammonium sulfate, but I recently switched to calcium nitrate. Calcium nitrate is one of those dangerous ones to get in your eyes and lungs, but I like the results on the plants! I've just been putting the phosphorus, potassium, and other stuff in the soil.
Location: SW Idaho, USA
Climate: BSk
USDA hardiness zone: 6
Elevation: 2,260 feet

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Shule
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Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2019 3:29 pm
Location: SW Idaho, USA

Re: Foliar sprays on houseplants

#2

Post: # 57479Unread post Shule
Wed Nov 17, 2021 3:51 am

While I still like doing foliar sprays on houseplants (mostly just with calcium nitrate; it gives a very fast growth boost), I don't recommend doing it unless you're okay with showering your plants off once in a while, since it does leave a residue. Fertilizing the soil with other things works pretty well (no need to do foliar sprays there).
Location: SW Idaho, USA
Climate: BSk
USDA hardiness zone: 6
Elevation: 2,260 feet

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Cole_Robbie
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Re: Foliar sprays on houseplants

#3

Post: # 57501Unread post Cole_Robbie
Wed Nov 17, 2021 1:36 pm

Fulvic acid is popular in foliar sprays. The molecule is smaller than humic acid, so it is thought to be absorbed better.

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