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Carnivorous Plants

foliar feeding

18 years ago

Simple question:

What is "Foliar feeding"? Does this refer to spraying liquid onto the leaves or how is it done? I am specifically interested in foliar feeding my nepenthes with diluted Superthrive.

Thanks.

Jon

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Comments (8)

back2eight
18 years ago
Yes, it is spraying it on the leaves, and you do it a lot more diluted than the bottle tells you to do for other kinds of plants.

Kristi
banjoman
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks Kristi.

Jon
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African Violet fertlizer is okay. Any ferlizer when used on leaves I suggest trying 1/8 to 1/4 strength. Yes spray early in day. Do not spray on days it can't dry by evening. Spray extra some days and tip the crown down in for instance Phalenopsis so salts don't buildup. Idea is to flush the crown to not burn new leaves generating there. Avoid High Salt fertilizers like Miracle Gro solid forms so salt doesn't build up faster than normal. All non arid climate tropical plants have stomata and can likely take in foliar feeds. Yes both leave sides have stomata openings for gas exchange and with mositure uptake potential. Yes the highest density is typically underneath. Orchids often close stomata, at least partially, when at low light. And they need to fertilzer nutrients when light is present to metabolize and grow well. So best guess is AM, as the sun is coming up before you go to work, is a best compromize time to foliar feed.
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Was supposed to be a best thing to use on plants to grow for Show. Some people swear by it, some are in a total denial. I think it is working well on young plants to speed up their growth.
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necro1234
18 years ago
A good foliar feed is Epiphytes Delight
Its recommended to do half the strength that it says on the bottle.
So Epiphytes Delight is /14 Tbl spoon per gallon for biweekly/monthly feeding.
So for CP you would do 1/8 Tbl spoon per gallon.

Cheers

Sheldon
wildbill
18 years ago
For my Sarrs I use a weak solution of "Acid Fertilizer" for Azaleas, etc. For the Neps, I use a weak solution of "Orchid Fertilizer"

I put just a pinch into a 32 oz sprayer shake it and then mist the plants. Don't hit the sundews or VFTs.

Bill
townhouserOnt
18 years ago
How to avoid contact of fertilizing solution with substrate (sphagnum, peat moss, mixes) where CPs are planted? It is supposed to be kept without any salts, nitrogen's especially, isn't it?
I also would like to try foliar feeding for my 1-2 yrs old sarracenia seedlings, just can't imagine not hitting substrate by spray...
Thanks.
ahughes798
18 years ago
I understand that you're not supposed to give fertiliser to Sarrs at all, ever.
wildbill
18 years ago
The key is a very WEAK solution. Mist the plants, or into the pitchers - not the soil.
necro1234
18 years ago
Or use a Q-tip to "paint" the plant carefully, thus the problem with excess spray should not be a major issue.
Also if you do this monthly, the small amount that lands on the soil has never given me much hastle, if your soil mix is flushed well then the minerals should flush out of it.
I have successfully used Epiphytes Delight on Sarrs, Neps, VFTs and Sundews (except Adelae which dont like any) as per Peter D' Amota's recommandation.
My Sarrs (Yellow trumpet, Judith hindle, Rubra, Cobra Nest) had no proble, with the feeding and seemed to grow just fine.

Cant say if all "CP safe" foliar feeds would do the same though.

Cheers

Sheldon

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