While plants that are grown in the ground can pick up some nutrients through the soil, plants grown hydroponically, or in soilless mediums, must rely on the gardener to supply them with the food they need for growth. One of the ways that you can apply fertilizer to your hydroponically grown plants is to try foliar fertilizers. They are easy to use and can produce great results.
Foliar fertilizers are simply a form of fertilizer that is delivered as a spray to the plant's leaves. You will find that both synthetic and organic foliar spray fertilizers are available for the hydroponic gardener to use. If you are growing flowers or other non-edible plants, then you might choose a synthetic fertilizer, but many people are making the switch to organic foliar fertilizers for several reasons. Organic foliar fertilizer is easier on the environment, because all types of excess fertilizers eventually end up in storm drains and out in waterways, so using organic products like organic foliar plant foods is a better choice for protecting the wildlife that lives in the water and uses the water at riverside. Organic foliar spray is also a great choice if you are growing vegetables and fruits, because whatever you spray on the outside of an edible plant will end up inside your body, so by using organic foliar fertilizer you can be sure that you are not introducing any synthetic chemicals into your body via the foods you eat. These are both big reasons why the shopping public is interested in purchasing organically grown foods, so if your hydroponically grown products will be going to market, it bears keeping this in mind when you select foliar fertilizers.
Another reason why hydroponic growers like foliar fertilizers is because they can be readily absorbed by the plants. The ease with which a plant can take in nutrients plays a large role in how quickly the plant grows and develops mature fruits and flowers. Foliar sprays are also very easy to use. It is a simple matter to mix your organic foliar fertilizer with water, place it in a sprayer, and take care of your plants' food needs quickly and simply.
All good foliar sprays will contain both macro and micro nutrients necessary for plant growth and development. Adjustments in the proportions of macro nutrients in the foliar spray fertilizers can play a role in encouraging plants to create lush foliage, a great idea if you are growing lettuce or ornamental grasses, or flowers and fruits, which is what a market gardener needs.
Check online for sources for your favorite foliar feeding products for hydroponic plants.
Author Resource:
Collin Roydon has been working in the field of Hydroponics and indoor gardening over 10 years. In this article he writes about Foliar fertilizer and Organic foliar spray .