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Today we will make a cocktail solution as a foliar fertilizer spray for instantly energizing our growing plants. This not only make your plant grow faster, but also produces loads of flowering and fruiting. And everything you see in the video are based on scientific concepts and research. The main advantage of this magic foliar spray is that its independent of your soil PH.
Basic Concepts for Making the Foliar Fertilizer Liquid
Well, before I show you the actual recipe or the formula for the magic solution, you must understand some basic concepts. Please don’t skip these 5 points; I will try to make them as short and simple as possible, especially for beginners.
What is Foliar Spray?
Foliage means leaves! So the term foliar spray refers to spraying a liquid fertilizer directly onto your plants’ leaves. This method helps in the absorption of essential elements like calcium and magnesium through the stomata, which are pores found in the epidermis of leaves. Stomata assist in nutrient absorption and gas exchange.
Calcium and Its Importance
Calcium is a crucial component of a plant’s cell wall, making it essential for cell division and growth, especially in rapid growers like tomatoes. Therefore, we will include calcium in our mix.
Magnesium and Its Importance
Magnesium is the central atom in chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for photosynthesis, which is essential for plant food production. We will include magnesium in our mix using organic Epsom salt.
Soil pH Concept
Soil pH affects nutrient absorption, but when it comes to foliar sprays, pH is not a concern because nutrients are absorbed through the leaves.
Eggshells and Kitchen Waste
Some experts recommend applying eggshells and calcium tablets to the soil, or making a smoothie with kitchen waste. While this might seem unscientific for direct application, using such waste in a compost bin can accelerate composting. Foliar feeding can be a good alternative if your plants are not performing well despite your best efforts.
The Recipe for the Magic Liquid Fertilizer
Here’s the formula for creating your magic fertilizer solution. I’ll list the ingredients and briefly explain their benefits:
- Water: Use 1 liter of water as the base for the solution.
- Milk: Use skimmed milk, raw milk, or even spoiled milk. Dilute it to less than 20 percent (1:5 ratio) — about 100 to 200 ml of milk per liter of water. Milk provides calcium, acts as an antifungal, and can help treat diseases like powdery mildew and blossom end rot. Alternatively, use the calcium-rich water left after boiling eggs.
- Epsom Salt: Add up to 5 grams (less than a teaspoon) of Epsom salt per liter of water. Epsom salt is a great source of magnesium and sulfur.
- Compost Tea: Add compost tea to provide major NPK elements. To make compost tea, add a handful of decomposed manure or compost (like cow dung powder or vermicompost) per liter of water. Brew it for at least 1 week, stirring daily to oxygenate. Strain the liquid and use it. For this recipe, dilute the compost tea to 1:5 in water and add about 1 liter to the mixture.
Mix all ingredients thoroughly and transfer to a spray bottle or electric sprayer. Apply the foliar feed early in the morning or late in the evening when leaf stomata are open for optimal absorption.
Please watch video below demonstrating how to make liquid fertilizer for plants.
