i am curious as to how much and how often to foliage feed my brugs? can I use the same liquid fertilizer I use to feed the roots? should i dilute it? do i douse the plant or just give it a light mist?
thanks for any advice,
cue
Foliage Feeding - How Much and How Often?
if you'dlike to spray daily.. try using the recipe pick one of the ones any number of our brug comunity use.. or concoct your own..
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/956114/
i did read thru that thread, but it doesnt really answer my question on how often to foliage feed. i fertilize the soil once a week, is that sufficient for foliage feeding as well?
Take a look at the label on the fertilizer package. The dilution amounts given are meant to be poured on the soil and may be too strong to be used on leaves. See if a weaker solution is given for foliar feeding. Some DGers have been using the Recipe daily with great success.
I did some research on foliar feeding when kenboy first posted the Recipe. You still have to feed the roots on a regular basis. I read an article on an".edu" site that relying solely on foliar feeding can lead to a root/top imbalance where the roots can no longer support the size of the top growth.
I planned on continue the root feeding, but wasnt sure if i should foliage feed at the same time i root feed, or foliage feed more often. i have a bag of bloom booster, the type you hook up to your hose. i assume this is also good for foliage feeding since its going to get on leaves anyway when you water. it would cost me more than I am willing to spend right now to gather all the ingredients to make those homemade recipes...lol. guess i shall have to collect them one at a time when they go on sale until i have all the ingredients to make the fertilizer :)
Brugs have a greater need for nitrogen. To get those large leaves, nitrogen is a must. Most bloom boosters don't have much in the way of nitrogen and provide mostly phosphates. You might consider using the bloom booster later after the Brug is growing well and already has those big leaves.
Since Brugs are heavy feeders using a complete or all purpose fertilizer with all the micro-nutrients would be cheaper. Bloom Booster fertilizers are more expensive and are really not necessary for Brugs.
ok, since they like nitrogen.. would mulching the container theya re in with grass clippings be beneficial?
any suggestions on the all purpose plant fertilizer?
You live in Florida, If you have access to a horse farm: you can get some aged horse manure
either put it around the plant or make a Manure tea to water it with. Put the manure in a cloth bag, put it in a 5 gal. bucket , fill with water. Let it set a day or two and "viola" manure tea. I use a watering can and if you are araid it may be to "Strong" just add some water to the watering container and dip in a cup or so of the tea. See if that may help you. It has helped my Brug. I just put the manure around it but I have made the tea before. You can use it on most plants. Charleen Good luck Cue_Chik
Anything that hasn't been composted will actually draw nitrogen from the soil until decomposition is complete. It is better to place the clippings into your compose pile. Plants can't t tell where the nutrients come from as long as they get what they need. Make sure any manure you use is well composted. Also realize that Brugs will still need other sources of nutrients besides manure.
Yes, I have different kinds(of manure) in several stages. I love that which is composted down to soil. It is so light ; plants love it. Just have to keep it in a corner til it has done it's thing. I have a terrible time with miracle grow, I use a very weak solution, so I don't burn my plants. Bettydee, my brug finally has a Y and I am anxiously waiting the blooms. What other sources of nutrients do they need? My Orange Brug has grown so tall. It isn't branching out but it is tall. This is it's second year. Last year it bloomed but it was much smaller. I didn't know it needed so much water and food. Hopefuly I haven't overdone it. So far it is pretty and green. Thanks for all help.
Epson salt in your water will work wonders.
i've heard that too... I may try that along with Shultz All purpose liquid food. my brugs look healthy, other than the occasional inch worm that eats a whole in the leaf before i have time to squish it, but wanted to give them the best possible chance to bloom.
Epsom salts, I hadn't thought of that. Hmmmm. I know when we plant our tomatoes we put a little bit around the plant , maybe a tbsp. It helps them. I shall have to give it a try. Thanks
I add a small amount of epsom salts to the Miracle Grow fertilizer every once in a while and don't have another chore to worry about.