What is Foliar Spraying and how is it important to my property?
The word Foliar means leaves. All plants have leaves of one form or another
and when you feed them through these leaves you are foliar spraying them. The idea is to
provide plants with important trace minerals, bacteria, enzymes, and elements necessary
for a healthy plant to grow. This Chapter will strictly discuss the application of
nutritional foliar sprayings and not the use of foliar sprayings concerning pest controls.
That subject is covered in the chapter on Pest controls.
About Seaweed (Kelp)
One of the best foliar sprays comes from Seaweed or Kelp. Seaweed has been
used for centuries as a fertilizer to grow mankind's food. The ancients all over the world
knew the value of the ocean and her importance to their survival.
Rock Dust Milk
Rock dust can be made into a liquid for spraying, see chapter on rock dust,
and pest controls.
To better understand the many ways to use this valuable resource, we must look to our
past.
A TRIP INTO THE PAST ISLAND LIVING
Anyone who has ever lived on an island quickly learns the value of the ocean.
Being surrounded by water, island living relies on the resources of the ocean. Mankind
quickly developed special relationships between themselves and the watery world. Food of
course was found in this world. Also found here were the ingredients to help man grow food
in the barren island soil. Seaweed was dried and used as a fertilizer, along with anything
and everything that came from the ocean.
American Indians
The American Indian learned the secrets of the world and passed this
knowledge to their children, and children's children. This knowledge was in part the power
that came from the ocean which could be harnessed into making plants grow better and
produce more. Their method of burying fish for the growing of their corn is well known.
This knowledge is still used by many people.
Peru
The barren land would not give to them unless they gave to her. Thus the
relationship between the peoples of Peru and the oceans would become a very important one.
Peru has a very ancient knowledge `pool' from which to choose. It is from this `pool'
given to them from ancient times, that they learned how to use the soil. By giving it the
richness of the ocean, the barren land would give untold food back in return.
Central America
The Mayan, and their precursor's the Olmec, flourished for a millennium along
Mexico's Gulf coast. The levels to which they brought agriculture and the special
relationships they developed with the ocean and the land bear a closer look. To understand
the reasons why this culture flourished completely intertwined with the ocean and the
earth around them, we must look at their relations with those around them.
Even though they were not travelers over water, they traded with those that were and
thus were able to extend their ability to control the Earth's production of valuable food.
Their land was well suited for food production and they quickly developed special food
producing areas which were used completely for this purpose. They developed special
"Gardeners" who did nothing but work on these fields. They knew the importance
of the ocean's nutritional values. They dried their own seaweed, as well as various ocean
creatures such as fish, squid, etc., which they often traded with the fishermen of nearby
Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and even little Belize. It was during the Classic Mayan
cultural period (A.D. 300 to 900) that the Mayans developed the art of agriculture to a
high degree.
Europe
Europeans were one of the earliest cultures to formally recognize the
importance of the ocean to their agricultural practices. This was due largely to the
masses of people that needed to feed themselves and to their ability to learn from others.
They used the oceans largesse to increase their production along with using animal manure
(of which they had a lot), which formed the basis for their agricultural production up
until the chemical revolution in the early 1900's. These folks also learned fast from
other cultures, as they were able seaman and traveled around the world, and would see many
wonderful things and this knowledge would return to their own lands, where it quickly
would spread like fire upon the land.
China
The mother land has known the secrets of the ocean since time itself began.
China is old and so is her knowledge of the ocean. All of the countries of this area knew
the ocean- India, Japan; all have learned to rely on the ocean and her bounty. The ocean
is very rich in trace minerals, enzymes, and bacteria as well as small amounts of
nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. This special mixture, when applied to plants/soil, has
the ability to release locked up minerals; improve the cation-exchange in the soil, and
has chelating abilities.
Seaweed is very high in Potash as well as Magnesium and other more exotic trace
minerals such as Boron, Barium, Chromium, Lead, Lithium, Nickel, Rubidium, Silver,
Strontium, Tin, Zinc, and even traces of Arsenic, Copper, Cobalt, Molybdenum and Vanadium;
all of which are important to proper plant growth as well as proper human
growth (over 70
are needed). All the elements that compose this earth can be found in the ocean (if you
look hard enough). Seaweed is important for this reason as a trace mineral source in
making compost. It is no wonder that the origin of life was in the ocean.
Here is a list of various natural seaweed products on the
market to date
A powder extract from ocean micro-algae (Ascophylum Nodosum). Easy to use. Excellent
for making your own Superseaweed!! Available from: Gardener's Supply
Kelp Extract (Algrow Brand) This is a special kelp extract designed for foliar
sprayings, is made from cold processed Norwegian Ascophythllum Seaweed. Cold processing
preserves higher levels of minerals and growth hormones than is found in other kelp
extracts. This kelp extract is one of the most potent extracts available on the market
today! A definite on your making your own Superseaweed list!! Available from many mail
order catalogs.
Maxicrop is an excellent kelp extract containing over 70 trace minerals,
growth hormones, cytokinins, auxins, vitamins, and enzymes. World famous as a foliar
feeder and plant stimulant. Contains 1% N, 0%P, and 3%K plus elements from the ocean.
Comes as a water soluble powder which mixes easily with water. Use « teaspoon per gallon
or also available as a Liquid concentrate. A must in making your own Superseaweed!
Available from: most mail order catalogs.
Nitro/Max Provides more efficient use of residual and applied nitrogen. A Non-toxic,
non-petroleum based liquid concentrate designed to increase the natural nitrogen cycle.
Available at J&J Agri-Products. Norwegian Kelp Meal (Algit brand) One of the best
sources of trace minerals. Contains over 70 trace minerals, plus plant growth regulator's,
vitamins, hormones and enzymes!! Harvested off the coast of Norway, the kelp meal is
washed, making it the lowest in sodium of any kelp meal. Can be made into a tea and
strained and sprayed on leaves of plants or best used as a soil additive. Right up there
on the top ten list for making your own Superseaweed! Available from :mail order catalogs.
Sea Crop/Sea Mix One of the best liquid seaweed's around. A must for making your own
Superseaweed! (Seamix is fish emulsion and liquid kelp, highly recommended!!) Available
from: Nitron Industries.. One of the few around without Urea.
Shur Crop Uses Icelandic Kelp Meal as a base. The nutrients are extracted by using a
slow fermentation process at a low temperature. This a very biologically active "kelp
beer" and must be kept cool. Ingredients: Icelandic Kelp meal, Leached shale,
Humates, Molasses, Coconut Oil, Pine Extracts, Onion and Garlic, Diastatic Malt, Yeasts
and lots of other goodies!! A great foliar spray for plants. Promotes quick recovery.
Works great with Superseaweed!! A must to make your own Superseaweed! Manufactured by
Hi-Bar LTD, P.O.Box Kusel Road, Oroville, Ca., 95965.
Other products from the ocean
Fish Emulsion one of my favorites is Atlas Brand, available at most nurseries.
Homegrown Brand 5-2-2. A great fish emulsion containing both macro elements and trace
minerals. This brand is available from most mail order catalogs.
Alaska Brand More Bloom 0-10-10. Alaska Bloom is a light fish base concentration high
in phosphorus and potassium that stimulates budding and blooming, to produce more fruits,
vegetables, and bigger flowers. Both are available from mail order catalogs.
Fish Meal Homegrown Brand is a good source of all major trace minerals and major
elements. Available from: most mail order catalogs.
Nitron Fish Emulsion A high Quality Fish emulsion. 5-0-0 A great Foliar feeder, no
urea! Available from: Nitron Industries
S Quanto's Secret 2-4-2 Fish Emulsion made from white fish.
SuperSeaweed™: Developed by The Invisible Gardener. The ocean has always been a
source of nourishment for the plant and animal kingdoms. The Oceans provide us with all
the trace minerals, enzymes and bacteria necessary for healthy human growth. Plants need
to have the same nutrients we do. Ingredients: SUPERSEAWEED is a blend of over five liquid
seaweed's from around the world, selected especially for their purity (no heavy metals,
toxin's, etc.). NOTHING TO POLLUTE OURSELVES OR THE ENVIRONMENT EXISTS IN THIS PRODUCT.
SUPERSEAWEED is a wetting agent. It makes water "wetter", allowing plants to
absorb more nutrients. Because your plants will be using their available fertilizer to
capacity, you will be reducing wasted, or unabsorbed fertilizer. Therefore, only « to 1/3
of your present dose of f organic fertilizer will be necessary. In itself, SUPERSEAWEED IS
NOT A FERTILIZER. SUPERSEAWEED is a special "biological activator"... by making
nutrients more available to your plants, they'll become stronger and healthier, reducing
plant stress, pest problems and fertilizer costs. Plants last longer and look better.
SUPERSEAWEED compliments both chemical and organic fertilizers. I, of course recommend
using organic fertilizers whenever possible. Use SUPERSEAWEED everywhere; flower and
vegetable gardens, houseplants, fruit trees, hydroponics systems; everywhere! INSTRUCTIONS
FOR USE: Do not shake! Use 1 capful per gallon water for all plants. Use once per week.
SEEDS: 1 drop per/gal; soak over-night to promote growth. COMPOST STARTER: 1 capful per
quart water per 1/2 cubic yard; to help make rich humus. GREENHOUSE: 2
capfuls per gal.
twice per week; use with inline feeder to spray leaves. VEGETABLES: 1
capful per gallon,
once per week; use only « usual organic fertilizer. LAWNS: 5 capfuls/gal. Excellent for
orchids, roses! (5 capful per gallon.) Available from: The Invisible Gardener. See address
in Resources Directory.
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1 There are many seaweed products
on the markets, with new ones showing up every month. This list is not a complete list by
any means.
Last Update:
February 18, 2013
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