Plant Foliar feeding is possible due to the specific pores, found on the underside or on both sides of the plant’s leaf. These pores are called stomata, and their main duty is to enable gas exchange between plant and environment during the process of photosynthesis. Besides, respiration as well as water vaporization also occurs in stomata. Thanks to these tiny pores on the surface of the leaves, the plant can absorb water and nutrients dissolved in it.

However, because of certain barrier, only part of nutrient solution can be absorbed through leaves. So, foliar feeding can never be used as the only way to deliver nutrients to the plants. The primary task of foliar feeding or fertilization is to rapidly supply micro nutrients to the plants. Sometimes, using biuret-free urea one can deliver nitrogen via the plant’s leaves.

 Foliar Nutrient Application

In order to provide proper effectiveness of hydroponic nutrient sprays, it is necessary to keep in mind the rate at which plants absorb nutrients and translocate them within the plant. Besides, there are many other factors, which affect the uptake of nutrients within the plant. Some of them are indicated in the table at the bottom of this section.

Of course, it is not easy to consider all of those factors, but some of them are more important than others, so it is important to keep them in mind. First of all, when choosing a foliar fertilizer, choose the one with high quality wetting and sticking agent. It is necessary for ensuring proper adherence of droplets to the leaves, which in its turn will ensure effective absorption of fertilizing solution into the plant tissues.

 Though foliar feeding can be performed on a regular basis, there are certain periods, when plant fertilizing becomes especially important. For example, when the plants are in their active growing phase, or when fruits develop and plants need more nutrients than usual. Usually, during such periods plants gain additional ability to absorb nutrients through their leaves. Foliar feeding is especially beneficial for the plants with damaged root system, as it can partially compensate the decrease in nutrients absorption via roots.

The Role of Foliar Feeding in Hydroponic Gardening

In spite of the fact that hydroponic plants are meant to receive all the necessary hydroponic nutrients through the specially formulated nutrient solution, foliar feeding still provides additional benefits to them. It was proven by studies that those plants, receiving foliar feeding, provide more fruits in comparison to the plants without additional foliar fertilization. It has been shown that potato plants, treated with foliar fertilizers, provide better harvest with larger tubers. Weekly foliar feeding of tomatoes resulted in yield and fruit quality improvements. All the recorded improvements, provided by foliar feeding, allow treating this method not only as a quick fix of nutrient deficit, but also a reliable method to increase harvest.

All Muir Glen tomatoes are grown in the fertile, sun-drenched central valley of California, with no toxic synthetic pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. Taste the difference!

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HOW TO GROW YOUR HOMEMADE TOMATOES

Growing tomatoes is fun and a lucrative home  gardening business. Besides being nutritious, it could provide you with a real fresh fruits coming directly from your garden.

You can produce them the way you want it. Producing tomatoes can be done without using chemicals because you’re the one controlling their growth processes.

If you’ll plant tomatoes with other vegetables, the occurrence of pests and diseases attack could be totally minimized or even none at all. Companion cropping or multiple cropping can control pests and diseases attack since they’re protected by the other plants.

Steps in growing tomatoes…

1)   Provide a seed box or germinating tray for sowing seeds. Sow the seeds 12 mm or .5 inch deep in the seed  trays or germinating tray. Slightly cover the seeds with thin soil to cover them.

2)   Cover the seed trays or germinating trays with newspaper or polyethylene plastic. Germination will take about 7-10 days from sowing.

3)   After  the seeds have germinated, remove the cover. Gradually expose the growing seedlings to the morning sunlight to harden them

4)   Prepare a separate seed trays or germinating trays the same manner as when sowing seedlings. Fill with the growing medium and level at least 12 mm or .5 inch below the rim.

5)   Use a dibber to form holes about 36 mm or .5 inch apart, the outer ones  12 mm or .5 inch from the sides.

6)   As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick or transfer them to the individual holes in the prepared seedling or germinating trays. This is to provide the seedlings a wider space to avoid over-crowding while in the seedling or germinating trays.

7)   Now set the individual seedlings to a growing bags or pots.

8)   Support the plants with sticks tied with wires or strings to hold in place.

9)   Feed the growing plants every ten days from planting up to the time when the first truss (bunch fruit) in formed.

10) Remove or prune all shoots growing in the angles of the leaves-snap them sideways. Also, gradually remove or prune the lower leaves to induce ripening of the fruits.

11) Harvest your fresh tomatoes when they’re ripe. You can give or sell your surplus harvest to your neighbors. And they’ll thanks for your generosity.

See, it’s very easy to grow your own chemically free tomatoes for your family’s needs.

Why not try planting your own homemade tomatoes. You’re sure you’ll enjoy it.

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Cris Ramasasa, Freelance writer, writes about home gardening and      Internet  marketing tips. You can get a copy of his latest ebook “How to get started in  Flower Gardening” and “Vegetable Gardening Made Easy”, also get lots of tips, Free articles, and bonuses  at: www.crisramasasa.com

After many failed attempts we have our first crop of beautiful tomatoes. Living in a townhouse we have grown our tomatoes in pots on our relatively small balcony. So don’t feel you have to have a large garden to grow beautiful and tasty tomatoes.

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First, the best time to plant your tomato plants is early spring. You don’t want to plant them when the soil still has a chance of freezing they will be doomed to failure.

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Secondly. spacing is very important, check the tag when purchasing your plants for spacing instructions. You never want to crowd the plants. If you plant them too close they will never grow to their true potential size. But keep it mind this can be done effectively in large pots.

Third, adding mulch and organic matter such as compost is important for healthy plants. You may also want to feed your tomato plants a liquid fertilizer every three weeks for healthier plants. Tomato plants are considered heavy feeders and therefore require the proper amount of nutrients.

Fourth, proper watering is essential. You must water your plants regularly. If you are growing your plants in containers I suggest you water your plants every two days, but make sure the pots have proper drainage.

Fifth, as your plants grow they will require stakes or cages to support the vines weight. These can be purchased at any garden store for a nominal cost.

Lastly, keep your plants free of weeds that can lead to a home for destructive insects. Beneficial insects such as ladybugs can be purchased to keep off destructive insects. If you follow these simple steps you can be the proud growers of beautiful tomatoes just like us.