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Bear Creek, NC

Does anyone use surfactants when foliar feeding? I was studing up on this reading old posts and came across this link.
http://www.unitedstatesag.org/foliar_feeding.html
I haven't noticed that anyone has mentioned it. I have been using it with herbicides for years and it works great. Would have never thought to use it in a feeding program.

3/14/2011 10:51:03 AM

Western PA

Yes, Surfactants are widely used for foliar feeding. Some people swear by the organic ones, and others swear by the synthetic ones.

I would be interested in hearing what everybody thought was the best organic and synthetic surfactants to use for foliar feeding.

I used Turbo spreader/sticker last season but am looking into other options this season.

3/14/2011 11:28:40 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Two drops of ivory dish soap works wonders

3/14/2011 1:03:28 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

I have used several brands(I don't think the brand is important, just non-ionic properties) over the past few years and I believe it to be the biggest factor in premature aging of my foliage. As you probably already know, surfactants reduce the surface tension of water and break down the cuticle(protective) layer of foliage. I fear its the breakdown properties which contribute to premature aging. I won't be using it this year.

If I WERE going to continue the use of surfactants, they would be citrus-based. I used a product several years ago called Cide-Kick which was 100% citrus extract. GREAT stuff, but I got stung more times than I could count. It really attracts the bees.

3/14/2011 7:47:40 PM

Massillon, Ohio

Our dear friend Steve Jepsen (Tremor) has made many posts regarding surfactants. You can find them using the search box. I will paraphrase some of the things he has said: Any type of surfactant, organic or synthetic, will make any product work better.....A non-ionic type has drying properties, but is still better than using nothing.....he recommends an organo-silicone type such as Hawkeye, which dries much slower, giving the product more time to be absorbed. I have been using this product with everything. A good link is http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=285780

3/15/2011 9:23:24 AM

Bear Creek, NC

Thats a good post. Thanks Nana.

3/15/2011 10:04:04 AM

Macomb County

Does this article on the subject apply to AGs as well?
http://www.spraytec.com/32/organosilicone-surfactants

3/15/2011 11:35:39 AM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Great article Jack. It just solidified my decision to cease the use of surfactants.

3/15/2011 7:31:21 PM

Bear Creek, NC

I'm a little confused now, but there are other types than the organosilicone sufactants. One article says one thing while another says the opposite. Then I just read this article that says foliar feeding doesn't do well in pumpkins because of the thickness of their leaves. But pumpkin growers say the opposite. LOL. Well...no one said it was easy to grow a monster.

http://www.spraytec.com/9/nutrients-foliar-absorption

3/15/2011 10:55:00 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

CF, a lil confused now??? Seems like 2 different topics... are you askin about somethin to help stick yer spray on,(whatever is in it) or the effectiveness of foliar feeding applications? Help me learn? Peace, Wayne

3/17/2011 1:00:09 AM

Bear Creek, NC

Wayne, when I started reading on foliar feeding it turns out that everything I was doing last year I was doing wrong. I was asking about surfactants, and until now, have only heard good things about foliar feeding. However, that article from the above link is the only article that I have seen that says that it is not very effective on pumpkins.

3/18/2011 6:15:10 PM