1、The Dos and Don’ts of Foliar feeding
Drought resistant: Foliar spray can be applied when the topsoil doesn’t have enough moisture to properly absorb nutrients. Insufficient dosage: The quantity of nutrients applied via foliar spray is not adequate to meet every nutrient requirement of the crop.
2、Fall Nutrient Sprays in Tree Fruit
In the following sections, a few examples and considerations are provided for deciding if N, Zn, and B fall sprays are needed. Nitrogen is required in large quantities for tree fruit production systems and is a highly mobile nutrient in the plant and in soils (Table 2).
3、Application of Fertilizers and Other Amendments
Multiple Ca sprays are applied annually as a means to aid fruit quality. If needed, Mn and Fe are applied as sprays. None of the foliar mineral element sprays should be applied with emulsions or oils. When applying, use eye protection, a respirator, rubber gloves and protective clothing.
4、Fertilizing Fruit Trees
Mango and lychee trees do not do well with high amounts of Nitrogen, so an 8-3-9 would not work well for those crops. Something with a higher ratio of Potassium and a lower ration of Nitrogen would be better.
5、Fertilizing Fruit Trees
It is highly recommended to plant the backyard fruit orchard away from turf where the trees can be watered and fertilized based on their needs and not that of turfgrass.
Should you spray your fruit trees in autumn? – Grow Great Fruit
The best time to do foliar fertilising is during the fruit season, when the trees are at their most active. By autumn, when the leaves are starting to change colour, it becomes much less effective.
Nutrition of Florida Citrus Trees, 3 Edition: Chapter 7. Methods of
Foliar spraying can provide specific nutrients on a timely basis during critical stages of tree growth, flowering, and fruit development. A well-planned foliar nutrition program can supplement soil fertilizer applications, especially when the citrus root system is unable to keep up with crop demand or when soil nutrients are unavailable.
Do you need to spray your fruit trees? – Grow Great Fruit
If you’re growing your own fruit, you probably don’t want to spray your fruit trees with any chemicals that could damage your crop, your family, or the environment.
Foliar feed your trees
irect soil management. Currently, with citrus greening in Florida, many growers and production managers consider foliar fertilization a key factor to stimulate the natural defense mechanisms of their trees, to induce pest and disease tolerance, and to improve fruit y.
Granular Fertilizer, Fertilizer Stakes or Compost for Fruit Trees?
This plum tree had iron chlorosis really severe after it leafed out in the spring. Four applications of iron sprays, spaced one week apart, turned it completely green again.
In the cultivation of fruit trees, foliar fertilization is an important method to enhance fruit quality and yield. not all fruit trees are suitable for foliar spraying. Under specific conditions, some fruit trees may be adversely affected by foliar fertilization, which could negatively impact their growth, fruit quality, and productivity. Below, we introduce several types of fruit trees that are unsuitable for foliar spraying, along with detailed explanations of the reasons and precautions.
1. Citrus Trees
Citrus trees, such as oranges and grapefruits, have thin and delicate leaves. Excessive use of foliar fertilizers may lead to leaf scorching or yellowing, reducing photosynthetic efficiency and subsequently affecting fruit quality and yield. Additionally, citrus trees are highly resistant to cold. Overuse of foliar sprays may suppress their cold resistance, increasing the risk of winter frost damage. For citrus trees, it is recommended to apply foliar sprays moderately during the growing season and avoid excessive application in autumn or winter.
2. Peach Trees
Peach trees prefer acidic soil. Long-term use of alkaline fertilizers in foliar sprays can increase soil pH, disrupting the tree’s acid-base balance and affecting its growth and fruit quality. Furthermore, peach trees have shallow root systems, and excessive foliar spraying may overburden the roots, leading to poor root development and impaired nutrient and water uptake. For peach trees, drip irrigation or sprinkling is recommended for foliar fertilization, with careful control of fertilizer type and dosage, especially avoiding excessive nitrogen.
3. Apple Trees
Apple trees thrive in calcium-rich soil. Long-term use of phosphorus-rich foliar fertilizers may reduce soil calcium levels, harming the tree’s growth and fruit quality. Apple trees also have deep root systems, and excessive foliar spraying may overload the roots, causing poor root development and reduced nutrient and water absorption. For apple trees, drip irrigation or sprinkling is recommended, with attention to fertilizer type and dosage, particularly avoiding excessive phosphorus.
4. Pear Trees
Pear trees prefer acidic soil. Prolonged use of high-potassium foliar fertilizers may elevate soil potassium levels, negatively impacting the tree’s growth and fruit quality. Pear trees have shallow root systems, and excessive foliar spraying may strain the roots, leading to poor development and impaired nutrient/water uptake. For pear trees, drip irrigation or sprinkling is recommended, with careful control of fertilizer type and dosage, especially avoiding excessive potassium.
5. Grapevines
Grapevines prefer acidic soil. Long-term use of high-nitrogen foliar fertilizers may raise soil nitrogen levels, affecting the vine’s growth and fruit quality. Grapevines have shallow root systems, and excessive foliar spraying may overburden the roots, causing poor development and reduced nutrient/water uptake. For grapevines, drip irrigation or sprinkling is recommended, with attention to fertilizer type and dosage, particularly avoiding excessive nitrogen.
6. Strawberries
Strawberries prefer acidic soil. Excessive use of high-nitrogen foliar fertilizers may increase soil nitrogen levels, hindering normal growth and fruit quality. Strawberries have shallow root systems, and excessive foliar spraying may strain the roots, leading to poor development and impaired nutrient/water uptake. For strawberries, drip irrigation or sprinkling is recommended, with careful control of fertilizer type and dosage, especially avoiding excessive nitrogen.
7. Cherry Trees
Cherry trees prefer acidic soil. Prolonged use of high-nitrogen foliar fertilizers may elevate soil nitrogen levels, affecting the tree’s growth and fruit quality. Cherry trees have shallow root systems, and excessive foliar spraying may overburden the roots, causing poor development and reduced nutrient/water uptake. For cherry trees, drip irrigation or sprinkling is recommended, with attention to fertilizer type and dosage, particularly avoiding excessive nitrogen.
8. Persimmon Trees
Persimmon trees prefer acidic soil. Excessive use of high-nitrogen foliar fertilizers may increase soil nitrogen levels, negatively impacting the tree’s growth and fruit quality. Persimmon trees have shallow root systems, and excessive foliar spraying may strain the roots, leading to poor development and impaired nutrient/water uptake. For persimmon trees, drip irrigation or sprinkling is recommended, with careful control of fertilizer type and dosage, especially avoiding excessive nitrogen.
9. Pomegranate Trees
Pomegranate trees prefer acidic soil. Long-term use of high-nitrogen foliar fertilizers may raise soil nitrogen levels, affecting the tree’s growth and fruit quality. Pomegranate trees have shallow root systems, and excessive foliar spraying may overburden the roots, causing poor development and reduced nutrient/water uptake. For pomegranate trees, drip irrigation or sprinkling is recommended, with attention to fertilizer type and dosage, particularly avoiding excessive nitrogen.
10. Fig Trees
Fig trees prefer acidic soil. Excessive use of high-nitrogen foliar fertilizers may increase soil nitrogen levels, hindering normal growth and fruit quality. Fig trees have shallow root systems, and excessive foliar spraying may strain the roots, leading to poor development and impaired nutrient/water uptake. For fig trees, drip irrigation or sprinkling is recommended, with careful control of fertilizer type and dosage, especially avoiding excessive nitrogen.
When selecting foliar fertilizers, it is essential to consider the specific needs of the fruit tree and soil conditions to choose appropriate fertilizer types and concentrations. Excessive or improper use of foliar sprays may harm the trees. scientific methods and technical guidelines should always be followed.

