Some years ago, smoke from a wood-burning heater accidentally escaped overnight into a greenhouse filled with bromeliads, including some species that had been there for years without blooming. Within six weeks to two months most of the plants, including those that had never bloomed, suddenly sprouted inflorescences. The smoke was analyzed and found to contain ethylene gas. This discovery allowed growers to make pineapples bear fruit year-round.

If desired, mature plants, particularly any recalcitrant ones that have never bloomed, can often be "gassed" to stimulate bloom on demand. One way to do this is to place a full-grown plant into a large plastic bag and drop in a whole Red Delicious apple (it is a better source of ethylene gas than Yellow Delicious). Tie the bag closed and keep it in cool solid shade for one week. Then take the bromeliad out and care for it as you usually would.

So for those of you who have trouble getting your bromeliad to bloom, don't give up! Try this trick!

As organic gardeners we are constantly reminded to feed our soil, not our plants. But there are circumstances where we want to directly feed our plants through foliar feeding.

Foliar feeding can give plants a direct boost of nutrients through their leaves. This is done by thousands of microscopic pores on leaf surfaces. These openings are called stomata (Greek: stoma, mouth). Stomata are located primarily on the underside of the leaves. This prevents them from plugging up with dust and other environmental contaminants and also prevents fungal spores from entering.

The primary functions of stomata openings are to permit gases containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen to enter the plant. These are then used to manufacture sugars during photosynthesis. Conversely, stomata allow water vapor to escape from plants. In most cases, stomata close at night because the absorption of carbon dioxide is unnecessary when photosynthesis is not taking place. Stomata may also close on hot, dry days, in heavy winds or when the soil becomes dry.

We can use these stomata openings to help increase a plant's growth, health, and overall production through the application of organic fertilizer in the form of a foliar spray. The stomata are then able to absorb dissolved nutrients and minerals and translocate them to the parts of the plant where they are needed.

Dr. Earth Liquid Solution 3-3-3 liquid fertilizer is rich in organic nutrients, humic acid and seaweed extract. It can make a huge difference in plant growth and performance. Seaweed extract contains an abundance of trace minerals as well as growth hormones that can quickly stimulate plant growth through cellular division, enlargement and elongation. Plant hormones called cytokinins, which increase the speed of cell division, are particularly important. Dr. Earth Liquid Solution introduces these hormones, increasing growth rates and causing plants to break dormancy early. It is effective as a short term measure to ensure plant health within a long term soil building program.

Nothing can replace feeding the soil, but foliar applications can be a good addition at certain times of the year or as a strategy and remedy for nutrient deficiencies until the soil is able to correct them. Supplementary foliar feeding may also be necessary as an annual practice in some soil and climate situations. For example, in cold northern soils, foliar fertilizer may be necessary each spring to supply nitrogen, phosphorus and other essential nutrients until the soil warms up and nutrients become available from the soil.

When to foliar spray:
The best time to spray is late in the afternoon or in the early dawn, when temperatures are mild and wind is minimal. When wind is minimal, finely atomized sprays drift readily. This is most desirable. Absorption is further enhanced when weather conditions are humid and moist. The presence of dew on leaves facilitates foliar feeding. Absorption is maximized when sprays coat the underside of leaves where the majority of the stomata are located.

When not to foliar spray:
When it is windy and dry. At air temperatures of 80° or higher, absorption is very poor because plant stomata are closed. Avoid spraying during the height of solar indexing (10:00 AM to 4:00 PM) to avoid burning the leaves.

For best results:
Be certain to read all product labels. Apply a small amount of fertilizer to start until you know how your plants will respond. Sometimes using a small amount of surfactant added to the mix will decrease surface tension on the leaf and better facilitate absorption.

Application equipment:
You can use every kind of sprayer to apply foliar fertilizers keeping in mind that you want the finest mist possible. The finer the mist, the more easily it will be absorbed by the stomata openings. Hand pump sprayers or even hose-end sprayers will work just fine.

Dr. Earth® Liquid Solution™ is certified 100% organic by OMRI™ and is people and pet safe. Most importantly, it works fast to feed plants through either the leaves or the soil.

Happy and healthy gardening.

Milo Lou Shammas
Dr. Earth Company
www.drearth.com

By Tamara Galbraith

An herb that is 10 times sweeter than sugar - with no calories? Gardeners, say hello to Stevia rebaudiana.

While still somewhat hard to find in the plant market, the buzz on Stevia - native to the mountains of Paraguay - continues to grow (and not without a little controversy provided by the FDA).

Stevias do best in a rich, organic, loose soil (we recommend amending with Kellogg Amend before planting) and are sensitive to cold. Be careful not to overwater or let the roots remain wet. A layer of mulch around each plant will ensure even soil moisture.

Full sun exposure is preferred, but in the hottest parts of the country, provide some shade. Stevia plants also like a slow release nitrogen fertilizer like Dr. Earth Organic 7 All Purpose Fertilizer.

Harvesting the leaves should be done as late in the season as possible, since the sweetness of the plant develops as temperatures cool. Cover the plants during an early frost if necessary. Failure to harvest leaves before the plant flowers will result in bad-tasting leaves.

To harvest leaves, cut the entire plant at the base, tie the branches together loosely, and hang upside down to dry in warm, dark, drafty conditions for 2-4 days. "Rake" fingers through branches to remove crisp-dry leaves. Remove any small branches and grind leaves into powder using an electric coffee grinder for 25-30 seconds.

Here's the most important bit: 1 tsp. crushed/powdered leaves equals 1 cup of sugar. That's some sweet stuff!