Foliar feeding with fully water‑soluble fertilizers at these critical stages can dramatically increase yields and improve quality. Because nutrient uptake through foliage is considerably faster than through roots, foliar sprays are also the method of choice when rapid correction of nutrient deficiencies is required.

When to Foliar Spray

The best time to spray is late in the afternoon or early in the morning, when temperatures are mild and wind is minimal. When wind is low, finely atomized sprays drift readily — this is ideal. Absorption is further enhanced when weather conditions are humid and moist. The presence of dew on leaves also facilitates foliar feeding.  Absorption is maximized when sprays coat the underside of leaves, where the majority of stomata are located. Avoid spraying when temperatures exceed 30°C or onto wilted plants, as this can reduce uptake and damage the plants.

For detailed foliar feeding programmes on all crops, contact your local Hygrotech representative. (Adapted from an article on: drearth.com/learning-center/projects/foliar-feeding)

(Written by Pieter Vorster, Fertagchem Technical Manager, Gauteng, South Africa)

ColourUp

ColourUp is a proprietary translaminar liquid Calcium Complex which works with the plant’s natural ripening and colouring stages on various fruit and vegetable types. The product is manufactured by Miller® Chemical & Fertilizer, LLC in Hanover, Pennsylvania,17331, United States of America. ColourUp is imported to South Africa by Hygrotech South Africa (Pty) Ltd. The name ColourUp is used only in South Africa and is registered as a Group 2 Fertilizer (Reg. No. B3386 of Act 36 of 1947). Internationally the product is known, marketed, and sold as Calexin® in countries such as the USA, Peru, Chile, Costa Rica and Australia, and CalXpress in New Zealand. ColourUp is applied as a foliar spray and is totally systemic. Being part of the Miller® patented Nutrient Express® technology products, ColourUp focuses mainly on plant energy production and contains no hormonal substances. During periods of rapid growth, fruit development and ripening, plants require energy for proper physiological development and high levels of calcium for fruit quality. Physiological and environmental crop stress slows down plant metabolism and the movement of calcium within plant tissue. Consequently, plants may suffer, crop development may weaken, and fruit may lack necessary nutrients (including calcium) required for optimum harvest quality. International documented benefits from ColourUp applications include calcium mobilization to fruit and supporting natural colour development. Known commercial crop uses of ColourUp in South Africa include table grapes, mangoes, and citrus.

Trials

Locations and apple varieties

• Trials were conducted in 5 different areas (Koue Bokkeveld, Elgin, Helderstroom, Greyton and Riviersonderend). As many as possible bicolor apple varieties were evaluated. These were Gala, Pink Lady, Sundowner, Rosy Glo and Fuji. 

ColourUp rate and application timings

• ColourUp was applied 3 times at 10 – 14-day intervals at 2 L/ ha by means of tractor mounted commercial spray equipment. Applications commenced when at least 80% of the apples in the orchard had developed or had started developing colour.

Commercial harvesting practices

The general commercial harvesting practices in the Western Cape may be as follow:

• First pick: Quick process during which fruit that are mature (adequate colour development) ahead of the bulk fruit load are harvested and placed in cool storage. This fruit are packed after two weeks in cool storage. 
• Second pick: This is the main harvesting stage. Harvested apples are kept “fresh” in controlled-atmosphere storage often for months. During these months of storage, the objective is to sort, pack and deliver these apples during optimal marketing (economical) opportunities.
• Third pick: This process is similar to the first pick, but in this case, it is late maturing fruit or fruit from a later fruit set.

These practices do however vary among growers and apple varieties. While some varieties go through all three harvesting stages, other varieties are only harvested once (with the aim of having as many fully coloured fruit as possible at that time). These various harvesting procedures had an obvious effect on the assessments of these commercial trials.

Assessments

Randomly tagged apples from randomly chosen trees within ColourUp treated and untreated orchards were frequently monitored for colour development during the trial period. The tagged fruit were sampled as close to commercial harvest as possible. This depended on whether the grower harvested over three picks or only once.  Fruit sampled from orchards harvested three times often showed less colour development compared to fruit harvested once only, as the objective of a single harvest is to maximize the presence of fully coloured fruit at picking. In contrast, fruit from trees destined for multiple picks had to be sampled earlier to avoid losing tagged fruit, which affected colour development and final data.

Results

In most of the trial locations the increase in fruit colour development from ColourUp treated trees compared to untreated trees were visible in the orchard (example Photo 2) and also in the commercial picking bins (Photo 3).  The extent of the ColourUp treatments are however better visually illustrated by comparing the sampled fruit next to each other (Pictures 4 to 8).

(Written by Herman Walters – Hygrotech Technical Manager: Southern Region)

“Blind plants may occur early in development, resulting in a seedling with no true leaves or just one, two, or three leaves.”

It is still not known exactly what causes blindness. According to Flood et al. (1997), seed germination of tomatoes is the most sensitive stage of plant life and is greatly influenced by various environmental stresses, including temperature and water loss.

The above information supports the speculation that, in this specific incident, the sensitivity of the tomato variety to an imbalanced ratio between hormones may have been triggered by the application of a growth stimulant at a very young stage, allowing the development of seedlings without a dominant growing point.

(Written by Luhan Swart – Technical Manager)

Fertilization in the production of melons is critical and must be done correctly. This can be challenging due to many variables such as soil type, climatic conditions, and irrigation schedules. However, there are basic fertilization guidelines that should be followed to achieve good yields and quality fruit. The specific cultivar also plays a role, as all cultivars have different growth periods that should be considered when planning fertilization schedules.

The elements that play the most important roles during the growing phase of a melon plant are Nitrogen (N), Phosphate (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and trace elements such as Boron and Molybdenum.

Carbon levels (1%) in the soil also play a significant role, as they determine the release and absorption of Nitrogen. The soil acidity level, i.e., pH, should be within certain norms (5.5–6.5) to ensure good absorption of nutrients.

It is important that Potassium, Magnesium, and Calcium are present in the correct ratios. The ratio of Mg to Ca should be 1:3–5, and the combined Ca + Mg to K ratio should be between 10 and 15. Both Ca and Mg are antagonistic to K, and in soils where Ca and Mg are high, this can negatively influence the absorption of K. The absorption of K is also determined by the quantity of P in the soil. If the P level is 30–50 parts in the soil, at least 300 kg/ha of K should be applied.

Many producers confuse Ca deficiencies with Mg and K deficiencies. In many cases, there is too little Mg in the soil and too much Ca. As a result, the plant may show signs of Ca deficiency because it cannot absorb the available Ca. Applying more Ca in this situation only aggravates the problem. Instead, extra Mg should be applied to correct the ratio between these two elements, which would allow for proper reabsorption of Ca. Soils in Namibia are naturally very high in Ca, and in many cases, it is not necessary to apply any Ca at all—only extra Mg and K.

Essential Fertilization Needs for Melons

N: 160 kg/ha

P: 60–100 kg/ha

K: 250–300 kg/ha

Ca: 120–150 kg/ha

Mg: 30–40 kg/ha

To ensure good vegetative growth and fruit set, these elements should be applied sensibly to achieve the best yields for the farmer and quality fruit for the end-user.

(Written by Hugo Burger – Technical Manager: Stellenbosch Branch)

Beetroot Scarlett F1 – Premium Variety for Profitable Production

If you’re searching for a high-performance beetroot variety that thrives from field to shelf, Scarlett F1 is the hybrid that ticks all the boxes. Bred for fresh market, processing, and storage, Scarlett F1 offers unbeatable uniformity, exceptional taste, and reliable yields. Whether you’re growing for local trade, retail, or industrial processing, this variety is built to outperform.

High Brix = Better taste & longer storage

Uniform, round roots = High pack-out rates

Easy to peel = Lower processing costs

Flexible harvest windows = Vigorous and healthy in spring/summer 

Across markets = Ideal for cooked, peeled, and vacuum-packed products

High Quality, Deep Red Roots

Scarlett F1 produces very dark red beets with smooth skin and a perfectly round shape. The flesh is richly pigmented with minimal zoning, making it ideal for both fresh sales and processing.

Strong Agronomic Traits

Scarlett F1 features medium-strong tops and a balanced plant structure, making it easier to manage in the field and harvest with both belt and top lifting methods. It’s less vigorous than Jolie, yet maintains stronger foliage in spring and summer.

Unmatched Taste and Shelf Life

With a Brix level of 11–12, dry matter content of 13%, and Betanin content of 0.65g/100g, Scarlett F1 delivers better flavour, sweeter taste, and deeper colour. These characteristics result in repeat buying by consumers and longer storage life—helping you reduce waste and maximise your profit window.

Processing Made Easy

Thanks to its easy skin release, shorter cooking time, and uniform sizing, Scarlett F1 is a top choice for peeled, cooked, and vacuum-packed products. Processors benefit from lower labour and production costs.

Technical Overview

Beetroot Scarlett F1 is more than a seed—it’s a solution for higher returns, greater efficiency, and long-term customer satisfaction. With performance that’s trusted by growers and preferred by consumers, it’s time to plant your success.