Hey everyone! I'm curious about whether cacti can actually absorb foliar fertilizers effectively. Given their thick cuticle and fewer, sunken stomata, I feel like it would be tough for them to take in fertilizers through their leaves or stems. Also, can cacti absorb pesticides and fungicides through stomata? Would love to hear your thoughts!
2 Answers
Honestly, I’m not too sure about foliar fertilizers, but I do know that cacti primarily absorb nutrients through their roots. That’s where they really do their thing! So while it might be possible for some absorption through the leaves, rooting them in some good soil might be the better route for actually getting nutrients into them.
If your cactus is using CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism)—a process many succulents do—it might not effectively absorb anything from the leaves because the stomata are closed during the day. So, while there might be some minor absorption, I wouldn’t rely on foliar applications for feeding or pest controlling!