"I read where you were careful not to let the foliar feed drip into the soil, but (and maybe I just overlooked it), I don't see anywhere that you said you were giving the non-foliar plants the same additional food through the roots?" I am embarrassed to discover that I neglected to include that information in my report. Not that it would have affected the results but, for the sake of completeness, it should have been included. I do not remember if I provided any nutrition to the roots beyond what was in the seed starting mix; ProMix BX. My normal practice with seedlings is to start giving them a weak solution of fish emulsion when they have two sets of true leaves. This is what I would have done if I provided any root feeding and I would have done it to both groups. However, I suspect that the only feeding I gave in this experiment was to the foliar fed group. "From my experience, the question isn't "Can plants absorb water and nutrients through the leaves", but "Is foliar feeding more effective than simply pouring it directly into the soil?" That is one of several questions posed by readers. But, as you correctly understood, the one and only question I was attempting to settle was whether plants can absorb useful amounts of soluble nutrients through their leaves. Once again, I encourage other gardeners to undertake experiments to satisfy their curiosity about various gardening topics. I assure you it's a fun, inexpensive and satisfying activity. Jim

Thanks for the advice, everyone! Gosh I don't think I'm down for soaping and scrubbing the heck out of these tiles. If there is a spray on cleaner/oil-remover that I can easily wipe away, that's fine, but I am at my wits end with painstakingly scrubbing this backsplash. I just spent a lot of energy with a metal wire brush and a drill attachment getting most of the grout out of the cracks and crevices of the stone. I don't think there is any hardened coconut oil residue on the stone (coconut oil solidifies in cool temps), but I will take a blow dryer and heat up areas of the backsplash and see if I see any traces of oiliness. It seems to me that after a couple days all traces of the oil is gone. And I didn't put a lot, I just rubbed a very light coating over the backsplash with a paper towel. But I will definitely research stone enhancers, that seems to be the key to getting the rich, "wet look" that I crave. And also, nope, the backsplash isn't Fire & Ice, it's called Tundra and it's available from Wayfair or Home Depot. I really love it. Here's a pic I took of mine:

Sounds a bit bland and not at all Asian. If you like it thats cool. Have no idea where the dressing police came from and want such a high oil to vinegar ratio. I have never used that much oil in any dressing. I reverse the ratio. I want flavor and use less dressing. Using a blender will emulsify your dressings. A tbsp of toasted sesame seeds or a few cashews in the blender will give a little stick. A dozen raisins, i like a date or two. (Instead of sugar). A splash of soy sauce and tbsp of fresh grated ginger will make it more 'Asian'. Miso is a great addition. Might be time to experiment and make your own recipe. Add your miso when the vinegar and sugar (try brown sugar) comes off the stove to cool. Add still warm to dissolve it. Rice vinegars are often full of sugar. Not always on the label. They just use extra sugar in the fermenting process. Or just cheat. Like the olive oil cheaters that add green dye and a fancy label. I see no problem making a family recipe as is if it is what family likes and remembers. Blender it, pour off half, use two separate bowls of prepped cabbage slaw, then make a new version in the other bowl. Using the blender remains for yours. I've been making slaws all winter instead of leaf salads this year using all sorts of veggies and not always the Asian style. I rarely use any oils. Waiting for fresh garden crop salad greens. Been a nice change as grocery salad greens are so bland and expensive.

Actually he is beeing followed for a long time by the veterinarian. He has visceral Leishmania for 2 years and a half. He does lab tests frequently (3-5 times a year). He tried conventional medecine (allopurinol and milteforan) with mild sucess. We are in south Europe where leishmania is farily common in dogs. I dont think withania somnifera is bad for dogs, actually there are a few studies with dogs taking withania for the immune system, specially to address immunocompromised issues, kidney nephrite,.... There isnt any reported bad side effects on those experimental studies, actually on the contrary, inclusive some leishmanicidal effect. Anyway withania is discussed in Barbara Fougere book "Veterinary Herbal Medecine" (2007). Anyway so far he is been taking withania for 1 month (powder form) and his lab tests seem to be normalizing and apperently his immune system seem to be reversing to a more cellular specific response to leishmania. But it is to early to say if it is beeing really efficacious. He also took turmeric (98%) with black pepper (2%), glyccyrrizha glabra, althea officinalis and urtica dioica seed oil extract to try to arrest any kidney damage. My question is if the powder form is less efficacious than for example an extract? Thanks