Stop Wasting Foliar Sprays & How to Get Better Results with Optic Foliar
We caught up with Dinesh Dholliwar, the legend behind Optic Foliar during his visit to One Stop Grow Shop in Stoke to talk about foliar spraying, plant efficiency and why so many growers are still getting it wrong.
From how foliar sprays actually work inside the plant, to when to spray, what to use and how to get better results from your setup, here’s what he had to say.
Why Most Growers Get Foliar Spraying Wrong
According to Dinesh, most growers have been taught foliar spraying the wrong way.
“Everyone talks about spraying leaves, spraying the undersides, lights off… but no one talks about where the spray actually needs to go inside the plant.”
The result? Wasted product, visible residue, and inconsistent results.
The Palisade Mesophyll Layer – The Plant’s Factory
At the centre of Dinesh’s approach is understanding the palisade mesophyll layer.
This layer sits just beneath the surface of the leaf and contains a high concentration of chloroplasts — the structures responsible for photosynthesis.
In simple terms, this is where the plant converts:
- Light energy
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Water and nutrients
…into sugars and growth.
“That mesophyll layer — that’s the factory of your plant. If your foliar spray isn’t getting in there, it’s not working properly. Hands down.”
This is a key point for growers. Most traditional foliar spraying methods focus on coating the leaf surface, rather than delivering anything into the part of the plant where it actually matters.
Why Traditional Foliar Sprays Fall Short
Dinesh explains that many growers are still following outdated advice:
- Spraying with lights off
- Targeting the undersides of leaves
- Expecting visible residue
“That’s why you’ve been told to spray lights off. That’s why you’re seeing residue. It’s all based on the idea the spray sits on the leaf.”
The problem is simple — if the product stays on the surface, efficiency is lost.
The Role of Transport – Getting Sprays Inside the Plant
This is where Optic Foliar Transport comes in.
Described by Dinesh as a “delivery agent”, Transport works similarly to a wetter, spreader and sticker, but with a focus on absorption rather than just coverage.
“Transport lets you spray lights on, no damage, no burning, no residue — and it gets into that mesophyll layer.”
Key benefits include:
- Improved absorption into the leaf
- Cleaner application with minimal residue
- Compatibility with a wide range of foliar products
- Ability to spray during lights-on periods (when used correctly)
Using Foliar Sprays for IPM (Pest Control)
Dinesh highlights how this approach can improve integrated pest management (IPM).
“Take pretty much any IPM product… use it at a lower strength with Transport. Once it’s inside the plant, pests either feed and are affected — or they stop feeding.”
This can help growers:
- Use less product
- Reduce repeat applications
- Avoid over-spraying leaves
It also changes how growers think about spraying — shifting from coating the plant to delivering active ingredients more efficiently.
Foliar Sprays and Plant Efficiency
One of the biggest themes from Dinesh is efficiency.
“When lights come on, your plant is ready to work — but nutrients from the root zone can take time to get there. That’s lost efficiency.”
By applying foliar sprays at the right time, growers can help ensure the plant has what it needs immediately.
This can support:
- Faster photosynthetic activity
- Improved nutrient use
- Reduced lag time at lights-on
- More consistent growth
What Is Optic Foliar Overgrow?
Optic Foliar Overgrow is designed as a multi-purpose foliar spray that combines delivery, nutrition and plant support.
“This is basically a grow room in a bottle.”
It includes:
- Transport (for delivery)
- Macro and micronutrients
- Amino acids, sugars and vitamins
- Photosynthesis-supporting inputs
“When the light’s on, you want everything ready — light, nutrients, CO₂. Overgrow helps line that up.”
When and How to Use Overgrow
Dinesh recommends using Overgrow:
- On cuttings
- During vegetative growth
- Up to around week 4 of flower
“Best time to spray is when the lights turn on — that’s when the plant is about to start working.”
Regular application can help maintain consistency and support plant performance throughout early growth stages.
Supporting Faster Growth and Turnaround
According to Dinesh, improving efficiency can have a knock-on effect on your overall cycle time.
“If you reduce wasted time in veg and transition, that’s where you start gaining time back.”
This may help:
- Speed up early plant development
- Reduce transition lag from cuttings
- Improve overall crop turnover
You can use Optic Foliar Switch to help shave time off your transition from the vegetative period into bloom and gain back an extra half a crop per year!
Powdery Mildew and Plant Health
Dinesh also highlights the role foliar sprays can play in maintaining plant health.
“It’s not just about feeding — it’s about keeping the plant clean, efficient and resilient.”
Supporting plant health through foliar application can help reduce pressure from issues like powdery mildew when used as part of a wider strategy.
Evios – A Different Approach to Pest Deterrence
For pest control, Optic Foliar Evios offers a different approach compared to traditional oil-based sprays.
“It’s oil-free, plant-based, no smell — and it works by deterring pests rather than coating the leaf.”
Key features include:
- No heavy oils
- Minimal residue
- Suitable for later-stage use
- Cleaner application overall
Final Thoughts from Dinesh
Dinesh’s message is simple — focus on efficiency and understanding how the plant works.
“Most growers are leaving performance on the table. If you can get products into the plant properly and reduce waste, you’re going to see better results.”
Whether you’re refining your foliar routine, improving your IPM approach or looking to get more from your setup, understanding the role of the mesophyll layer and proper delivery is a key step forward.
