How to feed tomato seedlings at home. Seedling nutrition. Other complex preparations
For tomatoes and peppers enriched with fertilizers, plants may be deficient in nutrients. in boxes of these cultures occurs within two months, and plant nutrition is not enough for the entire period.
Young plants are especially sensitive to such a deficiency, and nutrient deficiency immediately affects their condition.
However, when feeding any seedlings, one must not lose a sense of proportion. Large doses of fertilizer applied to seedlings of tomatoes and peppers, as well as too frequent feeding, will not help the plants, but most likely will harm them.
When choosing a drug preference should be given to liquid types. If you purchased a dry mix of minerals, be sure to dilute it with water before use. The fact is that root system seedlings are not able to independently use dry minerals introduced into the soil.
Minerals will only reach the roots after being dissolved with water, and this is a long process, and seedlings may suffer from malnutrition and slow down growth.
For a better distribution of minerals in the soil top dressing seedlings of tomatoes and peppers should be carried out after watering the plants. It is necessary to carry out the procedure in the morning, so that by the evening, when the air temperature drops, it does not provoke the development of a fungus in the soil.
Applying ready mixes fertilizers, follow their purpose. If the fertilizers you purchased are intended for adult plants, then for seedlings you need to halve their concentration in the solution.
Top dressing will bring more benefit if around the plants you will loosen the ground regularly. Just do it with the utmost care, loosen exclusively upper layer soil an hour or two after watering.
Fertilizers for tomato seedlings
Tomatoes - a particularly demanding culture during all periods of development. Proper and timely feeding allows you to get strong, viable specimens for subsequent cultivation in greenhouses or open ground.
During the cultivation of tomato seedlings feed her three times:
- The first top dressing is carried out 10 days after picking the plants.. By this time, the roots have already taken root well in the new soil and are able to absorb all the introduced elements from it. At this stage, tomatoes need nitrogen and phosphorus, so the use of Nitrofos will be optimal. 1 st. a spoon is diluted in a liter of water. Top dressing is applied after a slight pre-moistening of the soil, then the bushes are shed with fertilizer until all the soil is evenly moistened.
- The second feeding is carried out after 2 weeks. The composition of fertilizers during this period depends on the condition of the plants. If they are stretched out from a lack of lighting, then nitrogen should be excluded from fertilizers. The mixture is prepared from double superphosphate and potassium sulfate. Each mineral is taken in a tablespoon per liter. From ready liquid fertilizer the most suitable during this period are Uniflor Growth, Effekton, Signor Tomato.
- A week before planting tomatoes in a permanent place, the third top dressing is carried out.. For it, a solution of Nitrofoska is used.
What and how to feed the pepper?
start at the highest early dates development.
Already in the phase of the first two true leaves, seedlings should be shed with a mixture of ammonium nitrate (0.5 g), superphosphate (3 g), potassium sulfate (1 g).
All ingredients must be diluted in a liter of pre-settled water.
IMPORTANT! When fertilizing, make sure that they do not get on the leaves, and in case of accidental contact, wash them off warm water.
Pour the pepper a second time with the same composition. but double the dose. Make it necessary in two weeks after the first feeding.
A few days before planting pepper in the ground, a third top dressing is carried out.. A fertilizer solution is prepared from 15 grams of wood ash diluted in 1 liter.
IMPORTANT! You can not feed pepper seedlings with organic fertilizers, and manure is categorically contraindicated for him. Such dressings inhibit the root system of pepper.
Feeding seedlings of tomatoes and peppers with folk remedies
For adherents natural fertilizers it is possible to advise carrying out top dressing with folk remedies:
- bird droppings. Diluted 100 g in 1 liter, infused for 10 days. Before use, it is recommended to add blue vitriol or manganese.
- banana peel. It is a source of potassium, especially recommended for tomatoes. Peel from 2-3 pieces insist in 3 liters of water for 3 days.
- Eggshell. Here's how to feed the seedlings of peppers and tomatoes after picking, as the shell is recommended for laying out as drainage when picking. You can pour half a bucket of shells with water and use it for watering after three days.
- Husk onion . 10 g are poured with a liter of water, and infused for 5 days.
- Yeast. 1 g per liter.
The appearance of plants is an indicator of nutrient deficiency
The need for extraordinary feeding of seedlings and the composition of fertilizers can be judged by its appearance:
- Enlightenment lower leaves - lack of nitrogen.
- Arrangement of light stripes along the veins- lack of iron. Seedlings should be sprayed with a solution of copper sulfate.
- withering leaves talk about magnesium deficiency. You can fill its deficiency by adding wood ash to the soil.
- Pronounced purple veins on tomato leaves- lack of phosphorus. 5 g per liter of water is infused for a day, then it is diluted with another liter and seedlings are watered with this composition.
By following the simple rules for applying fertilizers, you can grow a strong and healthy seedlings peppers and tomatoes, which in the fall will give you a rich harvest.
Useful materials
Read other articles on pepper seedlings:
- and do you need them?
- How to grow
Dear friends, let's talk today about how to feed tomato seedlings so that they are strong, plump, green and healthy. To grow and develop for your joy.
We should especially pay attention to fertilizers containing nitrogen (N) in the composition, it is he who is responsible for the active growth and mass building of the plant. If nitrogen is in abundance, seedlings grow dense, strong and developed.
In addition to nitrogen, many other elements are also needed, everything should be enough. Therefore, it is best to use complex fertilizers that will help eliminate the deficiency of any useful substance.
Well-fed seedlings will surely thank you with strength and health.
When to start feeding tomato seedlings
This question worries many gardeners. Often they can't wait to start fattening their seedlings.
And, as soon as a thin stalk with two cotyledon leaves appears from the ground, driven by good intentions, they immediately begin to nourish and fertilize it. Why, in many sources they advise: "as soon as so immediately."
We insist that this advice is not correct. Tiny sprouts do not yet need a stream of fertilizers, moreover, they can even be damaged by untimely feeding. Their roots are very delicate and may not withstand the active substances with which you pour them.
First dressing tomato
Seedlings, not only tomatoes, but also other crops, can be fertilized only after picking in nutrient soil and with the appearance of 3-4 true leaves. We do it in moderation, because if you have good soil, then for some time seedlings are not required to be fed.
If the soil is poor in nutrients, then of course you will immediately see this, the seedlings will begin to starve, turn yellow and signal that top dressing is needed.
Let's go over the main elements in top dressing and find out why they are needed:
- Nitrogen is the main element for the plant to build new cells and grow.
- phosphorus - helps to absorb nutrients correctly, improves photosynthesis
- potassium - promotes metabolism and good accumulation of water in cells
- manganese - contributes to the active respiration of plants, the accumulation of nutrients in cells
- iron is the basis for the synthesis of chlorophyll and good photosynthesis
- boron - helps the plant grow root mass, set fruits
- copper - regulates the water exchange of the plant
- zinc - is involved in the absorption of nutrients and strengthening the immunity of seedlings
- molybdenum - contributes to the improvement of growth rates and protein synthesis
So, we can make top dressing with industrial fertilizers, which are enough in stores. big choice. We will focus on those that have already proven themselves well. And also a little lower we will discuss folk organic top dressing.
Top dressing for tomato seedlings Athlete
The athlete is the most popular and recognized tool among a huge number of gardeners.
His vocation is to make strong seedlings out of stunted, thin-stemmed seedlings.
The drug works to reduce the growth of the aerial part of the plant.
Thanks to a special combination of useful elements, the drug slows down the growth of the aerial part of the plant, causing increased growth of the root system.
This improves the nutrition of the plant, it stops stretching, grows undersized, but strong.
The stems of the seedlings thicken, the leaves become broader, good nutrition helps the leaves stay emerald green and not turn yellow.
Top dressing for seedlings Krepysh
This is a complex mineral-organic fertilizer. Contains in its composition: nitrogen + potassium + phosphorus - basic and magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, boron, sulfur and others.
Krepysh is both in dry form and in the form of a solution. The latter is very convenient for application to already grown seedlings, it will provide it with everything necessary.
This fertilizer helps seedlings to vigorously grow green mass, thickens the stems of the plant.
Top dressing for seedlings Emerald
Particular attention should be paid to feeding the Emerald, if your seedlings have become clearly yellow from lack of nutrition. It is specially designed to eliminate yellowness and enhance the nutrition of seedlings.
This is a mineral-organic fertilizer. The main active elements are nitrogen and magnesium. Its concentrated composition must be diluted with water according to the instructions. You can make both root dressing and spraying.
Similar in action to it, there is also Ideal fertilizer.
Top dressing for seedlings Humat +7
This preparation contains 60-65% humates and 7 trace elements necessary for plants (Fe-0.4%, Cu-0.2%, Zn-0.2%, Mn-0.17%, Mo-0.018%, Co-0.02%, B-0.2%, N-1.5%) in the form of complex compounds with humic acids. Well soluble. It improves the composition of the soil, nourishes seedlings, promotes its good growth and immunity.
Humate + 7 has many positive feedback. Due to its complex composition, it is used only 3-4 times during the entire season.
Top dressing for seedlings Zdraven Turbo
Top dressing also promotes active plant growth, strengthening of seedling stems, foliage growth and sprout health.
Top dressing Fertica Lux
Crystalline complex fertilizer, which has won the recognition of many gardeners. Fertilizer composition: NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) 16-20-27 + trace elements (Fe -0.1%, B - 0.02%, Cu - 0.01%, Mn - 0.1%, Mo - 0.002 %, Zn - 0.01%).
This fertilizer must be diluted in water strictly according to the instructions, it is quite strong. You should get a very pale, transparent pinkish solution, in no case do you need to overdo it because you can burn the tender roots of the seedlings, it is so intense. The water for the solution should be warm.
Also on sale is Fertik in liquid form, in bottles, which is also very convenient to use.
This is about industrial fertilizers. If you are against feeding seedlings with "chemistry", then the second part of the article is for you. Below we will consider the best folk options.
How to feed tomato seedlings with folk remedies
Feeding seedlings with chicken manure
Great organic fertilizer. It is good that now it is no longer in short supply and is freely sold in garden centers, markets, and it can also be purchased from poultry breeders.
Chicken manure is a waste product of poultry. It contains in its composition necessary for plants nitrogen, as well as iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and other useful elements.
Most importantly, the fertilizer is completely natural organic matter.
But it must be used correctly so as not to harm. Fresh or concentrated chicken manure should not be fertilized, it is caustic enough to burn the roots of plants. Be sure to read the instructions for use to the end.
Usually, chicken manure is soaked in the right amount of water according to the instructions and insisted for at least a day. But, it is better to insist it for about three to five days, wait for it to ferment and only then use it. Although it is not so easy to do this in an apartment, because from the wandering litter you can imagine what amber.
And if we are talking about young, tender seedlings, you can’t even water it with such a solution. We dilute it 1: 1 with water, and we already water our seedlings with this solution.
Only then will she receive maximum benefit both nutrition and the root system with such top dressing will be safe.
Also, chicken manure is granular. It is believed that this treatment improves usability and its quality, eliminating excessive causticity.
Fertilizing seedlings with biohumus
Another organic fertilizer created on the basis of the vital activity of earthworms. Very nutritious, easily digestible by plants, containing beneficial microflora.
Suitable for fertilizing vegetable (and not only) crops throughout the season. Both for seedlings and for flowering and fruiting plants. It stimulates plant growth, immunity, development of the root system, nourishes them.
Biohumus contains nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium and other elements, this is a complete complex top dressing.
Biohumus is dry loose and liquid. Dry is more suitable for laying in holes in the garden or for adding indoor flowers or seedlings to the ground.
Liquid biohumus is just more suitable for top dressing during the growing season.
We dilute it in warm water according to the instructions and water our seedlings. This fertilizer is very soft, you can use it without fear of harming the seedlings.
Of the biohumus fertilizers, the natural elixir of fertility, containing everything needed by plants components in an easily digestible form, and at the same time being a completely natural organic top dressing.
Feeding seedlings with onion peel
Do not throw away onion skins, it is underestimated by many useful fertilizer. The infusion is so soft onion peel that it can be used with every watering.
Onion peel in its composition contains all the necessary nutrients in small doses.
An infusion of onion peel is being prepared to fertilize seedlings in this way: on liter jar take two handfuls of onion peel, pour it hot water(but not boiling water), we insist for a day.
The solution should be the color of tea leaves. We water the seedlings with this undiluted fertilizer.
Feeding tomato seedlings with ashes
The ash or ordinary ash that remains after burning a tree is considered one of the best organic potassium-phosphorus fertilizers, it also contains calcium and magnesium, these are its main elements. But note that ash does not contain nitrogen.
Tomatoes are very fond of ash for potassium and phosphorus in its composition.
How to breed ash for feeding tomato seedlings: pour half a glass of ash with two liters of warm water, let it brew for a day. We do not water abundantly under the root with this solution.
Feeding tomato seedlings with iodine
Despite the fact that tomatoes do not require a lot of iodine for development, they always respond favorably to such top dressing. Iodine significantly strengthens the immunity of plants, and also disinfects the soil. Seedlings are less susceptible to diseases.
We feed the already grown seedlings. We prepare an iodine solution for feeding tomato seedlings: 1 drop of iodine per 3 liters of water, stir, pour.
We carry out this procedure once. It is best to do this before planting in the ground in a permanent place.
Feeding seedlings with hydrogen peroxide video
It is impossible to call this dressing complete, because it does not contain microelements.
But due to its composition, the hydrogen peroxide solution helps plants to better absorb nutrients from the soil, and most importantly, it disinfects the soil and enhances the immunity of seedlings. The growth of well-nourished seedlings is enhanced.
Watering plants with a solution of peroxide is an excellent prevention of late blight and other diseases.
A peroxide solution is prepared as follows: 2 tablespoons per 1 liter of water. Can be used with every watering.
Thank you for reading to the end. We hope that this modest work was useful for you and now you know how to feed your seedlings.
If you have something to say about these dressings - write in the comments and be sure to share our article in in social networks we will be very pleased.
In Russian latitudes, it is better to grow tomatoes seedling way. For inexperienced gardeners, tomato seedlings raise many questions: how to grow it, what kind of feeding do plants need?
One of the most important activities in the care of tomatoes is plant fertilization. Quite often, novice gardeners ask the question: is it necessary to feed tomato seedlings, because soil composition the best one was selected for her, and when to start this procedure? Here the answer is unequivocal and cannot be questioned - it's over! Even during the growth of seedlings, it is fed three times, regardless of how balanced the soil was.
The fact is that as plants grow, they “pull” all the nutrients they need from the soil. In boxes with seedlings of tomatoes, where the soil was created in accordance with all requirements, over time there will not be the elements necessary for plants. And seedlings need a full-fledged, strong and healthy, capable of long-term fruiting.
Mature plants in the garden also need constant "feeding". They give all their strength to form fruits. Without top dressing, having exhausted everything necessary elements from the soil, the tomato will give nutrients to the ovaries, using its potential. This can lead to seedlings becoming weak. Therefore, the question of whether it is necessary to feed tomato seedlings becomes rhetorical.
Tomato loves top dressing very much, without them count on good harvest it makes no sense.
Norms and rules for fertilizing seedlings
Seedling nutrition - required element agricultural technology. Even if the soil was purchased from a specialized store, within two months, constantly growing and developing tomato shoots will deplete the soil, and then become weak themselves. Regarding how to feed tomato seedlings at home, there are quite a few recommendations. should be carried out in accordance with simple rules and norms.
Rule number 1. As in any business, it is important to observe the measure in top dressing. Having gone too far with fertilizers, the farmer will not only not help the plant, but, on the contrary, will complicate its existence, if not destroy it at all.
Rule number 2. If industrial fertilizers are used, then it is better to give preference to liquid, rather than dry top dressing. The root system of seedlings is still very tender, so it will cope better with liquid "nutritious feed".
Rule number 3. If for some reason dry fertilizers are still used for top dressing, they must first be diluted in water and watered tomato sprouts liquid solution. Dry additives dissolve in the soil for too long, during which time the seedlings may lose strength without waiting for nutrients.
Rule number 4. Before fertilizing, seedlings must first be watered. plain water. Feeding the plant on dry land is undesirable.
Rule number 5. fertilize seedlings better in the morning, since evening dressing can lead to the formation of fungal diseases in the soil.
Rule number 6. Each fertilizer has its own purpose. If the gardener’s arsenal does not have top dressing specially designed for seedlings, but there are fertilizers for adult plants, you need to correctly calculate the amount of applied substances.
Rule number 7. For greater efficiency of top dressing, the soil must be loose. If the soil is not “fluffy” enough, it can be loosened. This should be done as carefully as possible, superficially, so as not to harm the fragile roots of plants.
Timing of fertilizer application
In addition to the rules, you should also know when to feed tomato seedlings so that the plants constantly receive all the necessary "set" of nutrients.
You can hear a lot of opinions about how often to feed tomato seedlings after germination. Experts say that in the course of their growth, seedlings should be fed three times. It grows within two months, "three meals a day" for such a period of time is the most suitable option.
Top dressing for seedlings No. 1
There is also disagreement about when to feed tomato seedlings for the first time. However experienced gardeners and gardeners advise the first dressing to be carried out on the tenth day after picking. A tiny seedling has already managed to take root and take root by this time, now he needs strength to further growth. Nitrophoska is best suited for the first top dressing, as it contains phosphorus and nitrogen in its composition - the most necessary elements for this stage plant development. The fertilizer is diluted in water, observing the proportion indicated on the package. As a rule, the dosage of such a fertilizer is 1 tbsp. spoon for 1 liter of water.
Top dressing for seedlings No. 2
It is carried out 14 days after the first feeding. During this period, plants need phosphorus and potassium. Therefore, nutritional top dressing is made on the basis of potassium sulfate and double superphosphate, containing these two elements in sufficient volume. In addition, they include the following elements: nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, iron, copper, boron, zinc, manganese, molybdenum, boron. As in the case of the first feeding, the amount of fertilizer diluted in one liter of water is 1 tablespoon.
Top dressing for seedlings No. 3
The last time tomato seedlings are fed shortly before planting on the beds. Seven days before transplanting, tomato shoots are fertilized again with a solution of nitrophoska.
Alternative ways to feed tomatoes
The people have long figured out how to feed tomato seedlings for fatness without the use of industrial fertilizers. What ways have skillful farmers not invented to support seedlings and supply them with the necessary beneficial substances. Looking on the windowsill to rise faster, summer residents use many improvised means: milk, banana skins, eggshells, ammonia, potassium permanganate, iodine, ash, yeast.
Iodine for tomato seedlings
Everyone knows the properties of iodine. But few people know that it is used as a top dressing for tomatoes. Having bought iodine, you can no longer worry about how to feed tomato seedlings for the growth of healthy shoots after planting. In addition, its disinfecting properties will help rid plants of many diseases and harmful insects.
Before feeding seedlings of tomato with iodine before picking, it is dissolved in warm, settled water (10 g of iodine / 10 l of water). The effect of such a fertilizer can be enhanced by diluting another 20 g of potassium and 10 g of phosphorus in it. Top dressing with the resulting solution is carried out during watering.
Ash - affordable top dressing for tomatoes
Ash, like iodine, has disinfectant properties. It is used as a means for the prevention of fungal diseases of plants. But wood ash is also valuable because it contains potassium, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium - an extraordinary important elements For proper growth and development of plants.
Before fertilizing tomato seedlings with ash, you need to choose and sift it correctly. You need to choose it for top dressing carefully. It must be obtained by burning only natural herbs or wood. If the fire (or oven) were stacked plastic bottles, plastic bags and other hazardous waste, of course, it is absolutely impossible to take ashes from such a fire.
The best ash comes from burning sunflower or buckwheat stalks. Among tree species, the best ash, the most enriched in potassium oxide, will be obtained from birch firewood.
There should not be any difficulties with how to feed tomato seedlings with ashes at home. You just need to take two liters of water and dissolve 1 tbsp. a spoonful of wood ash. The solution should be infused within 24 hours. Then the usual top dressing is carried out in compliance with the above rules.
Yeast is an effective fertilizer
The confectionery properties of yeast turn into agricultural when it comes to how to fertilize tomato seedlings with yeast to stimulate their growth.
By making a yeast concentrate, you can get a natural and inexpensive seedling growth stimulator. Its recipe is completely simple. For 10 liters of settled water ( warm temperature) 10 grams of yeast and 4 tablespoons of sugar are taken. Everything is thoroughly mixed. It turns out a concentrated yeast solution. To use it as a top dressing, you also need to dilute it with water (1 part concentrate to 10 parts water).
Wheat grains can also act as a substitute for yeast. They are pre-prepared before making top dressing. Wheat grains are left in a small amount of water until they swell, then they are ground to a mushy state. After that, sugar is placed in the resulting grain gruel (proportion: 2-3 tablespoons / 1 cup of unsoaked wheat grains).
Such a wheat-sugar mixture is heated and left to infuse in a dark place for 24 hours. After that, the yeast substitute is ready, it is used in the same way as the yeast concentrate - it is diluted with water and used for top dressing.
Milk - a natural top dressing for tomatoes
Milk is extremely useful product Everyone knows about it since childhood. It's rich big amount substances without which it is difficult to imagine the normal functioning of the human body. Calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, sulfur, nitrogen - far from full list all the elements that make up it. All of them have a beneficial effect on human health.
As it turned out, it brings exactly the same benefits to plants. Therefore, they began to use it as a top dressing for plants, including tomatoes.
The choice in favor of milk was made by the "people's farmers" also because it has a kind of "anti-sectorial" property. If you spray the leaves with milk, you can get rid of many harmful insects. They simply will not digest foliage covered with a milky shell. Insects do not have a pancreas, which is used to process lactose and milk sugar, which are part of cow's milk.
Speaking about how to feed tomato seedlings with milk, many gardeners and gardeners advise, first of all, to choose quality product. It is advisable to give preference to an unpasteurized, home-made product, since it contains the maximum amount of substances necessary for its use for agricultural purposes.
The question of how to properly feed tomato seedlings with milk is solved easily and simply. Water and milk are taken at the rate of 4:1 or 5:1 and mixed. As a rule, a small amount of iodine (≈14-15 drops) is added to such “milkshakes”. But you can do without it.
When using milk as a plant food, it is important to remember that this product should not be used undiluted. This can harm plants. It must be mixed with water before spraying.
Banana skins as fertilizer
An equally extraordinary answer to the question of how to feed tomato seedlings at home can be a banana peel.
It contains a large amount of potassium, which is necessary for good absorption of nitrogen. Without processing enough nitrogen, plants become frail and may wither. 
Therefore, without throwing out the banana peel, you can very easily solve the dilemma: how to feed young tomato seedlings without much hassle.
To obtain " banana top dressing”, Cleanings are taken, folded to the bottom of a three-liter jar and filled with water. Three days later, banana skins are taken out, and seedlings are watered with the resulting infusion.
Egg shell for seedlings
Arguing about what kind of fertilizer to feed tomato seedlings, if it is very thin, one cannot fail to mention eggshell. Due to the increased content of calcium carbonate, as well as other elements - magnesium, silicon, phosphorus, silicon, potassium, shell chicken eggs acquires valuable properties plant fertilizers.
Top dressing is made in the same way as in the case of banana skins. Eggshells (from 3-4 pcs) are soaked in water (3 liters) for three days.
Nettle infusion
After planting seedlings in a "permanent place of residence", its strength can be maintained with the help of other plants, which sometimes themselves come to the rescue of each other. Nettle infusion is also excellent feeding for tomatoes. 
However, caution must be exercised here. Such top dressing is not recommended to water tomatoes too often (no more than twice a month).
You can make fertilizer by taking fresh, chopped nettles (2 parts) and filling it with water (1 part). The jar is covered with a lid and placed in heat. Nettle water is infused for about a week (maximum 10 days). After that, the fermented infusion is mixed with water (proportion - 1:10) and the plants are watered. Tomato bushes are watered with such nettle top dressing at the rate of 1-2 liters per plant. Watering should be directly under the bushes.
Thus, challenging tasks related to whether it is necessary to fertilize tomato seedlings, how to feed them and how many times, are solved quite simply. The only thing you need is to follow the rules for feeding. And the choice of fertilizers remains with the farmer. Moreover, the variety of existing top dressings provides unlimited opportunities for both beginner gardeners and gardeners, and for specialists in growing tomatoes.
Many lovers indoor plants they raise their pets themselves, because it is not always possible to find the right one in the store home plant. In addition, buying flower seeds will be much cheaper than mature plant. But all this is not so important. The main thing is what fascinating process– cultivation indoor flower! And what a pity it is when the seedlings of a flower die. Having lost my seedlings of indoor plants several times, I decided to approach the issue of growing them more responsibly. As it turned out, of great importance during cultivation is proper feeding seedlings.
What elements are needed for feeding seedlings
If the condition of the plant does not cause alarm, you can use universal fertilizers for feeding. In fact, the main elements that are necessary for the growth and development of a plant are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It is good to feed young seedlings with a mixture with a predominance of nitrogen salts.
But there are situations when you need to know which microelements your seedlings lack. This can be seen from her appearance.
Lack of nitrogen leads to slower plant growth, the leaves become small and pale. The stems of such a plant are thin, slightly branching.
Phosphorus deficiency. Plant growth is significantly retarded. Plants become weak, leaves turn yellow at the edges and fall off. Reduced disease resistance and cold resistance of seedlings.
Potassium deficiency. In addition to the fact that plant growth slows down, their resistance to fungal diseases decreases. The edges and tops of the leaves turn brown and die.
A lack of calcium leads to the death of young leaves and stem tips, weakening the growth and development of roots. First, young leaves become light in color, then light yellow spots appear on them. The edges of the leaves are bent down and they fall off.
Lack of magnesium. The leaves of the plant become "marble", spotted, turn pale between the veins. Gradually they turn yellow, curl and fall off. The growth and development of the plant slows down.
A lack of boron leads to a halt in the growth of stems, roots, and the death of the apical point of growth. Young leaves become dark in color, their edges are bent down. Plant shoots become brittle.
For fertilizing with nitrogen, ammonium, salts of nitric and nitrous acids are used. With a lack of potassium, nitric and potassium phosphate are used. The plant can obtain the necessary phosphorus from mixtures containing salts of phosphoric acid or superphosphate.
Basic rules for feeding seedlings
Having correctly chosen the necessary fertilizer, you also need to competently carry out top dressing of seedlings. Let's learn how to do it right.
Feeding seedlings is recommended to be done every 7-10 days. Feed seedlings only during the growth period. Plants that are not yet rooted should not be fed.
It is best to fertilize early in the morning on a sunny day, but never fertilize plants in hot weather. It is very important that the fertilizer does not get on the leaves and stems, as this can cause the plant to burn.
For fertilizing seedlings, fertilizer of low concentration should be taken. Commercially available mixtures are used as top dressing. The sachets indicate for which plants and in what quantities they are needed.
A few hours before top dressing, the seedlings are well watered. This protects the roots from burns and contributes to the uniform impregnation of the fertilizer with the entire clod of earth. But remember that excessive fertilization harms the development of the plant.
Also, I learned that it is very good to alternate fertilizing with mineral fertilizers and biofertilizers with growth stimulants based on humic acids.
Experienced gardeners no longer need to explain that feeding tomato seedlings at home before and after picking, as well as after planting in the ground, is an absolutely necessary procedure for obtaining healthy and strong plants. After all, only such tomatoes can bring a good harvest, resist diseases and pests.
During the growth of seedlings, the root system begins to develop, the “immunity” of the plant to diseases is laid, and the basis for the future harvest is formed. And what it will be depends on how and when you feed tomato seedlings.
- How and when to feed tomato seedlings
- 1.1 Why do we need top dressing for seedlings
- 1.1.1 Signs of nutrient deficiency for seedlings
- 1.2 When to feed tomato seedlings
- 1.3 Feeding tomato seedlings after picking
- 1.4 Foliar top dressing tomato
- 1.5 Fertilizing tomato seedlings with organic fertilizers
- 1.5.1 Feeding tomato seedlings with iodine
- 1.5.2 Fertilizing with yeast
- 1.5.3 Fertilizing seedlings with ashes
- 1.5.4 How to feed tomato seedlings, video
- 1.1 Why do we need top dressing for seedlings
How and when to feed tomato seedlings
Many mistakenly believe that tomatoes are enough for growth. fertile soil. You can grow plants without fertilizing, and they will even give you a crop, but not the same if you still feed the tomatoes.
Why do you need fertilizer for seedlings
In the early stages of development, the plant has enough vitality embedded in the seed itself and nutrients from the soil. But only at first. Imagine how much strength a plant needs to hatch from a seed and break through a layer of soil, even if it is loose. And at home, when it is warm and humid enough, all growth processes are accelerated and very soon the plants begin to experience nutrient deficiencies.
Signs of Nutrient Deficiency for Seedlings
Those gardeners who carefully observe the seedlings every day notice any changes immediately. At the same time, it is necessary to act immediately and correct errors during cultivation:
When to feed tomato seedlings
Experts recommend starting top dressing on the very early stage growth, that is, the first dressing should be in the phase of two true leaves. At this time, the plant develops resistance to diseases, especially fungal diseases, such as late blight.
If you are going to feed the plants at this time, then it is better to use the Fitosporin preparation, which is diluted according to the instructions. It not only helps plants resist diseases, but also acts as a bioenergetic.
Also at this time it will be appropriate to shed the soil with a solution of copper, also for the emergence of disease resistance.
A week after the first, you need to carry out a second top dressing. here you can already use complex fertilizer, which will include not only mineral, but also organic matter. It is convenient to use the drug "Agricola", which has everything that tomatoes need. And the plants themselves will choose what to take for development.
The following top dressings are carried out every 10 days, preferably too complex fertilizer. In addition, you can use organic matter, then I will give examples of organic dressings.
Feeding tomato seedlings after picking
After a dive, all plants experience stress, they need to get used to a new place, maybe a different soil composition. Necessarily at the same time the roots are damaged and the plant should just rest. Therefore, we give two weeks after transplantation and carry out the next top dressing with a solution of urea.
After planting in the ground, you also need to feed the tomatoes in two weeks, when they take root and grow. In the first dressing, you can use organic fertilizers. Dilute the mullein infusion, prepared in advance, 1 to 10. Add a tablespoon of nitrophoska to a ten-liter bucket of this solution and pour half a liter under each bush.
All root top dressing should be done after watering, so the nutrients reach the roots of the plant faster.
Foliar top dressing tomato
As you certainly know, plants feed not only through the roots, but also through the foliage. Tomatoes are no exception, so foliar top dressing has a very beneficial effect on them. Usually these procedures are carried out in turn with the application of fertilizers under the roots. spraying useful compositions it is recommended to carry out early in the morning, in the dew, so that nutrients quickly penetrate the inside of the leaf.
For foliar dressings tomatoes use such spraying:
- Phytosporin solution, according to the instructions
- Urea solution
- Superphosphate, solution 1 tbsp. spoon for 10 liters of boiling water, leave for a day
- Potassium monophosphate, 1 teaspoon per 10 liters of water
- A solution of potassium nitrate.
Feeding tomato seedlings with organic fertilizers
Can be used for seedlings and fertilizer from folk remedies. My elderly neighbor every year sprinkles the soil in the seedling boxes with old tea leaves. Some collect eggshells by spring, pour two-thirds of a bucket of shells into a bucket of water with water, insist for three days and water. Just keep in mind that for such top dressing you need your own, homemade fresh eggs.
In the spring, when the seedlings already require top dressing, the first shoots of young nettles appear. I always collect young shoots in a bucket and fill it with warm water, leave it for five days, then use it to water small tomatoes.
Feeding tomato seedlings with iodine
You can use ready-made for seedlings water soluble fertilizers with iodine and water the plants. You can use a solution of iodine for foliar top dressing. To do this, dilute a couple of drops of iodine in four liters of warm water and spray the sprouts from a spray bottle. In the seedling phase, one feeding with this preparation is sufficient for tomatoes.
Yeast nutrition
Previously, such dressings were popular, and both dry and raw yeast were used, even bread and crackers. But with the advent of new drugs, such a remedy was forgotten, and in vain. Because the yeast fungus activates the life of microorganisms in the soil, in addition, the yeast is rich in all the trace elements that are necessary for plant growth, root development and immunity.
Yeast sourdough for irrigation is prepared as follows: one hundred grams of any yeast is diluted in warm water with the addition of a couple of tablespoons of sugar, for better fermentation. The solution is infused until the fermentation process stops, then you need to dilute it again, a liter of sourdough in five liters of water, water the seedlings a week after planting in a permanent place, then immediately after rooting.
Feeding seedlings with ashes
For many years, such top dressing has been popular, because the seedlings of tomatoes and peppers absorb the potassium and phosphorus contained in the ash very well. And everyone knows how all fungal diseases are removed with the help of ash.
The only negative is that nitrogen-containing fertilizers cannot be mixed with ash and nitrogen can be applied only a month after using ash top dressing.
For feeding, the following mixture is used: pour a tablespoon of pure wood ash with five liters hot water and insist for a day, then apply under the plants.
How to feed tomato seedlings, video
