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Top dressing for tomato seedlings at home. All top dressing for tomato seedlings: types of fertilizers, when and what is better to feed Feeding tomato seedlings at home with folk

To grow tomatoes in most of Russia, with the exception of the southern regions, it is necessary to have good healthy seedlings, since the vegetative period of tomatoes lasts 100-110 days. One of the conditions for obtaining strong young plants that will quickly and well take root after transplanting into open ground, is a sufficient amount of mineral and organic substances. Therefore, during the cultivation of seedlings, they are fed with chemical, organic fertilizers and biostimulants.

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  What do plants need in the initial growing season?

  Quality mature seeds always have a supply of nutrients and trace elements that support the growth of seedlings until their root system develops. The first two weeks, young plants require macronutrients: nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, sulfur, potassium, magnesium, and boron. Gradually, as they grow, the reserves of these and other chemical elements, therefore, top dressing of seedlings is required.

  In the first weeks of growth, the yield of future adult plants is laid. If during this period the seedlings receive poor nutrition, then its development is restrained and subsequently a reduced yield can be obtained.

  When feeding seedlings before and after picking, you must follow the recommendations:

  • abundant feeding is harmful to young plants, since the need for fertilizers and the ability to assimilate them are much lower than in adult plants;
  • all fertilizers for seedlings must be applied in a water-soluble form, the easiest to absorb by young roots;
  • top dressing should be done regularly, since periodic lack of nutrition can have fatal consequences;
  • when fertilizing with concentrated fertilizers, you need to ensure that the solutions do not fall on the leaves or wash them off with clean water (the exception is foliar top dressing);
  • before fertilizing, the soil must be moistened with water - in this case, the tender roots of young plants will not suffer from an excess of mineral salts;
  • liquid top dressing should be warm (20-24 degrees);
  • tomato seedlings react poorly to excess nitrogen, so care must be taken when applying nitrogen-containing mineral and organic fertilizers;
  • seedling vegetable crops(tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, eggplant) and garden flowers does not tolerate acidic soil, as pathogenic fungi are activated in it. This must be taken into account when planting seeds and picking them. To reduce the acidity of the earth, dolomite flour is used.

  After picking, plants are fed at least a week later, so as not to harm unrooted seedlings. The second time the seedlings are watered with fertilizers 10-14 days after the first. Young plants are usually fed 2-3 times, in the phase of the 2nd and 4th true leaf, and also a week before planting in the ground. With good seedling growth, you can limit yourself to one top dressing.

  The composition of top dressing for tomatoes is completely different than for other vegetables. Tomatoes love phosphorus, which promotes earlier and more abundant fruiting, and excess nitrogen can be harmful.

  

  Soil preparation

  There are many types on sale ready ground, including tomatoes. When buying a ready-made mixture for planting seeds, you need to check that the amount of essential trace elements is less than 300 mg / l. Soil with so many of these elements is only suitable for adult tomato seedlings. With a higher nutrient content, tomatoes will “fatten”, increasing excessive leaf mass to the detriment of flowers and fruits.

  Shouldn't be used too much fertile soil, since it can slow down the germination and growth of seedlings, it is better to take a less nutritious one, and then feed the seedlings with aqueous solutions of minerals. In purely humus soil, tomatoes do not grow at all, as it contains an excessive amount of chemical elements. A typical soil composition for growing seedlings and planting tomatoes includes the following components (the ratio of parts is 1:2:1:1:1, respectively):

  • peat - lowland is best, as it is slightly acidic;
  • turf - the most suitable is the soil on which cereals, peas, beans were previously cultivated;
  • biohumus from a compost heap;
  • humus;
  • sand, preferably white, large fraction. It helps loosen the soil. Instead of sand, you can use sawdust without chips.

  For mineral nutrition of seedlings, before sowing seeds, ash (0.5 l per 5 l bucket of prepared soil), superphosphate (15-20 g per 5 l of the mixture) or a complex fertilizer that does not contain chlorine can be added to the soil. Ash also helps to reduce the acidity of the earth. Tomato seedlings are not so demanding on the nutritional value of the soil, so the land share can be increased up to 70%, while adult plants show good yields.

  When growing seedlings according to the Mitlider system, the soil for picking is made in the following order:

  1. 1. 5 kg of limestone flour (you can take dolomite flour or chalk instead) mixed with 35 g of boric acid (or 50 g of borax);
  2. 2. fill a 12-liter seedling box with soil;
  3. 3. 2 tbsp. l. Spread the prepared mixture evenly over the surface of the soil.

  

  Mineral fertilizers

  Seedlings of tomatoes, other vegetables and flowers respond well to fertilizing with complex mineral fertilizers. For fertilizer, you can prepare one of the compositions (solutions are prepared in 5 liters of water):

  • Solution - 5 g;
  • Kemira-wagon (Fertika) - 0.5 tbsp. l.;
  • Kalimagnesia, potassium sulfate, Nitrophoska - 1 tsp;
  • Crystallin - 10 g.

  Since tomatoes “love” phosphorus, they are very responsive to the introduction of Superphosphate:

  • 1 st. l. per 1 liter of water for spraying (foliar feeding);
  • 1 st. l. 10 liters for irrigation.

  Spraying with this fertilizer is also used if the seedlings are growing too rapidly. When preparing a solution for watering seedlings, you can add 2 tbsp. l. wood ash. The consumption of such a fertilizer is 1 glass of solution per pot.

  A weak pink solution of potassium permanganate not only nourishes the plants with minerals, but also serves as a prevention of fungal diseases. If the tomato seedlings are pale green, they are sprayed with urea (1 tsp per 5 liters of water). Phosphorus in the composition of Superphosphate accelerates the formation and growth of new roots, stimulates the early formation of flowering ovaries and sugary fruits. This element contributes to better absorption of nitrogen from the soil.

  Three times top dressing with a combined composition of fertilizers is carried out according to the scheme:

  • The first fertilization: urea 5 g, Superphosphate 25 g, potassium salt 15 g. The components are diluted in 10 liters of water.
  • 2nd feeding: the composition is the same. If the plants are of normal green color, the superphosphate content is increased to 40 g.
  • 3rd top dressing: double the amount of fertilizer. The consumption of the resulting solution is 5-6 liters per 160-170 pots with seedlings.

  If the seedlings grow weakly, in this mixture it is necessary to increase the amount of urea, and if it “fattens” - phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. In case of a strong delay in the development of seedlings (cold or other reasons), the composition of the first top dressing changes:

  • Superphosphate - 40 g;
  • ammonium sulfate - 20 g;
  • potassium salt - 10-15 g.

  When pulling the stems of seedlings, spraying with the growth bioregulator "TUR" is used. It inhibits excessive plant growth, and also promotes fruit set and accelerates flowering. To do this, dilute 1 g of the product in 1 liter of water and spray 2-3 times with a break of 1 week.

  At home, seedlings are considered ready for planting if buds begin to form in it. So that they are preserved, and not fallen off after transplanting in the garden, they are sprayed with a solution boric acid(dilute 1 g in 1 liter of water). Processing is carried out 4-5 days before disembarkation in cloudy weather.

  

  Other complex preparations

  On the market of mineral fertilizers and growth biostimulants, there are many preparations both for universal use and for feeding seedlings.

  Water soluble fertilizers:

  Mineral dry fertilizers:

  Liquid complex fertilizers and biostimulants:

  Name of the drug	Purpose
  burly	Top dressing of seedlings of vegetables and flowers, before and after picking; for growing a "garden on the windowsill."
  Gardener	Top dressing of seedlings at all stages of development, adult plants of vegetables and flowers.
  Barrel and four buckets	Fertilizer seedlings and adult plants of vegetables, fruit and berry crops, colors.
  Basfoliar Kelp	Contains an extract of the algae Ecklonia maxima, which has an anti-stress effect during plant transplantation. Use a 1% solution for irrigation before planting in the ground (or watering the soil after transplanting).
  Gardener BSR-1	Improving survival after picking and transplanting into open ground.
  Athlete	Prevents overgrowth of seedlings, promotes stem thickening and root development.
  Energen	Watering and spraying seedlings of vegetables and flowers.
  Epin extra	Promotes better rooting seedlings when picking

  organic fertilizers

  Ash for tomato seedlings can be used in two ways:

  • Watering the earth with infusion of ash. The infusion is prepared as follows: infuse 0.5 cups of fine wood ash in hot water for 1 day, then strain and bring the volume up to 5 liters with water.
  • Dry ash is poured onto moistened soil with seedlings, then light loosening is carried out.

  Ash is of particular importance in feeding seedlings of tomatoes and other vegetables. It contains more than 30 elements necessary for their growth (potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, sulfur and others). You can use the ash obtained from the combustion of hardwood and coniferous trees. The latter contains more phosphorus.

  A solution of bird droppings is prepared according to the following technology:

  1. 1. Pour one bucket of manure with 2 buckets of water.
  2. 2. Keep the solution for a day.
  3. 3. Dilute the prepared solution with water 20 times.
  4. 4. Water the seedlings under the root, if the solution gets on the leaves, wash it off.

  Mullein is bred in the ratio of 1 bucket to 5 buckets of water. In ready-made solutions of manure and mullein, you can add 30 g of superphosphate per 1 bucket.

  

  Folk ways to feed seedlings

  Folk ways of feeding seedlings allow you to get healthy plants at home without the use of chemicals. The resulting crop, subject to such agricultural technology, will be environmentally friendly. These types of fertilizers do not have a scientifically based basis, but their effectiveness has been proven by long-term use in amateur gardening and horticulture. Liquid fertilizers obtained from plants act quickly and are well absorbed by seedlings. They contain mainly nitrogen and potassium. Such fertilizers can be used for both types of top dressing - watering under the root and foliar spraying of the green mass of young plants. Spraying can be done every 10-14 days, while the concentration of the solution should be 2 times less than when watering under the root.

  Nettle has a healing effect on plants and stimulates their growth. Most plants respond well to feeding with nettles (except onions, garlic and legumes). For the preparation of nettle fertilizer, dry plants harvested last spring or summer, before the seeds appeared, are used. Fill a plastic or wooden container with chopped grass and pour water. The solution is infused for 1-2 weeks, it must be stirred once a day. Since it has an unpleasant odor, it is better to do this in a utility room. When the solution turns dark green and stops foaming, it's time to use it. For irrigation under the root, the solution must be diluted with water 10 times, for spraying - 20 times. It must be diluted immediately before processing. This fertilizer is used to feed plants after picking.

  Tomatoes, cucumbers and beans respond well to comfrey fertilizer. Comfrey, according to the amount of potassium it contains, better than manure. It very quickly removes signs of potassium deficiency in seedlings. To make a solution of 1 kg of dry, summer-harvested plants, pour 10 liters of water. You need to insist it for 1 month. This solution is used in the same way as nettle infusion.

  Banana peel contains a large number of trace elements, and is also a natural biological seedling growth stimulant. It can be applied in two forms:

  1. 1. Sprinkling the soil with dried chopped banana peels. You can dry in several ways - in the oven, on the windowsill or in the sun. It should be remembered that heat treatment leads to a partial loss of nutrients.
  2. 2. Water infusion from fresh peel. For this method, fresh peels of 3-7 bananas are cut into thin strips, poured with water at room temperature and kept for 3 days. Then the solution must be filtered, diluted with water in a ratio of one to one. Since pathogenic bacteria can easily start in it, it is first recommended to scald the infusion jar and banana peel with boiling water.

  

  Nutritional baker's yeast contains the following trace elements:

  Yeast has long been used in agriculture for complementary foods livestock(as fodder yeast). Their use in horticulture is considered unconventional method plant nutrition, but gardeners note the rapid growth of plants and the development of the root system. The yeast solution is rich in minerals, carbohydrates and vitamins. Microdoses of yeast also contain lithium, bromine, nickel, molybdenum, cobalt, copper, zinc and iodine, which are necessary for living plant cells. To fertilize seedlings with yeast, prepare a solution in the following order:

  • dissolve in 10 liters of water: 10 g of yeast dry matter, 3 tbsp. l. granulated sugar;
  • insist the resulting solution for 3 hours in heat; dilute the infusion with 10 parts of water before watering the plants.

It is not always possible, and it is necessary to apply peat tablets or purchased mixtures. Sometimes mixtures are sold enriched, and sometimes they contain only peat, which makes the substrate loose. Then it is advisable to apply top dressing for seedlings. And in order to grow a healthy crop without chemistry, let's figure out which organic fertilizers for seedlings, you can do it yourself, and which ones you can just buy.

Feeding seedlings: the timing of application and the rate of dilution of fertilizers without chemicals

As a rule, the first dressing is done when the plants have real leaves. And if you have a lot of seedlings, and you have to dive, then after planting the seedlings, they must be watered with Kornevin or heteroauxin. Stimulation of root formation enables plants to more easily endure stress after transplantation.

Fertilizing the pickled or grown seedlings at home is carried out after 2 weeks, during the period when the plants have 3-4 true leaves. Further top dressing is carried out weekly, alternating fertilizers. Biological preparations with beneficial bacteria (EM ki) can also be added to top dressing.

The feeding calendar should also take into account the type of crop being grown - vegetables can be fed weekly, and flowers need to be fed once every 10-14 days. But in both cases, the norms of dilution of fertilizers must be reduced, since most often they are given for farms, where growing conditions are much worse than indoor ones.

Organic fertilizer for seedlings

Naturally, it is preferable to use natural additives, they do not accumulate in the soil and plants. There is a wide selection on sale these days. organic dressings, and unlike diluted fresh bird droppings or horse manure, they do not smell. And the prices don't scare me at all. It is also useful to do top dressing own cooking using potato peelings, banana skins, compost infusion and much more. Let's take a closer look at fertilizers without chemicals.

Ready-made purchased top dressing for seedlings

There are clubs and shops where you can buy both liquid and dry organic fertilizers. It makes no sense to praise one drug before another, and it is impossible to list them all, as there are more and more manufacturers and the range is growing. Here are some of the well-known chemical-free fertilizers:

• Humic fertilizers: GUMI, Lignohumate, GumatEM and others;
• Biocomplex " healthy garden»;
• Bioton;
• Radiance 1;
• Urgas;
• Biohumus;
• Fermented garden compost (based on horse manure or any other).

Feeding for seedlings with their own hands

At home, you can quickly and easily prepare:

• banana top dressing done easily

  fertilizer from banana peel : for seedlings, the peel is usually infused for 2-3 days and the plants are watered at the root. Also, banana skins are dried on a battery and crushed. Such a dry fertilizer is great as a component for mulch. garden beds, and it is poured into the holes during planting. Top dressing with banana skins is recommended for all flowering vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, cauliflower) and flowering houseplants, as it contains a lot of potassium.
• dressing from potato peels: they simply boil the cleanings and cool the decoction rich in starch. fertilizer from potato peelings useful for all vegetable and indoor plants in spring and summer. And in summer period it is good to spread the skins used in this way under the currant bushes - she will thank you for this. And, by the way, heat treatment of cleanings will save your garden from the spread of phytophthora.

• 

  ash fertilizer can be asked from smoking neighbors

  
  top dressing with ash: two liters hot water pour 1 tablespoon of ash and stand for a day. Ash fertilizer is rich in potassium and phosphorus, so it is recommended to use it for all vegetable crops (except root crops) and indoor plants. By the way, if you didn’t grab some ash from the dacha, you can raid the ashtrays in the entrance, or ask your smoking neighbors - a tablespoon will be typed in just a week.

• 

  aquarium water is suitable for feeding seedlings

  
  aquarium water for feeding: As a rule, drained water from freshwater aquariums contains easily digestible organic residues and is quite soft (except for water for African cichlids and some other specialized niches). Passing through the filter and with the help of microorganisms living on aquarium plants, nitrification of fish waste occurs. At the same time, the risk of overfeeding seedlings with nitrogen is incomparably less compared to the risk of overdosing with manure top dressing. Using aquarium water is also effective for watering indoor plants.
• infusion of biohumus or garden compost: pour half a glass of substrate with water at room temperature (you can use aquarium water) and let it stand for 8-12 hours. This infusion contains full complex nutrients in an easily digestible form, and an overdose of such top dressing is simply excluded. This is the most popular and quite cheap look fertilizers without chemicals.
• infusion from onion peel : a handful of onion-garlic skins are poured with boiling water and defended for a day. You can combine the brewing of the husk with ash top dressing. Onion peel tincture is rich not only nutrients but also protects plants from harmful insects and fungi, so it is used not only as a fertilizer, but also as a fungicide and repellent.

In moderate doses, resorting to top dressing of seedlings with nutritional supplements of organic origin, you have little risk that harmful amounts of minerals will accumulate in plants. Carefully monitor the condition of the plants, and if signs of stunting or other "unhealthy" symptoms appear over time, then the causes of this condition may lie in irregular watering, poor lighting or temperature changes. After all, no matter how you feed, with low temperatures or in dry soil, plants do not absorb nutrients well. For feeding, feel free to use some kitchen waste and try to water the seedlings with soft water. Here, for example, where do you usually drain aquarium water, and what fertilizers without chemicals do you have in your arsenal?

Proper watering and fertilizing seedlings contribute to its normal formation and development. It is during the seedling period that the program is laid in plants further growth which, in turn, affects productivity.

Tomato seedling requirements for top dressing

Any seedling when grown on a windowsill needs top dressing. Their frequency depends on the soil in which it grows. When purchased slightly acidic soils (pH 5-6) are used, the culture is fed every 10-15 days. If the soil is more acidic, then top dressing is carried out every 10 days with the addition of deoxidizers.

Seedling fertilizers

The most unsuitable soil for tomatoes is garden soil. In the northern and central regions, it is, as a rule, too acidic, in the central black earth regions and in the south - alkaline. In this case, fertilizers are given at each watering with the simultaneous introduction of substances that deoxidize or alkalize the soil.

After the opening of the cotyledon leaves, the tomatoes switch to their own root nutrition. If they grow on purchased soil, then they have enough fertilizers contained in it, and they start feeding after picking. If the culture grows on garden land, then it must be fed immediately after the opening of the cotyledon leaves.

During the cultivation of tomato seedlings at home, it must be fed 4-5 times. When grown on a window, fertilizers are applied under the root. If seedlings grow in a greenhouse, then you can make one foliar top dressing.

Fertilizers are also applied in case of signs of a lack of nutrients.

Nutrient deficiency symptoms

In the absence of proper care or growing seedlings on poor soil without fertilizer, symptoms of a deficiency of one or another element appear.

Lack of nitrogen. The leaves are crushed, become yellowish-green, the tomatoes are weak and do not grow well. However, pure nitrogen cannot be fed, as the plants will gain a lot of green mass and overgrow. Also, overfed nitrogen fertilizers tomatoes are easily affected by diseases.

The underside of the leaves, veins and stems turn purple. The more intense it is, the stronger the deficit. If only the lower part of the stem turns purple, then this is not a sign of a lack of phosphorus, but of cold air at the roots. In this case, the seedlings are placed on a stand or on a heater.

iron deficiency. The leaves turn yellowish green and the veins turn dark green. It is more common in tomatoes grown on neutral and slightly alkaline soils.

Micronutrient deficiency.

General micronutrient deficiencies. Plants are oppressed, grow poorly, yellowish-green in color. If they are pulled out of the ground, then the root system is weak, underdeveloped. The situation is easy to fix

Usually, seedlings in apartment conditions have either a complex lack of nutrients or a nitrogen deficiency. The rest is gross errors either in the selection of soil or in care.

Fertilization scheme

At home, it is better to feed tomatoes with liquid fertilizers, since they are easier to apply and they are absorbed much faster. From organic substances, humates are usually used. It is unlikely that someone will dare to use chicken manure or mullein on their windowsill.

The amount of dressing depends on the variety of tomatoes. Late varieties are planted early - in mid-late February, so they need to get 4-5 top dressings in the house. Early tomatoes are sown in early March, and their seedlings appear by the middle of the month. They are fed 3-4 times before landing in the ground.

First feeding of tomato seedlings

It is carried out after the appearance of the first true leaf. But if they do not appear for a long time, then they apply fertilizers without waiting for the appearance of true leaves. This often happens when growing seedlings on poor soil, not filled with nutrients.

The main danger of this top dressing is that the hypocotyl knee is strongly extended. Plants become thinner and stretched. Therefore, the fertilizer should contain a minimum amount of nitrogen and enough phosphorus and trace elements. However, nitrogen must still be present - it is the main factor in the growth of green mass. Best to use liquid fertilizers: they are absorbed faster by tomatoes and are much easier to bring into seedling containers. The most suitable for the first feeding are:

If the first real leaves appeared on the window, but they clearly lack nutrition (slow growth, yellowish tint of plants), then they are fed with complex fertilizer for tomatoes and peppers (Malyshok, Kemira, Aquarin, Krepysh).

Top dressing is done immediately after watering, so that the solution does not burn the roots.

If the seedlings grow normally, then the first top dressing is not done, but fertilizers are applied 3-5 days after picking. At this point, the seedlings have 2-3 true leaves.

If the first top dressing was nevertheless, then the next one is carried out after 12-14 days. Apply special complex fertilizers for tomatoes and peppers: Agricola, Intermag garden, Malyshok. When signs of nitrogen starvation appear, they are fed with humates.

Nitrogen fertilizers, which are usually used in summer cottages, are not used at home, since an incorrectly calculated dose can kill tomatoes.

The third dressing of tomatoes

It is carried out 14 days after the second. If the seedlings grow in a greenhouse, then foliar top dressing can be done, if on the window, then fertilizers are applied under the root. If the tomatoes are too long, then use fertilizers with a minimum nitrogen content and with a sufficient amount of phosphorus. The best in this situation is an infusion of ash.

To prepare it, 1 tbsp. ash is added to 1 liter of boiling water and mixed thoroughly. The infusion is left for 2-3 days, stirring regularly. Before making 1 glass of infusion, dilute in 1 liter of water and water the tomatoes. In addition, you need to adjust the backlight and temperature. The culture is placed in a cool but sunny place and the illumination time is increased.

With the normal development of plants, they are fed with Intermag garden or Malyshok fertilizer.

In the case of foliar fertilization, spraying is carried out with the same substances in the early morning (an hour after sunrise) or in the evening (1-2 hours before sunset) so that the tomatoes do not get burned.

Fourth dressing tomato

Usually this is the last introduction of nutrients for seedlings. It is carried out in 10-12 days. At this time, in early tomatoes, if the sowing dates were observed, the first flower brush is formed. In later varieties, the next leaves are still laid. That's why different varieties Tomatoes require different nutrients.

At early varieties when laying the first flower brush and then the need for nitrogen decreases and the need for potassium, calcium and trace elements increases. As a top dressing, Effecton O, Kalimag, and ash are used.

Late varieties lay the first flower cluster 70-80 days after germination, so by the time of the fourth feeding they still continue to grow leaves and have high demand in nitrogen and phosphorus. Potassium is still required in minimal quantities. Therefore, the same fertilizers are applied under them as before: Intermag garden, Agricola for tomatoes and peppers, Malyshok.

Last fifth dressing

It is made only for late varieties of tomatoes, if they have not been planted in the ground. By this time, late varieties are also gaining the first brush and, accordingly, the need for batteries is changing. They bring in ash or Kalimag. But if the seedlings need to be planted in the ground earlier than 10 days after feeding, then it is not carried out.

Feeding tomato seedlings with folk remedies

Some amateur gardeners prefer to feed tomato seedlings with various folk remedies instead of fertilizers. Tomatoes are not fed with anything, and Not every top dressing is a boon for plants.

Asleep tea brew

It is very often brought under any seedlings. The most resourceful in used tea bags pour earth and sow seeds of tomatoes or peppers there. In the phase of the first true leaf, the culture is dived.

Tea brew contains a lot of tannins and vitamins, but it does not contain the elements necessary for plants. It is good to use it as a soil baking powder, especially if the tomatoes are grown on dense garden soil. The best for this is large-leaf black and green tea. Tea with additives, dyes and flavors should not be used, since the components contained in it can harm the seedlings.

As a baking powder, dried tea leaves are introduced into containers before picking, in which the tomatoes will be pickled. Welding perfectly retains moisture. Therefore, when growing tomato seedlings, I peat pots to avoid rapid absorption of moisture by peat, it is applied to the surface of the soil and lightly sprinkled with earth.

But you should not add a lot of tea leaves, because it retains moisture well. And moisture is a favorable environment for the development of pathogens,. In addition, in large quantities, tea leaves acidify the soil.

In itself, tea leaves are not top dressing, and its introduction does not affect the development of tomatoes in any way. Therefore, regardless of whether it is applied under tomatoes or not, they must be fed with ordinary fertilizers.

Egg shells as fertilizer

Some bring powdered eggshells under tomatoes and other seedlings, especially from Easter eggs. The shell contains a lot of calcium, but there are practically no other elements in it. However, tomatoes in the seedling period do not need calcium. Its excess in the soil contributes to the rapid growth of small oppressed shoots, which, without having time to develop well, dry out. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce eggshells for seedlings (an exception is when its deficiency appears, and then in very limited quantities). It is better to keep it until the fruit ripens. when the need for calcium in tomatoes increases.

Weed infusion

Usually carried out by those who grow seedlings in a greenhouse. An infusion is prepared from the first weeds that appear, and then tomatoes are poured over them. At room conditions, an infusion of banana peel is used for the same purpose. This fertilizer contains a lot of nitrogen, and it can be applied only with slow growth of tomatoes and their depressed state. Top dressing is done once during the growing seedlings. Then fertilizers are used, where nitrogen contains a minimum amount and sufficient other elements.

If you overfeed the tomatoes with infusion, then they will grow rapidly, they will be lush, but they will not lay flower brushes. And that's crop loss.

Is it worth feeding seedlings with yeast

Yeast is very often used for top dressing. They contain many vitamins, but they do not contain any nutrients needed by plants. Therefore, the introduction of yeast under seedlings is a waste of time and effort. It doesn't give any effect.

Top dressing with iodine

During the seedling period, iodine is not required for tomatoes, and its introduction at this time only hinders the normal development of tomatoes. It is necessary for fruit setting. The need for it arises after the start of flowering of the first flower brush. Until that time, culture does not need it.

Do not rush to fertilize seedlings with hydrogen peroxide

It contains only oxygen and hydrogen. Watering tomatoes with it well enriches the soil with oxygen and for some time the seedlings grow well. But still this is not top dressing, tomatoes are still required nutrients. Therefore, watering tomatoes with peroxide, of course, is possible, but only in addition to full-fledged dressings.

Fertilizing tomatoes with onion peel

Infusion of onion peel well disinfects the soil, suppressing pathogenic microflora. There are many trace elements in the husk, and it can be used as a microfertilizer. However, it should not be abused, since the phytoncides contained in it in large quantities can damage the roots of tomatoes. But once during the period of seedling growth, it is still possible to water the tomatoes.

It must be remembered that onion infusion is a complete fertilizer and after its application, the next top dressing is done only after 10 days.

Watering tomato seedlings

Tomatoes need to be watered very sparingly. Seedlings do not tolerate waterlogging of the soil. If the soil is not allowed to dry out, then the roots of the plants will develop poorly, and when planted in a permanent place, the culture will hurt for a long time. In general, tomatoes tolerate drying out of the soil much better than waterlogging it.

The usual recommendation is to water the tomatoes every 10 days. But growing conditions can vary so much that someone's seedlings can dry out in 10 days. To determine whether the plants need watering or not, you need to run your finger over the surface of the soil. If a layer of dust remains on the finger, which is easily shaken off the hands, watering is required.

In other cases, watering is not necessary. When seedlings are grown in deep containers, the dryness of the soil is determined using a wooden stick 15-20 cm long. It is immersed in the soil to a depth of 10 cm. If the earth is stuck to it, watering is not needed.

Basic watering rules.

1. Irrigation water must be settled. Tomatoes do not like chlorine in tap water.
2. Water should be at room temperature or warmed up in a day in a greenhouse. Although tomatoes tolerate well cold water, but keep in mind that they grow in limited containers and the roots are very cool with such watering. As a result, culture growth slows down.

Self-growing seedlings is a laborious process that requires attention and knowledge. But it pays off in full. Buying young seedlings is a lottery. You can buy the wrong one climatic conditions variety, or not at all the variety declared by the seller. In addition, these are extra costs and uncertainty - what and how will grow from this seedling.

In order for the seedlings to germinate together, you need to take care of the following points:

• soil preparation;

• correct fit;

• picking technique;

• top dressing at the stage of germination, shoots.

Young plants of tomatoes and peppers are vulnerable to diseases, weather conditions, pests. Therefore, it is better to grow seedlings at home in a box or in a greenhouse. The window sill is a favorite place used by summer residents living in urban areas.

Tomatoes and peppers have similar needs. They can be grown according to the same principle, using the same soil and fertilizers - homemade or purchased. If you do not use mineral fertilizers, then seedlings of tomatoes and peppers are fed with folk remedies. What - read below in the appropriate section.

Soil preparation

Using purchased soil, you can expect that the seeds will take root and germinate at the appointed time. If it is not possible to buy a suitable composition, then it is not difficult to prepare the mixture with your own hands.

Tomatoes and peppers love loose soil with big amount organics. It is impossible to overmoisten the soil so that the fungus does not appear and the roots do not rot. Humidity should be moderate - it is better not to keep seedlings near heating appliances.

• garden soil - 10 l;

• clean sand, previously disinfected in the oven - 5 l;

• peat(can be bought at a garden store) – 5 l ;

• ready compost - 5 l.

Additional substances:

• furnace ash - 150 g;

• three-component complex fertilizer - 30 - 40 g.

Mix all the ingredients well, break up the lumps with your hands or sift through a sieve to the granules were no larger than 2 mm in diameter. Put in a seating box or cups. Cups in this case are better, because when transplanted into open ground, the root system will be less damaged.

Selection and germination of seeds of tomatoes and peppers

The next step is seed selection. This is important as not all can potentially germinate. Need to prepare:

• water tank - about a glass;

• salt - a tablespoon;

• seeds that are about to be planted.

Selection process:

• Dissolve salt in warm water.

• Pour the seeds and wait 5 - 10 minutes.

Seeds that have sunk to the bottom are good planting material. Those left floating on top can be picked up and discarded, even if they are all left on top. This is a marriage and they will not give seedlings. Then you can lay the next portion and check.

After selection, the seeds are washed and dried. Next, you need to disinfect them. You can use ordinary potassium permanganate:

• make a 1% solution - 1 g of potassium permanganate per 1 liter of water;

• collect the seeds in gauze and lower into the solution;

• wait 20 minutes;

• take out, wash and dry.

You can use purchased preparations for disinfection, for example - Fitosporin. In any case, it is necessary to carry out manipulations before landing in the ground. You can't keep more than a day.

Next stage - germination stimulation. For this you need:

• 1 tablespoon of wood ash stir in a glass of water;

• put the seeds in cheesecloth and leave in solution for 5 - 6 hours;

• take out and dry.

There are also ready-made solutions that contain nutrients.

When to plant peppers and tomatoes for seedlings

Preparation for germination is carried out in the last days of February - early March. Then it should be planted in prepared cups. Depending on the climate of the region, varieties, planting dates can be changed. If the timing is indicated on the package with seeds, then it is better to follow the recommendations. Tomato seeds are planted two weeks later than peppers. Peppers take longer to rise.

Seeds are planted in a row with a gap of 1 cm. Sprayed and sprinkled with earth layer 5 - 7 mm, covered with polyethylene cling film and placed in a warm room. Temperature should be supported at 20 degrees.

Under such conditions, seedlings appear after 3-5 days. In peppers, seedlings should be expected in 2 to 3 weeks. When leaves appear on the seedlings, you need to remove the film and put the plants in the light to stimulate the production of chlorophyll.

From this point on, you need to watch the seedlings. If tomatoes usually do well on fertilized soil, then peppers need to be given more attention.

How many times and when to feed seedlings of tomatoes and peppers

Nutritional deficiencies can show up quickly. Yesterday, the seedlings looked healthy, and a day later the leaves began to wither and fall. This is due to the fact that when preparing the soil, ordinary land was used without fertilizers and fertilizing.

The plants took out all the substances and began to starve. They need to be saved by top dressing from complex mineral fertilizers, where there is nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Dilute mixtures for seedlings according to the instructions, but usually 3 - 5 g per bucket of water.

Video: Most the best top dressings for seedlings

• For the first feeding, use nitrogen-potassium compounds. The period of appearance of the second leaf in peppers and the third in tomatoes.

• The second is carried out after 2 weeks for tomatoes and after 3 weeks for peppers. Use the same fertilizer as the first time.

• The third is carried out shortly before landing in the ground or greenhouse. Here you need phosphorus in the form of superphosphate or double superphosphate to support root system before landing. Phosphorus additives allow you to better survive the move and take root faster. Can be used as nitrogen urea for spraying or watering. You need 1 tablespoon per bucket of water.

• Tomatoes can be given a fourth feeding in two months old. Should be diluted superphosphate granules and furnace ash - take a teaspoon of superphosphate and 2 tablespoons of ash for 5 liters of water. Infuse until the phosphorus dissolves mineral fertilizer- day. Water the tomatoes in a glass under each plant.

Picking is carried out in tomatoes at the age of 2 weeks, in peppers - 10 days after the first feeding. When picking, the root is shortened by a third in order to develop side shoots root system.

Types of top dressing

Most commercially available fertilizers are suitable for seedlings. When growing young seedlings on their own, dosages should be halved, because plants cannot absorb the “adult” amount of nutrients. It is better to follow the recommendations described in the instructions, which indicate the proportions for young plants and adults.

Carefully! When buying fertilizers in a store, you should pay attention: if it is proposed to use the same doses of a substance for seedlings and adult plants, then the fertilizer is most likely not of high quality and it will not work. Such products can be determined by the price - it is usually not high

Manufacturers produce dry mixes and liquid fertilizers. In liquid form, nutrients are absorbed better and faster. To assimilate dry plants, you need to expend more effort to get them out of the soil.

There are conventional fertilizers and there is a chelated form. Conventional mixtures are absorbed by plants by 50% in best case. Chelated - 90%. This also applies to the human body. Chelated ones are more expensive, since the production technology and the substances used are expensive. These are profitable investments, as they form healthy seedlings, which then develop well and bear fruit abundantly.

Important! Do not give young plants fertilizing based on sulfuric acid salts - sulfates. It is for seedlings that they are ineffective

organic fertilizers

organic matter - good fertilizer, but you need to know how to feed pepper and tomato seedlings so as not to harm them. For example - fresh manure should not be used for young peppers.

This substance contains a lot of ammonia, especially chicken manure, which leaves burns on the roots. The plant then dies. It is necessary to pre-infuse and breed manure, but it is better to use rotted or composted.

If there are a lot of seedlings, then a third of a bucket of manure or chicken manure is taken, filled with water and worth a week. It is necessary to stir periodically so that excess ammonia goes into the atmosphere. Next, the resulting infusion is diluted: 10 liters of water are added to 1 liter. The rest of the substance is stored under a lid in a cool place. chicken manure insist the same but dilute 1 liter with 20 liters of water.

When growing tomatoes, you need to monitor the acidity of the soil. If the leaves begin to wither, it is not always a lack of nutrition. Perhaps tomato seedlings simply cannot absorb it due to the low pH of the soil. They increase it with the help of wood ash containing phosphorus, potassium and almost the entire periodic table for trace elements.

Mineral fertilizers

From mineral mixtures you can buy specialized, designed only for peppers or tomatoes, taking into account the needs of these crops. But ordinary universal ones will do. The main thing is not to overdo it in dosages. The first rule of a successful gardener is that it is better to underfeed the plants than to harm them.

Fertilizers for feeding seedlings at home

At home, you can use any fertilizer. Price is the guideline. Imported counterparts are usually more expensive, but they work just like domestic ones. Feeding seedlings of tomatoes and peppers, as well as eggplants, zucchini, pumpkins will be cheaper if you buy domestic fertilizers good quality. This will increase the yield and save money.

If you are raising poultry or large cattle, then the fertilizer will come by itself. Of these, you can make compost, which is very fond of young seedlings.

Another "home" available substance that strengthens plants during the period of active growth is wood ash obtained from the burning of leaves, branches, weeds.

Carefully! Do not use the ashes obtained from the incineration of garbage and plastic. He contains harmful substances, which can harm both plants and human health

Folk remedies for feeding seedlings

The method of feeding seedlings with yeast has long been known - dry or pressed. The idea of ​​this method is to feed not the plants themselves, but soil microorganisms that absorb the yeast and release nitrogen for the plants.

In this form, it is easily digestible and always available. For yeast dressings, you need to prepare a solution.

From dry yeast:

• Dissolve 100 g of the substance in 10 liters of water;

• add 2 - 3 tablespoons Sahara;

• let stand 2-3 hours.

Water under the root half a glass for 1 plant.

From pressed yeast:

• Dissolve 200 g of yeast in 1 liter of water;

• add a spoonful of sugar;

• insist a couple of hours.

Dilute with 10 liters of water before watering peppers and tomatoes.

Features of yeast dressings are such that they cannot be used constantly, but only 2 times during the entire period of growth and fruiting of plants. Yeast fungi, multiplying, absorb potassium from the soil, necessary for plants for flowering and fruiting. As compensation, experienced gardeners immediately after yeast fertilizing use a solution of chicken manure or mullein to replenish nitrogen losses.

Kirill Sysoev

Calloused hands do not know boredom!

Content

People who have their personal plots, annually grow vegetables (especially tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers) on their own. Planting seedlings in the ground and watering regularly is not enough to get good harvest. Plants need to be fed different means to kill pests, overcome diseases, get tasty, fleshy, large fruits. There are several folk ways providing seedlings with the necessary nutrients, with which it will not be difficult to grow healthy, vitamin-rich vegetables.

What is seedling nutrition

This is the process of introducing a nutrient solution under the root system of seedlings of tomatoes, pepper, fertilizer, which strengthens the immunity of the plant, helping to withstand stressful conditions under the influence external environment. To do everything right, you need to be able to recognize what exactly a pepper or tomato needs, how and when to add the solution, how to knead it, etc.

The answers to these many other questions will help novice gardeners get a full crop of vegetable crops. The benefits of using nutritious folk remedies are obvious - they help seedlings grow healthy, strong, resistant to various diseases and pests. Top dressing is carried out in two main ways: root, foliar.

How to feed seedlings

Before you start feeding, you need to familiarize yourself with the types into which any fertilizer for seedlings of tomatoes and peppers is divided:

1. Organic. This includes all folk remedies: a solution of mullein, wood ash, chicken manure, yeast mixture. Such fertilizers are made independently, do not require a lot of time, effort and finances, have a large percentage of assimilation.
2. Organo-mineral. Includes saline solutions and organic components.
3. Mineral. Contains the whole complex of nutrients necessary for the normal full growth of seedlings.

The number of dressings, their composition depends on the quality of the soil mixture. Primary top dressing is carried out no earlier than 15 days after sowing and the appearance of full shoots. Before diving into open ground, peppers and tomatoes do not need early feeding, and after the procedure, you need to wait at least a week. Very good result gives the alternation of mineral mixtures with organomineral. Such top dressing is applied every 7-10 days. It is worth noting that an overabundance or lack of mineral nutrition has a bad effect on seedlings:

Name	Oversupply Symptoms		deficiency symptoms
	Intensive growth of stems, leaves, the appearance of a rich green color, reduced resistance to diseases	Stop fertilizing with nitrogen, feed with phosphorus-potassium agents	Reduced development of the root system, growth of stems	Add liquid nitrogen
	The appearance of chlorosis, a decrease in the absorption of iron	Feed with potassium or dolomite flour	Decreased stem growth, appearance of chlorosis, yellowing, leaf fall	Water 1-2 times a week with calcium nitrate (7-9 g per 3 liters of water)
	Stunting, leaf discoloration, spotting and leaf drop	Feed with potassium	The appearance of blueness on the leaves, spots, a brown tint along the edges, loss of immunity	Water with 1% saltpeter once a week
	Rapid aging of plants, wilting of fruits, the appearance of chlorosis	Feed with phosphate fertilizer	Weak plant growth, the appearance of red veins on the leaves	Insulate the window sill, pour with azophoska solution (5g per 3l)

Folk remedies

There are fertilizers for seedlings of pepper and tomatoes, which are prepared from natural ingredients at home. Experienced gardeners prefer such folk remedies purchased drugs, because they are not only a great alternative to chemicals, but also absolutely safe for future fruits. Most of the means of folk production for feeding seedlings are made on the basis of:

• bird droppings;
• ash;
• eggshell;
• honey;
• banana peel;
• coffee grounds;
• Sahara;
• iodine;
• ammonia;
• potassium permanganate;
• potato broth;
• boric acid;
• yeast;
• aloe juice, etc.

The main trace elements that tomatoes and peppers need are:

1. Potassium. The element is necessary for the development of the root system, with its deficiency, the plants will die.
2. Phosphorus. Supports seedlings during flowering, fruiting. If there is not enough phosphorus, the ovary will wither and fall off, and you should not expect a full-fledged harvest.
3. Nitrogen. It is an active participant in the process of photosynthesis, helps young seedlings to actively build up a strong green mass.

The main disadvantage of processing, feeding seedlings of tomatoes and peppers with folk remedies is the inability to calculate the exact amount of trace elements in the mixture. Considering given fact, it is better to reduce the dosage of the applied fertilizer than to exceed it. In addition, it is better to feed in the morning, during wet ground and withstand the temperature of the mixture from 220 to 250. To disinfect the soil and fertilize any varieties of tomatoes, use an infusion of a handful of onion peels (peelings) and 3-5 liters of water.

Ash

The most popular fertilizer among gardeners is wood ash, which contains phosphorus and potassium, which is necessary for nourishing seedlings. The substance protects plants from pests, diseases and nourishes them. Before diving seedlings into the ground, 2 tbsp. l. ash mixture, and on top - a layer of earth to avoid damage to the roots. At the end of the second week after planting, the first feeding with liquid ash is carried out; to obtain a mixture, 100 g of ash powder must be diluted in 1 liter of water. Such a solution should be poured under the base of the stem by 1 liter.

You can also carry out foliar feeding by diluting 10 liters of water with 300 g of ash and half a piece laundry soap. Then the mass is boiled for about half an hour, filtered, cooled. The last component is not necessary to add, but it contributes to better adhesion of the mixture to the seedling leaf. The resulting ash solution of the plant must be sprayed from above.

banana skins

The peel of bananas is rich in potassium, which is necessary for seedlings during the flowering period. The skin of the fruit must be dried in any way, and then crushed to a powder. The resulting mixture is poured when planting seedlings. It is best to dry the crusts on fresh air where it will be promoted Sun rays and breeze. The product must be strung on a thread, covered with gauze. Yes, provided maximum saving useful substances and getting rid of harmful impurities that fruits were processed with.

You can also use liquid banana fertilizer, obtained by infusing the peel from 2-3 fruits in a three-liter jar of water for at least 3 days. Next, the liquid must be filtered and poured 50 ml under each bush. There is another easy way to get a nutritious banana mixture - grind 1 fruit skin with a glass of water in a blender and add 1 tbsp soft gruel. l. under each seedling once a month. Organic elements contained in bananas not only nourish plants, contributing to abundant flowering, but still effectively fight aphids.

There is another way to feed - spraying seedlings with a banana peel spray (4 pcs.), Eggshell powder (2 tsp), magnesium sulfate (20 g), 1 liter of water. The first component must be dried, chopped, mixed with the rest of the ingredients. Spraying is carried out no more than once in 7 days, the mixture is stored in the refrigerator, and warmed up to 20 ° before use. From several finely chopped skins, filled with the Baikal EM1 preparation, you will get excellent compost. You need to insist the mixture for a month.

Infusion of bird droppings

Such top dressing is very popular among gardeners and is one of the first. The mixture is necessary to stimulate the growth of seedlings and if there are no signs of nitrogen starvation, then there is no need to fertilize. The mass is prepared simply - bird droppings are poured with water 1: 2, covered with a lid, left to ferment for 3 days. Then the solution is diluted 1:10 and used for root dressing. This method is the most effective, since it eliminates "nitrogen starvation" of seedlings by 100%.

Sugar

Plants, like people, extract clean energy from sugar, so “sweet” fertilizer will be useful for pepper and tomato seedlings. Need to sprinkle granulated sugar the surface of the earth around the stem, or dilute 2 tsp. sweet substance with a glass of water, water with a solution of the plant. You can even use ordinary glucose tablets (sold in a pharmacy), dissolve 1 pc. in a glass of water and apply liquid to water the seedlings. This type of feeding should be carried out no more than once a month.

Iodine

Fertilizing seedlings of tomatoes and peppers with folk remedies can also be carried out with the help of iodine. The microelement protects plants from pests and diseases. To obtain a solution, dilute 10 g of iodine with a bucket of water (10 l), you can add another 10 g of phosphorus and 20 g of potassium. The fertilizer is suitable for root feeding 1-2 times a week, it can be added to settled water used for watering seedlings. The main advantage of this method is the availability and low cost iodine.

One of the effective means by which vegetable seedlings are fed is eggshell. Experienced summer residents, gardeners collect it all winter, in order to scatter it in the beds in the spring. Crushed shells contribute to loosening the soil, uniform distribution moisture, reducing the amount of water needed for irrigation. The product is 90% rich in calcium carbonate and nutrients necessary for seedling growth.

Root feeding is carried out liquid solution prepared in this way: the shell of 3-4 eggs is placed in a three-liter jar, filled with water, infused for 3 days in dark place at room temperature. The lid should not be tightly closed. The main signs of readiness folk remedies- its clouding, appearance bad smell, which will subsequently repel various pests. Eggshells are still a great improvement mineral composition soil. An infused liquid is applied every 12-14 days under the root.

Yeast

Fertilizing seedlings of seedlings of pepper, tomatoes with yeast is very effective, because it provides fast growth seedlings, strengthening the root system, improving the yield of these vegetable crops. You can prepare the solution as follows: combine 10 g of yeast, 4 tbsp. l. sugar, 10 liters of warm water, stir, let stand for a while. Ready mix It turns out very concentrated, so it must be diluted in a ratio of 1:10.