Content
Everyone understands that it takes some effort to get a high yield. Tomatoes are no exception. The environment, pests and diseases can negatively affect the planted seedlings. To avoid such problems, you need to carefully prepare the tomato seedlings. It's very important to start top dressing seedlings even before planting, when the root system is formed, and also develops resistance to various diseases. Correct feeding tomato seedlings will be able to protect your plants and significantly increase yields.
Why feed
Of course, you can grow tomatoes without top dressing. If the soil is fertile, then the tomatoes will grow and bear fruit. But having carried out the necessary procedures using fertilizers, you can achieve a better result.
At first, the seedlings can grow quite quickly, feeding on nutrients in the soil, however, they will not be enough for the entire growth of the seedlings. It will take a lot of strength to sprout a seed. For recovery and further development, it needs additional nutrients. It should also be borne in mind that in a warm room, the seedlings develop very quickly, which is why they will not have enough of their own strength.
Signs of nutrient deficiencies
Experienced gardeners can immediately determine by the appearance of the seedlings that they are lacking in some nutrients. In such cases, you need to act immediately to preserve your harvest. The reason for the lack of micronutrients can be improper care, excess or lack of feeding. The problem can be identified by the following criteria:
- the leaves change color, become light with highly visible veins. The reason for such changes may not be settled water from the water supply system. It contains a lot of chlorine, which has a detrimental effect on tomato seedlings. Perhaps the reason is a lack of iron, which manifests itself in the same way as an excess of chlorine. Both cases are called by the same term - chlorosis;
- fragility of seedlings. If the leaves and stems break at the slightest touch, this may indicate a lack of magnesium;
- the leaves darken and turn dark purple. This is most noticeable on the underside of the leaf. Such manifestations are possible with an insufficient amount of phosphorus;
- lightening and falling leaves may mean that the seedlings need more watering. It may also lack light, heat, or nitrogen.
When to feed seedlings
The first feeding is done immediately after the appearance of two or three leaves. During this period, disease resistance develops in plants. The most destructive disease for tomatoes is late blight, so at this stage you should use special drugs that help fight fungal diseases. For these purposes, it is also advised to fertilize the soil with a copper solution.
The second feeding is done a week later. Now you can add mineral fertilizers, or use special complexes that contain both minerals and organic matter. All subsequent feeding must be carried out every ten days.
How to feed after a pick
The picking process, of course, injures the plant. A sprout needs time and energy to settle down in a new place.It will take about two weeks for tomato seedlings to restore the root system. And only after that you can start feeding. For this, a urea solution is used. Further, feeding is done according to the usual scheme, once every 10 days. You can additionally spray the seedlings with phytosporin, this will make it more resistant to fungal diseases.
Organic matter for feeding
Feeding tomato seedlings at home is often carried out using conventional folk methods. Used tea leaves or eggshell infusion are perfect for this. They simply sprinkle tea leaves on the soil, and then the soil itself will absorb nutrients.
To prepare an egg shell infusion you will need:
- 2 liters of prepared and dried eggshells.
- 3 liters of water.
The shell is poured with water and left for 3 days. Watering with this solution will enrich the soil with calcium and make the seedlings stronger. For the preparation of infusions, young nettles are also used. It is simply poured over with warm water, and insisted for about five days.
Iodine for feeding seedlings
Iodine has a very positive effect on seedlings, it helps to form ovaries, and also makes plants healthy and strong. Thanks to this, the yield increases significantly. In specialized stores, you can find ready-made iodine-containing fertilizers. It is very easy to use them, just dilute them in the right amount of water. This solution should be watered with seedlings from time to time.
This feeding can be done only once during the growth of the seedlings.
Ash for feeding tomatoes
This technique has been used for a very long time. The composition of the wood ash includes phosphorus and potassium, which feed tomato seedlings very well. Ash also helps plants fight fungal diseases. For watering, an infusion of ash is used, for the preparation of which 1 tablespoon of ash and 5 liters of hot water are combined. After a day, you can water the seedlings.
Conclusion
The listed feeding options tomato seedlings at homewill help you grow the tastiest and healthiest fruits. Microelements obtained from fertilizers will help plants to become strong and resistant to diseases and pests. So, when feeding tomatoes, you can not doubt the good result of your work.
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