Experienced gardener know that a good harvest of peppers and tomatoes do not get, if in advance do not invest strength and soul in growing seedlings. And so that the labor costs for cultivating seedlings of tomatoes and peppers are not wasted, one should not forget about such an important procedure as fertilizing. Planning the carrying out of feeding it is important not only to correctly determine what fertilizers to feed tomatoes and peppers, but also to choose the right time for this. The main secrets of cultivation of pepper and tomato seedlings will be devoted to our article.
How to properly feed seedlings?
Many inexperienced gardeners make the mistake of deciding for themselves that the more they feed the seedlings, the better the result will be in the end. In fact, this is not so - the excess nutrients in this case can do more harm than their lack. Therefore, it is necessary to make fertilizing only when the seedling looks weak and stunted. Normally, however, developing plants with a strong stalk and healthy green leaves, they simply do not need. For example, an overabundance of nitrogen can lead to the fact that although the seedlings will look exemplary, but go along the vegetative path of development, directing all efforts to the formation of new shoots and leaves, but the harvest from such peppers and tomatoes will not be obtained.
Fertilizers for pepper seedlings
In order for the pepper seedling to turn out strong, develop well and continue to yield an excellent crop, all the features of this pretty whimsical plant should be taken into account. As you know, pepper came to us from the hot expanses of America, which means that it simply needs a high enough temperature and humidity for growth. Without these two components, no additional fertilizing will help to get a viable seedling. In addition, peppers need light, but fertile soils. With a shortage of nutrients in the soil, it grows feeble, dumps flowers and ovaries.
To start the fertilizing of pepper seedlings, it is necessary when two real leaflets are formed on it. As the first feeding, usually use mineral fertilizers or a solution of overgrown manure. Fresh manure for these purposes can not be used in any case, as it will simply burn the tender roots of peppery seedlings. It is good to use for the feeding of seedlings of sweet pepper and such a nutritious solution: in 1 liter of water to dissolve 3 grams of superphosphate, 1 gram of potassium and 0.5 grams of ammonium nitrate. Further, the concentration of nutrients in the solution is doubled, and the fertilizing is carried out every 10-15 days.
Fans of natural fertilizers can use the following recipe for topping up pepper: pour the nettle leaves in a ratio of 1 to 10 and insist for two days. Pouring pepper sprouts with this solution every 10-15 days can achieve very good results with minimal costs.
Fertilizer for tomato seedlings
Now a few words about how best to feed tomatoes . As in the case of all other seedlings, fertilizers are not introduced for tomatoes more than two weeks after picking on individual pots. When choosing a nutritional formula for top dressing, you can stop at any of the following options, all proportions in which are given
- Urea - 0.5 grams, potassium salt - 1.5 grams, superphosphate - 4 grams.
- Ammonium nitrate - 0.6 grams, superphosphate - 4 grams, potassium sulphate - 2 grams.
- 1 teaspoon of ashes.
Good results are obtained by the use of a real egg shell or banana peel. Any of these components is filled with a 3 liter jar for 2/3, filled with water and set aside for 72 hours. After the end of this time, the infusion is filtered and used for top dressing, previously diluted with pure water in a proportion of 1: 3.