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Saltpeter is very often used by gardeners as a top dressing for vegetable crops. It also fertilizes flowers and fruit trees. Calcium nitrate is great for feeding cucumbers. But as with the use of other mineral fertilizers, it is necessary to figure out how to properly apply this top dressing. In this article, we will see what is special about calcium nitrate, and how it can be used to grow an excellent crop of cucumbers.
Saltpeter composition
Calcium nitrate is 19% calcium and 14–16% nitrogen in the nitrate form. In other words, it is called calcium nitrate. We are used to seeing this nitrate-containing fertilizer in the form of white crystals or granules. Calcium nitrate is rapidly soluble in water. Even with long-term storage, it does not lose its useful properties. To extend the shelf life, the fertilizer must be kept in sealed packaging.
Fertilizers containing nitrogen tend to increase the acidity of the soil. In this regard, calcium nitrate stands out favorably. Unlike urea, it does not affect the level of soil acidity in any way. This fertilizer can be used on all types of soil. It manifests itself most effectively in soddy-podzolic soil. Despite the fact that calcium nitrate contains nitrates, subject to the rules of use, it does not affect the body in any way. Such fertilizer can increase the yield and quality of cucumbers.
Saltpeter Properties
It is worth recognizing that not all gardeners use calcium nitrate as a top dressing in their area. The fact is that calcium is not a vital mineral for growing vegetables. The main element of saltpeter is nitrogen, which has a positive effect on the growth and fruiting of vegetable crops. But without calcium, nitrogen will not be fully absorbed by the plant. So without each other, these minerals are not so useful.
Calcium nitrate is a real find for soil with a high level of acidity. Calcium nitrate is able to absorb excess amounts of iron and manganese from the soil, as well as metals that increase acidity. Thanks to this, the plants come to life, and the entire growing season is very fruitful. The calcium contained in saltpeter is necessary for the development of the root system. This element is responsible for feeding the plant with the necessary substances.
It is necessary to fertilize plants with fertilizers, which include calcium nitrate, in the spring. It is dug up along with the soil during the preparation of the garden for planting. In autumn, this fertilizer is not recommended to be applied, since the melted snow will simply wash away all the nitrogen contained in it. And the remaining calcium without it becomes harmful to cultivated plants.
To date, 2 types of saltpeter are produced:
- granulated;
- crystalline.
Crystalline nitrate has a high level of hygroscopicity, which is why it can quickly be washed out of the soil. Therefore, the most popular is the granular type, which absorbs less moisture and does not form dust when applied to the soil.
The importance of feeding for cucumbers
Some gardeners do not use fertilizer when growing cucumbers. As a result, the harvest is poor, and the cucumbers grow small and clumsy. Using mineral fertilizers, you can get the following results:
- Stimulation of growth and strengthening of the root system.
- Increase immunity, resistance to diseases.
- Resistant to changes in weather conditions.
- Fertilizers affect the formation and strengthening of cell membranes.
- Improvement of metabolic processes.
- Stimulate and accelerate germination.
- Improves the process of photosynthesis and the absorption of carbohydrates.
- Yield increase by 15%. The taste qualities of finished products are improved, the fruits are stored much longer.
The use of saltpeter
Calcium nitrate is added in order to strengthen the root system and speed up the process of plant growth. It is suitable for any soil. It can be applied both in liquid and dry form. Some gardeners use this fertilizer during drip irrigation of beds.
Root top dressing with calcium nitrate is carried out as follows:
- to feed berry crops, you will need 50 grams of nitrate per 20 liters of water. During the season, such fertilizer is applied only 1 or 2 times;
- for tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, potatoes and other vegetable crops, it is necessary to dilute 25 grams of fertilizer in 11–15 liters of liquid;
- to feed calcium nitrate, fruit trees mix 25 grams of nitrate and no more than 10 liters of water. It is necessary to water the trees with such a solution before the buds open.
To foliar or spray with a solution of calcium nitrate, you need to mix 25 grams of fertilizer with 1 or 1,5 liters of water. To irrigate cucumbers, you will need about 1,5 liters of solution per 10 square meters.
This spray of fertilizer on the leaves will help get rid of blossom end rot, which often appears on tomato bushes. It can also be used as a preventive measure. Fertilizers with calcium nitrate are a real salvation in areas with an arid climate. This top dressing is very useful for vegetable and grain crops. Saltpeter is one of the affordable fertilizers. And if you compare its cost with the results of the application, then it will be justified several times.
Top dressing of cucumbers with saltpeter
Most often, saltpeter is used in small households, since it is not very convenient to transport it. To fertilize a large field, you will need a huge amount of calcium nitrate, but for home beds you can buy small packages of 1 kg. Such top dressing helps plants to absorb nutrients from the soil, and also increases resistance to various diseases. Thanks to saltpeter, you can grow strong and tasty cucumbers.
Calcium nitrate must be applied immediately before sowing cucumbers. Such fertilizer will contribute to the rapid germination of seeds. It is the presence of nitrogen that makes this top dressing so useful for cucumbers. At the beginning of growth, this element is simply necessary for plants. Further, fertilizer can be applied throughout the growing season as needed. In this case, the solution is sprayed throughout the plant.
Using calcium nitrate to feed cucumbers, you can achieve the following results:
- green mass will be quickly and efficiently formed. Such rapid growth is due to the active process of photosynthesis. Saltpeter also helps to form sprouts at the cellular level, participating in strengthening the walls of plants;
- fertilizing the soil in the spring before sowing helps to activate the enzymes in the soil. Thanks to this, the seeds will quickly sprout and begin to grow;
- saltpeter has a good effect on the root system of plants. It helps cucumbers develop immunity to diseases and various fungi;
- such top dressing makes plants resistant to changes in temperature and weather conditions;
- saltpeter improves the taste of cucumbers, and also increases the amount of harvest. Cucumbers keep much longer.
Foliar top dressing of cucumbers with calcium nitrate is carried out every 10 days. The first feeding is done immediately after the appearance of 3 or more leaves on the plants. Stop feeding cucumbers only after the fruiting period begins. To prepare a fertilizer based on calcium nitrate, you must mix:
- 5 liters of water;
- 10 grams of calcium nitrate.
Calcium nitrate is stirred until completely dissolved and immediately proceed to spraying cucumbers. This kind of top dressing will prevent the appearance of rot on the roots. Also, the use of saltpeter serves as an excellent protection against slugs and ticks.
We make calcium nitrate ourselves
Gardeners know that calcium nitrate is not as widespread as ammonium nitrate. Therefore, some people cook it on their own at home. To do this, you will need to prepare the following components and fixtures:
- Ammonium nitrate.
- Slaked lime.
- Bricks.
- Aluminum saucepan.
- Firewood.
You will also need a respiratory protection mask and gloves. You can not prepare the mixture close to the house, as an unpleasant odor will be emitted in the process. So, in the beginning, it is necessary to build a structure for a fire out of bricks. Bricks should be placed at such a distance that the prepared pan fits there. Further, 0,5 l of water is poured into the container and about 300 g of saltpeter are poured. Now the prepared mixture is put on fire and wait until it starts to boil. Then lime must be gradually added to the solution. For such a number of components, about 140 grams of slaked lime will be needed. You need to pour it in very small portions so that the whole process of adding lime stretches for 25 minutes.
The mixture is continued to cook until it completely gets rid of a sharp unpleasant odor. Now the fire is extinguished, and the mixture is left to settle until a precipitate of lime appears at the bottom of the container. After that, the upper part of the mixture is drained, and the precipitate formed can be discarded. This solution is calcium nitrate.
Ammonium nitrate
Ammonium nitrate is considered one of the cheapest fertilizers today. Many gardeners and gardeners simply scatter it on their site even before the snow melts. Of course, this fertilizer is a source of nitrogen necessary for cucumbers, but at the same time, you should be careful using it as a top dressing.
It is impossible to spray cucumbers with a solution of ammonium nitrate. This substance can burn the sprouts, and as a result, the entire crop will die. In order not to harm the plants, fertilizer is applied to the soil to a depth of about 10 cm with a shovel or rake. Often it is introduced during the digging of the soil. Thus, nitrogen enters the soil, but will not be able to burn the root system and leaves of cucumbers.
You can also use ammonium nitrate for watering cucumbers. Thus, the soil is enriched with nitrogen without harm to the green mass. Such top dressing should be carried out very rarely, especially after the onset of fruiting and in the autumn.
Storage conditions and contraindications
In contact with such flammable materials, the fertilizer may ignite. It is also not recommended to use organic substances simultaneously with it. In no case should calcium nitrate be applied together with superphosphate or manure. Remember that too much saltpeter can cause nitrate buildup in vegetables and other crops. You should be especially careful when feeding cucumbers, zucchini and pumpkin with ammonium nitrate. These vegetables are the most capable of absorbing nitrates.
Fertilizer should be stored in plastic or paper bags. Remember that this is an explosive substance that should not be near flammable materials. Choose a cool place to store saltpeter. Direct sunlight should not come into contact with the fertilizer. Excessive heating of saltpeter can cause an explosion.
Conclusion
As we have seen, saltpeter is a source of nitrogen indispensable for cucumbers, which has a positive effect on plant growth and yield. This kind of top dressing should be applied with great care, as it is a nitrate product. A few weeks before harvest, the application of saltpeter must be stopped. Following the above rules, you can get an excellent crop of cucumbers.
