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Everyone understands that in order to obtain a high yield, some effort must be made. Tomatoes are no exception. The environment, pests and diseases can adversely affect planted seedlings. To avoid such problems, you need to carefully prepare tomato seedlings. It is very important to start feeding seedlings even before planting, when the root system is formed, and resistance to various diseases develops. Properly carried out top dressing of tomato seedlings can protect your plants and significantly increase yields.
Why feed
Of course, you can grow tomatoes without fertilizing. If the soil is fertile, then tomatoes will grow and bear fruit. But by carrying out the necessary procedures with the use of fertilizers, you can achieve a better result.
At first, seedlings can grow quite quickly, feeding on useful substances in the soil, however, they will not be enough for the entire time of seedling growth. It takes a lot of energy to germinate a seed. For recovery and further development, it needs additional nutrients. It should also be borne in mind that in a warm room, seedlings develop very quickly, because of which they will not have enough of their own strength.
Signs of nutrient deficiency
Experienced gardeners can immediately determine by the appearance of seedlings that it lacks some nutrients. In such cases, you need to act immediately to save your crop. The reason for the lack of trace elements can be improper care, excess or lack of top dressing. You can identify the problem by the following signs:
- leaves change color, become light with highly visible veins. The reason for such changes may be unsettled water from the water supply. It contains a lot of chlorine, which has a detrimental effect on tomato seedlings. Perhaps the cause is a lack of iron, which manifests itself in the same way as an excess of chlorine. Both cases are called by one term – chlorosis;
- seedling fragility. If the leaves and stems break at the slightest touch, this may indicate a lack of magnesium;
- 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 frequent watering. She may also lack light, heat, or nitrogen.
When to fertilize seedlings
The first dressing is done immediately after the appearance of two or three leaves. During this period, disease resistance develops in plants. Late blight is the most devastating disease for tomatoes, so at this stage you should use special preparations that help fight fungal diseases. For these purposes, it is also advised to fertilize the soil with a solution of copper.
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 top dressing should be carried out every ten days.
How to feed after picking
The picking process, of course, injures the plant. A sprout needs time and strength to settle down in a new place. Tomato seedlings will need about two weeks to restore the root system. And only after that you can start feeding. To do this, use a solution of urea. Further, feeding is carried out 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 nutrition
Feeding tomato seedlings at home is often carried out using conventional folk methods. Used tea leaves or eggshell infusion are perfect for this. Welding is simply sprinkled on the soil, and then the soil itself absorbs useful substances.
To prepare an eggshell infusion, you will need:
- 2 liters of prepared and dried shells from domestic eggs.
- 3 liters of water.
The shell is filled 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 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. As a result, the yield increases significantly. In specialized stores you can find ready-made iodine-containing fertilizers. They are very easy to use, just dilute in the right amount of water. This solution should be watered seedlings from time to time.
Such top dressing can be done only once during the growth of seedlings.
Ash for feeding tomatoes
This technique has been used for a very long time. The composition of wood ash includes phosphorus and potassium, which nourish tomato seedlings very well. Ash also helps plants fight fungal diseases. For irrigation, 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 options for feeding tomato seedlings at home will help you grow the most delicious and healthy fruits. Microelements obtained from fertilizers will help plants become strong and resistant to diseases and pests. So, when feeding tomatoes, there is no doubt about the good result of your work.
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