It is quite difficult to grow high-quality agriculture without using any fertilizing, neither organic nor mineral. This is because with each new planting season, the soil loses its vitamin qualities, which it gives to this or that planting. Therefore, it is recommended to replenish the vitamin composition of the soil with the help of additional fertilizing applied manually. Without this, it is unlikely that it will be possible to collect a rich and high-quality crop.
Culture information
The tomato, or tomato, belongs to the Solanaceae family. The vegetable has a good root system, which can go deeply, to a distance of about 1 m. The tomato has a rich selection of propagation methods. Its roots can form in any part of the stem, therefore, the option of pinching and grafting is possible. Depending on the variety, the height of tomato stalks varies from 30 cm to 2.5 m. This is a self-pollinating crop that contains both male and female colors during flowering.
Tomato bush fruit
The fruits of the tomato bush are berries that are distinguished by their juiciness, different tastes, round shape and variety of colors. Also, depending on the variety planted, the fruits differ in weight.
According to its external characteristics, the culture has three varieties: potato, standard and non-standard.
In order to grow a high-quality and rich harvest, the first step is to decide on the tomato variety. When choosing, you should rely on such factors as: the place of cultivation (open ground, greenhouse or balcony option), soil quality, proximity of groundwater, climate features, etc.
It is recommended to purchase seeds in a specialized place. Before planting, they can be left for some time in a solution of potassium permanganate, this will relieve the planting material from fungal, viral and bacterial infections.
The soil for planting tomatoes must be prepared in the fall. During the autumn digging of the site, organic fertilizers in the form of garden compost, ash and eggshells can be applied to the soil. There can be no overabundance in such top dressing of the soil, so you can not follow very carefully the amount of fertilizer applied.
Growing tomatoes has some peculiarities. For example, in order for more new ovaries to form on a bush, it must be properly formed. In addition to pinching the top, in order for the bushes to separate into two shoots, it is recommended to tear off the lower leaves of the bushes to the first color. With the help of this technique, the sprouts do not spend energy on the formation and vital activity of the foliage, they direct all their forces to the development of the fruits, because to ensure normal vital activity, a tomato needs only 3 pairs of leaves. By the way, in addition to increasing the ovary, this will reduce the risk of fungal infections and provide better air circulation in the seedling bed.
When planting a tomato in a seedling way, it is recommended to warm the ground
Along with all the advantages of such an agriculture as a tomato, there are also disadvantages, the biggest of which are tomato diseases.Most varieties are extremely susceptible to diseases, the worst of which are: spotting, late blight, rot, mosaic, etc. In order to save the landing, you should adhere to some rules:
- Choose seedling varieties adapted to the climate at the planting site;
- Timely destruction of diseased bushes, before they managed to infect the entire garden;
- Weeding;
- Correct watering;
- Regular feeding.
The tomato does not require frequent watering, but while the soil is moistened, it is necessary to ensure that the water reaches the deepest areas of the soil. Frequent superficial watering can provoke the appearance of root rot. Waterlogging of the soil will cause the fruit to be watery and tasteless. In order to avoid the appearance of fungal diseases, it is necessary to water in such a way that as little moisture as possible gets on the aerial part of the plant.
Feeding tomatoes with urea
Many farmers are very wary of fertilizing based on mineral fertilizers. But there are some plant species that need an element such as nitrogen for proper and high-quality development. If it is not available in the required amount in the soil, then organic fertilizers cannot increase the level of this substance in a short period of time. The best option is to fertilize agricultural crops with mineral fertilizers.
Urea, or carbamide, is the leader among mineral fertilizers in terms of nitrogen content. Tomatoes belong to the category of Solanaceae, which desperately need this element. Therefore, the answer to the question "is it possible to feed tomato seedlings with urea?" very simple: not only possible, but also necessary. Urea fertilizer application in the garden for tomatoes is good because the nitrogen concentrate contained in carbamide is easily absorbed. Urea, as a fertilizer, is considered a class higher than saltpeter, because it is not blown out of the ground by winds and is not washed out by rains.
Urea, or carbamide, is the leader among mineral fertilizers
For tomatoes, urea is used only as a mineral supplement. That is, it is introduced directly under the planted bush, and not during the preparation of the soil for planting or the formation of planting holes. Foliar feeding of tomatoes is carried out in several ways. It can be applied to the grooves made in the aisles, and the aerial part of the plant can be sprayed.
A good remedy is urea for tomato seedlings. How to breed it for open ground in early summer, while the sprouts are still young, you can read on the package. In most cases, it is enough to dissolve 2.5 tablespoons in 10 liters of water and treat the planted seedlings with this solution.
There is an opinion that urea cannot be used for those crops that grow in a greenhouse. It is not right. Greenhouse tomatoes also need nitrogen fertilization. Only tomatoes growing in greenhouses need to be fed using a different technology.
How to feed a tomato with urea in a greenhouse? For this, the exact proportions of the fertilizer must be observed. How to dilute urea for watering tomato seedlings? On average, 30 grams will be enough for greenhouse tomatoes. urea per 10 liters of water. This amount should be distributed over 15 m² of planted soil. Instead of urea, you can try adding ammonia. According to the table of active ingredients, ammonia contains a large amount of nitrogen.They can treat the plant from aphids, bears, wireworms and other seedling pests.
A lot of information can be found about urea as a fertilizer, application for tomatoes and benefits. For example, it activates the development of hidden vegetative processes, strengthens the aboveground and ground parts of the plant, accelerates the development of the seedling, etc.
Fertilizing tomatoes with urea should be carried out in a strict dosage
Urea fertilization of tomato seedlings is carried out in several stages. The first stage takes place even during germination. In most cases, carbamide is used for the first time at home. The second stage is carried out before planting seedlings in the ground. The interval between dressings should be at least 20 days. Two feeding of tomato seedlings, before they are planted in open ground, is considered the norm. After transferring the seedlings under the open sky, according to the feeding scheme, they should be produced 4 more times:
- immediately after disembarking at the site;
- during budding;
- during the ovary period;
- when the first fruits appear.
Additional feeding tomato
In addition to the need to make nitrogen-containing dressings, tomato seedlings should be fertilized with preparations containing phosphorus. One of the best drugs is superphosphate. This fertilizer acts only on the development of the root system, but without it, a rich harvest will not work. With severe soil poverty during feeding, you can apply double superphosphate, which contains up to 50% phosphorus.
During the flowering of tomato bushes, it is advisable to apply foliar dressing from boric acid. In order to treat plants from late blight, leaf twisting, 5 gr. powder should be diluted with 10 liters of water. Breeding should be done in clear proportions in order to reduce plant death and soil damage to rice. Boron is especially needed for those tomatoes that grow at home, on the balcony, since they are, in most cases, weakened and sensitive to external stimuli.
Iodine will help to increase the number of ovaries, as well as maintain the quality of tomato seedlings. Recently, it has become widespread in tomato beds. This is because this penny remedy perfectly protects the bush from the invasion of pests. The main thing is to choose the right dosage of the drug. Iodine is introduced in two ways: under the root and outside the root. The application schedule for this fertilizer shows that it can be used at a very early stage - when the first leaves appear. The methods should be alternated with each other, then they will bring results to both the root system and the vegetative one. At the initial stage of tomato development, it will be enough to dilute 1 drop of iodine in 4 liters of water. Such a solution is able to increase the immunity of plants.
During the flowering of tomato bushes, it is advisable to apply foliar dressing
Ash fertilizer is also very popular among tomato dressings. It is also popular because it is organic. For those who like to use an environmentally friendly product as top dressing, ash is the leader among fertilizers. This substance contains a complex of vitamins and minerals that have a positive effect on the development of Solanaceae.
But, since there is no nitrogen in the ash, you still have to use urea for tomatoes. Those farmers who have a negative attitude to mineral fertilizers can use ammonia as nitrogen fertilizer for tomatoes. Although the effect of these two drugs on the soil and the root system of plants is the same.
During the flowering period of the bushes, it is recommended to apply ash no more than two times. The first time usually falls on the beginning of summer, June, when the ovaries form, the second - in the middle of the summer period, when the fruits are poured.You can feed it in two ways: the first is to powder the ground around the planted bush with ash powder, the second is to dilute the ash with water to the state of liquid sour cream and pour this mixture on each bush separately.
Tomatoes are a rather demanding and capricious culture. But, knowing and understanding some of the nuances in growing tomatoes, you can avoid many problems, diseases and pests. If you pay special attention to tomato seedlings, even a beginner can cope with the development and care of this crop.
