Fertilizers for seedlings

The condition of the plant is affected by a whole list of factors, where top dressing is far from the last place. However, everything is not easy with them: one of the humus, poured into the garden when digging, is not enough. The need to fertilize the land appears even when working with seedlings. It is important to know how to fertilize it, how and in what quantity.

How to fertilize seedlings?

Selecting the optimal fertilizer for seedlings, it is easy to get confused. The store has such a wide range that it is not easy for a novice gardener without prior consultation. Several criteria are involved in the selection at once: the chemical composition on which the directionality, the release form and the dosage with concentration depend.

Most attention when buying fertilizer for seedlings, of course, is given to the composition. If you are a supporter of natural supplements, you should remember those components that should be included in the general list. Potassium and nitrogen are useful to seedlings, trace elements like magnesium and zinc, as well as iron and boron. In addition, they need phosphorus, whose formula will be either P or P2O5.

What is important to know here: the form of trace elements is chelated. This is due to the fact that if you make the dressing sulphate seedlings, due to its chemical reaction, they not only become less useful for the plant when interacting with the soil, but even cause damage.

When accumulated in the substrate, metal ions will begin to poison the seedlings. The chelated form will not allow the decomposition of the fertilizer into ions having an electric charge. If the manufacturer did not consider it necessary to indicate a specific form of trace elements, it suffices to track the lack of formulas with SO4 at the end.

The next item is the release form. Of course, this is an individual indicator. It is impossible to clearly state that the seedlings require only a specific version, and all the others are categorically inappropriate. But the most convenient, according to gardeners, are liquids. After them go various granules, powders and tablets. It is problematic to feed seedlings with a dry agent, so if there is an opportunity to purchase liquid fertilizer or suitable for liquid input, you should stop on it.

Earlier it was said about the importance of dosage when choosing fertilizer for seedlings. There is no need to memorize any numbers. It is enough to understand that for plants in open ground the manufacturer must indicate the dose twice as high. If he makes her the same for everyone, you should not trust such a tool.

When to introduce seedling fertilizer to the soil?

The question of timing, which are proposed for feeding the plant, is important. Basically, this is the period after the moment of the pick. Wait an additional 2 weeks from this day. The meaning of the earlier procedure is simply not there.

The substrate itself is prepared before sowing so that it is completely saturated with the necessary elements. And with the introduction of additional fertilizer in the first week there is a risk of spoiling the seedling.

What is the further scheme of feeding seedlings? It is compiled with an eye on the soil in which the seedling sits. For a fertile substrate from the dacha, where mostly leafy land with humus, it is typical to have a lot of useful elements in it. Therefore, it is enough to introduce a little fertilizer 2 times a month, especially since such a soil also perfectly keeps top dressing. If the soil is dominated by peat, seedlings will have to be fertilized once every 7 days.

At the same time, it is highly recommended to follow all the rules of procedure. First, to introduce fertilizer only in the 1st half of the day. The reason for this condition is to lower the ambient temperature in the evening. If moisture increases with this, the seedlings with newly moistened soil (regardless of whether it is clean water or fertilizer) are at risk. Fungi harm to such a plant with double activity.

Before you feed the seedling, you must make sure that the soil in the tank is wet and loose. If it lags behind the walls, becomes covered with cracks or is too compacted, it is necessary to shed the substrate and slightly dig up. This will facilitate fertilizer access to the root system. For digging used knitting needle, not a scoop.

Choose the best fertilizer for tomatoes:

• Above we considered seedlings fertilizers without specific binding to a particular plant. I would like to focus on one of the most valuable for the summer resident in the middle belt of the crop: tomatoes. There is an important point: you should not feed tomato seedlings with nitrogen fertilizers. As a result, the results will be delayed in development, they will begin to set fruit late.
• Certain natural blends are best suited to this culture, as well as those based on superphosphate. The last for feeding tomato in a state of seedlings is used most often. Nitrogen in it, of course, is present, but not on the first positions. The main share is assigned to phosphorus, calcium and sulfur. But experienced gardeners do not recommend nitroammofoska: in it the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium is equal. If it is used, then only once, before planting in open ground.
• Among the specific proposals in the stores marked "Senor Tomato" and "Fitop-Flora-S." The latter contains not only sodium humate, but also a strain that allows eliminating pathogenic microflora in the soil. Despite the high cost of these funds, they are very economical. But if there is a desire to find an analogue, then it is worth being guided by top dressing containing peat-humic complexes in a dry form.
• But in general, the orientation when choosing fertilizer for seedlings tomato goes to the state of the seedling. The violet hue of the foliage indicates a deficiency of phosphorus, and the yellowing of its lower part indicates a deficiency in nitrogen. Chlorosis (lack of iron) is characterized by highlighting, which is treated not so much with top dressing, as with a night shadow for seedlings.

Fertilizer "Krepysh" for seedlings: pros and cons

We should also consider several particularly well-known fertilizers for seedlings of domestic production. Such, for example, is "Fortress", produced in liquid form and in the form of water-soluble granules. Dissolve any of the versions in water until smooth. Of course, there are no complaints about the introduction into the substrate either.

According to summer residents, the best application of this fertilizer is for cucumber seedlings. They are most fond of "Fortress": the yield of the bush increased, despite the fact that other fertilizers were not used. Top dressing with his participation was made after picking at an interval of 2 weeks.

According to the manufacturer’s assertions, “Krepysh” can be applied not only to cucumbers - it is perfect for any fruit crop, but also for indoor plants. By itself, it is an organomineral fertilizer that does not have excess chemistry and chlorine. The impact is carried out on the root system, in addition to increasing the yield, and a general strengthening of the plants is noted. What is especially valuable is that the consumption of fertilizer is economical, and the price for such excellent characteristics is low.

Advantages and disadvantages of fertilizer "Athlete"

Another interesting drug has the name "Athlete". It is focused on growth control. According to the promises of the manufacturer, the fertilizer does not allow the stem to stretch to a height, but it strengthens the root system and expands the leaves. When using the drug, the redistribution of nutrients present in the substrate should occur, and as a result, the main part of them should go to the roots.

As for the opinion from the outside, the “Athlete”, in addition to the functions stated above on the seedlings, helps to quickly form the ovaries and grow the root system. Work with him occurs a little later than with other fertilizers: in phase 4 leaves. In addition, it is produced in liquid form, and is introduced by spraying from a fine spray. With abundant watering with his participation increases the risk of getting white bloom on the leaves of seedlings. The unpleasant moment noted by gardeners is the peculiar smell of manure.

Do not try to remember a dozen titles, heading to the store for fertilizer for seedlings. Write down for yourself the perfect composition, carefully read the packaging of the product. And try not to overfeed the seedlings with the drug: the line from benefit to harm during this period of growth is extremely thin.