Phosphorus for tomatoes: the meaning of the element, benefits, possible harm, consequences of deficiency

Even experienced gardeners do not always have a successful tomato harvest. And one of the conditions for good harvesting is correct and timely application of fertilizers. Different feedings are required, depending on the type of soil on the site, climatic and other conditions. One of the most necessary for growth is phosphorus fertilizer for tomato seedlings.

This article will tell you how to properly feed tomato seedlings with phosphorus, what type of fertilizer to choose and whether it is possible to do without chemicals.

Phosphorus value for tomatoes

Phosphorus, like nitrogen and potassium, is key for the full development of tomatoes. Each element has its own purpose. If nitrogen is necessary for the growth of a lush crown, and potassium makes tomatoes tasty and juicy, then phosphorus is responsible for their full development.

It is involved in the control of all metabolic processes of the plant. But phosphorus is needed for tomatoes not only during flowering or fruiting, it is always needed.

A significant advantage of this element is that it is impossible to overfeed the plant with it. If, for example, overfeeding with nitrogen affects the quality and fruit set, then exceeding the dosage of phosphorus does not threaten anything. The tomatoes themselves will pull it out of the soil in the amount needed.

What are the advantages of feeding tomatoes with phosphorus fertilizers:

• Faster metabolism in plants.
• Good growth.
• Good fruit set.
• The quantity of fruit increases, as does the quality.
• The moisture balance comes into harmony.
• Increases immunity and stress resistance.

Options to choose from

Fertilizers, including phosphorus and potassium, are the widest group of one-, two- and multi-component fertilizers that are intended for use at various stages of plant development. Thus, preparations that include additional nitrogen (“Nitroammofoska”, “Azofoska”, “Nitrophoska”, etc.) are used mainly in the spring, when it is necessary to quickly increase green mass.

In summer, phosphorus fertilizers for tomatoes should include exclusively two main minerals. It is also useful if the composition contains various microelements (iron, boron, copper, magnesium, calcium, zinc, molybdenum, etc.), which help to form the appropriate taste and aroma of the fruit, but the presence of nitrogen is completely undesirable, since it provokes fattening of sterile shoots , which negatively affects the harvest.

In general, drugs in the “phosphorus-potassium” category are divided into three groups:

How to determine phosphorus deficiency in soil

Basically, inexperienced gardeners suffer from errors in which tomatoes lack phosphorus. Experienced people do not make such mistakes: before planting a crop in a permanent place, they check its acidity and alkalinity.

If tomatoes have a lack of phosphorus, quickly run and save them, otherwise things will end badly: your plant may even die!

Look at the list of external signs, maybe tomatoes are deficient? List:

• The leaves become small and begin to fall off.
• The plant stops growing.
• The root system becomes very weak, and the seedling can be easily removed entirely from the soil.
• The leaves take on a purple hue. The stems, petioles, and leaf veins begin to acquire the same color.
• Leaves that have dried out turn black.

If the problem is advanced and the lack of phosphorus is too severe, the plant weakens. The roots cannot support the plant and it begins to droop towards the ground.

Signs of phosphorus deficiency, photo

To see what it is like when tomatoes lack phosphorus. Check out a small selection of photos:

What soils need it?

If your soil is highly acidic or alkaline, know that applying phosphorus fertilizer will not be effective. Phosphorus, when decomposed, forms insoluble compounds with calcium, iron and aluminum. To reduce acidity, add lime or dolomite flour to the soil. If your soil has a neutral pH level, then everything is fine.

Why is there sometimes not enough phosphorus?

If the crop has enough phosphorus, the plants will grow normally. A lack of phosphorus in tomatoes occurs only for two reasons:

• If, when fertilizing a crop, a summer resident uses incorrect proportions. Tomatoes should receive nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in equal amounts.
• Forgets to fertilize the crop. This is a gross violation of agricultural technology.

Typical mistakes also include:

• Digging the soil without applying fertilizers.
• Applying fertilizer without taking into account the characteristics of the soil.
• Feeding tomatoes with phosphorus is not carried out according to instructions.
• Incorrect concentration of fertilizer solution.
• Fertilization of the crop in the summer is not carried out at all.

Video: Signs of phosphorus starvation in a tomato

To look at this problem in more detail, below is a video where you can clearly see what phosphorus deficiency is and what to do about it:

Signs of phosphorus deficiency

If tomatoes are deficient in phosphorus, this will affect their appearance. By carefully observing the plantings, the gardener can determine that it is time to apply phosphorus-containing fertilizers.

• Change in leaf color. Instead of the usual green color, the leaves take on a purple-red hue.

• Dark spots may appear on the lower leaves.

• The color of the leaf petioles and veins may change to purple.

• The leaves can curl, changing their usual shape, rise up, press against the stem, and fall off.
• The plants have a poorly developed root system and can barely stay in the soil.
• Tomatoes are clearly retarded in growth, and look more like young seedlings; they are late in flowering and the formation of ovaries.

Types of fertilizers

To feed tomatoes with phosphorus, you need to use fertilizers. Based on solubility, fertilizers are divided into rapidly soluble and sparingly soluble. The first include:

• Superphosphate.
• Double superphosphate.
• Superfos.

These fertilizers do not acidify the soil and are applied before sowing seeds, as well as during the growing season of plants.

Sparingly soluble ones are most effective in an acidic environment. If you use them in pH neutral soil, mix them with a higher acidic fertilizer. Kinds:

• Phosphate slags.
• Thomasslag.
• Defluorinated phosphate.
• Precipitate.
• Phosphorite and bone meal.

Mineral and complex phosphorus-containing fertilizers for tomatoes

As a rule, they begin to feed tomatoes with phosphorus already at the seedling stage. Some use single fertilizers, some use complex fertilizers. Both have their advantages. The most commonly used include:

1. Superphosphates.
2. Potassium monophosphate.
3. Ammophos and ammophoska.
4. Diammophos and diammofoska.
5. Fertika.
6. Bio master Red Giant

Superphosphates

Superphosphates can be used both during pre-sowing and when planting in a hole. But remember that this fertilizer cannot be mixed with nitrogen-containing fertilizers. Season : autumn (when digging the soil) or spring.

Options for feeding tomatoes with phosphorus (table):

Potassium monophosphate

Refers to potassium-phosphorus fertilizers. Can be used both for root feeding and foliar feeding (spraying). Potassium monophosphate improves flowering quality, immunity and taste.

How to prepare: dilute 15 grams of fertilizer in 10 liters of water. The frequency of use is a couple of times per season, since potassium monophosphate contains the optimal proportion of elements.

Ammophos or ammophoska

If you are not sure which is better - ammophos or ammophoska, go to the Internet. Despite the similarity of names, these two fertilizers are slightly different. The ending "ka" means that potassium has been added to the latter. The same applies to nitrophoska, diammofoska, and other fertilizers.

The phosphorus content there is about 50%, nitrogen - 10-12%. This is a multifunctional fertilizer that is used both during pre-sowing and when applied to the holes. The use of ammophoska improves the plant’s immunity, and the ovaries and fruits set better.

Nitrophos or nitrophoska

In first place in terms of content are phosphorus and nitrogen. Nitrophoska contains phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium in equal proportions. Use once, a couple of weeks after planting the seedlings in a permanent place.

Type of use: solution. Dosage - a teaspoon per liter of water.

Diammophos or ammonium hydrogen phosphate

These names are not synonymous; the fertilizers are identical. The main substances are phosphorus and nitrogen. How to use: before preparing holes for planting. This fertilizer increases the stress resistance of tomatoes to poor conditions and temperature changes.

Fertika

One of the most popular fertilizers for garden crops, which acts in combination on tomatoes. It is non-toxic and quickly decomposes.

Does not contain chlorine.

Available in two forms: liquid solution or granules. Thanks to its use, tomatoes bloom better and set fruit.

Bio master Red Giant

The main effect of this drug is to increase plant immunity. It is used to ensure a high yield and can be used at any stage of the growing season.

Organic phosphorus-containing fertilizers

To feed tomatoes with phosphorus, it is not necessary to buy expensive preparations in stores. Most of them can be prepared yourself, and even if you buy them, they will cost much less. The ratio of phosphorus, nitrogen and other elements allows them to be used more often than mineral ones. When applying fertilizers, the compositions are embedded in the soil. Types of organics:

• Compost.
• Bone flour.
• Humus.

Bone flour

This fertilizer contains phosphorus in almost pure form. Made from calcined and ground cattle bones. Thanks to it, tomatoes not only grow better, but also the soil improves its properties.

The norm per hole is 2 tbsp.

Compost

This is a natural organic fertilizer made from plant waste products. Animals or humans. The raw material can be anything: fermented weeds or even human feces.

As a rule, plant residues are used to fertilize fruit and berry crops. Not all plants are suitable for obtaining fertilizer, but only those that contain natural phosphorus: wormwood, feather grass, thyme, rowan and others.

When to use: when preparing the soil before planting or by watering.

Advantages and disadvantages

The use of various phosphorus-containing fertilizers when growing tomatoes has many advantages , including:

• increasing crop resistance to various diseases;
• increase in productivity;
• high shelf life of tomatoes;
• improvement of organoleptic characteristics.

When a plant receives phosphorus, its root system begins to grow rapidly from its earliest development. The fruits become sweeter.

The advantage is that phosphorus fertilizers are absorbed by tomatoes in the quantities required for their development.

The disadvantage is the fact that simple and double Superphosphate, when applied to the ground, is not recommended to be mixed with other mineral fertilizers , for example, saltpeter:

1. sodium;
2. calcium;
3. ammonia

The phosphorus contained in phosphate rock becomes available to the plant only after 60-90 days.

General rules for applying phosphorus fertilizers

Before feeding your tomato crop, be guided by the basic rules, otherwise you may not only not benefit the plants, but also destroy them. Although many say that excess phosphorus does not harm plants in any way, you should not overfeed either.

Plants can reduce their immunity, deteriorate the quality of the crown and growth.

Well, and of course the dosage. The proportion must be respected. If you exceed the phosphorus content, the tomatoes may get burned. Other entry rules include:

• Apply phosphorus in the fall so that it has time to adapt and decompose in the soil. When spring comes and you plant the seedlings, it will be easier for the tomatoes to absorb it.
• Do not spread the fertilizer on the ground because this will make it difficult for it to dissolve into the soil. It is better to moisten the soil first.
• If your soil is acidic, deoxidize it with lime or wood ash a month before permanent planting of seedlings.

Taking into account soil specifics

Phosphorus is harmless to plants. It is absorbed by them in the amount necessary for growth and development. This, of course, does not mean that you need to apply mineral fertilizers in any dosage.

When calculating and determining when and how much phosphorus should be added to the soil, you need to know how this microelement acts in different types of soil.

There are no special restrictions for the use of phosphorus fertilizers in soils with normal acidity levels, and you can act within the framework of the manufacturers’ instructions recommending certain dosages.

If the soil is classified as acidic, then the addition of phosphorus will not lead to the expected effect and the plants will not receive the required portion of the beneficial microelement. In this case, before applying fertilizers, it is necessary to deoxidize the soil by following the standard procedure for adding wood ash or lime.

Only after these steps can phosphorus-containing complex fertilizers be applied.

When choosing fertilizers, it is necessary to carefully study their composition, since the proportion of phosphorus in different complexes differs and may not be sufficient to provide tomatoes with the required amount of this substance.

Timing for applying phosphorus fertilizers

In total, fertilizers with phosphorus are applied no more than 6 times throughout the entire season: from germination to germination. This element is necessary even for seeds at the sowing stage.

Application stages:

1. Pre-sowing, during which the seed material is treated with growth stimulants. These preparations contain phosphorus, which accelerates the process of seed germination.
2. At the stage of growing seedlings. When: during a dive. Type of fertilizer: nitroammophoska. How to use: dissolve in water and spray over seedlings.
3. During autumn digging of the soil or during spring preparation for planting.
4. Planting plants in a permanent place.
5. Three weeks after planting the tomatoes.
6. During the tomato flowering period.

Methods of feeding tomatoes

As with all other vegetable crops, phosphorus fertilizers for tomatoes are applied in several standard ways.

1. Pre-sowing application of fertilizers, in which the compounds are embedded in the soil in preparation for planting plants in the ground by digging up the soil with the applied fertilizers. This option is especially effective when preparing the soil for future plantings of tomatoes in the fall.
2. Pre-sowing, carried out in two ways: fertilizer is scattered freely over the surface of the soil and incorporated, the compositions are applied directly into the hole before planting tomatoes.
3. Feeding throughout the entire growing season, which can be carried out using two options: root feeding, which involves applying fertilizer near the root system, for which grooves are made into which the compounds are placed, then the soil is covered and watered, foliar feeding, carried out by spraying the plants an aqueous solution to which fertilizer has been added.

How to prepare phosphorus fertilizer yourself, proportions

If you think that this element is only found in drugs, you are mistaken. Many waste products of plants or animals contain it in almost the same quantity, and in its natural form. Use wood ash (birch firewood is better) or bone meal as fertilizer. The latter contains superphosphate in its pure form.

How to make: Heat the bones over a fire until they become organic. Next, grind them to flour and mix with chalk. Once the consistency turns into powder, add diluted sulfuric acid to it.

Breed very carefully, use PPE!

A chemical reaction converts the powder into a white paste, which then turns into a white powder. This is superphosphate.

One-component mixtures

The following fertilizers are most often used as potash fertilizers for tomatoes.

Potassium sulfate (potassium sulfate) – contains up to 53% of the main element, as well as sulfur. A universal remedy for all soils, it enriches with missing minerals and optimizes pH, increases plant immunity, resistance to diseases, and the effects of cold. It is applied in any convenient form, 20...25 g per linear meter of beds. Can be combined with other fertilizers.

Potassium magnesium is an effective potassium-magnesium fertilizer, especially necessary for tomatoes during the period of fruit ripening. It dissolves well in water, is quickly absorbed by roots, and works on all types of soil. Add 15...20 g per 1 sq.m. in dry or dissolved form. m. with a break every 10...12 days, but no later than 3...4 weeks before harvest.

The following products are popular phosphorus fertilizers for tomatoes.

Simple Superphosphate is a granular preparation containing 16% phosphorus, 2% nitrogen and 8% sulfur, which is ideal for seasonal feeding of tomatoes. Helps increase yield, stimulates ripening. It is applied dry to the ground for digging in spring or autumn (35...40 g), as well as in the form of seasonal nutrition (15...20 g) into well-moistened soil, followed by abundant watering.

Double superphosphate - includes an increased dose of phosphorus (up to 30%), as well as a residual amount of nitrogen in ammonium form and sulfur. A universal product for all types of soils has a number of advantages: it does not caking, is crumbly and has a uniform granulometric composition, and is easy to use. Strengthens the root system, stimulates the ripening of tomatoes, improves their taste and aromatic properties. It is applied in dry or dissolved form in an amount of 40...50 g on cultivated soils and 60...70 g on mineral-poor soils.

From environmentally friendly and most natural preparations we can recommend.

Wood ash is the main source of potassium, but depending on the raw materials being burned, the composition can be expanded with other microelements (calcium, magnesium, etc.). It is a good nutritional agent that has an antiseptic and fungicidal effect. Has alkaline properties. It is applied throughout the season in dry form or in the form of ash solutions at the rate of 150...250 g per square area.

Bone meal (low fat) is an environmentally friendly and safe source of phosphorus. It is used in dry form at 180…200 g per linear meter of beds. Traditionally, flour is sprayed in the root zone, followed by deepening during the loosening process.

At the same time, it is the solution of infusions of these drugs that is most popular. To prepare them, mix separately 750...800 g of ash per 10 liters of water (infused for 24 hours) and 1000 g of flour per 20 liters of boiling water (infused for 7 days). Then the compositions are combined, 15 g of citric acid is added and a mother solution is obtained, a liter of which is diluted in a bucket of clean water to obtain the desired concentration. For each plant, apply 0.5...1 liter of environmentally friendly fertilizer prepared with your own hands.

Combining phosphorus with other fertilizers

Any fertilizers, even if they are used in combination, are mixed in proportions. However, some fertilizers cannot be mixed with each other. Why: due to poorly soluble and difficult to digest compounds. The incompatibility table is shown below:

Why you can’t mix these fertilizers: they can stick together and it becomes more difficult for phosphorus to get to the soil, and therefore to the plants.

Is it possible to combine different fertilizers?

In almost all cases, it is allowed to apply several fertilizers to the soil at the same time. To save time and labor, they are mixed in certain dosages. The combination is not always successful, since some substances do not interact well with each other. It is worth considering forbidden combinations:

To avoid problems, before using any of the listed compositions, you should carefully read the instructions.

Source

Secrets of gardeners

Many gardeners who have been growing fruit and berry crops for a long time have known that phosphorus is quite difficult to absorb by plants. It comes out of the soil slowly. That's why they have their own tricks. In general, many rules are not so unknown, but are based on the characteristics of the element itself and the soil:

• Apply granular fertilizers only before digging, so that phosphorus quickly reaches the soil and decomposes.
• When using the root feeding method, be sure to loosen the soil after application. When: the next day.
• It is better to add organic matter in the fall, when digging the soil.
• If the pH level is elevated, acidify the soil with any ammonia fertilizer.
• If you have a peat bog or area with a low pH level, apply dolomite flour or lime. In the worst case, phosphorus will react with iron and will not reach the plant. Instead of dolomite, phosphate or blood meal is acceptable.

How to recognize a lack of useful elements

Phosphorus deficiency leads to a state of stress, after which it is difficult or impossible for plants to recover. The urgent need to use phosphorus fertilizers for tomatoes occurs when:

In addition, a lack of phosphorus leads to destruction of the roots and the plant dies. You can avoid this development of the situation if you apply phosphorus fertilizer for tomatoes in a timely manner.

Is it necessary to fertilize tomatoes strictly according to schedule?

Since the above scheme for feeding tomatoes is considered general, in specific cases it can vary significantly.

For example, if the planting sites for the crop were properly fertilized in advance, then when planting the seedlings, they do not add anything to the soil, but simply spill it. This is also done if the seedlings were fed before planting.

If the tomatoes grow well and are full of health at one or another stage of development, then some points of the diagram can be omitted. If tomatoes lack a certain substance in the soil, they will definitely show it.

Tomatoes grown in separate containers must be fed according to the schedule and, possibly, fertilizers must be added out of sequence. Since the earth in limited quantities quickly becomes poor, it is necessary to constantly replenish its nutritional composition by introducing certain elements.

Many gardeners prefer to use inexpensive and accessible products as fertilizers. For example, ammonia is used in different ways: for fertilizing the soil, treating plants, spraying and watering.

Feeding with folk remedies

Some gardeners do not welcome agrochemicals and prefer natural fertilizers and improvised means. If you want to follow their example, you can use one of the options listed below, selected from the simplest and most effective.

1. Grind the shells of chicken eggs, add water in a ratio of 1:20. It is advisable to prepare the solution from the shell in a closed container, since the smell of ammonia will be strong and unpleasant. In a warm room, the solution is infused for up to 4 days. Its use will enrich the soil with phosphorus, calcium, iron, magnesium and silicon.
2. Banana peel-based nutrition is no more difficult to prepare than the previous option. After eating bananas, just collect the peels from several bananas, dry them in the oven and grind them in a coffee grinder or blender. The powder should be stored in a closed container. For seedlings, banana peels will become a nutritious mulch-feeding. The same can be said about coffee grounds and tea leaves - such products are used to prepare a natural fertilizer that is well absorbed by seedlings.
3. Good growth of young shoots can be ensured by yeast feeding. Simple and inexpensive. To prepare the solution, you need to dissolve 0.5 tbsp. sugar in 3 liters of water, add a pinch of dry baker's yeast and leave to ferment for 10 days. The seedlings are watered with the resulting solution once a week, after adding 1 cup of concentrate to a bucket of water.
4. To increase the resistance of young shoots to pests and diseases, you can use a simple and affordable infusion of onion peels. It is easy to prepare: pour 2 liters of water into a saucepan, add a handful of husks and bring to a boil. When the solution has cooled, strain it and dilute it with warm water 1:2 before use. Use for watering seedlings on the windowsill 1-2 times at weekly intervals.

To make fertilizer more effective after planting, you can choose ready-made mixtures for a specific crop. Manufacturers take into account the needs of vegetables and flowers, give recommendations on dosage, timing and methods of application. When using organic matter, there cannot be instructions for use - fertilizing seedlings in this case is fraught with risk if you do not know about the rules for preparing manure, litter, compost and other fertilizers. To avoid making a mistake with your choice, read the recommendations on the website for specific crops, from seedlings to harvesting, with an emphasis on soil preparation, climatic and other factors.

Fertilizer for seedlings from improvised means

Some plant or animal waste can be used as fertilizer. The advantages of this type of fertilizer are:

• You can save on buying ready-made fertilizers.
• Fertilizers made from waste are environmentally friendly and safe. They do not cause soil poisoning in case of overdose.
• They decompose quickly.

The downside is that it will take some time to accumulate the required amount of material for feeding.

Fertilizers from improvised means can be used in crushed form, added directly to the soil or in the form of infusions or decoctions as top dressing.

Helpful information

Daria Vorontsova

Amateur gardener. He is interested in growing various greens at home.

In addition to saturating the soil with useful substances, fertilizers from food waste can protect plants from fungal diseases and insect pests.

Onion peels for feeding seedlings

An infusion of onion peels is most often used for watering plants. In addition to nutritional properties, it also has fungicidal properties.

To prepare the solution, pour the husks with hot water and infuse until the color of strong tea appears. When prepared in this way, it does not need to be further diluted with water.

Onion peels can be placed in the holes before planting. Seedlings of peppers and tomatoes especially love this type of fertilizer.

Ash fertilizer

Waste combustion products can be used on the site as fertilizer. Ash is a storehouse of useful microelements. It can be used as infusions or placed in the soil before planting. If you dust the seedlings with ash, this will help protect the tender sprouts from insect pests.

Ash is good to use as a top dressing for:

• berries;
• potatoes;
• cucumbers;
• zucchini.

Ash solution in large quantities can oxidize the soil. Therefore, it is recommended to mix it with fertilizers with a high nitrogen content.

Fertilizers for seedlings from eggshells

The shell contains large amounts of calcium, magnesium, nitrogenous substances and lipids. Fertilizer can be used:

• to improve soil structure;
• to reduce soil acidity;
• to speed up seed germination;
• for the installation of a drainage system;
• as protection against pests;
• for root feeding.

The shell is used as an infusion for irrigation. When crushed, they are scattered directly onto the beds or embedded in holes before planting.

Helpful information

Daria Vorontsova

Amateur gardener. He is interested in growing various greens at home.

Shell fertilizer is well suited for legumes, stone fruits, pome fruits, and citrus crops. For flowers, fertilizing should be done carefully, since not all species like excess calcium in the soil.

Yeast fertilizer for seedlings

Yeast fertilizers contain:

• Active substances that stimulate plant growth: vitamins, auxins, phytohormones.
• Carbohydrates, iron, proteins;
• Cytokinins are hormones that regulate cell growth and division.

You can use raw pressed or dry yeast as fertilizer. They are poured with warm water and infused for several hours. The resulting solution is watered over the seedlings.

Yeast feeding is universal; it is suitable for almost all plants. The exceptions are onions, garlic and potatoes.

It is not recommended to use expired yeast as a top dressing. The fungi in them are weakened and, most likely, will die under the influence of bacteria living in the soil.

Banana peel fertilizer for seedlings

It is known that during the decomposition of banana peels, ethylene gas is formed, which accelerates the ripening of the fruit. Therefore, this type of fertilizer can be used to stimulate the growth of seedlings.

• Flowers love banana peel fertilizer. The buds become larger and become brighter in color.

Banana peels contain high levels of sugars that can attract ants and other insects. Therefore, it is not recommended to lay it out on the surface of the bed.

Helpful information

Daria Vorontsova

Amateur gardener. He is interested in growing various greens at home.

Banana peels can be embedded in the soil in crushed form or used for irrigation in the form of decoctions or infusions. The peel contains a large amount of minerals, so it must be handled carefully so as not to cause an overdose in plants.

Useful tips

Before using any fertilizer for seedlings, you should familiarize yourself with the recommendations and advice of experienced farmers:

1. Water the plants in the evening and fertilize in the morning to avoid waterlogging of the soil and the development of rot.
2. Be sure to dilute concentrates so as not to burn young plants.
3. Avoid frequent feeding of seedlings, as this weakens the sprouts. Slight nutritional deficiency rather than excess.
4. Monitor the condition of the sprouts. When the stems and leaves are strong and elastic, there is no need for additional feeding. The crop should be fertilized when there are obvious signs of wilting.
5. Do not store the prepared solution; prepare a fresh composition for each treatment.

Having chosen the feeding method and the preparation, all that remains is to prepare all the necessary tools. Strict adherence to the dosage and manufacturer's recommendations indicated on the packaging guarantees healthy crops and abundant harvests.

First feeding of the season

The first problems after planting seeds in the soil arise a few days later. Sprouts appear that vigorously stretch upward on thin stems. The leaves are small due to lack of light, if the weather is cloudy or the windows with seedlings face north.

The first feeding of seedlings is carried out to regulate growth and improve the root system. The product “Athlete” is suitable, stopping growth in height and providing nutrition and development of roots. After the seedlings stop stretching, the foliage will begin to grow larger. Spraying with “Athlete” or watering begins when the sprout has at least 4 leaves, not earlier. The point is the weakness of the root system, which until this moment is not able to absorb microelements from the soil.