It is almost impossible to grow a decent crop of tomatoes without the use of fertilizing and fertilizers. Plants constantly need nutrients and as they grow, they deplete the soil. As a result, there comes a time when tomatoes begin to “starve”, showing a symptom of a lack of any microelement. Complex fertilizer for tomatoes will help prevent “starvation” and compensate for the deficiency of substances. You can see a lot of such fertilizers on store shelves. Most of them have a similar composition and can be used at a certain stage of cultivation.
What it is?
Complex fertilizer for tomatoes is a mixture that contains three main nutrients necessary for them:
- Nitrogen. It is the basis of plant immunity.
- Phosphorus. Thanks to this component, the root system fully develops (read more about phosphorus fertilizers for tomatoes here).
- Potassium. A substance that improves the taste of fruits.
They also contain other microelements that tomatoes need at a specific stage of the growing season:
- copper;
- iron;
- zinc;
- calcium;
- magnesium;
- sulfur and others.
What to do if potassium is not supplied
If potassium is not supplied, ripening is delayed too long, and the fruits are not sufficiently colored, their quality decreases, and the dry matter decreases. In some species, part of the fruit remains green (variegated ripening), and this is usually a consequence of insufficient potassium and magnesium supply.
When processing tomatoes, higher doses of potassium should be given before color changes, this will result in more uniform ripening, good color and high dry matter levels.
Typical readings of nutrient needs and intakes.
Improving soil composition
By using nutritious fertilizers, you can make the soil composition richer and more nutritious. In an enriched substrate, seedlings will grow much better. You can use one of the following types of fertilizers.
Master NPK-17.6.18
Master NPK-17.6.18 fertilizer contains large quantities of potassium and nitrogen, and little phosphorus. Thanks to this ratio, the plant acquires a dark green color and its growing season proceeds well. Tomatoes become more resistant to adverse weather, bloom longer and produce larger yields. It is recommended to feed during the growth and flowering stages.
Crystallon
Kristalon fertilizer contains macro- and microelements that tomatoes need at various stages of their development. Eventually:
- the soil composition becomes balanced;
- seedlings grow faster;
- the productivity and resistance of fruits to diseases increases;
- plants can more easily tolerate sudden temperature fluctuations and drought;
- the development of green mass and root system is activated;
- the quality of tomatoes improves.
To feed the seedlings, foliar feeding is done with a solution of green Crystalon - 1-1.5 grams per 1 liter of water. drug. After planting it in open ground, it must be treated with the yellow type of this fertilizer. This will help the seedlings to become stronger. The procedure is carried out for the first 4 weeks with a solution based on 1 liter of water. fertilizers Root fertilizing with red and brown crystals is carried out in the second half of the growing season. This will help increase productivity and saturate the fruits with potassium. For this 2 gr. The drug is dissolved in 1 liter. water.
It is noted that this fertilizer reduces the level of negative effects of pesticides on tomatoes. Crystalon dissolves slowly in the soil, which indicates its long-lasting effect.
Important! The types of this fertilizer can be mixed with each other and with other preparations, with the exception of those that contain metals.
Feeding tomatoes in open ground
Feeding tomatoes in open ground differs from feeding them in greenhouses in that we cannot control the temperature and soil moisture (precipitation). When growing tomatoes in greenhouses, we water them as needed, as the soil dries out, and apply fertilizing according to a certain pattern.
Tomatoes in open ground are in more severe conditions; if prolonged rains begin, nutrients need to be added more often, since a significant proportion of them are washed away with precipitation. In addition, the problem of foliar feeding arises. The schedule for applying fertilizers for tomatoes is shifted and adjusted to weather conditions.
The best growth activators for seeds
Among the biological products that are distinguished by their high efficiency and environmental friendliness, the following are popular:
- "Zircon";
- "Gumat";
- "Epin."
Correct use of seed growth activators hardens and strengthens seedlings. This affects productivity and resistance to various diseases.
Zircon
Thanks to the growth stimulator Zircon, seed germination increases by 19-23%, and the seedlings themselves appear several days earlier. The seeds are kept for 6-8 hours in a solution prepared as follows - 2 drops of Zircon are added to 100 ml of water.
Gumat
When treated with Humate solution, the yield increases by 60%. It must be prepared in advance - 10 hours in advance. For this purpose 10 gr. The drug is diluted in 3 liters. hot water. If it is necessary to speed up seed germination, then 500 ml of the finished concentrate is diluted in 4.5 liters. water. The seedlings are treated with the composition - 250 ml of concentrate is diluted in 4.5 liters. water. Humate is a toxic drug, so safety precautions must be observed.
Epin
This universal non-toxic product helps accelerate the germination of tomato seeds and reduces the nitrate content in them. Epin is used in small doses. To soak the seeds, take 3 drops of the drug per 100 ml of water. The seedlings should be watered with Epin solution a day before they are planted or immediately after planting - dilute one ampoule into 5 liters. water and water only at the roots. The drug can be used in the future to strengthen seedlings.
Types of fertilizers
The most commonly used are mineral fertilizers, which have a positive effect on the crop. That is why their application is carried out at all stages of tomato growth. Among the most common are potash, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers.
The use of phosphorus agrochemicals is recommended in the early stages of tomato cultivation. The line of these drugs consists of phosphate and superphosphate. The first product contains phosphorus. The second preparation consists of phosphorus, nitrogen, calcium, sulfur, magnesium. The use of phosphate agrochemicals is carried out when planting plants. It is also recommended to regularly use these drugs during further cultivation of the crop.
ATTENTION! Superphosphates are produced by decomposing natural phosphates using sulfuric acid. They are characterized by a complex effect on the soil, which leads to a decrease in its acidity.
Potash fertilizers are quite important and useful for tomatoes. The use of drugs is carried out during the period of fruit ripening. A deficiency of this component may slow down the growth and development of the crop, as well as deteriorate the taste of the fruit. The chemical composition of potash agrochemicals is quite diverse, which makes it possible to use the most suitable option in a particular region.
The most common are ordinary ash, which contains a large amount of potassium. It dissolves very well in water, so it is quite convenient to use for fertilizing tomatoes. Ash belongs to the category of highly effective fertilizers and therefore is widely used by gardeners. The disadvantage of this fertilizer is that it absorbs moisture. This leads to a decrease in its qualities.
The use of nitrogen agrochemicals for crops should be carried out as carefully as possible. If they are applied in optimal quantities, this will have a positive effect on the growth of the crop. If there is an excess of them, excessive toxicity of the soil is observed, which will lead to a slowdown in plant growth. Also, an excess of these fertilizers causes deformation of the fruits and the appearance of spotting on them. Of the potassium agrochemicals, the most commonly used are urea, calcium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, potassium or ammonium nitrate.
Mineral fertilizers for tomatoes are produced in a wide range, which makes it possible to choose the most optimal option depending on the characteristics of the soil and the crop variety.
Means for tomato seedlings
The quality of tomato seedling material can be judged by its appearance. A healthy plant will have a thick and short stem with a purple tint, the leaves will be dense, and the first cluster will be low. In order for the seedlings to be good, it is necessary to use special fertilizers.
Nitroammofoska
The composition of Nitroammophoska, which is available in granular form, includes:
- potassium;
- nitrogen;
- phosphorus.
It is used dry or diluted with water. Dry Nitroammofoska is applied in bulk to the ground, and the liquid is watered over the plants. It helps to increase the ovaries of tomatoes. To do this, take a matchbox of this fertilizer in a bucket of water and pour 500 ml of the prepared solution under each tomato bush. This fertilizer can be applied along with:
- sodium humate;
- potassium sulfate;
- mullein
Sturdy
Water-soluble fertilizer Krepysh is produced in liquid and dry form. This fertilizer contains all the stimulants, micro- and macroelements that tomatoes need, for example:
- potassium;
- magnesium;
- nitrogen;
- iron.
This carefully balanced fertilizer must be applied to the soil when watering. It is recommended to feed Krepysh for the first time after the second leaf has formed, and then during picking. Then you need to fertilize every 2 weeks until flowering begins. To feed seedlings, dilute 2 teaspoons of Krepysh in 10 liters of water.
Traditional preparations
They increase soil fertility by applying fertilizers even before planting tomatoes in the garden or greenhouse.
Ammophos
For tomatoes, a complex fertilizer of 12% ammonia and 52% phosphorus is used as a last resort if there is no superphosphate, and plants at the seedling stage suffer from its deficiency.
- enrich the soil before planting, 20-30 grams per 1 m2;
- feed, planting 5-10 grams per 1 linear meter in the row spacing to a depth of 6-8 cm.
Ammofoska
Consists of 12% nitrogen, 15% phosphorus, 15% potassium, 14% sulfur. One of the best traditional complex fertilizers for tomatoes in a greenhouse, since it does not emit substances harmful to plants.
- You can fertilize the soil in March-April along with compost - 25-30 grams per 1 m2, planting to a depth of 5 cm.
- Place a teaspoon into the holes when planting.
- This is an excellent complex fertilizer for tomatoes and peppers. It is used by dissolving 10 tablespoons in a bucket of cold water. Since phosphorus does not dissolve in cold water, previously diluted superphosphate is added to the solution.
- Tomatoes are fed during the flowering period and in the phase of ovary formation.
Diammofoska
The fertilizer contains 20% “fast” phosphorus, which tomatoes absorb well. The increased proportion of potassium in the specific gravity of the complex fertilizer makes it indispensable in the flowering and fruit formation phases. Tomatoes and peppers produce a good and tasty harvest. There are also additional elements: manganese, zinc, iron - 8 minerals in total.
- for soil treatment, add 30 grams per 1 m2;
- 50 grams per 1 m2 are added to the greenhouse soil;
- When planting tomatoes, place a teaspoon of complex fertilizer in the hole.
Attention! Complex mineral fertilizers used during the development of tomatoes increase soil fertility and crop productivity.
Nitroammofoska
This excellent complex fertilizer consisting of three elements essential for plants should be purchased at your place of residence, since it is available in different ratios of components. Fertilizer should be applied wisely on different types of soil.
- Tomatoes' immunity increases, and plants are less susceptible to fungal diseases.
- Having purchased a nitroammophoska suitable for a specific soil, it is scattered into rows at a rate of 20 grams per 1 m2.
- For the first time, it is better to feed tomatoes with a preparation with the formula 16:16:16.
- The second feeding is successful in the phase of ovary formation. To do this, you need to purchase fertilizer with a high potassium content.
- Nitroammophos and foliar feeding are carried out with a mandatory subsequent “shower” for the plants with clean water.
- Nitroammophoska is fed only 2 times per season so that the tomatoes do not accumulate nitrates.
Nitrophoska
This is one of the best complex fertilizers for tomatoes. In industrial cultivation, nitrophoska is most often used. The fertilizer completely covers the mineral needs of tomatoes.
- When planting tomatoes, put 1 tbsp in the hole. l products and mix with soil;
- prepare a liquid solution for watering tomatoes a week after transplanting: 50 grams per bucket of water.
Comment! Tomatoes indicate a lack of nutrients by changes in appearance.
Minerals for regular feeding
You should not stop fertilizing already established tomato seedlings. If you regularly feed it with minerals, it will bloom profusely and produce a large number of tomatoes. There are special mineral fertilizers that are recommended for use after planting the crop in the ground.
Kemira Lux
One of these complex fertilizers is Kemira Lux, which contains:
- potassium and nitrogen;
- boron and phosphorus;
- iron and manganese;
- zinc and molybdenum;
- copper.
This completely water-soluble fertilizer is used for surface and root feeding. In order to enrich the earth with useful substances 20 g. Kemira Lux is bred in 10 liters. water. Use the prepared solution once every 7 days. Using a sprayer, foliar feeding is carried out with a solution of Kemira Lux - 10 g. diluted in 10 liters. water.
Mortar
The solution is a complex fertilizer in the form of white granules , which contains all the substances and microelements necessary for normal growth and development in the best ratio for tomatoes.
This drug is especially effective for plant nutrition. Plants absorb the Solution quickly. After planting, tomato seedlings, and subsequently when fruits form, are fertilized with a solution prepared in a ratio of 15-25 g. for 10 l. water.
"BioMaster Red Giant"
You can use the BioMaster Red Giant fertilizer after the tomatoes are planted in the ground and before they bear fruit. This fertilizer contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and others that have a positive effect on growth and fruiting. If this drug is used regularly, you can get a large number of fruits. BioMaster Red Giant helps plants tolerate bad weather well.
Only high-quality healthy tomato seedlings are guaranteed to produce a rich harvest. And complex fertilizers will help improve immunity and increase vitality. In order for the plants to reward you with healthy, abundant and tasty tomatoes, you need to feed them according to the instructions on the package.
Attention! All complex fertilizers, including growth activators, must be used strictly according to the instructions. If the recommendations are not followed, seeds and seedlings may die.
Many gardeners, in addition to ready-made popular fertilizers for tomatoes, use home remedies: ash, banana peels, yeast, iodine, hydrogen peroxide, ammonia. You will learn about how to use these substances on our website.
Minerals for tomatoes
Mineral fertilizers are one substance or several substances mixed at certain concentrations. They can be divided into potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, complex.
Among all phosphorus fertilizers, simple and double superphosphate are most often used. This tomato fertilizer is a gray (white) powder or granules. Their peculiarity is that they are poorly soluble in water and before use it is recommended to infuse them in water for 24 hours to obtain an extract. Phosphorus fertilizers are used to create mineral mixtures as one of the ingredients or as an independent supplement when observing symptoms characteristic of phosphorus deficiency.
Nitrogen fertilizers for tomatoes are often used in the early stages of cultivation, when it is necessary to accelerate plant growth. Such fertilizers include nitrate (ammonium, potassium, sodium), urea, and ammonium sulfate. In addition to the main substance, these nitrogen fertilizers may contain some other minerals in small quantities.
Potassium is a very important trace element that helps tomatoes develop their root system and supply nutrients from the root to the leaves and fruits. With enough potassium, the crop will have a good taste. Among potassium fertilizers for tomatoes, it is recommended to use potassium magnesium or potassium sulfate. Potassium chloride should not be used as a fertilizer, since tomatoes react negatively to chlorine.
In addition to the above fertilizers, you can find magnesium, calcium, sodium, boron and other preparations with one main mineral.
Thus, knowing simple mineral fertilizers, it is quite easy to prepare fertilizers yourself, combining various substances. Using only one type of mineral you can compensate for the lack of the corresponding substance.
Feeding schedule using simple minerals
Mineral fertilizers can be used repeatedly throughout the growing of tomatoes. So, during soil preparation you can use urea. The substance is scattered over the surface of the soil before digging in an amount of 20 g/m2.
You can also use a mineral complex created by yourself to feed tomato seedlings. To prepare it, you need to dissolve ammonium nitrate (20 g) in a bucket of clean water. The resulting liquid should be watered or sprayed on the tomato seedlings.
Before planting in the ground, young plants need to be fertilized with potassium and phosphorus, which will allow them to take root better. To do this, add potassium sulfate and superphosphate (15-25 g of each substance) to a bucket of water.
After planting in the ground, tomatoes can be fertilized with a nutrient mixture: 35-40 g of superphosphate (double), 20 g of potassium sulfate and 15 g of urea per 10 liters of water. This mineral complex saturates the tomatoes with nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and other minerals, as a result of which the plants develop harmoniously, form abundant ovaries and produce abundant fruit of good-tasting vegetables.
An alternative to such a complex can be a liquid fertilizer obtained by adding 80 g of simple superphosphate, 5-10 g of ammonium nitrate and 30 g of potassium sulfate to a bucket of water. The fertilizer can be used in greenhouses and on open ground many times, at intervals of several weeks. After feeding with this complex, tomatoes will have high viability and resistance to diseases and cold.
Foliar feeding of tomatoes can be done using boric acid. A solution of this substance will fertilize the plants and protect them from pests. Dissolve acid for spraying at the rate of 10 g per 10 l.
By combining simple, one-component fertilizers, you can adjust the amount of minerals in the fertilizer depending on the fertility of the soil and the condition of the tomatoes. It should also be noted that the cost of such fertilizers will be lower than the cost of similar ready-made, complex mineral fertilizers.
Feeding scheme
Feeding tomatoes is equally important for plants in any phase of development. It is important to understand here that plants should always grow well, and this is the only way to get a truly rich harvest. Feeding at different stages of development differs significantly from each other. For example, plants at the beginning of the season primarily need nitrogen to grow green mass. But at the time of fruiting, the plant needs potassium and phosphorus more. Therefore, there is a general feeding scheme for tomatoes, which can be changed due to different growing conditions for tomatoes. The frequency of fertilizing can be divided into 6 stages:
First stage (1 time)
.
Tomato seedlings need to be planted in a well-prepared bed. The soil must be fertilized with organic and mineral fertilizers in sufficient quantities. Otherwise, diseases may begin, as a result of which the yields will be smaller. At this time, the seedlings should take root and grow green mass. What to feed
: OMU “For peppers, tomatoes, eggplants”, Senor Tomato, Spring-Summer all-rounder, Giant, Ammofoska, Ash, Humus.
Second stage (1 - 2 times)
.
2 weeks after planting in a permanent place, feeding is required again. This time, the fertilizer should contain nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, as well as microelements. Important
: during this time, the plants have already adapted to the new conditions, and they began to grow actively.
This means they require a lot of nutrients. Fertilizers for feeding
: Superphosphate, Urea, Ammonium nitrate, Ash, Manure, Humate.
Third stage (1 - 2 times)
.
This is the period of active growth of tomatoes. Under these conditions, the plant needs nitrogen to grow green mass, and phosphorus to form the root system. What to feed
: Nitroammophoska, iodine solution, ash and superphosphate.
Fourth stage (2 - 3 times)
.
This is the time of the beginning of flowering, which begins approximately 1.5 - 2 months after planting the seedlings in a permanent place in the garden. During this period of time, fruits begin to set, and a lack of potassium or phosphorus can cause flowers to fall off, which means the yield will be lower. Fertilizers for feeding
: Kemira Lux, Universal, Mortar, Senior Tomato, Green fertilizer (fermenter).
Fifth stage (2 - 3 times)
.
At this stage, fruit set occurs, and the plant mainly requires potassium and phosphorus for development. By the way
, during the period of fruit set, you need to completely abandon nitrogen.
There are complex fertilizers on sale specifically for this period in plant development. But organic supplements will be the most desirable. Feeding preparations
: Sudarushka, Ovary, Tamaton, Ammofoska, Zola.
Sixth stage (2 - 3 times)
.
At this time period, plants need potassium, manganese, boron and iodine. These elements improve the quality and taste of the fruit, and at the same time ripening is accelerated. Only in this way will tomatoes have fleshy and sweet pulp, which is obtained due to the accumulation of sugars. Advice
: stop feeding tomatoes two weeks before harvesting.
What to feed
: Boric acid, Iodine solution, Saline solution, Ash, Mullein, Mortar, Potassium sulfate. And they also contribute to quick filling: Dozervatel, Estrel, Sweet, Benefit and Potassium Monophosphate.
Rules for applying to the soil
To achieve maximum effect, follow the following recommendations:
- At the stage of flowering, setting, and fruiting, do not use foliar feeding products. This will prevent fruit intoxication.
- All mixtures and mono-compositions are stored in sealed containers.
- To avoid fattening and not lead to combustion, do not exceed the concentration and frequency of application.
- Taking into account the composition, they are adjusted for different types of soil. For clayey and sandy soils, they select their own fertilizers.
- Dry mixtures are used with good watering. The granules are embedded to the depth of the roots.
Complex fertilizer compositions for tomatoes
Full growth and abundant fruiting are ensured by complex types of fertilizers. They contain all the elements of NPK. Ammophos, diammophos and nitroammophos are very popular among domestic summer residents.
Complex fertilizer formulations for tomatoes contain all NPK elements
As gardeners note, these complexes show excellent productivity indicators.
In addition to NPK elements, tomatoes also require a number of other useful substances, such as calcium, zinc and boron. Most often they are provided to tomatoes by spraying.
As for useful additives, many farmers make them with their own hands. To increase fruiting, mullein is used. It is prepared over several days. First, take a bucket of mullein and fill it with 3 buckets of water. Stir and leave to infuse for 10 days.
Before fertilizing the plant, the solution is diluted with water in the proportion of 1 liter of mullein per bucket of water. A tomato bush requires 1.5 liters of nutrient mixture. Water the tomatoes with the prepared solution during the growing season, do this twice, at the beginning and at the end.
Other components can be used as a top dressing:
- yeast;
- ash;
- nettle infusion;
- iodine;
- serum.
Fertilizing tomatoes with nettle infusion
Such fertilizers do not contain chemicals, but they also increase the yield and improve the external and taste qualities of the vegetable crop. These are the main types of fertilizers that are applied to tomatoes.
