Not all gardeners believe that fertilizing is important for tomato seedlings at all stages of bush development. But experts say that to get good harvest it is necessary to provide plants with adequate nutrition and initial stage growth and development. This procedure will help the seedlings develop immunity and become stronger until transplanted into open ground.

Many gardeners are of the opinion that if weeds can grow well without fertilizing, then tomato seedlings also do not need fertilizers. But we should not forget that the crops grown in our garden are already the fruits of selection, which differ high quality fruits But in return, they need additional care and nutrition, since they are not adapted to be content with the little that is in the soil.

The use of fertilizers allows you to initially strengthen the biological forces of the plant itself, and subsequently help it fully develop, bloom and bear fruit. Nitrogen and potassium are the main nutrients, and phosphorus is responsible for metabolic processes, that is, it helps to deliver essential microelements to those parts where they are required. Therefore, these 3 main components are the most important, but you need to understand when and in what quantity they should be used.

How to determine when it is needed

There are a number of signs by which you can determine which microelement is lacking in tomato seedlings.

Important! It is worth understanding that lack of nutrition, as well as excessive application of fertilizers at the initial stage of development, can significantly weaken the immunity of plants, so everything should be in moderation.

Nitrogen. The deficiency of this element is expressed by yellowing lower leaves, since the plant takes the necessary microelements from them for the development of more promising upper ones. In addition, the lack of nitrogen is reflected in the slow growth of tomato seedlings. However, these signs should not be confused with overflow and cool conditions, since yellowing of the foliage in these cases is observed not only at the bottom, but in all parts.

Phosphorus. A lack of phosphorus is expressed in a purple tint on the underside of the leaf blades. If this does not affect the full growth of tomato seedlings, then until planting permanent place There is no point in taking decisive steps in open ground.

Potassium. The lack of this microelement has a depressing effect on the development of the root system of tomato seedlings, so by the time they are transplanted to a permanent place, the seedlings do not have time to grow it in full. This negatively affects the further growth of tomatoes.

Iron. This element plays important role at the initial stage of development, since its deficiency affects the formation of immunity of seedlings in the future. Iron deficiency manifests itself in a light shade of leaf blades, on which dark green veins become clearly visible. This often happens with 24-hour lighting, since it is at night that the plant is able to fully absorb nutrition.

Pay attention! Daylight hours when growing tomato seedlings should not exceed 10-12 hours; round-the-clock lighting is allowed only 3-4 days after emergence.

Calcium. This element contributes to the formation of a strong plant skeleton. Its deficiency leads to the fact that the stem becomes thin and gradually stretches upward.

When certain signs appear, you should not focus solely on the element that is missing. Enough to spend complex feeding tomato seedlings, but ensure that this component is included in the fertilizer in sufficient volume.

Video: how to feed tomato seedlings

Timing of fertilizing

At correct application fertilizers, it is necessary to strictly observe the timing of their application. Initially, the main requirement is to plant the seeds in good and nutritious soil, which will allow young shoots to develop fully.

• first- after the appearance of the first leaves;
• second— 14 days after picking seedlings;
• third- 10-14 weeks after the previous one;
• fourth- 3-4 days before transplanting into open ground.

Features of feeding before and after picking

Picking tomato seedlings is a strong stress for plants, but at the same time it is very important for the full growth of seedlings. Therefore, fertilizing during this period should be carried out taking into account the characteristics of the crop and observing the timing of their application.

Applying fertilizers 10 days before picking will significantly enhance their development and help prepare for the upcoming stress. The higher the immunity of the seedlings, the less it will hurt after transplantation.

Feeding 2 weeks after picking will allow the seedlings to regain strength and begin to grow both the above-ground part and the root system.

Pay attention! Ignoring the timing of fertilizing before and after picking leads to oppression of still immature seedlings.

Scheme for feeding seedlings

Feeding tomato seedlings should be done on a moist substrate, which will prevent the appearance of burns on the roots of the plants.

• At the first stage During growth, seedlings especially need nitrogen and phosphorus, so it is necessary to select fertilizer taking this into account. It is best to fertilize the roots with mineral preparations during this period, avoiding contact with the leaves.
• On second stage, if the seedlings develop normally, then use the same fertilizer as the first time. In the case of sprouts, nitrogen must be temporarily excluded and the length of daylight should be increased, as well as the temperature adjusted to about 18 degrees.
• At the third stage apply foliar feeding of seedlings with organic preparations. This will help the seedlings recover and get stronger after picking, as well as increase their green mass.
• Fourth stage fertilizing can be done using both root and foliar methods. In the case of the latter, the procedure should be applied in the morning or evening so that burns do not appear on the foliage under the influence of sun rays. During this period, the use of mineral and organic preparations is allowed. But potassium plays an important role during this period, which contributes to the formation of flower ovaries.

Specifics of root and foliar feeding

There are two ways to feed tomato seedlings: root and foliar. In the first case, the fertilizer is dissolved in water and applied to the soil by watering the seedlings directly under the root. This is especially important to do on first two stages, since plants during this period are especially susceptible to fungal diseases, and moisture should not be allowed to get on the foliage, even with fertilizer. Fertilizing in this way should be applied to moist soil so as not to cause burns to the roots.

At the third and fourth stage better use foliar feeding by spraying the preparations on the foliage using a spray bottle. This will help to better absorb nutrients, since the foliage during this period is already quite developed and is able to absorb all the necessary microelements. It is better to carry out this procedure in the morning, since exposure to sunlight may cause burns on the leaves.

What and how to feed tomato seedlings

To feed tomato seedlings, you can choose any fertilizer based on the gardener’s preferences. Some use mineral fertilizers, and others are organic or folk remedies.

Mineral fertilizers

This type of fertilizer contains required quantity nutrients for the full growth and development of seedlings. The most common preparations for feeding tomato seedlings so that they grow better and faster are:

Important! To feed tomato seedlings, experts recommend complex feeding using several types of mineral fertilizers at the same time.

• dissolve urea (1 g), potassium sulfate (3 g) and superphosphate (8 g) in 2 liters of water, stir the resulting solution until completely dissolved and use for root feeding;
• dilute ammonium nitrate (0.6 g), superphosphate (4 g) and potassium sulfate (1.5 g) in 1 liter of water, use for root and foliar feeding after complete dissolution of the components.

Organic fertilizers

Many gardeners use organic fertilizers to feed tomato seedlings. But it is worth understanding that organic matter contains mostly nitrogen, so this type of fertilizer should be used for early stage seedling development.

The most common of them are:

Folk remedies

In addition to the listed fertilizers, it is allowed to fertilize tomato seedlings using common folk remedies. This fertilizer option is especially suitable for gardeners who are not ready to use chemicals.

The most popular of them are:

Video: feeding tomato seedlings with iodine

Common problems

Often gardeners have the same problems, which are caused by incorrect conditions seedling maintenance or lack of certain microelements. To avoid them and know how to fix them, you should familiarize yourself with them in advance.

1. If tomato seedlings thin stems. This is a sign of excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers. In order for the seedlings to become plump, it is necessary to initially spray the plants with the Atlet preparation, and then fertilize them with superphosphate and potassium sulfide.
2. If the tomato seedlings have too much pale foliage and stems. This is a sign of nitrogen deficiency. It is necessary to fertilize with organic means or urea.
3. To tomato seedlings did not stretch out to feed Wood ash should be used, but not too zealously, as it can significantly slow down growth.

Video: what to do to prevent tomato seedlings from stretching

By feeding tomato seedlings according to all the rules and taking into account all recommendations, you can achieve the desired result. And strong and strong plants will be able to withstand negative environmental conditions in the future and produce a rich harvest of fruits.

For tomatoes and peppers, enriched with fertilizers, the plants may lack nutrients. in boxes of these crops occurs within two months, and the plants do not have enough food for this entire period.

Young plants are especially sensitive to such deficiencies, and nutrient deficiency immediately affects their condition.

However, when feeding any seedlings, you must not lose a sense of proportion. Large doses of fertilizer applied to tomato and pepper seedlings, as well as too frequent fertilizing, will not help the plants, but will most likely harm them.

When choosing a drug preference should be given to liquid types. If you purchased a dry mineral mixture, be sure to dilute it with water before use. The fact is that the root system of seedlings is not able to independently use dry minerals introduced into the soil.

Minerals will reach the roots only after dissolution with water at , and this is a long process, and seedlings may suffer from lack of nutrition and slow growth.

For better distribution of minerals in the soil Feeding tomato and pepper seedlings should be done after watering the plants. The procedure should be carried out in the morning so that in the evening, when the air temperature drops, it does not provoke the development of fungus in the soil.

When using ready-made fertilizer mixtures, follow their intended purpose.. If the fertilizers you purchased are intended for adult plants, then for seedlings you need to reduce their concentration in the solution by half.

Fertilizing will be more beneficial if you are around the plants loosen the soil regularly. Just do this with utmost care, loosen exclusively top layer soil an hour or two after watering.

Fertilizers for tomato seedlings

Tomatoes - particularly demanding crop during all periods of development. Correct and timely feeding allows you to obtain strong, viable specimens for subsequent cultivation in greenhouses or open ground.

During the growing of tomato seedlings you need to feed it three times:

• The first fertilizing is carried out 10 days after picking the plants.. By this time, the roots have already taken root well in the new soil and are able to absorb all the added elements from it. At this stage, tomatoes need nitrogen and phosphorus, so the use of Nitrophos would be optimal. 1 tbsp. a spoon is diluted in a liter of water. Fertilizing is applied after a slight preliminary moistening of the soil, then the bushes are watered with fertilizer until the entire soil is evenly moistened.
• The second feeding is carried out after 2 weeks. The composition of fertilizers during this period depends on the condition of the plants. If they are stretched out due to lack of lighting, then nitrogen should be excluded from fertilizers. The mixture is prepared from double superphosphate and potassium sulfate. Take a tablespoon of each mineral per liter. Of the ready-made liquid fertilizers, the most suitable during this period are “Uniflor Rost”, “Effecton”, “Signor Tomato”.
• A week before planting tomatoes in a permanent place, the third feeding is carried out. A Nitrophoska solution is used for it.

What and how to feed peppers?

start at the very early stages development.

Already in the phase of the first two true leaves, you need to water the seedlings with a mixture of ammonium nitrate (0.5 g), superphosphate (3 g), potassium sulfate (1 g).

All ingredients must be diluted in a liter of pre-settled water.

IMPORTANT! When applying fertilizer, make sure that it does not get on the leaves, and if it accidentally gets in, wash it off with warm water.

Pour the same mixture over the pepper a second time., but double the dose. This must be done in two weeks after the first feeding.

A few days before planting peppers in the ground, a third feeding is carried out.. The fertilizer solution is prepared from 15 grams of wood ash diluted in 1 liter.

IMPORTANT! You cannot feed pepper seedlings with organic fertilizers, and manure is strictly contraindicated for it. Such feeding is depressing root system pepper

Feeding tomato and pepper seedlings with folk remedies

Adherents natural fertilizers Can you recommend feeding folk remedies:

1. Bird droppings. Dilute 100 g in 1 liter, infuse for 10 days. Before use, it is recommended to add copper sulfate or potassium permanganate.
2. Banana peel. It is a source of potassium, especially recommended for tomatoes. Peels from 2-3 pieces are infused in 3 liters of water for 3 days.
3. Eggshell. This is what to feed seedlings of peppers and tomatoes after picking, since the shells are recommended for laying out as drainage when picking. You can fill half a bucket of shells with water and use it for watering after three days.
4. Husk onions . 10 g are poured into a liter of water and infused for 5 days.
5. Yeast. 1 g per liter.

The appearance of plants is an indicator of a lack of nutrients

The need for extraordinary fertilizing of seedlings and the composition of fertilizers can be judged by its appearance:

• Lightening of the lower leaves– lack of nitrogen.
• Arrangement of light stripes along the veins– lack of iron. The seedlings should be sprayed with a solution of copper sulfate.
• Withering leaves talk about a lack of magnesium. Its deficiency can be compensated for by adding wood ash to the soil.
• Pronounced purple veins on tomato leaves– lack of phosphorus. 5 g per liter of water is infused for a day, then diluted with another liter and the seedlings are watered with this mixture.

By following simple rules for using fertilizers, you can grow strong and healthy seedlings peppers and tomatoes, which will give you a rich harvest in the fall.

Useful materials

Read other articles on the topic of pepper seedlings:

• and is it necessary?
• How to grow

Probably, many have already grown seedlings of various vegetable crops, if you are used to growing seedlings yourself. Today we will talk about tomato seedlings, or more precisely, about what you can feed it with after it has risen and become a little stronger. How should it be done and when? Is it possible to fertilize at home?

The soil and sand should be sieved before mixing to remove debris, worms and large insect larvae. Experts strongly recommend disinfecting the soil from pathogens, small larvae and pests. The most common methods are:

• Steaming. A month before use, steam the soil in a water bath for 2-3 hours. The container lid must be closed.
• Calcination. 30 minutes in the oven, preheated to + 40 ºC.
• Freezing. In the fall, leave the prepared soil outside, covering it from precipitation. About a month before use, the soil is brought indoors, heated, mixed with the rest of the ingredients and taken out into the cold again.

Each of these methods has supporters and opponents, regardless of which one you (or not) use depends only on your choice.

When to feed

Three weeks after the seedlings appear, the seedlings grow rather slowly, but as a result, growth is activated. In order for the sprouts to develop correctly, without stretching excessively in length, it is necessary to maintain a certain temperature regime and fertilize the tomato seedlings on time.

Amateur gardeners who do not yet have experience in growing seedlings need to know when it is best to feed tomato seedlings.

First feeding

The first application of fertilizer for tomato seedlings is carried out when the first real leaf appears on the seedlings. The fertilizer is prepared as follows:

• In water at room temperature Agricola-Forward fertilizer is diluted in a ratio of 1 teaspoon per liter of water.
• Agricola No. 3 or Nitrofoska preparations, a tablespoon of which dissolves in a liter of water, are perfect for them.
• On average, this amount of fertilizer is enough for 40 bushes. This remedy best strengthens the roots of young plants.

Which would you prefer?

Buy fertilizer in the storeFertilize yourself

Second feeding

To carry out the second feeding, dilute a tablespoon of “Effeton” in a liter of water. If the plants are too stretched, experienced farmers recommend preparing fertilizer for tomato seedlings from superphosphate, diluting a tablespoon in 3 liters of water. If the bush is overly stretched, “Athlete” is also suitable, which slows down the growth of the top of the plant and enhances the growth of the roots.

When preparing the composition, it is important to follow the proportions specified in the instructions, otherwise the seedlings may stop developing altogether.

Third feeding

Feeding after picking. It is carried out approximately one and a half weeks after picking the seedlings. A tablespoon of nitroammophoska (nitrophoska) is diluted in 10 liters of water. Typically, a glass of the prepared solution is used directly for 2 glasses of plants.

Fourth feeding

The next feeding is carried out after 2 weeks. To feed, it is advisable to dilute a tablespoon of potassium sulfate or superphosphate in 10 liters of water. At the same time, consumption is one glass per bush.

Fifth feeding

The very last feeding is carried out after another couple of weeks. How to feed tomato seedlings now? A tablespoon of nitrofossi is diluted in a 10-liter bucket of water. A glass of product is spent on a bush.

In addition to root application of fertilizers, foliar feeding of tomato seedlings is carried out. The same means are used for spraying. At the end of spraying with fertilizer, the plants are sprayed after a few hours clean water.

How to feed seedlings

If you decide to start fertilizing after the first leaf appears, then at this moment you need to:

• Prepare a copper solution and pour it generously over the seedlings. This substance can be purchased in specialty store. Preparation is made from 1 teaspoon of copper and 10 liters of clean water. It is allowed to store such a product for an unlimited time.
• If there is a lot of fertilizer left after watering, you can pour it into plastic bottle and leave it even until next year. Thanks to this procedure, young shoots will be reliably protected from late blight.

Late blight

• For the second feeding after diving, you can use urea. In the end, for good growth green mass of seedlings required large number nitrogen. 10 liters of clean water will require 1 tablespoon of urea. The resulting solution is watered abundantly on the seedlings.
• Ideal for the third feeding of tomatoes mineral fertilizer nitrophosphate. Prepare a solution of 1 liter of clean water and 1 tablespoon of this substance. The resulting fertilizer is enough for a large number of seedlings.
• The next feeding is repeated as needed. You can prepare the solution in accordance with the second recipe or use organic fertilizers for this. Compost poured into boxes with seedlings is excellent. And it is possible to continue to feed tomatoes foliarly, spraying the leaves from a spray bottle. The solution for this feeding method is prepared:

1. From 1 tablespoon of superphosphate and 1 liter hot water.
2. The liquid should be heated to approximately 80 degrees.
3. After pouring the solution for 24 hours, its light part is poured into a separate container and diluted with water to 10 liters.
4. The fertilizer for spraying is ready.

Feeding recipes

Feeding options for tomato seedlings:

• 0.5 g of urea, 4 g of superphosphate and 1.5 g of potassium salt per liter of water.
• 0.5-0.7 g ammonium nitrate, 3-4 g superphosphate, 1.5-2 g potassium sulfate per liter of water.
• 1 tablespoon of ash per 2 liters of hot water. This fertilizer is introduced within 24 hours, then filtered.
• Infusion eggshells. A three-liter jar is 2/3 filled with shells and filled with water. Infuse this fertilizer in a warm place for 3-4 days. The same shell can be used three times. To feed seedlings, the eggshell infusion is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:3.

• Banana peel infusion. It is prepared using the principle of an eggshell infusion made from dried banana skins. It is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:3.
• Humate-based fertilizers (according to the instructions on the package).

You can also watch this video where experienced gardener will tell you what fertilizers should be used during the flowering of tomatoes.

Feeding tomato seedlings is very important for proper and harmonious growth. Strong and durable tomato seedlings that received the whole set essential microelements, will provide you with an abundant and high-quality harvest.

The frequency of fertilizing seedlings, and indeed their need in general, depends on the quality of the substrate in which the seedlings grow. Take a closer look at your plants. If they pass the visual test and are full of health and strength, they do not need any additional nutrition.

When and how best to feed seedlings

Before picking, tomato seedlings do not need fertilizing at all.

As a rule, seedlings are fed once every 7-10 days. The first time feeding is given 15 days after full germination or in the phase of 2-3 true leaves.

But you need to be vigilant with tomato seedlings: if they were pre-filled with mineral fertilizers, the need for any other feeding disappears by itself. Otherwise, they will grow too intensively, and if there is a lack of light, they will also grow.

It is not advisable to carry out the first feeding of seedlings before, if it is carried out. And after transplanting, you need to wait at least a week until the seedlings are completely rooted. To speed up the process, I recommend watering the seedlings once.

If you find that the leaves of the seedlings have turned reddish purple tint, and the plants froze in development, most likely this is phosphorus-potassium starvation. Then fertilizing is done with complex mineral fertilizer - Kemira, Agricola, nitrophoska.

With a lack of nitrogen, the leaves of the seedlings turn pale and growth is inhibited. Then they resort to nitrogen fertilizers - ammonium nitrate, urea.

The seedlings are fed with compost - 1-2 teaspoons of fertilizer are added to each pot and watered.

To prepare nitrogen fertilizer, dissolve a full box of matches (5 grams) of nitrogen fertilizer in 10 liters of clean, preferably . Complete fertilizer is used a little more - from 1.5 to 2 matchbox(from 7 to 10 grams) per 10 liters of water.

An excellent effect is achieved by alternating fertilizing with mineral water and natural fertilizers based on humic acids - potassium humate, humix and so on. According to this scheme, seedlings are fed every 7-10 days, alternately using complete mineral fertilizer and biofertilizer.

Immediately after nutritious watering, roll the leaves with clean water from a home watering can. This will wash away the remaining solution and prevent burns. Fertilizer solutions should not be applied to overdried soil, otherwise there is a high risk of burning the tender roots.

Replaces infusion or mullein. To prepare the concentrate, take a bucket of fresh organic matter, fill it with 20 liters of water, mix and infuse for 7-10 days.

A strong solution is poured into water for watering seedlings in the following ratio: for mullein - 1:15-20, for bird droppings - 1:25-30. When feeding, spend a glass of nutrient liquid per 8-10 young plants. As the seedlings develop, the fertilizer rate is gradually increased.

Feeding seedlings with folk remedies: 5 cool recipes

Egg shell powder is added to the substrate for seedlings and sprinkled on the soil in cups

Summer residents who do not like mineral water usually feed their window-sill pets with completely natural fertilizers.

I have chosen for you 5 of the most interesting, but simple folk remedies for feeding seedlings:

1. Grind and add water in a ratio of 1:20. Cover the container with fertilizer with a lid (the smell will not be pleasant) and place in a warm place for 3-4 days. Watering egg infusion will provide plants with calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and silicon.
2. It makes a nutritious mulch feed for seedlings. Don't throw away leftovers sunny fruit! Dry banana peels in the oven, grind them into powder in a blender (coffee grinder) and store in a separate jar. Don’t rush to throw it in the trash, and this waste also makes excellent organic fertilizer for home seedlings.
3. Seedlings grow by leaps and bounds if you feed them... that's right, yeast! To prepare yeast nutrition, dilute ½ cup sugar and a pinch of yeast in three liters of water and let it ferment for 7-10 days. And then once every 7-10 days, diluting a glass of mash in 10 liters of water.
4. Try feeding the seedlings with water left over from washing meat and fish products, and salt-free vegetable broth. Since the concentration useful substances in this type of feeding is small, it is used without additional dilution with water.
5. To prevent diseases and pests, it is useful to sprinkle seedlings with infusion. It is enough to carry out 1-2 such treatments while the plants are on the windowsill. It’s easy to prepare an infusion - pour 2 liters of water into a saucepan, put a handful of husks in there and bring the liquid to a boil. After cooling, strain the infusion and dilute it with two parts of lukewarm water.

It sometimes happens that even with normal care and regular feeding, seedlings freeze and stop developing. The reason for this may be a deficiency of microelements .

If you planted seedlings in a highly fertile substrate, instead of fertilizing, I recommend watering the plants 1-2 times with a weak solution of Baikal EM-1 (1:2000)

To replenish it, I advise you to turn to the help of foliar feeding. In 10 liters of water, dilute 2 grams of molybdenum, 2 grams boric acid, 2.5 grams of manganese sulfate, 2.5 grams of copper sulfate and 2.5 grams of cobalt sulfate. Treat the seedlings with the solution using a fine sprayer or spray bottle.

To make the seedlings less sick, it would be a good idea to treat the plants with a solution every 8-10 days. For this purpose, one or two crystals of potassium permanganate are added to the water for irrigation.

Let me emphasize once again that excessive zeal in feeding seedlings is punishable - they will turn out skinny and elongated, poorly adapted to the Spartan conditions of an open bed or greenhouse.

An interesting option is feeding seedlings with infusion medicinal herbs that have passed their expiration date. Look how easy it is to make this fertilizer for seedlings!

The secret to growing high-quality tomato seedlings is determined by the physiology of young tomatoes. It is important to satisfy all their needs in a timely manner, then the bushes will grow healthy and strong. First of all, you need to prepare fertile, non-acidic soil in the fall. It is also important for seedlings to maintain temperature conditions and create additional lighting.

Good growth of plants will be ensured by foliar and root dressings. Fertilizers can be either industrial or homemade.

At all stages of development, tomatoes require large amounts of nutrients. High-quality seedlings can only be obtained by growing them in fertile soil. But usually other land requirements come to the fore. It is very important that the soil is loose, allows air to reach the roots and absorbs moisture well.

Gardeners pay more attention to the absence of pathogenic microorganisms in the soil than to its fertility. At first, the seedlings use up the supply of nutrients they received from the seed, but this does not last long. Rapidly growing seedlings require more and more nutrition every day. And here you can’t do without fertilizing.

In poor substrate, the first fertilizing is carried out at the stage of appearance of two true leaves. If fertilizers were added to the ground before planting, then you can postpone the procedure until 10-14 days have passed after picking.

In the case when plants are planted in special soil for growing tomato seedlings, a single application of fertilizer 10 days before planting the seedlings in a greenhouse or open ground will be sufficient.

How to determine what feeding is needed and what substances are missing

Most often, a deficiency of certain substances in seedlings appears when grown in normal conditions. garden soil. You can notice which element the plants are lacking by the following signs:

1. For iron deficiency seedlings begin to suffer from chlorosis. This condition is manifested by lightening sheet plate, on which brighter veins begin to stand out.
2. If the stem and underside of the leaves have acquired a rich purple hue, this indicates phosphorus deficiency.
3. A lack of nitrogen makes itself known by yellowing and possible falling of leaves. However, the same symptom will be observed with excessive watering. Therefore, first analyze how proper the care of the seedlings was.

If such changes occur, it will be necessary to apply the appropriate fertilizer to eliminate the deficiency of these elements. For this purpose, both chemical fertilizers and improvised means are used, which are found in every home.

It should be taken into account that an excess of nutrients is just as harmful as their deficiency, so you cannot overfeed the “seedlings”.

This is the main thing you need to remember when starting to apply fertilizer. If the seedlings grow well and look healthy, then they do not need feeding. But if the bushes look stunted, they need urgent help.

When choosing fertilizer for tomatoes, you should give preference to liquid fertilizers. Dry mineral mixtures Use after diluting with water. It is recommended to apply fertilizing in the morning, so they are better absorbed. In addition, by moistening the soil in the evening, you risk causing the appearance of fungus.

• From industrial drugs the best fertilizers For tomatoes, experts consider “Rastvorin” and “Kemira Universal-2”.
• If you do not find such fertilizers on sale, they can be replaced universal fertilizers- “Strong”, “Agricola”, “Ideal”. They will also be able to complete the task.
• Tomatoes also respond well to fertilizing with Nitrophoska, which contains all the basic nutrients and many additional ones (1 tablespoon of fertilizer is diluted per liter of water.)
• For foliar feeding use superphosphate (1 tbsp per liter of hot water). The solution is allowed to brew for a day and the top layer is drained without sediment, which is then diluted with 10 liters of water and used for spraying on the leaf.

If industrial fertilizers are intended for feeding adult bushes, then for seedlings their concentration should be reduced by 2 times. Loosening the top layer of soil will help the fertilizer to be better absorbed. You need to loosen the soil regularly, doing this 2-3 hours after watering.

Besides chemicals can be used traditional methods, which are also very popular among gardeners. Let's talk about the most common of them.

Yeast . Fertilizing tomato seedlings with yeast not only enriches the soil, but also improves the soil structure. Fungal microorganisms, when multiplying, have a positive effect on the growth of tomato bushes and future productivity. First, a concentrate is prepared from the yeast, which is then diluted with water before use.

To prepare a yeast solution, take 10 g of yeast, 4 tablespoons of sugar and 10 liters of water. The mixture should ferment well. Before application, 1 part of the solution is diluted with 10 parts of water.

Iodine. This element is necessary not only for humans, but also for plants. A weakly concentrated iodine solution will help strengthen the immunity of tomatoes and promote better fruiting. It is also an excellent remedy for fungal diseases.

Spraying leaves at the first signs of late blight and powdery mildew will help quickly cure plants. To prepare the fertilizer, add 10 drops of pharmaceutical iodine to 1 bucket of water. It is used for root and foliar feeding.

Ash. This substance contains about 3 dozen minerals that are vital for plants. Moreover, all of them are contained there in an accessible form. Environmentally friendly ash, which is used as fertilizer, can be obtained from logs and boards, without the admixture of various chemicals or artificial materials. Wood ash contains predominantly calcium.

In the ash obtained after combustion herbaceous plants and straw, potassium predominates. A solution of this substance perfectly reduces soil acidity. To prepare the fertilizer, dissolve 1 tablespoon of ash in 2 liters of water and leave for 24 hours.

Hydrogen peroxide. The drug is used for plants as a fertilizer, growth stimulant and protective agent from pests and diseases. Watering with hydrogen peroxide helps seedlings absorb nutrients, supplies the root system with oxygen, improves soil structure, and neutralizes mineral salts and chlorine.

As a result, metabolic processes in plant tissues improve, young tomatoes literally the words "come to life".

To prepare a solution of the required concentration, 1/2 tbsp. spoons of hydrogen peroxide are diluted in one liter of water and replaced with this composition for regular watering.

Soil specially designed for growing tomato seedlings contains all the nutrients necessary for plant development. In soil of this quality, seedlings do not need to be fertilized. Inexperienced gardeners often confuse problems in maintaining seedlings with a lack of nutrients.

It must be remembered that young plants require a lot of light, a reduced temperature (6°C during the day and 10°C at night) until picking, and proper watering.

After germination

After emergence, the seedlings are not fed until the first true leaves form. Each seed contains a certain supply of nutrients that the plant needs at the initial stage of growth. It is important to create for the seedlings the conditions required by the agricultural technology of the crop. If they are followed, seedlings usually do not require fertilizing.

After the pick

Picking is carried out when the seedlings become stronger and grow. Regardless of whether you applied fertilizing on the eve of picking, 10 days after the seedlings are planted in separate pots, the next stage of fertilizing begins. If you left the plants in one common container, focus on the appearance of the third leaf and apply fertilizing at this moment. After 10 days, the plants are fertilized again.

The seedlings are fed for the last time 2 days before planting in open ground. The timing of fertilizer application by specialists is indicated quite clearly, but each summer resident determines the amount of fertilizing at his own discretion based on the condition of the plants. By feeding your plants in a timely manner, you can also increase their resistance to disease.

As a fertilizer, you can take a mixture of superphosphate, urea and potassium chloride (20g/10g/15g per 10l of water). You can also use an infusion of ash (1 tablespoon per 2 liters of water, let stand for a day) and eggshells (a three-liter jar is filled 2/3 with egg shells, and then with water and infused for 3 days).

Seedling problems, what to feed

The quality of the seedlings directly depends future harvest. Therefore, it is important that the plants are initially healthy and strong. Before planting in open ground, seedlings should be assessed so that their condition can be corrected if various problems arise.

When seedlings look frail and weak, some gardeners are afraid to plant them, believing that they will not make good bushes. But that's not true. The situation can be corrected by reducing watering, increasing lighting and lowering the temperature. Also, the pale color of the leaves can be caused by either an excess of nitrogen or a lack of it. The Atlet preparation will help make seedlings stronger and prevent stretching. Excess nitrogen is neutralized by adding superphosphate.

If, according to your assumptions, the seedlings do not have enough nitrogen, apply nitrogen fertilizer, for example, a solution consisting of 1 tbsp. l. urea and 10 liters of water. 100 ml of this fertilizer is poured under each bush and the seedlings are kept at a temperature no higher than 10°C for the next two days without watering.

As soon as growth stops and the leaves acquire a rich color, the seedlings are transferred to their usual conditions, providing them with warmth and regular watering.

It happens that seedlings begin to grow poorly after picking. The reason may be improper planting, during which the roots were damaged or bent. If the picking was done according to all the rules, but the leaves still turn yellow and there is no growth, it means that the soil was not selected well.

1. Poor seedlings may be due to a lack of potassium - in this case, the leaves turn yellow and curl.
2. Uneven leaf color indicates magnesium deficiency.
3. Signs of a lack of iron, nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil were written above.

Use complex mineral fertilizer with a large range of microelements to feed tomatoes. This will help solve the problem of insufficient seedling growth.

Tomatoes are considered a finicky crop; excessive feeding can only harm them. When can you be sure that fertilizers are not needed? If the planting was done in high-quality purchased soil from a reliable manufacturer or a fertile mixture that you made yourself, most likely, the question of fertilizing will not arise before you. Plants should have enough of the set of substances that are already in the soil. Especially if you used fresh nutrient soil when picking.

Note! If even under such conditions the appearance of the seedlings cannot be called healthy, most likely the conditions were unsuitable. Therefore, lighting, watering and temperature conditions pay special attention from the moment of sowing the seeds.

How to feed seedlings: video

Feeding and caring for seedlings: video

To summarize, we can say that tomatoes themselves signal whether feeding is needed and what kind of feeding. Even if you do not yet have experience in growing tomato seedlings, by the appearance of the plants you can easily determine what exactly they do not like and what is missing. If you grow seedlings according to all the rules, they will definitely please the eye and will provide you with a high-quality harvest in the future.