We fertilize tomatoes wisely: we use phosphoric dressings

Phosphorus enters the triad of the most important elements needed by tomatoes. It allows tomato bushes to grow strong and healthy, and generally accelerates the ripening of the crop. With its lack of soil, gardeners make phosphate fertilizers. They are of different types, concentrations and properties.

The value of phosphorus for tomatoes

Without this element, no plant can fully exist, and each crop needs its own dose of substance. While potassium and nitrogen affect taste and juiciness, phosphorus helps the plant grow and form fruits. Therefore, without it, it is impossible to obtain a high-quality abundant harvest. The purpose of this trace element is to control the metabolic processes occurring in the plant body. There is phosphorus - there is energy. And there is energy - there is a healthy strong tomato bush with numerous fruits.

Absorbing this microcell, plants:

• grow healthy, with good immunity;
• build up a powerful root system;
• bloom profusely and knit the fruit;
• form capable seeds;
• form large juicy fruits.

Signs of phosphorus deficiency

Phosphorus for plants is absolutely harmless, so it is almost impossible to overfeed tomatoes with a trace element. Even if phosphorus-containing fertilizers were poured a lot, tomato bushes will take from them exactly as much as is needed for full development. Most often there is a lack of phosphorus in the soil, from which the plants are very affected. Deficiency slows the growth and development of seedlings.

Main signs of shortage:

• leaves are small, have a grayish or dark purple color;
• the lower leaves are covered with dark spots;
• leaves curl, shrink, fall to the stem;
• streaks turn purple;
• the root system is developing poorly. If you slightly pull the seedling up, it will easily come out;
• poor flowering;
• fruiting is not long;
• the fruits themselves are small, tasteless.

Many of the symptoms of phosphorus starvation are similar to changes in the body of plants when quenching seedlings. When staying in the cold for a long time, the leaves may darken and wither, but with the arrival of heat the problem disappears and the leaves take on a healthy appearance. If this does not happen during the week, urgently feed seedlings phosphorus-containing drug.

Why sometimes not enough phosphorus

The lack of an element is often observed when the gardener incorrectly uses phosphorus-potassium fertilizers or forgets about them altogether. Errors inducing phosphorus deficiency are as follows:

• intensive farming without organic and minerals;
• fertilization without taking into account the characteristics of the soil composition;
• phosphorus does not follow the instructions. In these cases, the element takes difficultly soluble forms and is not absorbed;
• wrong fertilizer concentrate;
• neglect summer feedings.

Phosphorus and soil composition

When applying phosphate fertilizers, it is necessary to take into account the composition of the soil, since the digestibility of the trace element will depend on it. On the chernozem soil, the root system of plants develops (grows) better, it becomes more enduring and immune-immune. On forest lands, it is better to combine phosphorus and nitrogen - so trace elements will be more efficiently consumed by plants. In such a soil, even if there is enough phosphorus, but not enough nitrogen, the first element will be consumed poorly.

When adding phosphate fertilizers, it is necessary to take into account the degree of soil acidity. At elevated pH levels, phosphorus becomes difficult to assimilate, and therefore the plants will not receive the optimal dose of phosphate nutrition, even if the entire area is covered with this microelement. In this case, before fertilizing, soil deoxidation is carried out: ash or lime is applied. On slightly acidic and normal soils phosphate fertilizers are used in accordance with the instructions.

Terms of phosphate fertilizers

1. Phosphorus-containing fertilizers are first applied to the soil during the autumn digging of the site. For several months of winter, the trace element will have time to fully digest the soil.
2. Granular fertilizers are applied only at the root, and not scattered over the entire surface of the earth. It does not make sense to do this, since the granules will not dissolve in the upper soil layer.
3. If you want to achieve a quick effect, use liquid phosphate dressings using soluble preparations. They can be used during the cultivation of the culture or when digging the soil.
4. In addition to root feeding, phosphorus can be “applied” by spraying. The main thing is to breed fertilizer with water.
5. Phosphorus is not added to the acidic soil - it will not show any result, since phosphorus in such a soil is not absorbed. Before fertilizing the soil is liquefied with lime or ash.
6. Organic phosphate fertilizers are absorbed by the soil for much longer. Their effectiveness can be seen only 2-3 years after application to the soil.

Types and classification of phosphate fertilizers

Before you buy phosphate fertilizers, you need to understand what types they are and what they are. First of all, all fertilizers containing phosphorus are divided into water-soluble, insoluble in water and in acidic soils. Agrochemicals are produced in the form of bulk powders and granules. Pellets are usually applied to the soil when digging the area, and not scattered on the ground. Bulk dissolve in water and arrange liquid dressings.

All fertilizers have a different phosphorus concentrate. Depending on its dosage, there are three groups of phosphate fertilizers:

• mineral;
• complex formulations;
• organic, not containing any chemical elements. Exceptionally natural products.

Mineral compounds (monocomponent):

Two-component formulations:

Complex formulations:

Compositions of organic origin:

How to cook phosphate fertilizer yourself

Many waste products contain phosphorus. Therefore, you can prepare a useful fertilizer with your own hands, without resorting to wasting money. For example, wood ash contains more than 30 different elements, including phosphorus. It is known that ash does not contain chlorine, which means it is the best way to fertilize tomatoes.

Superphosphate can be made from bones. To do this, the bones are ignited on the fire, burning off the organic compounds. As a result, calcium phosphate remains - a necessary substance for us. Next, the bones are crushed into crumb, mixed with chalk (lime) and sulfuric acid is added (it is first mixed with water). The mixture gradually takes the form of a cream or paste, and then turns into a white powder - superphosphate. It is used as a fertilizer for tomatoes.

Terms of making phosphate dressings

Phosphorus is necessary for tomatoes at all stages of the growing season:

1. Sowing stage. Seeds are treated with growth stimulants — phosphorus-based complex products. Most commonly used are Humate, Appin, Kornevin, Zircon. They help to increase the stability of future plants, protect against diseases and pests.
2. Fertilizer seedlings. Immediately after the appearance of the first leaves and the pickling of the seedlings, the young bushes are fed on the nitroammofoska brand A, which contains the highest dose of phosphorus. The product is diluted in water and sprayed over the seedlings. This will strengthen the tomatoes after the picking and allow the roots to grow faster.
3. Back up the beds. Before planting seedlings, soil the soil with phosphorus-containing compounds. This occurs when digging the plot or the backlog of the beds. Most often used drug Kemir.
4. Landing in the ground. At the time of planting seedlings strengthen the fortress. It can be scattered on the ground and good water, or use in liquid form (dissolved in water).
5. The first feed. After 3 weeks it is recommended to carry out the first liquid feeding of seedlings with phosphorus. Any micronutrient based fertilizer can be used.
6. Tomato flowering period. The introduction of phosphorus at this time contributes to the appearance of abundant ovaries. You can apply organic fertilizer (mullein or bird droppings). If organic matter is not recommended fertilizer nitrophoska.
7. If the fertilizers were not laid before planting into the soil, then tomato growth will be improved by dissolving the drug with Mortar. They can spray plants or apply as a root fertilizer. Other effective tools suitable for processing bushes at different times of the growing season - Bio Master Red Giant, Kemira Lux, Universal.

Phosphoric fertilizing is very important for the full life of tomatoes. There are many preparations containing the necessary microelement, many of which also contain other useful chemical compounds. What kind of fertilizer to choose depends not only on the preferences of the gardener, but also on the condition of the soil and most importantly of the plants themselves. Approach the choice of phosphate fertilizers wisely and then you get an early and tasty crop of tomatoes.