How to feed tomatoes with ammonia
Tomatoes require fertilization for good growth. One of the most effective is feeding tomatoes with ammonia. But not everyone knows what it is used for and how to do it right. Consider the options for using such a fertilizer.
Fertilizing tomatoes with ammonia
The benefits of ammonia
At the initial stage of development of any crop, nitrogen is required for growth and green mass gain. This trace element plays an important role in the formation of chlorophylls, without which the process of photosynthesis is impossible. Adequate nitrogen will ensure vigorous development of stems and leaves, and subsequently provide a good platform for flowering and fruiting.
Features of such fertilizer
Ammonia (ammonium hydroxide solution) is an ammonia solution, its concentration is 10%, and the amount of nitrogen is 80-82%. The nitrogen in it is easily assimilable. What gives this fertilizer an advantage over other nitrogen fertilizers such as:
- manure;
- ammonium nitrate;
- urea.
For the breakdown of trace elements in them, it takes time from three weeks to several months. The ammonia solution affects immediately. The nitrogen in this fertilizer is volatile and does not pollute the soil, this fertilizer is environmentally friendly and safe.
When you need top dressing
For tomatoes, it is used as the main nitrogen fertilizer during the period of growing seedlings and after planting in the ground. And also in case of nitrogen deficiency.
It is easy to determine the lack of nitrogen without additional analyzes on the appearance of the bushes. The main signs of a deficiency are:
- changes in pigmentation;
- thin stems;
- leaves are small and irregular;
- no gain.
The first sign of nitrogen deficiency is pallor and yellowing of plants. Loss of rich color will be observed on both leaves and stems. And also with nitrogen starvation, the stems become thin, lose their elasticity, easily sag under weight, and often break. Bushes grow with small leaves, irregularly shaped. Tomatoes slow down or completely stop growing. All this indicates a lack of trace elements, namely nitrogen, and requires an immediate solution to the problem. It is important that tomatoes receive nitrogen as quickly as possible for recovery and development.
It is important to remember that an excess of nitrogen can also lead to negative consequences. It is important to observe the measure. With an excess of nitrogen, the following symptoms are observed:
- lack of flowering;
- defeat by fungal diseases.
Top dressing with ammonia at different periods of growth
Tomatoes react very well to feeding with ammonia. Its use will prevent the wrong development of culture. It is very important to provide seedlings and adult bushes with a sufficient amount of nutrients. A balanced diet of tomatoes plays an important role not only in the growth and fruiting, but also in the resistance of plants to diseases.
Top dressing plays a big role in plant development
It is an active, highly concentrated fertilizer that requires the correct dosage and adherence to the intervals between applications.
Top dressing of seedlings
The first step in growing seedlings is preparing the seeds and soil. To prevent infection with fungal diseases, it is worth treating the seeds. A weak 1% solution of ammonia copes well with this. The seeds are washed with such a solution, and then sown into the substrate. This not only disinfects the planting material, but also stimulates the germination of seeds.
Grown seedlings at home often look weak and fragile, transplant very hard, and take root in a new place for a long time. And as a result, the time of flowering and fruiting comes later than the appointed time. To avoid such a situation, it is advised to feed the tomatoes.
It is enough to carry out such feeding for seedlings once. The best time to feed the plants is two weeks after the pick. Add 2 tbsp. To a bucket of water (10 l). l. (20 ml) ammonium hydroxide solution. Water the seedlings with a solution. For one bush, 2-4 tbsp is enough. spoons.
The effect is observed very quickly. The seedlings grow well, become strong, the leaves acquire a rich green color. Easily transfers the transplant to a permanent place.
Top dressing in the open field and in the greenhouse
Adult tomato bushes require nitrogen fertilization before flowering. This will provide growth, resistance to changing weather conditions. And also healthy plants are less susceptible to diseases and pests.
Top dressing of tomatoes with ammonium hydroxide solution in open ground and greenhouses is carried out twice with an interval of two to three weeks. For 10 liters of water, 2-3 tbsp is enough. l. ammonia. The solution is poured over the bushes. For one adult bush, about 1 liter is enough. After nitrogen fertilization, the tomatoes should be fertilized with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. But not earlier than 10 days after nitrogen.
Ammonia has proven itself well in cases of nitrogen deficiency. At the moment when tomatoes require immediate feeding. Easily assimilated nitrogen in ammonia allows you to quickly cope with the problem. One week is enough to see the effectiveness of this fertilizer.
Fertilizing for fruit ripening
Nitrogen in ammonium hydroxide solution has the ability to stimulate fruit growth and accelerate crop ripening. Such feeding is carried out at the beginning of the formation of tomatoes.
Prepare a mixture by mixing 10% ammonium hydroxide solution 10 ml, apple cider vinegar 200 ml and 10 ml of liquid soap in one bucket of water. The solution is mixed well and the fruit is sprayed. In addition to stimulating ripening, such a cocktail will protect tomatoes from pests.
Ammonia in pest control
They use a 10% ammonium solution not only as a fertilizer, but also practice to treat plants with it from pests. It copes well with aphids, which often affect nightshades.
For spraying plants, prepare a solution with 10 liters of water and 2 tbsp. l. alcohol, laundry soap is used as an adhesive, it is rubbed on a grater and added to the solution. Mix well and spray the bushes. This gentle method will help you easily cope with the pest and will not harm the plants.
Conclusion
The advantages of ammonia fertilization include its easy availability and ease of use. As well as fast action and effective supply of tomatoes with the necessary nitrogen. Correctly carried out top dressing is a guarantee of plant health and a high yield.