To get a harvest of juicy and tasty pepper, you need to make an effort. One of the conditions for this is the application of fertilizers when growing seedlings. In order not to achieve an excess of substances in the soil or their deficiency, you need to know when and how much fertilizing to give pepper. What fertilizers are needed for vegetable crops in the seedling period and the schemes for their application will be considered in this article.
When and why is feeding necessary?
The following fertilizer application scheme can be changed and adjusted to a specific climate, season, soil type and pepper variety. Additional feeding takes place between the main feedings, if required by the vegetable crop.
When feeding seedlings:
- The first main feeding. It is carried out when the first pair of leaves appears on young plants. The application of nitrogen fertilizers will support seedlings at this stage and give strength for rapid growth and further development. The frequency of introducing additional nutrition in this phase of growth of the vegetable crop is once every 2 weeks.
- The second main feeding. It passes after a dive. Designed to make pepper easier to bear the stress of the procedure and to smooth out its effects.
- Third feeding. It is carried out before determining the seedlings on the main garden. Such measures will help to transfer transplants more easily and adapt more quickly to a new place.
With favorable soil prepared in the fall, even less basic fertilizer application may be required.
The main types of fertilizers
Nowadays, the market represents a huge number of fertilizers of the most diverse composition and quality. It can be both bait, consisting of one active element, and mixtures, the composition of which is rich in components and substances. In order to correctly calculate the total amount of fertilizers applied and their single dose, you need to know what top dressings are and what they consist of.
Mineral fertilizers
This group includes fertilizers produced by the chemical industry. They are obtained by conducting various reactions between the individual components. Such top dressing has a quick positive effect on plants, but the effect of them is short-lived.
Mineral fertilizers, depending on the element prevailing in the composition, are divided into:
- Nitrogen.They are used for active growth of culture. They are introduced in the autumn during the preparation of the soil for the next season, or in early spring. The most common nitrogen fertilizers include ammonium nitrate (34% nitrogen) and urea (46% nitrogen).
Nitrate is explosive, so be careful when transporting and storing it. In addition, be careful about its content in the soil, because the nitrate components with excessive accumulation become nitrites, which are dangerous for the human body. Vegetables with their overabundance are forbidden.
Urea is more saturated with nitrogen, its consumption when applied is much more economical than other nitrogen fertilizers. But because of the high concentration of nitrogen, this type of top dressing is often used only by large agricultural farms. - Potash. Potassium is responsible for the proper metabolism in plants, favors the development of a branched and strong root system. With a sufficient amount of it in the soil, peppers grow juicy and sweet.
Potassium chloride contains about 60% of active potassium, but when used it increases the acidity of the soil. Keep this in mind and use alkalizing measures if necessary.
If a vegetable crop negatively refers to the chlorine content in the soil, then potassium sulfate is used instead of chloride. The content of the active element in it is slightly lower - 50%, but this does not affect the state of the plants. - Phosphoric.Necessarily the presence of the required amount of phosphorus in the soil after transplanting to a permanent place. Improving metabolic processes, this element is responsible for the accumulation of beneficial substances in fruits and their taste.
Superphosphate contains up to 22% of phosphorus assimilated by plants, and in double superphosphate its amount approaches 45%.
- Integrated (mixed). Such pieces in their composition have 2 or 3 of the main components:
Organic fertilizer
Organic fertilizers are natural fertilizers. They can be found on any smallest farm or summer cottage. Organics have a lasting effect on vegetables, but it takes some time for this action to begin.
When organic fertilizing the soil during plowing or applying natural fertilizers to the planting pits, additional fertilizing is no longer performed. In order not to get an excess of substances and minerals in the soil, the following top dressing is carried out, focusing on the development and appearance of pepper.
The best option for making nutrition for pepper seedlings is the alternate use of organic and mineral fertilizers.
The most commonly used types of organics include:
- Manure. It is allowed to use only the manure that has been subjected to overheating for at least 9 months. Bring it under arable land so that by spring the seedlings receive a generous portion of nitrogen for active growth.
Mullein solution may be used, but be careful that its concentration does not cause burns to pepper. Horse manure less acidifies the soil than cow manure, so it is preferable to use it. - Compost.Eight months after filling the compost pit, its contents become an excellent fertilizer for vegetables, rich in nitrogen, calcium, and magnesium. The disadvantage of this organic matter is the content in the total mass of seeds of weeds, which can cause various diseases.
- Bird droppings. This natural fertilizer matches the high-quality complex mineral nutrition. Such top dressing is effective for a long time - 2-3 years. When using bird droppings as part of liquid top dressing for seedlings of pepper, dilute it with water in a ratio of 1:20.
- Wood ash. The final composition depends on the kind of source of ash. The richest in the content of minerals is considered to be ash from sunflower. It is believed that this type of natural top dressing is a potash fertilizer, although calcium is the first in the composition.
It is used to reduce soil acidity and for additional plant nutrition. When dry under pepper seedlings, the organic rate is 200 g per square meter. m beds, and for ash solution (150 g of ash per bucket of water) - 0.5 l / bush.
Folk remedies
In addition to the above types of fertilizers, a special place is taken by recipes of folk remedies, which have a beneficial effect on the growth of pepper and its fruiting. Such top dressings contain fewer active components, which eliminates their surplus in the soil. In addition, the effect of folk remedies is very mild, often auxiliary.
Common folk remedies for pepper nutrition include:
- Egg shell infusion.To prepare this top dressing, take one egg from each liter of warm water. Cover the container so that air can enter and leave for 3-4 days. After the time, spend root dressing of seedlings.
Ready infusion becomes muddy and smells disgusting. However, for peppers, it is a good tool that has a versatile effect.
You can sprinkle the shell pits for pepper seedlings and the soil surface under the bushes during transplanting. This will not only enrich the soil with useful substances, but also become an obstacle to slugs and insect larvae.
- Infusion of onion husks.It has a bactericidal effect, increases the immunity of pepper to disease. To prepare the product, mix 5 g of onion husk for each liter of water, and let it brew for 3-5 days. Strain the solution. It is allowed to use the product by the root and extra-root method.
- Baker's yeast solutioncontains nitrogen, phosphorus and other substances. Yeast bacteria have a depressing effect on pathogenic microorganisms. Such top dressing will improve the condition of pepper, increase immunity, optimizing metabolic processes.
To prepare this product, dissolve 50 g of fresh yeast in 1 liter of well-warm water, adding 1 tsp. Sahara. Mix well and bring the volume to 5 liters. With a ready-made composition, spray pepper or pour bushes under the root. - Green manurecontains nitrogen, potassium, iodine and other useful elements. To prepare such dressing, prepare the following herbs:
- nettle
- dandelion;
- sagebrush;
- yarrow;
- tops of tomatoes.
Place the mixture of plants on the bottom of the tank, filling it in 1/6 part. Pour warm water to the top. Leave to roam for several days, stirring occasionally. To feed 1 liter of the resulting solution, dilute in 10 liters of water.
How to feed pepper seedlings?
Pepper needs re-feeding. At each stage of growth, the composition of fertilizers and their number varies. During the period of building green mass, pepper needs nitrogen.
The quality and timeliness of fertilizer application determines the success of the entire growing season.
After germination
Pay attention to the first feeding, when the seedlings are still very weak. Now she needs to fertilize a solution of fertilizers of low concentration. Give the pepper time, a week to adapt after a dive, and then give a boost to growth using mineral fertilizing.
For the first feeding of pepper in the phase of 2 leaves, use azofoska and nitroammophoska according to the instructions. From organics, an optimal solution will be an aqueous solution of chicken manure at a concentration of 1:20, manure at a ratio of 1:10 or ash at a concentration of 1:50.
Spend the second feeding in 10-14 days, when 3 pairs of leaves will form on the bush.
An alternative to the first feeding can be a solution of 1.5 tbsp. Kemira-Lux fertilizers on a bucket of water. A folk remedy based on iodine is useful: add 3 drops of the drug to 3 liters of water. Pour under a bush of pepper or spray.
After the pick
After picking, seedlings need to be fed 3-5 days before transferring to the main place of growth. The following solutions can be used as nutrition:
- 20 grams of Kristallon fertilizer per 10 liters of water;
- 10 g of ammonia and potassium nitrate and 30 g of superphosphate per bucket of water;
- 15 g of superphosphate and 30 g of oxamide per 10 l of water, etc.
For active flowering, use mixtures of "Ekohuminat" or "Summer resident", sprinkling from a bed under each bush of pepper. Organic feeding is a good effect: infusion of bird droppings, wood ash.
In the fruiting period, add mullein infusion in a ratio of 1:20 with water or phosphorus-potassium fertilizers of a different kind.
Signs of a lack of nutrition in plants
The appearance of pepper is an indicator of the soil composition, therefore, if an imbalance of nutrients and trace elements is present in the soil, the plant will immediately respond to it with various changes in its condition. For example:
- The green part of the plant lost its saturation, became a pale green color with yellow transitions - a sign of a lack of nitrogen.
- The leaves became curly, and a yellow-gray spot appeared on their surface - you need calcium and potassium.
- There are few leaves on the bush, most of them are yellow and there is a tendency to fall off - nitrogen must be added to reduce the amount of calcium in the soil.
- Slight blanching of leaves - lack of nitrogen.
- Leaves saturated green with a red or purple tint - pepper requires phosphorus.
Do not delay with the introduction of the necessary components to enable the culture to restore nutritional balance and rehabilitate. The final yield result depends on your actions.
When is it not necessary to feed?
If the soil was properly prepared before sowing seeds, using organic fertilizers and mineral fertilizers, then additional addition of nutrients for pepper is not required.
To determine whether the vegetable culture is enough mineral substances and components from the soil is quite simple. Look at the appearance of the plants. Healthy peppers have rich green foliage, and the leaves are as if covered with wax - strong with shine. The stem system is strong, the central stem is thick.
If the development of seedlings is age-appropriate, the ground part of the bush without yellow spots, then peppers feel great, and fertilizer application can lead to surplus of substances in the soil, which will also lead to negative consequences, as well as their deficiency.
Useful Tips
To apply fertilizer with maximum effectiveness for pepper, use some tips:
- Before root dressing, water the seedlings abundantly. This will allow fertilizers to evenly distribute in the soil and not damage the roots of plants.
- Nutrient spray only in the morning or evening, or in cloudy weather.
- Consider the total amount of fertilizer applied.
- Use the main complex of organics when preparing the soil for seedlings and in the spring.
- Alternate different types of fertilizer.
- Take the decision to make fertilizing, given the appearance of the pepper and its needs.
- Do not overdo the feedings, causing harm to the culture, instead of the expected benefits.
Topping seedlings of pepper includes a set of measures. Knowing all the nuances, plant needs and alternatives to various nutrition, fertilizer application does not cause difficulties. And the result in the form of a rich harvest of healthy and tasty fruits will delight every gardener.