What fertilizer is best for tomatoes? A detailed guide to planting and fertilizing methods
For the base fertilizer, it is recommended to use fully decomposed organic fertilizer combined with biological bacterial fertilizer and a balanced potassium sulfate compound fertilizer, along with a certain amount of calcium fertilizer and boron fertilizer. Generally, no fertilizer is applied during the flowering period; before flowering, foliar spraying of monopotassium phosphate plus amino acid calcium foliar fertilizer plus Sulebor boron plus brassinosteroid promotes flower bud differentiation and improves the fruit-setting rate. In the early fruit-setting stage, apply a balanced water-soluble fertilizer by flushing; during the fruit-swelling stage, apply a high-potassium water-soluble fertilizer by flushing, supplement calcium fertilizer in time, and spray sugar alcohol calcium or chelated calcium on the leaves to promote fruit swelling.
Tomato fertilizing time and fertilizing amount
According to the nutrient requirements of tomatoes, on the premise of cultivating strong seedlings, tomato fertilization should be based mainly on base fertilizer; while preparing the land, apply 5~7 tons of high-quality organic fertilizer per mu, together with 6~8 kg of phosphate fertilizer and 7~10 kg of potassium fertilizer.
5~6 days after tomatoes are planted, apply a “seedling-promoting fertilizer” once, applying 2~3 kg of nitrogen fertilizer (urea) per mu.
When the first fruit cluster of the tomato begins to swell, apply a “fruit-promoting fertilizer”, applying 3~4 kg of nitrogen (urea) per mu.
When tomatoes enter the full fruit-bearing period, when the first cluster of fruit turns white and the second and third clusters swell rapidly, fertilizer should be applied 2~3 times, each time applying 3~4 kg of nitrogen (urea) per mu; the previous application can be accompanied by 1.5~2 kg each of phosphorus and potassium to help improve fruit quality.
After tomatoes enter the full fruit-bearing stage, the root system's ability to absorb fertilizer declines, so foliar spraying can be carried out, such as 0.3%~0.5% urea, 0.5% monopotassium phosphate, 0.1% borax, etc., to help delay senescence and extend the harvest period.
For tomato fertilization under protected cultivation, prevent salt injury caused by excessive fertilization. When fertilizing, increase the input of organic fertilizer; the amount of chemical fertilizer can be reduced by 20%~30% compared with open-field cultivation, and it is advisable to apply it in small amounts multiple times, and pay attention to timely irrigation to leach salts, so as to promote the growth and development of tomatoes.