What Happens If You Over-Fertilize Bitter Melon? Analysis of the Effects of Excessive Fertilization
Bitter melon needs base fertilizer before planting and topdressing after planting, but be careful not to over-fertilize bitter melon, because excessive fertilization will cause problems. Generally, the roots absorb fertilizer, but if too much fertilizer makes the concentration too high, it cannot be absorbed and the roots are easily damaged. Plants also have a limit to their nutrient requirements; applying too much fertilizer at once means it cannot all be absorbed and can only be wasted. The specific types of fertilizer damage caused by excessive fertilization will be introduced next.
1. Excessive Fertilization
If too much potassium fertilizer is used, fertilizer damage occurs, mainly shown as leaf yellowing and death. Applying too much fertilizer at once raises the concentration of the soil solution, causing cells to lose water, after which some wilting appears, and in severe cases the roots are damaged and the plant dies directly. Therefore, when using fertilizer, it must be ensured that the soil solution concentration is somewhat lower than the cell solution concentration.
2. Incorrect Fertilization
Applying fertilizer on the surface without covering it with soil gives poor absorption, and chemical fertilizers cannot be buried deep; they also cannot be placed too close to the roots. Directly using untreated organic fertilizer contains large amounts of pathogens, insect eggs, and contaminating components; fertilizing very close to the roots; using too much of trace elements causes them to compete with each other; applying too much nitrogen fertilizer leads to calcium deficiency; using too much potassium fertilizer reduces the absorption of magnesium and boron; directly using chemical fertilizer without dissolving it in water. The above are all examples of incorrect practices.
3. Reasonable Fertilization
Bitter melon roots are not very strong, so less chemical fertilizer can be applied. If it must be used, it should be dissolved in water before use. Use more organic fertilizer, but it must be composted and fermented before use. When using organic fertilizer, it can also be dissolved in water during the seedling stage. After the plant grows, it does not need to be dissolved; just water after fertilizing to help absorption. Fertilization should use a balanced ratio of macronutrients, and for trace elements, use the few types that are most deficient. Soil can be sampled and tested before fertilizing. Fertilization must be applied evenly and mixed thoroughly, and must not be concentrated in one place, as that is not conducive to absorption.
4. Fertilization Amount
During the general growth period of bitter melon, 10 [units] of urea, 4 jin of potassium fertilizer, and 10 jin of potassium dihydrogen phosphate per mu of land. Roughly, about 1000 kg of bitter melon requires nearly 12 jin of nitrogen fertilizer, with topdressing 2 to 3 times, applying 20 jin of compound fertilizer each time. For foliar topdressing, 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate, sprayed 2 to 3 times. This is roughly enough fertilization; do not use too much.
For fertilizing bitter melon, it is best not to use a fertilizer concentration exceeding the soil solution concentration. Apply less chemical fertilizer and more organic fertilizer, and it is best to ensure fertilization is not excessive.