A Detailed Guide to Okra Fertilization Timing and Methods
Okra is a very popular vegetable and is grown on a very large area in China. When growing okra, fertilization is an essential task. If fertilization is done improperly, it will have a major impact on the yield and growth of okra. So how should okra be fertilized? Below, the editor brings you the fertilization timing and methods for okra. Let's take a look!
1. Base fertilizer
Base fertilizer is the most basic and also the most important fertilization for growing okra. When we prepare the land, we should carry out the base fertilizer application together with it. This is mainly to ensure that the soil contains the most basic nutrients for okra growth and to ensure that okra can normally take root and sprout. When applying base fertilizer, we should pay attention to controlling the amount, mainly using farmyard manure, combined with an appropriate amount of compound fertilizer. Farmyard manure must be fully decomposed, otherwise it may cause fertilizer damage and lead to seed and seedling rot, so everyone must pay close attention to this.
2. Uniform seedling fertilizer
Uniform seedling fertilizer is applied after the okra seeds are sown and the seedlings emerge. Because the germination speed of okra seeds cannot be guaranteed to be consistent, the seedlings are uneven after emergence, causing some seedlings to grow fast and others slowly, which is very unfavorable for yield. Therefore, about three days after the okra seeds emerge, we should begin topdressing. To ensure uniform seedlings, uniform seedling fertilizer is generally mainly urea, usually applied at about 100 kg per mu. The application method is mainly spraying, to ensure that the seedlings receive fertilizer evenly, grow normally, and increase the uniform seedling rate.
3. Seedling promoting fertilizer
About 10 days after the seedlings are planted, we should apply seedling promoting fertilizer. Especially for some okra seedlings that are transplanted and planted, they need a certain amount of time to adapt to the new environment and can only survive after growing new roots. Therefore, seedling promoting fertilizer is mainly to improve the survival of okra seedlings and shorten their growth time. It speeds up the growth rate of okra and advances the time when it flowers and fruits. Seedling promoting fertilizer is generally mainly compound fertilizer, and the application method is broadcasting. When broadcasting, it should be spread at a position about 5 cm from the roots, then covered with soil to avoid fertilizer loss.
4. Flower and fruit fertilizer
When okra enters the flowering and fruiting stage, we should also pay attention to applying flower and fruit fertilizer once. This provides sufficient nutrients for okra flowering and fruiting, thereby promoting flowers and preserving fruits. Because okra flowering and fruiting consume relatively large amounts of nutrients, the amount of this topdressing is greater than the previous two topdressings. Flower and fruit fertilizer is mainly human feces and urine, with compound fertilizer as a supplement. They can be mixed together and then fully and evenly broadcast in the field, ensuring that the nutrients needed for okra flowering and fruiting are met, promoting okra growth, and increasing the amount of flowering and fruiting.
The above is a brief introduction to okra fertilization timing and methods. In addition, after each harvest, fertilizer must be applied once to prevent excessive nutrient consumption from causing plant aging, reducing the number of harvests, and lowering yield. This article is for reference only. Thank you for reading and supporting.