Fertilizing tomatoes with iodine: effective fertilization, methods of application
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Currently, iodine is increasingly used to fertilize tomatoes, since it does not harm either plants or humans. The need of tomatoes for this element is small, but they always respond well to its introduction. Let's find out how to feed tomatoes with iodine and what effect to expect.
Feeding tomatoes with iodine and the real benefits of the procedure
Iodine is involved in the processes of photosynthesis and respiration. Improves nitrogen metabolism. When iodine is added to the soil, the plant's need for nitrogen decreases, and this in turn reduces the content of nitrates in the fruit.
Iodine increases the germination and germination of tomato seeds.
When using it, the seedlings are easier to transplant.
Strengthens plant immunity and increases resistance to adverse factors, especially drought.
Fights some diseases, for example, late blight, powdery mildew and others.
Tomatoes are formed when iodine is used, the fruits are formed in a more regular shape with a uniform color.
Tomatoes are fed with iodine in two ways - spraying and root application. For best results, it is recommended to alternate between the two.
Root dressing
As a rule, apply under the root three times, in plants with a well-formed root system.
The first feeding is carried out when two or three true leaves have formed on the seedlings. For the solution, take two drops of iodine and three liters of warm water. The bushes are watered with it at the root. Use no more than 0.5 liters.
The second feeding is carried out when the fruits begin to set on the tomatoes. To do this, 7-8 drops are dissolved in 10 liters of water. Water the plants at the root, using about 0.5-0.7 liters of solution.
The third time can be fertilized during active fruiting. The solution is prepared as follows. Five liters of water is heated, two liters of ash are diluted in it, mixed and infused for two hours. Then add ten milliliters of iodine, mix ten grams of boric acid, leave for a day.
The resulting solution is diluted in 10 liters of water, water the tomatoes using one liter per bush.
Foliar dressing
These dressings are done with a spray bottle in the morning or evening. Spray both sides of the leaf.
Most often, a mixture of iodine with other substances is used for the greatest effect.
Five drops of iodine are mixed with water and milk. One liter of whey, 10 ml of hydrogen peroxide and 50 drops of iodine are added to a bucket of water. A pack of dry yeast is diluted in one liter of warm milk, infused for five hours. Then add water and 30 drops of iodine. The total solution should be approximately 10 liters.
These solutions are used to spray plants. All of them bring good results, unless of course they are overused.
In addition to the main dressing, tomatoes are fertilized with iodine when it is deficient in plants.
Signs of iodine deficiency
-The stems are very thin, weak, bendable.
-Leaves are pale and lethargic.
-Plants grow slowly.
-Decreases resistance to diseases and pests.
Signs of a lack of iodine in plants are extremely difficult to notice, as they are similar to signs of a lack of other elements, for example, nitrogen. Therefore, it is recommended, for preventive purposes, once or twice a season to fertilize plants with this element.
In addition to top dressing, iodine is used as protection against many diseases in tomatoes.
Top dressing with iodine of tomatoes as a prophylaxis
You can start disease prevention from tomato seeds. To do this, they need to be soaked for an hour in a weakly concentrated iodine solution. One drop of iodine is diluted in one liter of water.
The following solutions can be used to spray seedlings.
In one liter of low-fat milk, dissolve 2 drops of iodine and add a liter of water. Tomatoes are sprayed with this solution several times.
Also, to protect tomatoes from late blight, jars of iodine can be placed in the corners of the greenhouse.
Iodine evaporates, the air is saturated with trace elements that protect tomatoes from disease. But in such a greenhouse, doors or vents must be open during operation.
As you can see, using medical iodine allows you to grow healthy and robust plants. It not only helps the plant grow, but also protects it from disease.