Nitrophoska, perhaps, is the most famous and convenient universal complex fertilizer based on minerals and required by almost any crop. Unlike organic supplements, it is introduced at all stages of plant life - from seedlings to flowering or other periods of activity. What makes it remarkable, and how to apply nitrophoska on different cultures? What are the differences between nitrophoska, nitroammofoskoy and azofoskoy?
Fertilizer nitrophoska: composition and principle of action
As part of nitrofoski solid minerals, among which 3 elements are knocked out on the leading position: potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus, which are responsible for the “heart” of any plant - from decorative to fruit. Otherwise, they may be indicated as NPK-complex, according to the initial letters of each mineral. On packs with nitrophoscan, the composition is usually prescribed as a set of salts - from ammonium chloride, nitrate and superphosphate to calcium chloride and prescription. To protect the pale pink granules from gluing in fertilizer, gypsum is often found. In liquid form, respectively, water is added. It is important to understand that the universality of nitrophoska does not mean a single version of this drug: depending on which plant the fertilizer is intended for, the percentage ratio between potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus varies. For example, an absolutely equal proportion is usually selected for growing flowers. 16:16:16. In liquid form, the same formula most often has a supplement in the form of magnesium (2% of the total composition). Also, molybdenum, cobalt, manganese, zinc, and boron are added for certain crops.
From the position of the composition, nitrophoska can be divided into several groups, of which the most frequently used is enriched with sulfuric acid. It is mainly used for legumes, since it is sulfur that is responsible for the formation of vegetable protein. Nitrophosphate sulphate is intended for dekorativnotsvetushchy and ornamental leaf plants because of the large amount of calcium in it: its duty is to increase the brightness of the petals and leaves, the size of the inflorescences, and also affect the abundance of flowering bush. And nitrophoska with a high content of phosphorus in most cases is brought under solanaceous crops: for example, tomatoes, which grow more dense and fleshy with such top dressing, are stored longer. But the main attractiveness of nitrophosphate for gardeners is the absence of any nitrates in its composition, as a result of which one does not have to worry that the resulting excellent crop is filled with chemicals hazardous to health. Nitrophoska is absolutely safe, and it is possible to grow fruit crops with it, even if the crop gets on the children's table.
Separately, it is worth mentioning nitroammofosku and azofosku: what relation to nitrophoska they have? Are they interchangeable? All 3 fertilizers have the same core - NPK, in each of them the proportions of elements can vary, and experts say that the only difference between fertilizers is the condition of key minerals: digestible in whole or in part. Nitroammofoska is also distinguished by the concentration of elements and their form, as well as the absence of magnesium fertilizer in the composition and the predominance of sulfates. However, in general, you can purchase any of the fertilizers, since they are really similar in their principle of operation, and the only selection criterion in this case is the percentage ratio of substances that you need. To be stored in a dry and cool place, any of the fertilizers can last for several years without losing their properties.
The use of nitrophoska for potatoes
Of course, the most relevant use of nitrophoska for fruit crops - fruits, vegetables and berries. Most often, nitrophoscopic is applied when growing potatoes, because this tuber, along with carrots and tomatoes, requires a particularly rich in minerals soil. How to do it right?
- Universal use of nitrophoska over a large area - 50-70 g per 1 square meter, and the index varies depending on soil fertility. If you apply fertilizer only on the zone where the potatoes will grow, 0.5-1 tbsp is poured into each well, after which the prepared tubers are planted. At the same time, professionals advise immediately combining nitrophoska with bone meal and not being limited to single fertilizer application.
- The most reasonable way is to first carry out the primary enrichment of the land when digging a plot in the autumn, using for this purpose 35 g of nitrophoska per 1 sq. Then, in the spring, at the time of planting, add the amount of nitrophoska specified for the potato to the well, and, if necessary, repeat feeding, but through the dissolution of nitrophoska granules in water in mid-June.
- Some gardeners resort to tricks to help increase the proportion of starch and ascorbic acid in the future harvest: 25-30 g of nitrophosphate is dissolved in 10 l of water, tubers are kept in the liquid for 1-1.5 hours, 2-3 hours are left to rest in sacking and only after that distribute them into the wells.
In addition, it is important to remember that for potatoes it is recommended to pick up a nitrophosphate with a high content of potassium - the remaining elements have a much less pronounced effect on the tuber crop.
How to fertilize the machineand cucumbers?
As it was said earlier, nitrophoska with an enhanced proportion of phosphorus has a beneficial effect on tomatoes, but for cucumbers it is better to introduce the classic version with an equal ratio of elements, if you do not want to reduce their wateriness.
- For tomatoes, nitrophosphate is usually the only fertilizer, since it satisfies all the requirements of this crop. Initially, it is introduced when transferring seedlings, pouring 0.5-1 tbsp into each well. and diligently mixing with the ground. Subsequently, at the time of the budding of the buds, it is necessary to feed the bushes again, but by dissolving 1 tsp. nitrophosphate in 1 l of distilled water at room temperature. Some gardeners feed seedlings with the same solution when the 2nd leaf appears on it.
- Nitrophoska cucumbers usually require slightly less: only 3-4 g are used in liquid form per 1 liter of water (5 g for tomatoes), and the wells are filled with dry granules in a volume of 1 tsp when planting bushes. on a bush, or distributed by 1 sq.m. 30 g of fertilizer when loosening the land. If you grow cucumbers through sowing in open ground, you need to feed the substrate before sowing, as well as 3-4 weeks after it. If cucumbers are initially sown on seedlings, nitrophoska is injected in a liquid form one week before transplanting seedlings to the area. The need for re-feeding is determined by the chemical composition of the soil - it may not be necessary on fertile soil.
Feeding decorative cultures
The sulphate variety of nitrophobia is actively used to feed ornamental foliage and ornamental flowering plants, and, unlike organic fertilizers, it can be introduced at almost any stage of their development. Although here there are some difficulties and nuances.
If the composition of nitrophoska among the key NPK three is the leading position in nitrogen, fertilizer cannot be applied at the time of flowering: its time - the end of spring, when the bushes are only gaining strength and increasing the number of leaves. When feeding a bush in the period of tying the buds with nitrous nitrophosphate, subsequent flowering will not be abundant. Of course, for crops that are not capable of the formation of flowers, this observation is not relevant, and nitrophoska with an increased proportion of nitrogen is the best option to make the bush more lush and attractive.
It is possible to make a nitrophoska under flowers and decorative leafy bushes already at the moment of germination, dissolving the granules in warm water, and moistening the substrate with this composition. 1.5-2 tsp is usually taken for 10 liters of water. nitrofoski, and adult bushes dosage increases to 2 tbsp. When shrubs are transplanted, nitrophosphate granules are laid in the hole after peat and can be combined with other fertilizers for flowers.
Apply fertilizer nitrophoska possible for most crops, regardless of their orientation - to decorate the garden or dining table. However, with this absolutely natural composition, it is advisable to take care: firstly, to work with nitrophoska only in rubber gloves, secondly, not to forget about the exact dosage for fruit crops, and, of course, to clean the nitrophoska away from children and animals.