Instructions for use of calcium nitrate for tomatoes

None of the cultivated plants can grow normally without the trace elements involved in the process of photosynthesis and fertilization. And tomatoes are no exception. Herders do everything possible by applying special fertilizer complexes to get the most abundant crop. Here comes to the aid calcium nitrate, optimizing the acidity of the soil. It is good as root dressing in the spring period of the year and foliar - during the growing season. This is a kind of "building material" in the process of the formation of stems and active protection against many parasites and diseases. On its use for fertilizing tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers in the garden, we will discuss later in our article.

The composition and purpose of the drug calcium nitrate

Calcium nitrate is an inorganic salt of nitric acid, presented in the form of granules or crystals, easily soluble in water. What is characteristic of salt, it is hygroscopic. That is why for the safety of fertilizers it is recommended to ensure the tightness of the packaging material. This mixture consists of 19 percent calcium and 13 percent nitrogen. This is a unique nutrient, indispensable for the normal nutrition or feeding of cultivated plants.

 Calcium Nitrate Packaging
Calcium Nitrate Packaging

Most gardeners are mistaken, thinking that calcium for the soil is not as necessary as phosphorus or potassium. However, they do not take into account that it is this component that contributes to the good absorption of nitrogen, which is necessary for the vegetation process.Even taking into account the fact that the fertilizer contains a huge amount of nitrogen, this does not affect the acidity of the soil. Therefore, it is possible to apply such a complex of food for any kind of soil. At the same time, the use of calcium nitrate will simply be a necessary measure to improve the composition of a heavy podzolic or sod-podzolic soil with high acidity.

The main benefit of using this complex is calcium supplementation. This allows accelerating the ripening of tomatoes, positively affecting the development of the root system.

On acidic land plots saltpeter literally revives tomatoes, absorbing an excess of magnesium and iron, which depressing effect on the process of vegetation.

Advantages and disadvantages of feeding for cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers

Positive qualities of fertilizer are as follows:

  • acceleration of photosynthesis, actively affecting the general condition of tomatoes;
  • promoting the growth of greenery and accelerating the development of the bush in general. If you apply such a nutrient complex significantly increase the yield of tomatoes;
  • if calcium nitrate enriches the soil, the seeds will sprout much earlier;
  • due to the active influence on the roots of the tomato bush, the plant will develop more quickly;
  • increasing the resistance of tomatoes to various diseases and parasites;
  • increase the exposure of the cultivated plant to temperature differences;
  • improving the presentation of fruits and increasing their shelf life;
  • improving the taste and aroma of tomatoes.
 Tomato seedlings
Seedlings tomato with calcium fertilizer

The main disadvantage of using calcium nitrate is the detrimental effect of fertilizer directly on the root system or the leaves of the bush. But this is only under the condition of incorrect or untimely use of the nutritional complex. If you follow all the recommendations for use, then such problems should not be.

Instructions for use in the garden

According to the instructions for use of calcium nitrate, it is recommended to use fertilizer in springtime when digging of the land plot occurs. In the autumn, you should not feed the soil, because after the snow melts the nitrogen will be washed out, which means calcium will not be absorbed. In addition, in spring fertilizer is vital for tomatoes.If necessary, the composition can be used for foliar treatments in the first decade of the growing season.

It is worth paying special attention to the fact that sprinkling of tomatoes is done exclusively before they bloom. Therefore, you need to properly dilute the drug. For tomatoes, the optimal time is the first week after transplanting shrubs into open ground.

If the land for planting crops is acidic, the saltpeter in the granules can be poured directly into the hole for planting seedlings at the rate of one teaspoon of fertilizer for one bush.

We have already said that it is necessary to water the fertilizer correctly, otherwise you can harm the plant. And at each stage of growth and development, tomatoes have their own characteristics and the use of fertilizer. Further we will talk about it in more detail.

 Tomato seedlings fertilized with calcium nitrate
Tomato seedlings fertilized with calcium nitrate

How to apply saltpeter to seedlings

To get good seedlings of tomatoes, the plant must be fed with calcium and nitrogen. The first component is needed for normal development of the root system, and the second - for better germination of seeds. And if these substances are not enough, then the plants will develop worse.

Given the fact that tomato seedlings should be fed comprehensively, it is best to use a solution as a top dressing. Moreover, nitrate is easily soluble in water.

Calcium nitrate is necessary for tomato seedlings. Moreover, the first feeding is performed after the appearance of the first three leaves of the plant. In this case, it is necessary to prepare the following composition: 10 g of calcium nitrate, 5 g of urea and 50 g of wood ash are taken for 5 liters of water. But this solution should be gently poured at the root, if it gets on the surface of the leaves, they can get burned.

Fertilizing tomatoes after planting seedlings

In the process of planting tomato seedlings in the greenhouse, the soil is actively fertilized with a solution by spraying. It is important to strictly follow the instructions for use, respecting the dosage, otherwise you will damage the seedlings.

To create a solution, you must use 50 g of saltpeter per 5 liters of water. Such a composition will protect plants from various kinds of pests, for example, ticks and slugs, as well as diseases in the form of top rot.

If tomatoes are grown in greenhouse conditions, the use of nitrogen-containing compounds is recommended before the flowering process.

The substances accumulated up to this time will create a good immunity to the bush, even after the cessation of feeding with calcium nitrate.

 Calcium nitrate seedlings fertilizer tomato transplant
Fertilizer of tomato seedlings of calcium nitrate during transplantation

The distribution of the composition is made evenly throughout the cultivated plant. This method of fertilizer is called foliar feeding.

The initial use of saltpeter is done ten days after planting the seedlings, and then once every fortnight until the ovary appears. Further, the composition is not worth it, because nitrates can accumulate in the fruit. And it is very harmful for humans.

Security measures when working with the tool

Calcium nitrate is not among the toxic drugs. It is absolutely safe for human health and life. Fertilizer does not cause allergic reactions. According to the classification, it belongs to group 4 of little hazardous substances.

When working with calcium nitrate It is recommended to use generally accepted security measures.. In this case, rubber gloves to protect the skin will be enough. Although the special touch with bare hands to the granules of the drug will not.But it is better to be safe and dilute the pellets in gloves.

Storage of calcium nitrate should be made in a sealed package away from highly flammable materials, alkaline agents, from heating systems.

Compatibility with other drugs (potash and ammonium nitrate)

It is strictly forbidden to mix saltpeter with chalk, lime, dolomite, manure, phosphates, sawdust, straw. and other components of organic origin, since the mixture can self-ignite.

Simultaneously with the solution of nitrate, you can use urea and wood ash. These components are well combined and will allow to achieve the best result in the issue of tomato fertilization. Potassium (potash) nitrate is better to use separately.

 Spraying Calcium Nitrate Tomato
Spraying Calcium Nitrate Tomato

It is also not recommended to combine the nitrate with simple superphosphate, including fertilizers that contain sulfur and phosphorus.

The main task of any gardener is to obtain a good and tasty harvest. But for this it is worthwhile to work hard, only then your efforts will be truly rewarded.In this case we are talking about fertilizing the garden with ammonium nitrate, which contributes to the development of the root system, the plant stems and protects the shrub from a variety of pests and diseases.

But here it is necessary to strictly follow all the recommendations of the instructions for use. Although the substance is non-toxic, its incorrect or untimely use can harm the plant and human health. For example, if you use saltpeter after the ovary appears, fruits can accumulate nitrates harmful to the human body. Noncompliance with the dosage of the drug can lead to burns on the surface of the leaves. Be careful and vigilant to use saltpeter solely for good.