A summertime favorite, tomatoes' sweet juiciness tastes best when ripe right off the plant. Home gardeners often include this fruit in their vegetable patch or in patio containers. Tomatoes are fairly easy to grow given enough light and nutrients. They are heavy feeders and do well with additional fertilizer and organic rich soil. All plants need the same macro- and micro-nutrients but the amounts preferred by different species vary considerably.
Basic plant nutrition
Tomatoes need the basic macro-nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium for good growth. Nitrogen is a component of chlorophyll which helps in the performance of photosynthesis. It improves green leafy and stem growth. Phosphorus helps in the production of plant sugars and encourages budding and fruit production. Potassium enhances plant health and promotes the formation of a good root system. Tomatoes also need secondary nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and sulfur, which are usually found in soil.
Basic plant nutrition
Tomatoes need the basic macro-nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium for good growth. Nitrogen is a component of chlorophyll which helps in the performance of photosynthesis. It improves green leafy and stem growth. Phosphorus helps in the production of plant sugars and encourages budding and fruit production. Potassium enhances plant health and promotes the formation of a good root system. Tomatoes also need secondary nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and sulfur, which are usually found in soil.
Soil pH and structure
Without the proper pH, many important nutrients cannot be absorbed by the plant. Macro-nutrients are less available to plants with low pH. Low pH also enhances the production of microbes which break down nitrogen and sulfur. The structure of the soil affects the movement of water and the delivery of plant minerals. Structure also can limit how many minerals are held in soil for a tomato to use. Well-amended soil with the addition of compost adds food for the tomato roots and increases tilth to allow for adequate drainage.
Tomato fertilizer components
Tomato food is specially formulated for different stages of growth. Starter fertilizer will have a ratio of 2:1:2 which means two parts nitrogen, one part phosphorus and two parts potassium. As the plant begins to grow and bud it will need a slightly different formula. It will have one part nitrogen, two to three parts phosphorus and one part potassium. On a fertilizer label these amounts will appear as 10-25-10 or a similar ratio.
Without the proper pH, many important nutrients cannot be absorbed by the plant. Macro-nutrients are less available to plants with low pH. Low pH also enhances the production of microbes which break down nitrogen and sulfur. The structure of the soil affects the movement of water and the delivery of plant minerals. Structure also can limit how many minerals are held in soil for a tomato to use. Well-amended soil with the addition of compost adds food for the tomato roots and increases tilth to allow for adequate drainage.
Tomato fertilizer components
Tomato food is specially formulated for different stages of growth. Starter fertilizer will have a ratio of 2:1:2 which means two parts nitrogen, one part phosphorus and two parts potassium. As the plant begins to grow and bud it will need a slightly different formula. It will have one part nitrogen, two to three parts phosphorus and one part potassium. On a fertilizer label these amounts will appear as 10-25-10 or a similar ratio.
What nutrients give to tomatoes
The starter fertilizer has a small amount of nitrogen because soil amended with compost supplies some nitrogen initially. Additional nitrogen will be necessary to help the plant's core structure grow. The potassium is needed in higher amounts to spur the production of carbohydrates and develop the roots. As the plant matures and nears the flowering stage, the phosphorus becomes more important as it encourages flower bloom and fruit set. Phosphorus becomes the most needed mineral for the plant to form large flavorful fruits.
The starter fertilizer has a small amount of nitrogen because soil amended with compost supplies some nitrogen initially. Additional nitrogen will be necessary to help the plant's core structure grow. The potassium is needed in higher amounts to spur the production of carbohydrates and develop the roots. As the plant matures and nears the flowering stage, the phosphorus becomes more important as it encourages flower bloom and fruit set. Phosphorus becomes the most needed mineral for the plant to form large flavorful fruits.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar