Eggplants are big "food lovers." Only with good and timely nutrition can you expect a bountiful harvest of fruits. However, not everyone knows how many times per season fertilizers should be applied to eggplants, or what and how to feed them.
Throughout the growing season, eggplants are fertilized at least 5-6 times. The first two feedings are needed during seedling cultivation: the first is carried out after the appearance of the first true leaf, and the second – 10-14 days later.
Then, after transplanting the eggplant seedlings to a permanent place, 3-4 main fertilizations are performed.
First Fertilization of Eggplants
The first fertilization of eggplants is carried out approximately two weeks after transplanting the seedlings to a permanent place – in a greenhouse or open ground. By this time, the seedlings will have taken root and will be able to absorb nutrients. The appearance of a new leaf indicates that the plant has settled in its new location.
Mineral Fertilization
During this period, eggplants need comprehensive nutrition with a high nitrogen content to build green mass. Feed them with the following composition:
- Ammonium nitrate (25 g) or urea (30 g);
- Potassium sulfate (15-20 g);
- Superphosphate (30-40 g).
Dissolve these substances in 10 liters of water and water the young bushes at the root. Ready-made mineral compositions for nightshade crops can also be used for the first fertilization of eggplants.
Organic Fertilization
Mineral fertilization can be replaced with organic fertilization: an infusion of chicken manure, manure, or grass.
To prepare an infusion of chicken manure, pour 1 liter of organic matter with 10 liters of water and place it in a warm place for a week. When the infusion ferments, dilute it with water in half and water the plants at the rate of 1 liter of ready-made fertilizer per bush. Add a glass of wood ash to every 10 liters of fertilizer.
Manure infusion is prepared in the same way, but after preparation, it is immediately ready for use and does not require additional dilution with water.
To prepare "green fertilizer," fill any container 2/3 full with freshly cut grass without seeds. Then fill it to the top with water and place it in a warm place for a week. After preparation, strain the infusion, dilute it with water in a ratio of 1:5, and carry out root fertilization of the eggplants.
Second Fertilization of Eggplants
The second fertilization of eggplants is carried out during the budding period. At this time, the need for nitrogen decreases, while the need for potassium and phosphorus increases. This must be taken into account when choosing fertilizers for eggplants.
Mineral Fertilization
Prepare potassium sulfate and superphosphate for fertilization. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of potassium sulfate in 10 liters of water and water the plants with the resulting solution. Then slightly loosen the soil under them, sprinkle granules of superphosphate (0.5 teaspoons per bush) there, and embed them in the soil.
Organic Fertilization
Nitrogen-containing organic fertilizations during the budding period are carried out only on very poor soils or if the plants are clearly lagging in growth. In all other situations, feed the eggplants with ash – a fertilizer with a high potassium content. It can be applied both dry and liquid.
To prepare an ash infusion, pour 0.5 liters of ash into a bucket of hot water and mix well. After 2-3 days, strain the infusion and water the growing eggplants with it at the rate of 1-1.5 liters per bush.
Third Fertilization of Eggplants
The third fertilization of eggplants is carried out after the appearance of the first fruits. During this period, nitrogen is completely excluded from the fertilization, and only phosphorus and potassium are used.
Mineral Fertilization
Dissolve 20 g of potassium sulfate and 30-40 g of superphosphate in 10 liters of water. Water the eggplants with the resulting solution at the root. The norm is 1 liter per bush. Some gardeners during the fruiting period fertilize eggplants with ready-made mineral fertilizers with trace elements, such as Uniflor Micro (2 teaspoons per 10 liters of water).
Organic Fertilization
Bananas are rich in potassium, so banana-based fertilizers are often used as a substitute for potassium-containing mineral fertilizers.
Pour the peels of two or three bananas with 3 liters of water and place them in a warm place for 2 days. After that, strain the solution and water the eggplants with it at the rate of 1-1.5 liters of fertilizer per plant.
Fourth Fertilization of Eggplants
The fourth fertilization of eggplants is carried out during fruiting, 3-4 weeks before its end. It is usually performed in southern regions where the fruiting period is longer than in the middle lane.
Mineral Fertilization
Pour 1 glass of fertilizer prepared from 40 g of superphosphate dissolved in 10 liters of water under each eggplant bush.
Organic Fertilization
During the fruiting period, eggplants are watered with herbal infusion (see above) or yeast infusion. To prepare yeast fertilizer, dissolve 100 g of pressed yeast in 1 liter of warm water. Then add 1 teaspoon of sugar and 0.5 liters of wood ash. Place it in a warm place for 2-3 hours. After that, dilute it with water in a ratio of 1:10 and water the eggplants at the root.
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