In June, it is important to feed tomatoes with potassium-phosphorus fertilizers, agronomist scientist Nikolai Vladimirovich Khromov reminds summer residents.
Thus, a lack of potassium blocks the transport of sugars from leaves to fruits, and a deficiency of phosphorus slows down ripening and metabolism – as a result, tomatoes do not accumulate nutrients and grow bland. If you overfeed tomatoes with nitrogen, the plants will grow powerful tops to the detriment of the fruits.
Ideal June top dressing for sweet tomatoes
Nikolai Khromov recommends feeding tomatoes with potassium monophosphate (phosphorus – 50%, potassium – 33%). Dissolve 10-15 g of fertilizer in 10 liters of water and pour the tomatoes at the root in the morning or evening. By the way, the solution is also suitable for foliar watering.
This fertilizing will be immediately absorbed by the roots. This is an excellent catalyst for the accumulation of sugars in fruits.
Important: fertilizing with mineral fertilizers stops a couple of weeks before harvest.
Ash solution
If you prefer natural fertilizers, prepare an infusion based on ash – it contains potassium, calcium and magnesium. Mix 1 cup of ash in 10 liters of water, leave to infuse for 24 hours and water the plants – 0.5-1 liter per bush.
Features and nuances
Sometimes it’s not the summer resident who is to blame for tasteless, watery tomatoes—it’s the weather. If the summer is cloudy and cold (or, on the contrary, the heat prevails with a temperature of +35 °C), then photosynthesis and the accumulation of nutrients slow down.
Do not forget that during the filling period of tomatoes it is important to water them generously – dehydration will cause hard and bitter fruits.
