Any kind of cabbage needs nutrients and instantly responds with positive dynamics to replenish their reserves. To determine how much fertilizer is needed and when to apply it, you should understand the types of top dressing, composition, and also the needs of cabbage at each growth phase.
Types of fertilizers
At each stage of growth, cabbage needs different types of fertilizers and their dosage. To properly feed, the first thing you need to know is what types of fertilizers are and what is their difference between themselves.
Top dressing is classified into:
- Synthetic (chemical). They are obtained at chemical plants by a chemical reaction between elements. They have an instant, but short-lived effect. According to the main element in the composition, they are divided into:
- nitrogen;
- potash;
- phosphoric.
- Natural (organic). Obtained during the life of animals, plants and humans. It takes time to decompose and release the beneficial substances and elements and they. Organics have a long nutritional effect and low cost. Natural fertilizers include:
- manure;
- humus;
- mulch;
- chicken manure, etc.
- Special types of top dressing. These include all kinds of folk remedies that have a positive effect and are used in specific periods of plant growth, for example:
- iodine solution;
- the use of a banana peel;
- yeast tincture;
- eggshells, etc.
Consider each of the fertilizers in more detail.
Nitrogen
Fertilizers of this group in their composition in a predominant amount have nitrogen, which is required for cabbage during the initial growth period, when the green parts of the plant are formed. The most commonly used nitrogen top dressings are:
- Ammonium nitrate. It is a white-gray composition of small large spools that dissolve easily in water. The nitrogen content is about 34%.
Be careful when using this fertilizer because it is explosive! In addition, consider the total amount of nitrate added. With an overabundance, it accumulates in cabbage, changing from nitrates to nitrites, leading to damage to the plant. The use of vegetables in this case is dangerous to health. - Ammonium sulfate.Less safe than ammonium nitrate, but the concentration of nitrogen in it is only 21%. Contains sulfur in its composition. Increases the acidity of the soil, so when growing cabbage, it is necessary to measure the pH of the soil and alkalize in time.
- Urea. The nitrogen concentration in the composition reaches 46%. Most often used in agriculture at large facilities. The use of urea must be very careful not to cause an overabundance and chemical burns in plants.
What is better is urea or ammonium nitrate, is described in the next article.
Potash
Fertilizers, in which potassium predominates, it is advisable to apply at the stage of tying the cabbage head. This element will ensure the optimal flow of all metabolic processes, as a result of which the heads of cabbage will be strong and tasty, without extraneous smacks.
With a potassium deficiency, the root system of cabbage is weak, which determines the impossibility of proper nutrition of the whole plant. With such a problem, the head is not formed in most cases.
Popular potash fertilizers include:
- Potassium chloride.Represents large crystals of white color. The proportion of potassium in the composition of top dressing is about 60%. This substance is in a form easily accessible for cabbage, which determines its quick action. The use of potassium chloride increases the acid reaction of the soil.
- Potassium sulfate.In appearance it resembles coarse salt. Contains 50% potassium. It is used to feed crops that do not tolerate the presence of chlorine. Such a fertilizer is quite suitable for feeding cabbage.
Phosphoric
Phosphorus fertilizers are important at the final stage of formation of the cabbage head, especially for varieties of medium and late ripening. Phosphorus helps in the accumulation of cabbage useful substances that provide its taste and nutritional properties.
Most popular to use:
- Superphosphate.It contains 18-22% of available phosphorus. It is soluble in water. In acidified soils, the uptake of this element by plants is difficult.
- Double superphosphate. It differs from the previous fertilizer in twice the concentration of phosphorus. This top dressing is rich in them at 40-45%. Most often used on large agricultural farms.
Natural fertilizer
There is nothing more natural than organic fertilizers. However, this positive property easily turns into a negative when the soil is oversaturated with top dressing of natural origin. Therefore, when using them, consider the total number of components in the soil. To do this is quite problematic, due to the fact that natural fertilizers begin to act for a long time after a while.
The video tells how to feed cabbage seedlings with simple effective folk methods. Learn how to use nettle infusion, urea and ash:
Most types of organics are introduced during arable autumn work or during the preparation of planting pits. The use of natural fertilizers is allowed once every 2-3 years.
The most common top dressings of this type include:
- Manure.The livestock product of cattle is used in a well-ripened state, otherwise you can destroy the cabbage, causing it severe burns. Manure is rich in nitrogen, which is released in the spring by the introduction of organic matter in the spring.
Mullein solution is used for root dressing of cabbage to push growth.
The best use is horse manure - it acidifies the soil to a lesser extent. - Compost. The contents of the compost pits are ready for use after a minimum of 7-9 months after full bookmarking. This type of top dressing is obtained by overheating the plant part of garden plants, decomposable food waste in combination with peat or soil.
Compost is rich in nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, but contains weed seeds, and can become a source of various diseases. - Bird droppings. This type of organics, due to the rich composition of micro and macro elements, can fully replace complex mineral fertilizer. It is applied in dry form during autumn arable work. The fertilizer is valid for at least 2 years.
It can be used as liquid top dressing. To do this, dilute it in a ratio of 1:20 with water. - Wood ash.The presence in the composition of the predominant element is determined by the source of wood ash. It is generally accepted that this type of organic matter is potash fertilizer, although calcium prevails in the composition. It is used to reduce soil acidity and for additional plant nutrition.
With dry application, the rate of wood ash is 200 g per square. m. of the plot, for ash solution (150 g of ash per bucket of water) - 0.5 l / bush.
Special types of top dressing
Special dressings almost always have a natural basis. Their action is directed not long-term, but pronounced.
To strengthen the root system of cabbage, as well as to form a strong poured head used beer or baker's yeast. Such top dressing is effective only in a freshly prepared state, contains beneficial fungi, proteins and amino acids. To prepare it, dissolve 100 g of yeast in 1 liter of warm water, and bring the volume to a bucket. Pour the cabbage under the root, spending 0.5-0.8 liters of fertilizer.
Shredded egg shell reduces the acidity of the soil, thereby creating optimal conditions for the development of seedlings. In addition, it prevents the destruction of the root system by larvae of insect pests.
Application baking soda in the form of root dressing or spraying, it will protect the heads of cabbage from early re-ripening and the appearance of cracks. Dissolve 20 g of soda in 10 l of water and apply no later than 2.5-3 hours after preparation of the solution.
Banana peel It is rich in magnesium and growth hormone, therefore its use at the stage of growing seedlings is especially useful. There are several ways to use this top dressing:
- grind and pour under each plant, covering with soil;
- dry and prepare water infusion (peel of 1 banana per 1 liter of water) by watering the seedlings with it;
- dry, grind into powder and sprinkle the beds.
To prevent cabbage diseases, especially fungal diseases, cabbage is sprayed iodine or watered under the root. To prepare a solution, 20-30 drops of the drug are dissolved in 10 l of water.
How to prepare an iodine-containing top dressing that will strengthen and improve cabbage beds, see the video:
The basic rules for fertilizing cabbage
The quantity of work on fertilizing cabbage and the composition of top dressing is affected by the varietal affiliation of the vegetable crop, the type of soil and the vegetative phase on which the plant is located. Therefore, when applying any form of fertilizer, follow some rules:
- Calculate the total composition of elements to create their balance, avoiding a deficiency or an overabundance of nutrients.
- Before applying fertilizers in a radical way, be sure to water the beds so that the root system does not burn.
- If the soil for cabbage was properly prepared using organic matter during autumn arable work, additional fertilizing is not required.
- On sandy soils, the frequency of feeding cabbage should be greater than on heavy soil.
- After applying the root method, loosen the beds.
- Spray nutrient mixtures over cabbage in the morning or evening hours.
White cabbage dressing
For white cabbage, the best option to increase the nutritional soil composition is the alternation of mineral and organic fertilizers, or the use of natural fertilizing along with folk remedies.
The amount of feedings of cabbage and fertilizers introduced over the entire period is determined by the varietal accessory of white cabbage. The longer the growing season, the more fertilizing is required.
An important point in agricultural activities is the preparation of the soil for planting white cabbage. During work on deep plowing the site, add 5-7 kg of mullein or 0.5 g of bird droppings per square meter. area. Organics can be replaced with complex mineral fertilizers. For example:
- 60 g of superphosphate;
- 40 g of urea;
- 40 g of potassium sulfate.
Please note that organics may contain pathogens that entail infection of the seedlings with fungal or other diseases.
Fertilizing seedlings
How many times seedling will be applied depends on the method of growing seedlings. If the process of cultivating cabbage includes dive work, bringing additional stress to seedlings, then to restore strength and develop immunity to diseases, a larger amount of fertilizer is needed.
In this case, feeding is carried out in several stages:
- Fertilizing seedlings is carried out a week after the pick. A solution of 25 g of nitrogen fertilizers, 25 g of potash, and 40 g of phosphorus per bucket of water is used. You can use any complex fat at the rate of 130-150 g per 10 liters of water.
- The second top dressing, consisting of twice the number of components of the first feeding, is introduced after 12-15 days.
- The third feeding is aimed at preparing plants for planting in open ground and is performed a week before the expected date. Dilute in a bucket of water 30-35 g of saltpeter, 80 g of phosphate fertilizer and 25 g of potassium nutrition. The expenditure rate of such top dressing is 0.2-0.3 liters for each bush.
When the method of growing cabbage seedlings does not involve picking, the fertilizer application scheme is as follows:
- During the formation of the second leaf, for active growth of plants, foliar fertilizing with any complex fertilizer is carried out based on a dilution of 5 g per liter of water.
- Before hardening of seedlings, in order to increase the immunity of cabbage, potassium-phosphorus fertilizers are applied, and nitrogen is added to maintain the growth rate.
Feeding cabbage after planting in the ground
To plant cabbage seedlings on the site, you can prepare fertilized planting holes. Cover their bottom with humus, ash or rotted manure. It is possible to prepare a mixture of fertilizers and add it to the planting pits. On 1 sq. M. beds take 0.5 kg of humus or compost, 1 tsp. superphosphate and wood ash. Lay a layer of straw on top to limit contact of the plant root system with organic matter.
If such preparatory work is not carried out, then after planting seedlings in open ground, after 12-15 days, feed using nitrogen fertilizers. Dilute in a bucket of water 0.5 liters of mullein or 20 g of ammonium nitrate. The expenditure rate of such a solution is about 500 ml per root. It is allowed to spray seedlings with a solution of nitrate (2 boxes from matches of fertilizer to 10 liters of water).
After 2-3 weeks, feed the culture with ash infusion. For its preparation, mix 10 tbsp. wood ash and 10 liters of water. Let it brew for 4-5 days, periodically stirring the composition. Add 2 liters of water to the infusion and pour 300 ml of seedlings under each root.
For active growth of white cabbage
To activate the growth of white cabbage, use any of the options for making nutrition, dissolving fertilizers in 10 liters of water:
- a glass of mullein;
- 15 g of urea;
- a glass of wood ash + 2 tbsp. with a hill of superphosphate;
- 15 g of urea + 15 g of potassium fertilizer + 25 g of superphosphate;
- 20 g of ammonium nitrate.
In rainy weather, any complex fertilizer can be applied dry. Sprinkle 100 g of dressing per square meter on the surface of the bed. m
If seedlings slowed down their growth, feed it with Foscamide or Nitrophos, diluting 20 g of fertilizer in 10 liters of water.
How to feed cabbage for heading out?
To form a cabbage head, fertilizer rates and their consumption for each root of plants need to be increased. The following types of top dressing, designed for 10 liters of water, will help in obtaining a rich harvest of cabbage:
- 1 tbsp. superphosphate + 1 part of calimagnesia;
- 1 liter of mullein infusion + 1 tbsp. superphosphate;
- wood ash infusion or dry application;
- potassium sulfate - 40 g.
What is Cauliflower fed with?
Cauliflower, in contrast to white cabbage, has a positive effect on the application of fertilizing, the basis of which is bird droppings.
To obtain fertilizer, fill the bucket 1/4 part with organic matter and add the rest with water. Leave the mixture to infuse for 7-10 days, periodically stirring it. After time, dilute the resulting concentrated solution with water in a ratio of 1:10.
The consumption rate of this natural fertilizer is 700-1000 ml per unit of plant.
Find out more about growing cauliflower here.
How and what to feed Beijing cabbage?
Beijing cabbage has a short vegetative period, so the use of nitrogen fertilizers is not only impractical, but also dangerous. The accumulated nitrates will not have time to dissolve and assimilate, which is fraught with poisoning when eating a vegetable crop.
Foliar top dressing for this type of cabbage is also inappropriate. The only thing the plant needs is enrichment of the soil during its autumn preparation for the upcoming season.To do this, during the plowing period, apply such fertilizers per each sq. M. m:
- manure - 5 kg;
- superphosphate - 30 g.
Or:
- manure - 5 kg;
- potassium sulfate - 30 g. It can be replaced with 4 tbsp. wood ash.
If such measures were taken, then Chinese cabbage will quickly gain strength and grow. More about growing Chinese cabbage is written here.
Broccoli Fertilizer
Broccoli cabbage, due to poor survival after transplanting into the open ground, is considered capricious and finicky. In fact, its agricultural technology and cultivation methods are not much different from white cabbage.
Topping Broccoli should not be done immediately after transplanting seedlings to the site. Give the plants a week to adapt, and then fertilize. The best option in this case is the use of organics instead of mineral nitrogen fertilizers. Dissolve 1 tbsp. mullein in 10 liters of water and pour cabbage under each bush. The rate of flow of the solution is 200-300 ml per root.
Brussels sprout dressing
The agricultural technology and fertilizer of Brussels sprouts practically does not differ from the white-headed type of this vegetable crop.
Before planting Brussels sprouts, for 10-14 days, pay on each square. a plot of 4-5 kg of rotted manure or compost. Replace organics with a mixture of one-component mineral fertilizers or complex fat. This will strengthen the immunity of the vegetable crop, and will ensure the formation of a rich harvest.
After 10-12 days, feed the young plants with nitrogen-containing nutrition. It is advisable to alternate organics and mineral fertilizers. Use mullein, bird droppings or ammonium nitrate.
When the head formation phase of Brussels sprouts begins, potassium and phosphorus are needed. To ensure the replenishment of these elements will help potash and phosphorus fat and wood ash. Perhaps the use of ready-made liquid top dressing and folk remedies.
Currently, there are no problems with feeding cabbage. On the market are fertilizers of various types and price categories. Applying tips and knowledge on making nutrition for cabbage, it will be easy for the gardener to carry out the work himself, and the vegetable crop will thank a generous and healthy harvest.