Seedlings do not need fertilizer from sowing through the first week after germination because the cotyledons, which are preformed inside the seed, have all the initial nutrition needed to sustain seedling growth. If reverse osmosis water is used, the fertilizer(s) used is(are) more critical it is recommended that a neutral fertilizer is used to minimize pH fluctuation. Water may contain nutrients required by the plant, such as Ca or Mg, and its alkalinity impact the pH of the substrate. Water Qualityīefore establishing a fertilization program, it is essential to know what’s in the irrigation water. When using bark or mulch as a component in a substrate, it must be completely composted or it will continue to compost in the container, robbing nitrogen from the crop and creating heat that can damage or kill plant roots. Other issues with using partially composted bark or mulch can include the initial salt content (EC), the source and its chemical characteristics, which can be problematic for plants. EC and pH are relatively easy to manage in inert substrates because there is little buffer capacity and those parameters can be changed quickly substrates with some CEC will have the contrary effect. On the other hand, organic substrate components like peat moss have a CEC = 200 meg/100g meaning it will retain some cations (NH 4, Ca, K, Mg and Na) and release them back into the substrate solution in order to maintain their balance with anions. Inert substrates, such as perlite and rockwool, have little or no Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) therefore, all the nutrients provided are only found in the substrate solution. The substrate is an important parameter to consider in a fertility management program. Vegetables and herbs fertilization requirements are similar to bedding plants early in their crop cycle. However, as vegetable and herb plants progress from vegetative growth into flowering and fruit production, fertility rates and ratios change for each crop.īelow are what most greenhouse vegetable and herb growers consider when looking at their fertility program.
#Fertilizing vegetable seedlings pdf
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