Many summer residents are afraid to use mineral fertilizers when growing, preferring folk remedies. Here are several well-known methods of feeding seedlings.
What do seedlings need for normal growth? They need nitrogen: it is thanks to it that the above-ground part of plants actively grows. They need phosphorus: it helps the root system develop. Other useful elements are needed. For this reason, components rich in these substances are used to prepare fertilizers.
Feeding seedlings with yeast
Yeast is a single-celled fungus rich in potassium, calcium and many other useful elements. Many summer residents use yeast to prepare fertilizers for seedlings. After using it, there is a noticeable increase in plant growth, they become more resilient, and the root system begins to actively develop.
To prepare yeast dressing, take 10 g of dry yeast (or 30 g of pressed yeast) and dilute it in 10 liters of warm water. To improve the work of the yeast, add 4 tbsp. of sugar. Mix all the ingredients and leave in a warm place for several hours. Strain before use. Use yeast dressing in a diluted form: 1 part of it requires 10 parts of water.
When used, yeast fertilizer washes potassium out of the soil. To compensate for the lack of an important macronutrient, you need to alternate yeast infusion with dressings that replenish its deficiency, for example, with herbal.
Seedling dressing with herbal infusion
This herbal infusion can be called potassium fertilizer, because it saturates the soil with a large amount of potassium. To prepare it, you will need nettles and dandelions.
Chop the leaves and stems of the plants and place them in any container to the very top without tamping. Fill with water so that it completely covers the green mass. Leave the infusion to ferment for two weeks. Before use, dilute it with water in a ratio of 1 liter per 10 liters of water. Water at the root.
Feeding seedlings with ash
Feeding with wood ash will also help fill the soil with potassium. Pour 1 tbsp of ash with 2 liters of hot water. In a day, the infusion will be ready. Before use, it must be filtered. It is necessary to regularly alternate potassium and yeast fertilizers: once a month, fertilize your seedlings with yeast, once (after 14 days) - with fertilizers rich in potassium.
Banana Peel Seedling Fertilizer
Another source of potassium that has been used for many years to make seedling fertilizer is banana peel. Peel 2-3 bananas (the inside will benefit you, and the outside will benefit your "plants"), cut them into small pieces and put them in a three-liter jar. Fill with water to the very top and leave to infuse at room temperature. After 3 days, strain the solution and water the seedlings with it.
Seedling Fertilizer with Eggshells
Banana peels are also used to feed seedlings together with eggshells. Each of the components of this natural fertilizer brings its own useful elements to it: banana, as we have already said, potassium, and eggshells - calcium. Calcium is no less important for plants, especially young ones, than potassium. It helps the roots absorb nutrients from the soil and process them.
To prepare the fertilizer, take the peel of one banana and the dried shells of two eggs. Cut the peel into pieces, crush the shells with your hands. Pour 1 liter of water over everything and leave to infuse for 2-3 days. Strain before use.
Feeding seedlings with onion peels
Onion peels are used in the household for various purposes. They are also used to feed seedlings. To prepare an infusion of onion peels, take 1 cup of peels and pour 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil and turn off immediately. Infuse for two days, and then strain.
Before use, dilute the solution with water at a ratio of 1 cup of infusion to 10 cups of water. You can use onion peel fertilizer no more than once a week.
Fertilizing seedlings with tea leaves
It is better to use used tea leaves for fertilizer. The concentration of various substances in used tea is lower than in fresh tea, so it will not harm your seedlings. But the benefits of tea for plants are great. It contains potassium, zinc, manganese, chromium, etc., which are necessary for seedlings.
To prepare the fertilizer, take 2 tsp. used and dried tea leaves. Pour 0.5 liters of water over them and leave to infuse for 2 days. After that, strain and feed the seedlings at the rate of 1 tbsp. of infusion for each plant. Tomato and pepper seedlings respond especially well to this type of feeding.
Top dressing of seedlings with potato broth
This top dressing has been known since ancient times. To prepare it, take peeled potatoes (you can also use the peel if you do not mind the unpleasant smell) and pour water over them. After boiling, cook for about 20 minutes. After this, strain the infusion and cool.
Before use, add a drop of iodine to the top dressing and water the plants at the root.
Top dressing of seedlings with phytohormones
There are preparations that stimulate plant growth, but do not accumulate in the soil and plant tissues, and therefore cannot harm us. Some of them have a beneficial effect on seedlings. They accelerate the formation of the root system, improve the survival rate of seedlings after picking and transplanting, and increase the resistance of plants to adverse environmental conditions. The most well-known preparations are Epin, Heteroauxin, etc.
All summer residents want to grow a rich harvest. Its guarantee is healthy and strong seedlings.