Content
Growing pumpkin is related to the characteristics of the culture. The development and maturation of a large fetus requires a long wait and additional care. Many hybrid varieties are capable of bearing fruits weighing up to 10 kg. With additional soil fertilization, the indicators increase. Feeding pumpkins in open ground helps to grow pumpkins weighing up to 20 kg or more.
Do I need to fertilize pumpkin?
Pumpkin is an annual plant with a fruit of the same name. The crop takes about 130-150 days to form and ripen fruits. In addition, it is a vegetable that grows in loamy and fertile soils. One of its features is the active absorption of nutrients from the soil. The pumpkin root system is well branched and reaches 2 m in length.
Gardeners believe that pumpkins need to be fed on time. According to statistics, pumpkin is one of the most powerful consumers of mineral components from the soil. In one season, a pumpkin bush takes about 40 g from 1 square meter. m. That is why the soil on which pumpkins are grown must be regularly fertilized.
If you plant a pumpkin on the same soil for several years in a row, this will lead to complete depletion. The soil will stop responding to the addition of additional components.
What does a pumpkin need?
Pumpkins require different nutrients at different stages. For full growth, the pumpkin needs to be fed with fertilizers from mixtures, the main elements of which are: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium. The application of fertilizing is sorted depending on the stages of development.
- Seed preparation. Biostimulants act as fertilizing agents; they activate germination and influence further growth. Pre-sowing soaking increases germination by more than 10%. It is carried out using sodium humate and succinic acid.
- Processing of seedlings. It is carried out after the appearance of the 3rd leaf on the stem. The goals of this technique: accelerating the development of seedlings, increasing adaptive capabilities. The following products are also used: Zdraven, Heteroauxin.
- Treatment of the root system. It is carried out before direct planting on open ground areas. The roots are placed in biostimulants for growth, this speeds up the time it takes for the seedlings to adapt to new conditions. Kornevin and Zircon are suitable for processing.
During the growing season, pumpkin must be fed with mineral and organic complexes.
Organic matter is added to the soil when planting seedlings. To do this, use about 100 g of wood ash dissolved in 5 liters of warm water. Fertilizing is applied by the root method.
Before the ovary forms, the pumpkin is fed with another type of organic matter. A solution of slurry or chicken manure is added under the root.
Mineral complexes are necessary for the crop during flowering and fruit ripening. During this period, the pumpkin can be fed at least 3 times.
Mineral fertilizers for pumpkin are necessary as a source of additional energy for flowering and fruit formation. During the stages of development, the plant expends a large amount of energy. Recovery is the result of obtaining nutrients from the soil.
What is the best way to fertilize a pumpkin?
Pumpkin is a vegetable crop that needs different types of fertilizing. They help improve yields, activate vine growth and fruit formation. Organic and mineral mixtures of single-component and multi-component types are suitable for pumpkin.
Organic fertilizers contain substances in the form of organic compounds. They are rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium, in different forms of content. Basic organic matter increases soil acidity.
Organic fertilizers consist of elements resulting from the decomposition of animal and plant products. They perform several tasks simultaneously:
- serve as the basis for improving soil performance;
- can be used as a layer of mulch, which means they additionally cover the surface;
- During decomposition, carbon dioxide is released, which is a necessary component of photosynthesis of plant crops;
- have a positive effect on the development of soil bacteria or microorganisms that are in close relationship with the root systems of vegetable crops.
Examples of the organic class: manure, peat, compost, humus. Each type of organic fertilizer goes through several stages of preparation before acquiring its final composition.
It is important to feed the pumpkin with organic matter at the stage of laying future fruits. In addition, they serve as the basis for saturating the soil, improving the composition and enriching it.
Mineral supplements are inorganic compounds that are rich in nutrients. The basis of mineral fertilizers are useful mineral salts.
A classification has been created for mineral fertilizers; they are divided by type:
- simple (one-sided);
- complex (complex or multilateral).
Simple one-component compositions are: superphosphate, potassium chloride, urea. Complex ones contain 2 or more components. The choice between simple and complex mixtures is made based on different characteristics.
By the time of sowing, any soil already contains a set of nutrients. The composition depends on climatic conditions and the characteristics of the region. Soils may have various deficiencies: some are rich in nitrogen, others have a maximum content of phosphorus and potassium. As a rule, sandy soils are deficient in magnesium, while chernozem soils suffer from a lack of manganese and molybdenum. Mineral fertilizers are designed to increase yields and help improve the taste of the resulting pumpkins.
Depending on the type of application, fertilizing can be foliar or basal.
- Foliar Application methods: spraying stems and leaves, treating tops and buds.
- Root application: watering with specially prepared solutions into the hole or near the hole.
Solid forms of fertilizers are applied when loosening the soil. The granules are scattered over the surface, then the top layer is carefully dug up. With rain and systematic watering, the granules gradually settle and reach the root system. In this way, prophylactic compounds are introduced.They are not used for quick action.
Pumpkin can be fed with liquid solutions in one of the selected ways:
- the prepared solution is poured into the main stem in small portions for half an hour;
- the solution is poured into grooves dug around the main stem.
Feeding schedule
The amount of fertilizing is determined after analyzing a number of factors. This depends on climatic conditions, as well as on the condition of the soil. The main fertilizer applications are determined by the compiled schedule.
During planting in open ground areas | Late spring, early summer |
After the landings | After 10 days, subject to the presence of 5 real sheets |
Before flowering | Beginning – mid-July |
During flowering | July |
During the fruiting period | End of August - beginning of September |
How to feed correctly
At each stage of plant growth, not only the components of the applied mixtures differ, but also the methods of application. During the flowering period, the plant should not be sprayed, as this may lead to loss of buds.
Pumpkin fertilizers are applied not only to the central stem. They may be needed in the area located under the grown vine. The fact is that many varieties of pumpkin have a tendency to grow vines. The scourges are located on the ground. If they are left uncontrolled for some time, then any of the shoots can take root on their own and form a new side bush. In this case, summer residents do not strive to get rid of the spontaneously rooted shoot, but prefer to grow it into an adult plant. At the formation stage, such a pumpkin also needs feeding.A long summer and warm early autumn will give the bush the opportunity to form and bring the formed pumpkin to technical ripeness, if the plant is properly fed with mineral complexes.
After landing
After planting the seedlings, wait until the 5th - 6th leaf appears. After sowing the seeds, you can feed the shoots earlier, when the 2nd or 3rd leaf is formed.
Mineral fertilizers are applied according to the formula: 10 g of urea per 10 liters of water. Water the pumpkin with this solution at the root.
Agricultural technicians recommend planning the application of fertilizing in advance: during the period before flowering, it is necessary to feed the pumpkin with organic matter and minerals, and there should be a short break between the application of mixtures.
- Organic: 1 part manure, 10 parts water, 2 tbsp. wood ash. This solution is shaken vigorously and poured under the root.
- Mineral: superphosphate, potassium sulfate, ammophosphate - 20 g per 10 liters of water.
During the flowering period
During flowering, the pumpkin can be additionally fed with potassium solutions. At this point, the potassium supplement will not be too much for the pumpkin.
During the period of fruit formation
At the stage of fruit development and ripening, pumpkin also needs feeding with minerals. It must be fertilized with complex solutions:
- superphosphate – 15 g;
- potassium chloride – 20 g;
- water – 10 l.
Foliar feeding
Foliar feeding for pumpkin is suitable at the stage before or after flowering. Forming buds and blossoming flowers are not sprayed. In addition, foliar feeding has a number of limitations:
- the pumpkin is not fed during the day; late evening is suitable for processing;
- carefully monitor the concentration of the solution so as not to burn the leaf plates;
- solutions are sprayed at a distance of 15 - 20 cm.
To do this, 10 g of urea is dissolved in 10 liters of water and sprayed in cloudy weather in the evening.
Feeding pumpkins with folk remedies
Compositions prepared according to folk recipes are more effective. This is due to the fact that they begin to act much faster: and the result becomes immediately noticeable.
- Ammonia. The product is prepared from 50 ml of ammonia and 5 liters of water. You can feed the pumpkin with the solution if you suspect soil acidification.
- Yeast infusion. 150 g of raw yeast, 10 liters of water, a few tablespoons of sugar, infuse until completely dissolved, feed at the root. This solution is used if the soil needs additional nitrogen.
- Nettle infusion. Used to repel pests. The cut nettles are placed in a barrel, filled with warm water and infused for several days. After infusion, the mixture is dissolved in water according to the formula: 1 to 10 and watered under the root.
Conclusion
Fertilizer for pumpkin in open ground should be timely and useful. With enough fertilizer, a significant harvest can be harvested on the site.
