Content
No matter how fertile the soil was initially, it becomes depleted over time. After all, the owners of private and summer cottages do not have the opportunity to give her rest. The soil is exploited annually, unless crop rotation is used to reduce the load. Therefore, from time to time the area must be fertilized so that the plants do not feel discomfort from lack of nutrition.
The modern market is represented by a large assortment of mineral supplements. By purchasing Potassium Sulfate, vegetable growers can solve the problem of lack of nutrients in the soil, plants will develop and grow normally, and the harvest is guaranteed.
Description
Potassium sulfate is also called potassium sulfate. This is a complex mineral fertilizer used for garden plants. It contains a large amount of the element potassium, which is necessary for plants throughout almost the entire growing season. The use of potassium sulfate is possible in open and protected ground.
Potassium sulfate or potassium fertilizer is a white or grayish powdery substance. If you look closely, it contains many small crystals that do not stick together during storage. They taste bitter and sour.Mineral fertilizer is an easily soluble substance, which is very convenient for use.
Compound
The composition of the potassium sulfate fertilizer includes the following components:
- Potassium – 50%:
- Sulfur – 18%;
- Magnesium – 3%;
- Calcium – 0.4%.
As a rule, this fertilizer is packaged in various packaging, which is convenient for consumers. Polyethylene bags can weigh 0.5-5 kg. Potassium sulfate is sold in specialized stores. Convenient packaging and low price compared to other fertilizers increase interest in complex feeding of vegetable and garden crops.
Advantages
Many gardeners do not use mineral fertilizers on their plots because they have little understanding of their properties and role for the growth and development of plants.
Let's see what potassium sulfate does:
- is responsible for the vegetative development of garden and vegetable crops, which is necessary to obtain a rich harvest;
- stimulates metabolic processes in plants;
- helps improve immunity, so plants fed with Potassium Sulfate in the fall better tolerate harsh winter conditions;
- thanks to improved water circulation, nutrients are absorbed faster by crops;
- increases not only soil fertility, but also improves the quality of fruits, which increase the content of nutrients and vitamins;
- The use of potassium sulfate as a fertilizer is possible not only for garden crops, but also for indoor plants.
Our ancestors used wood ash to increase the potassium content in the soil. In addition to this element, natural fertilizer contains other useful substances. Today, wood ash still remains in the arsenal of gardeners.
About the benefits of potassium for plants:
Potassium deficiency, how to determine
As already noted, potassium is one of the important elements for the full development of plants. A lack of microelement leads to a disruption in carbon metabolism, due to which starch and sugar are formed in small quantities. This reduces not only the productivity of garden and vegetable crops, but also affects the taste and beneficial properties.
Due to a decrease in photosynthesis, plant immunity decreases, they become more susceptible to diseases, and are unable to repel insect attacks. This is especially true for buckwheat, potatoes, and corn.
Useful tips
Potassium deficiency is difficult for a beginning gardener to determine. But by observing the plants and their condition, you can provide timely help:
- green mass grows slowly;
- shoot internodes are smaller than normal;
- leaf development slows down, their shape changes;
- necrosis is observed on the leaves, dots and white-brown spots appear;
- the growth of buds is reduced, and those that have appeared die off before they have time to open;
- plants become less cold-resistant;
- The harvested crop cannot be stored for long periods of time.
Potassium deficiency can also be determined by the changed taste of fruits. Fertilizing plants with potassium sulfate fertilizer can save the situation.
Features of use
Potassium sulfate can be strengthened with nitrogen- and phosphorus-containing fertilizers, but urea and chalk cannot be combined.
Potassium from the fertilizer quickly mixes with the soil, and plants absorb it through the root system. But this process does not occur in the same way on different soils, for example, in heavy soils with clay the mineral is not able to penetrate into the lower layer, but in sandy and light soils potassium is absorbed faster due to rapid penetration into the soil. That is why fertilizer is applied closer to the roots.
Rules of application
In order not to harm your plantings, when adding potassium sulfate, you must use the instructions for use.
Fertilizing the soil can be done during autumn or spring digging of the soil. But you should not refuse mineral potassium fertilizing during the growing season of plants, if necessary. You can feed plants with dry fertilizer or dissolved in water.
The instructions indicate which garden and vegetable crops can be fed with potassium sulfate:
- grapes and potatoes, flax and tobacco;
- citrus;
- all cruciferous vegetables;
- legumes are sulfur lovers;
- gooseberries, cherries, plums, pears, raspberries and apple trees;
- various vegetable and berry crops.
When using any fertilizer, it is important to know the dosage and strictly adhere to the recommendations.
Here are some options:
- for tomatoes, strawberries, cucumbers and flowers, 15-20 grams per square meter is enough;
- cabbage, potatoes a little more - 25-30 grams;
- When planting, fruit trees require from 150 to 200 grams per hole.
If fertilizing is required during the growing season, then apply 10 to 15 grams per square for vegetables and strawberries. You can apply fertilizer under plantings or in a furrow at some distance.
Potassium sulfate is also used for foliar feeding. To do this, prepare a weakly concentrated 0.05-0.1% solution and spray it in any convenient way.
For watering, you need to add 30-40 grams of potash fertilizer to a ten-liter bucket. About 20 plants are watered with this solution, depending on their size.
When using potassium fertilizer, it is necessary to take into account the shelf life of the substance in the fruit. Therefore, 15-20 days before harvesting, feeding stops. Otherwise, instead of healthy products, poisoned vegetables and fruits will end up on the table, which can cause allergies or even poisoning.
Precautionary measures
There are no toxic components or harmful impurities in the Potassium Sulfate fertilizer. Therefore, working with it is relatively safe.
Before feeding, it is advisable to wear protective clothing and cover the nasopharynx. To do this, it is better to use a respirator; in extreme cases, a cotton-gauze bandage. Protect your eyes with goggles, and put rubber gloves on your hands.
If the solution gets into the eyes, it irritates the mucous membranes. You should quickly rinse your eyes with plenty of water.
At the end of the work, the exposed parts of the body are washed with soap and water. Items must be washed to remove dust from the powder substance. The instructions on the package describe everything in detail.
Storage rules
When purchasing mineral fertilizer, each vegetable grower is guided by the size of his plot. The packaging of the product varies, but even with small volumes, part of the substance is not consumed; it will have to be stored until the next season. This does not present any particular difficulties, since the substance does not burn or explode even if it contains sulfur.
Potash fertilizer should be stored in a dry place in a tightly closed container to prevent water or dust from entering. Otherwise, the fertilizer will lose its beneficial properties and become a useless powder.
As for the prepared solution, its storage is generally impossible, even in a dense container. Therefore, fertilizing should never be prepared in volumes that do not meet the needs.
Conclusion
The benefits of potassium sulfate cannot be disputed. Buying fertilizer is easy. It is only important to take into account that the composition of mineral supplements is not always the same. Sometimes they sell fertilizer that contains other minerals, in particular phosphorus. You can safely buy it, since such feeding gives the plants more strength for growth and fruiting. In addition, you do not have to purchase phosphorus-containing fertilizers separately.
