Calcium and ammonium nitrate: application for cabbage

Many gardeners grow cabbage in their beds. Ammonium nitrate is traditionally used to produce he althy, strong heads. An ideal nitrogen fertilizer has the only drawback: it acidifies the soil. This is acceptable for neutral and slightly alkaline lands. On acidic soils, cabbage does not tolerate such a reaction: development stops.

What should summer residents do, whose land is already acidified? Another fertilizer will help to grow the desired crop: calcium nitrate. With proper application, it does not change the reaction of the soil.

Why you need to feed

The gardener knows: cabbage is an overgrown bud. She loves nitrates. In the early stages of development, it absorbs them, digests them instantly and requires new ones. Growing fast.

Without the introduction of nitrates, one cannot get dense, heavy heads of cabbage. But plants accumulate excess s alts of nitric acid. The use of products becomes hazardous to he alth. It is required to comply with the deadlines for submission. The rate must be calculated exactly.

Calcium makes cabbage digest nitrogen faster. Development and growth is accelerating. Gardeners notice the effect of s altpeter in 2-3 days. The kidney instantly increases the green mass.

Nitrogen fertilizers form a he althy root system. The plant absorbs water and nutrients. The ground part is actively developing.

The accumulated nitrogen makes the plant attractive to pests. Caterpillars attack bushes. In gnawed leaves, photosynthesis is slower. It is Ca that prevents the formation of nitrogen reserves.

Pests damage weak cabbage. Plants must meet enemies strong, strong. Timely feeding of cabbage will save the gardener from exhausting pest and disease control.

How and when to apply s altpeter

Calcium nitrate is a universal remedy. Use cases:

• applied to soil;
• added to water when watering;
• given as a foliar application (foliar spray).

This substance should not be scattered around the plant or incorporated into the soil before planting. You won't be able to get the desired effect. It is required to follow the recommendations of agronomists.

The first time to feed cabbage with calcium nitrate should be at the age of a week. It is necessary to dilute a teaspoon of the substance in a liter of water. Gently water plants under the root.

Good results are given by spraying on the leaf. Working solution: a tablespoon of powder in 5 liters of water. Foliar top dressing is repeated every 10 days until the head is formed.

A competent gardener necessarily feeds cabbage seedlings when planting on ridges. Apply 1 teaspoon of fertilizer to each well. Sprinkle on top with a layer of earth 1 centimeter. The roots do not touch the substance. They are drawn to it, actively growing. Fertilizer is absorbed as needed.

Why calcium nitrate

Traditional nitrogen fertilizer - ammonium nitrate. But it does not contain calcium. Biologists have proven that it is Ca that contributes to the complete assimilation of nitrogen. Application benefits:

1. The element strengthens the root system of the plant. For cabbage, this is especially important. The massive aerial part requires full absorption of nutrients from the soil.
2. Calcium neutralizes the effects of magnesium and iron. In acidified soil, elements are present in excess. They reduce disease resistance.
3. Improves the consistency of cabbage. It becomes juicy and crispy. When fermented, s alted, retains color, does not soften. The taste is delicate, pleasant.
4. There are no losses during winter storage. Heads of cabbage do not rot, are not affected by molds.
5. Cabbage becomes disease resistant. Easily endures weather changes.
6. Calcium makes the plant digest nitrogen faster. Cabbage has strong, dense leaves. Caterpillars damage them less.

Some gardeners believe: once they have added urea, added a mixture of phosphorus and potassium, nothing else needs to be used. Practice shows: you can't get a decent harvest without special additives.

The use of calcium nitrate for cabbage complements other top dressings (mineral complexes). It is friendly to all fertilizers. The action of the substance is inhibited by simple superphosphate.

What fertilizer looks like

Any s altpeter contains a residue of nitric acid (NO3). It attaches to the main substance (NH4 - ammonia, Ca - calcium).

Ca(NO3)2 is a by-product in the production of nitric acid. The substance belongs to the 3rd hazard class. When working with it, you should follow protective measures (wear gloves, protect eyes and respiratory organs, do not swallow).

Fertilizer is 13% nitrogen and 19% calcium. Available in two forms:

• powdery;
• granular.

Calcium nitrate powder easily dries up and turns into dust. When the humidity of the air rises, it clumps together. It is inconvenient to work with him.

For use in vegetable gardens, the latter is preferable: it is not carried by the wind. In the soil, under the action of bacteria and moisture, it acquires a chelated (easily digestible) form.

To reduce moisture capacity, manufacturers add waxing components. The inclusion of NH4NO3 turns the powder into granules. In ammonium nitrate, nitrogen is 26-34%. An additional element is sulfur. This fertilizer maximally nourishes young plantings with nitrogen. Ideal for neutral or slightly alkaline soils.

Calcium nitrate easily absorbs moisture. This feature must be taken into account during storage and transportation. Sold in packs up to 2 kilograms. Not used in large agricultural complexes.

Calcium nitrate should be applied only in the spring before planting. Filling the ridges in the fall is pointless: s alt dissolves perfectly in water. After the snow melts, it will not remain in the soil.

Summary of conclusions

Cabbage must be fed with calcium nitrate. She grows big and tasty. Keeps for a long time.

Fertilization rates should be respected. It is required to stop at the moment of twisting the leaves into heads.

On slightly alkaline and neutral soils, gardeners use ammonium nitrate.

Recommended