The right fertilizers will help not only to get the full development of tulips, but also provide a real riot of colors in the flower garden. Plants need nutrition not only during flowering, but at all stages of growth.
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How often should you apply top dressing
Fertilizers for tulips are used 4 times per season. Each time must be associated with a specific cycle of flower development. Experienced flower growers recommend the following feeding scheme:
- The first stage is carried out in early spring, as soon as the ground thaws and becomes soft.
- The second stage is important for tulips after the appearance of their buds.
- In the third, fertilizer is applied as soon as the plant blooms.
- The final fourth dressing is carried out at the end of flowering.
The introduction of fertilizers according to this scheme guarantees the health and longevity of plants, especially with thickened plantings, when there are not enough microelements in the soil for everyone.
Trace elements important for tulips
Like other plants, these beautiful flowers need nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, but the introduction of other elements will not damage, but only improve the condition of the plants.
- Nitrogen. Essential for active growth. With its lack of tulips, the stem is shortened, and the buds are reduced. An overabundance leads to a variety of diseases.
- Potassium. Increases immunity, helps to endure the winter easier, and ensures active formation of bulbs.
- Phosphorus. Strengthens the root system, stimulates flowering.
- Iron. Improves the formation of chlorophyll.
- Manganese. Participates in the processes of photosynthesis.
- Magnesium. Its lack causes leaf dieback in tulips.
- Molybdenum. Essential for better nitrogen absorption.
- Calcium. Its deficiency causes wilting and drying of the buds.
- Copper. Improves the resistance of flowers to fungal infections.
- Zinc. It has a beneficial effect on the tolerance of tulips to sudden temperature changes.
Chlorine is an element contraindicated in tulips. It is necessary to carefully study the composition of the applied fertilizers in order to avoid it. Also, do not fertilize the flowers with manure, it causes rotting of the bulbs.
Complex fertilizers
Complex fertilizers are most often used for feeding tulips. They should be brought in early in the morning or in the evening, combined with watering, so as not to burn the root system.
Any fertilizers must be applied strictly in accordance with the instructions. By the appearance of plants, it is easy to understand which component they are missing. You should use such a complex composition that will make up for all the shortcomings.
As soon as tulips have buds, their nitrogen demand will drastically decrease. At this stage of development and after it, formulations should be used in which nitrogen is completely absent or is in minimal quantities.
Mono fertilizers
When applying single-component fertilizers, it is recommended to adhere to the following scheme of their application:
- The first application is carried out in the spring. It consists of ammonium nitrate (you need 20 g per 1 m²) and ash solution (you need 1 glass of ash per 10 liters of water).
- The second application is carried out as soon as the flowers appear buds. You will need 20 g of ammonium nitrate, 10 g of superphosphate and 10 g of urea per 1 m². Water the plants with boric solution (1 g of boric acid is diluted in 10 liters of water).
- The third application is carried out during flowering. Top dressing includes 30 g of superphosphate and 15 g of potassium nitrate per 1 m².
- 10 days after flowering, the fourth fertilization is carried out. The composition of the dressing completely repeats the third stage.
Regular and timely feeding of tulips will ensure their lush and bright flowering, strengthen the immune system and prepare them for wintering.
Do you know when and how to fertilize tulips?
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