How to feed tomatoes with boric acid, iodine and ash: prepare the solution and add it correctly
On the forums of gardeners, gardeners often discuss ways to increase the yield of vegetable crops. Experienced tomato growers share recipes for feeding with boric acid and talk about the results. So, from a bush of tomatoes, you can remove 20-30% more than the crop declared by seed producers. An enviable result, isn't it? If you want to know one of the most popular recipes, read our article.
The content of the article
The benefits of iodine, ash and boron for tomatoes
The traditional top dressing recipe is based on three components: iodine, boron and furnace ash. Consider how they are useful for tomatoes:
| Component | What is useful for tomatoes |
| Iodine
|
Improves nitrogen metabolism. Increases productivity and provides plants with additional nutrition. Makes tomatoes resistant to disease |
| Boric acid
|
Boron increases the sugar content of fruits and improves their keeping quality. In addition, boric acid is an active agent in the fight against late blight.
If there is not enough boron, the tomato:
|
| Ash | Ashes for fertilization are taken from a fireplace or stove - wood, but not coal. For tomatoes, it is a source of natural potassium and phosphorus, which are responsible for the formation of the root system of the plant and the pouring of fruits. |
Attention! There is an opinion that iodine has practically no effect on viral diseases of tomatoes (late blight, powdery mildew, etc.). This is erroneous: iodine helps to contain (though does not cure) these diseases.
When to deposit and how to prepare
There are three phases of plant growth when tomato bushes need boric-iodine-ash feeding:
- Seedling. Fertilizer is used to increase the green part of plants.
- Flowering and the appearance of ovaries.
- Fruiting period.
Top dressing in all the listed phases of growth and development of tomato bushes gives a decent result. In general, the yield increases by 20-30%.
To prepare top dressing for 10 liters of water, add:
- 1 teaspoon of boric acid;
- 2 liters of wood ash or ash;
- 30 drops of iodine tincture (from the pharmacy).
All ingredients are thoroughly mixed until completely dissolved.
Important! Experienced tomato growers advise to heat the water to at least 50-60 degrees. This is explained by the fact that crystals will not dissolve in cool water and plants can get burned.
Rules and feeding scheme
Tomatoes are fed in two ways:
- On the leaves.
- At the root.
Foliar tomato seedlingstop dressing do when the second pair of real leaves appears. It is important not to miss this moment, because the right time for feeding is a guarantee of half the result. The leaves are sprayed on both sides.
The solution is sprayed from a spray bottle so that a light mist forms near the bush. In this case, it is advisable not to irrigate the plants so that visible drops settle on the surface of the leaves.
Many tomato growers prefer foliar feeding. After preparation, the solution used is cooled to room temperature.
When root feeding, the nutrient solution is poured under the root directly into the soil. Before feeding, the soil under the plants is shed with plain water. This makes the fertilization process more efficient. With the root method of fertilization, the prepared aqueous solution is applied at the rate of 0.5 liters under a tomato bush.
Attention! Ash can be applied directly to the ground without making an aqueous solution.The soil around the tomato bush is "powdered" at the rate of 2 tbsp. tablespoons of ash per plant.
Tips from experienced summer residents
It happens that summer residents make mistakes when using fertilizers with boric acid. To avoid them, it is better to fertilize tomatoes:
- In dry, cloudy weather, as well as in the morning or evening: the fertilizing is better absorbed and the plants do not get sunburn.
- At the root. In this case, before applying top dressing, it is advisable to water the tomato bush with plain water.
- Between any fertilization of tomatoes, it is advisable to take a break of at least 12-14 days.
- It is not recommended to prepare the solution in advance. Its usefulness diminishes over time.
- Do not use fertilizer with boron, iodine and ash more than three times per season.
Read also:
How to feed tomatoes during flowering and fruiting.
The best recipes for bread dressings for tomatoes.
How to feed tomatoes during flowering in a greenhouse and fruiting.
Reviews of tomato growers
The composition of boric acid, iodine and ash is very popular among summer residents who grow tomatoes. Many people note the effectiveness, convenience and the possibility of using the solution for both root and foliar dressing.
Margarita Terekhovich, Tver: “I have been looking for the best fertilizer for tomatoes for a long time. A neighbor in the country suggested how to feed the tomatoes with boric acid, iodine and ash. I alternated root and foliar feeding. The result was impressive! Now this is the only way I fertilize tomatoes. "
Anatoly Verkhniy, Smolensk region: “Every season I use the same top dressing for tomatoes and I am always satisfied. I spray the plants with an aqueous solution of wood ash, boric acid and iodine. Tomatoes are well tied, they are pleasing in size and are stored for a long time. I advise everyone. "
Alexandra Zolotukhina, Kopeysk: “In our short summer, we want to have time to get a full harvest of tomatoes. I try to speed up the process of their maturation in the greenhouse and feed them with a complex with the addition of a solution of boric acid, iodine and ash from the stove. Tomatoes have time to ripen. Plus, it is good protection against late blight, which is very pleasing! "
Let's sum up
Most tomato growers advise fertilizing tomatoes with a complex of ash, iodine and boron. As a result, plants increase the absorption of nutrients, the formation and number of ovaries on the bushes, and the likelihood of late blight disease in tomatoes decreases.
In a practical way, it has been proven that such dressings increase the yield of tomatoes by 20-30%. Try boron-iodine-ash feeding and get a rich harvest of tasty and juicy fruits!