How and when to feed peppers with urea

You often hear that nitrogen shouldn't be overused when growing peppers. This is true, but it's important to remember that a deficiency of this element also negatively impacts the plant's growth.

Peppers, like many other plants, cannot grow normally and produce foliage if their nutritional intake is insufficient in nitrogen. This is especially common in sandy loam and sandy soils.

The deficiency can be replenished with various additives and fertilizers, one of which is urea. It is one of the most well-known and widely used mineral nitrogen-containing fertilizers by gardeners.

Type B urea is used for growing vegetables, while another type is used in various industrial productions.

Urea as a fertilizer for peppers – description

This fertilizer owes its colorful name to its production method, as it was previously obtained from urine. After chemical synthesis became possible, a different name emerged—urea, although the former is still used in everyday life.

For agricultural use, this fertilizer is produced in granular form, usually white or, less commonly, transparent. Nowadays, urea is also produced in coated tablet form. This is crucial for storing the fertilizer, as this form prevents nitrogen evaporation.

The product contains 46% plant-friendly nitrogen, almost twice as much as ammonium nitrate. This fertilizer can be used for regular root feeding (dissolving in water), incorporated into the soil, and sprayed on peppers.

Urea dissolves readily in water, requiring no pre-treatment. Furthermore, its affordability makes it popular among gardeners.

Characteristics and properties of urea

The product is produced by combining carbon dioxide and ammonia at high temperatures. The fertilizer is a source of nitrogen, which is readily absorbed by peppers. Importantly, applying urea is more effective and beneficial for peppers than, for example, ammonium nitrate. This is because applying nitrate causes significant soil oxidation, while urea reduces this oxidation. Peppers respond better to urea, and this must be taken into account. The ammonium carbonate contained in the product evaporates very quickly, so it is important to follow proper storage instructions and incorporate the granules into the soil when using dry soil. The fertilizer can be used on all types of soil, but the dosage must be observed.

What is urea used for?

1.      Fertilizer promotes the growth of peppers.
2.      Ensures good and intensive growth of green mass.
3.      Correct use of the additive can significantly increase crop yield.

At the same time, excess nitrogen (insufficient application of urea) leads to excessive leaf formation on the bushes, resulting in "fat" peppers. Such plants have thick, robust stems, dark green, spreading branches and leaves, and few flowers and ovaries. Peppers overfed with nitrogen have poor ripening, few fruits per plant, and are more likely to rot.

Rules for using urea

When growing peppers, mineral supplements are used strictly according to the recommended dosage. It's crucial not to oversaturate the soil with nitrogen; everything must be balanced.

The use of urea is indicated in the following cases:

1.      Peppers are growing poorly, weak shoots are observed.
2.      The leaves turn yellow and fall off.
3.      The peppers look weak and tired.

Urea can be used in an aqueous solution, either by watering peppers at the roots or by spraying, but its compatibility with other elements must be considered. Urea is compatible with sodium nitrate and potassium sulfate, but it should not be used with superphosphate or calcium nitrate. Fertilizer mixtures must be formulated so that all components are optimally combined and effective.

To improve soil fertility, urea is applied in the spring, either in liquid or dry form. For aqueous solutions, use special containers (containers or buckets) that are used only for fertilizer applications. It's important to apply mineral additives correctly, especially if the soil has been well-amended with compost or manure.

Stages of feeding

When should urea be used when growing peppers? This fertilizer is used at all stages, but the dosage is adjusted based on the plant's growing season. During seedling growth, after transplanting peppers into greenhouses, and in hotbeds, nitrogen application is effective, but during flowering and early fruiting, the nitrogen application rate should be reduced.

Seedling treatment and soil preparation

Loose, permeable soil is exactly what's needed to produce high-quality seedlings. It should also contain all the necessary nutrients, including nitrogen. Pepper seedlings (provided the soil has been well-fertilized) don't require urea. One or two urea treatments on the foliage can be applied. The solution is prepared by dissolving 1-2 granules of potassium permanganate and a few grams of urea in a liter of water.

The first spraying occurs when the peppers have 2-3 true leaves, and the second spraying occurs 14-16 days later. The water temperature should be at least 20ºC; meltwater is best.

The plants are sprayed very carefully, after which the soil is slightly loosened.

The soil in the greenhouse or garden bed for peppers is prepared in the fall. It is dug over, rotted manure and compost are added, and superphosphate can be used as a mineral supplement. If the soil in the area is peaty, compost should be added, and turf soil should be added to the greenhouse. Peppers dislike peaty soils and often become diseased in them, so it is crucial to add all the necessary amendments.

About two weeks before the expected planting of plants from the house into the greenhouse, the following is added to the beds:

•         ash (1-1.5 cups);
•         urea (one teaspoon).

The doses are given per square meter; do not exceed these limits. Then, dig the soil again, level it, and just before planting, make holes according to the diagram.

Once the peppers are planted, a difficult period of plant adaptation begins. During this time, for about a week, it's recommended not to water the plants to ensure proper root development. The first watering should be done after 6-7 days, using warm, settled water and applying it directly to the roots. It's also a good idea to water the peppers in special furrows, where you can also add fertilizer solutions.

The first feeding should be done after 16-18 days, and nitrogen will be the dominant fertilizer. Dissolve approximately 10 grams of urea in a ten-liter bucket of warm water, then add 5 grams of superphosphate. Ensure all fertilizers are thoroughly dissolved before watering. Apply 1 liter of nutrient solution per plant (for low-growing peppers, reduce the amount to 0.5 liters per plant).

The next urea-based fertilizer is applied before the peppers bloom, during the budding phase. The urea amount is maintained as in the previous fertilizer, but the superphosphate dose is increased to 30 grams, and a teaspoon of potassium salt is added.

Rules for fertilizing during flowering

Perhaps not everyone knows that peppers bloom and bear fruit in "waves." The first flowers produce ovaries, the fruits form and ripen, and then, when technically ripe, the peppers can be picked from the bush. This allows the plant to bloom again and produce the next batch of fruits.

When pepper plants begin to bloom with small white flowers, the plants also require additional fertilizer. However, potassium and phosphorus are the most important nutrients, while nitrogen should be kept to a minimum. This doesn't mean urea shouldn't be used during this period; it's simply reduced in dosage.

Fertilizers containing urea (one teaspoon), superphosphate (30 grams), and potassium sulfate (10 grams) are used. These complex fertilizers are more effective than individual additives, as they fully satisfy the peppers' nutritional needs without the risk of overfeeding.

Once the first "wave" has passed, peppers need feeding again. To prevent the plants from weakening and to ensure full flowering and fruit formation, nutrient solutions containing nitrogen should be added, preferably in a combination of organic and mineral fertilizers.

Urea can be mixed with an aqueous infusion of mullein or bird droppings, then allowed to steep and then watered. However, with this method, adding ash to the peppers is essential.

If the plants look a little tired and weak after the first harvest, foliar feeding is recommended. Peppers respond well to foliar sprays, as this quickly absorbs nutrients, literally "reviving" the plants and improving their growth.

Ingredients: Add a teaspoon of urea to a bucket of water. Spray with a spray bottle, preferably early in the morning. This prevents sunburn on the leaves and improves nutrient absorption. It's important to alternate foliar sprays with root sprays, and the dosage is strictly adhered to when preparing the mixtures.

For peppers grown outdoors, foliar feeding should be done in clear weather, depending on the weather forecast. If rain is forecast, it's best to postpone the procedure, otherwise it won't be effective.

Conclusion

Urea, as a source of nitrogen, is a very important and beneficial fertilizer for peppers. However, when using it, it's important to follow the recommended application rates and dosages, remembering that it's better to underfeed peppers (like any other vegetable) than to overfeed them.

Reviews

Svetlana, Stupino

I use urea sparingly for all vegetables. I don't feed pepper seedlings, but I always do in the greenhouse. I always mix urea with superphosphate, and I only water them with this mixture. I add it to the holes for apple trees, but only for young ones. I make a hole with a hoe, fill it with water and urea, and bury it. Then I water them thoroughly, and it's even better to make these holes before the rains.

Alexey, Vologda Oblast

It's an inexpensive and fairly easy-to-use fertilizer. I add it directly to the soil when I dig up the beds in the spring. I sprinkle the granules (I just guesstimate) and then work them into the soil. I try not to overdo it, otherwise everything will grow like crazy and there won't be many buds. I don't use urea for seedlings; I only use ready-made formulas, which already contain all the necessary elements.