Using ammonia for tomatoes

Using fertilizers when growing tomatoes has long been common practice. Particular attention is paid to ammonia supplements during the first weeks of seedling growth. Nitrogen derivatives increase the number of green leaves and young shoots, and the root system develops rapidly. Nitrogen itself is poorly absorbed in the soil, so ammonium, ammoniacal, and nitrite compounds are most often used. Ammonia is one such substance. It is often used as a fertilizer for tomato seedlings and is also an excellent insect repellent.

Description and useful properties

Ammonia is a substance with a pungent, distinctive odor. Its chemical structure is based on ammonia, which is highly soluble in water. Ammonia decomposes readily in the soil, immediately affecting tomatoes. It does not produce toxins or harmful byproducts during decomposition.

The advantages of feeding with ammonia include:

• its low cost and wide distribution;
• Visible results. The effect can be seen after just one use;
• Safety of use. When used correctly, there is no danger to the plant.

When ammonia penetrates the soil, it actively nourishes the roots. As the root system develops, green mass increases, stems thicken, and flowering occurs more quickly. This substance is especially beneficial for plants that have slowed growth after being transplanted into a greenhouse, have fragile stems, and whose leaves periodically dry out and become smaller. Furthermore, the additive boosts the immune system of tomatoes, making them more resistant to frost, and extending the shelf life of ripe tomatoes by a couple of weeks.

Ammonia is applied 3-4 times throughout the growing season, primarily during the first phase of tomato growth. Excessive ammonium in the soil can have the opposite effect: tomatoes become overweight after abundant flowering, and fruit set is poor. In this case, fertilizing is stopped until the mineral balance in the soil is restored. Excessive use of ammonia also leads to fungal infections on the stems and leaves.

Types of fertilizers

Ammonia must be diluted with water before use. The resulting solution is applied to the shoots and soil where the seedlings are grown.

Top dressing with ammonia is carried out in 3 stages:

The first stage

Once the tomatoes have been transplanted into the greenhouse, the first feeding is done two weeks later. This usually occurs in mid-May. Fill a bucket with warm water and add one tablespoon of ammonia. Stir. This process is done quickly, as the ammonia evaporates and its concentration decreases, meaning the mixture loses its healing properties. Pour the water mixture into a watering can and water the tomatoes at the roots at a rate of 1 liter per plant. It's best to water in the morning.

The second stage

The second application of the supplement occurs before flowering, in early June. Dissolve a teaspoon of ammonia in a bucket of water and spray the shoots and leaves with a spray gun or a spray bottle. Apply the solution in the morning or evening. Avoid spraying tomatoes during the day, as this can cause sunburn.

The third stage

The final treatment is carried out after the tomatoes have set fruit. For every 10 liters of water, add one teaspoon of ammonia and one tablespoon of potassium sulfate. Stir until completely dissolved and water the plants at the roots. A teaspoon of superphosphate can be added to the fertilizer. It's crucial that the fertilizer contains other mineral components in addition to ammonia, as a deficiency will delay fruit ripening and result in very poor fruiting.

Some gardeners sometimes apply a fourth fertilizer application. It's identical in composition to the third and is applied in late summer, when tomatoes are actively ripening. This fertilizer application is helpful for maintaining yield. However, if tomatoes are already producing a large number of fruits, there's no need to use fertilizer.

Tomato Pest Control

Since most insects cannot tolerate the strong odor, ammonia is often used to treat tomatoes. Spring and early summer are the insects' most active season. To prevent aphids, caterpillars, midges, and spider mites from infesting tomatoes, spray them with a 1% ammonia solution. Add 10 milliliters of ammonia per 10 liters of water and apply it to the plants. The effectiveness of the treatment can be increased by adding 2 tablespoons of grated laundry soap to the mixture. An alkaline environment is considered unfavorable for insect growth and activity, and the pungent smell of ammonia will repel them from the tomatoes.

To treat the planting soil, use an aqueous solution of ammonia. For 10 liters of soil, use 3 tablespoons of the solution and water the soil at the planting site. This mixture is lethal to slugs, snails, and caterpillars. The first soil treatment is carried out immediately before planting, and the procedure is repeated 2-3 weeks later, in late May.

Reviews

Many gardeners have long since discovered this miracle remedy and actively use it for root and foliar feeding. The supplement is very easy to prepare, requires no steeping, and can be used immediately after preparation. Although recognized as fast-acting and effective, it does not provide primary nutrition for tomatoes. Ammonia is excellent for preventing insects and pests and is also used as a supplemental source of nitrogen. However, it is recommended to combine it with other mineral complexes containing magnesium, manganese, potassium, iron, and organic components.

Ammonia is recommended for use from the very beginning of growing tomato seedlings, before planting the seeds. Seeds may also harbor parasitic microorganisms; to neutralize them, soak the seeds in a freshly prepared 1% solution for 2 hours. Once the seeds are disinfected, dry them and plant them in the soil.

The fertilizer is considered safe for both the soil and the tomatoes themselves. Unlike other chemically produced fertilizers, ammonia does not accumulate in tomato pulp or soil. The product is considered environmentally friendly and can be used when growing tomatoes, but only in diluted form and at specific times.