How to feed eggplants in a greenhouse

Eggplant is a capricious crop that requires careful care and regular fertilization. Insufficient or untimely fertilization will quickly weaken the delicate vegetable plants.

A nutritional deficiency results in few, poor-quality fruits. However, an excess of nutrients, especially nitrogen, results in lush, green foliage at the expense of fruit development. To ensure a good harvest, eggplants require frequent fertilizing. Depending on soil fertility, you may need to feed the plants every two weeks.

Features of eggplant fertilization

To thrive, eggplants need everything at once. Mineral fertilizers must be combined with organic matter, using both specialized products and traditional home gardening methods. The recommended fertilization rate for eggplant is just 15 grams per square meter. This means that a single eggplant plant requires a minimal amount of nutrients, but they should be supplied as frequently as possible. Overfeeding is not recommended, but neglecting to provide fertilizer is also a good idea, as this can result in a crop failure.

Eggplants are fertilized exclusively by root application, that is, by treating the root system with prepared, dilute solutions or dry mixtures. Foliar feeding, specifically applying fertilizer through the leaves, is undesirable. The fragile, delicate foliage does not tolerate moisture. Even watering should be done only at the roots, never on the leaves. If fertilizer, especially nitrogen- or phosphorus-containing ones, gets on the tops, the leaves will wilt and the plant will die. Root feeding ensures that nutrients reach the root system, which nourishes all the plant's organs.

When foliar feeding is vital

In some cases, foliar application is still necessary. For example, when the plant is very weak and lacking micronutrients. In this case, the fertilizer concentration should be diluted several times less than for root feeding. Otherwise, the plant's leaves could burn.

When foliar feeding is useful:

• in case of diseases and pests;
• during a wet summer, when rain washes away nutrients from the soil;
• during flowering;
• with poorly developed rhizome;
• in case of general weakness of plants;
• to increase crop yields.

Foliar feeding is carried out by lightly spraying the plants so that small droplets remain on the leaves.

Why is foliar feeding so beneficial? First of all, it delivers nutrients more quickly to the plant organs. While it takes a long time to see results through the root, the leaf absorbs the micronutrients immediately, and the synthesis process is faster.

Spraying is advisable during the period of ovary formation. Sometimes this process is slow, and flowers begin to fall off. Treatment with boric acid or magnesium sulfate helps stimulate flowering. The easiest way is to use ready-made products (Agricole, Kemira Universal) sprayed on the plants.

Preparing the soil before planting

Eggplants are short-day plants, so they thrive in light, fertile soil. Therefore, when planting the beds, it's important to add a dose of fertilizer to the soil. This is necessary if you won't be able to fertilize the vegetables on a regular schedule in the future.

In this case, it's best to use complex mineral fertilizers containing the elements necessary for strong root development, vigorous foliage growth, increased disease immunity, and stress resistance. For every square meter of regular garden soil, add 30 grams of superphosphate, 15 grams each of ammonium sulfate, and potassium chloride. Alternatively, combine superphosphate, ammonium sulfate, and wood ash. Organic matter (old humus) is sprinkled by the handful into the hole during planting.

Eggplants can't grow in just any soil. They require light, loose soil with a neutral pH. Therefore, depending on the soil's condition, it is adjusted to the following requirements:

• wood sawdust, sand and old cow dung (1 bucket each), peat (2 buckets) are added to clay soil;
• compost and peat (2 buckets each), the same amount of clay soil, and rotted sawdust (1 bucket) are added to sandy soil;
• For soil with a high peat content, add turf and leaf soil (1 bucket each) and compost.

Organic fertilizers

Animal and bird waste products are ideal for feeding eggplants. Bird droppings, cow dung, and rotted manure are used as fertilizers. Eggplants also respond well to compost. It's important to understand that harsh chemicals can easily burn small vegetable plants, so all organic fertilizers should be applied in diluted concentrations. To achieve this, organic matter is diluted with water and allowed to steep before applying liquid fertilizer.

Incidentally, liquid fertilizers are especially useful during fruiting. A nutrient mixture is prepared from bird droppings (1 bucket), water (100 liters), and nitrophoska (1 cup). Mix everything thoroughly and let it sit for 5-7 days.

Top dressing with mineral fertilizers

Eggplants have a constant need for certain micronutrients. A deficiency of even one chemical element immediately impacts the growth of the plants and fruit formation. Therefore, it is recommended to regularly apply balanced doses of mineral fertilizers. Eggplants require phosphorus and potassium throughout the growing season, but nutrition will not be balanced without nitrogen.

Phosphorus fertilization

Phosphorus is essential for root development. Regular superphosphate is typically used for fertilizing, along with other mineral fertilizers. It contains up to 25% phosphorus. In poor soil, double superphosphate, which contains twice as much phosphorus, can be used. Nitrophoska has a similar composition. Phosphorus fertilizers are applied during flowering, as it promotes ovary formation and fruit ripening. Failure to apply this element regularly will inevitably result in leaf chlorosis. More serious consequences of phosphorus deficiency include flower drop, fruit failure, and, as a result, severe crop losses.

Potassium fertilizers

Potassium in the soil strengthens plants, making them more resilient and immune-resistant. A deficiency leads to stunted growth and disease. Potassium nitrate is optimal for fertilizing the soil. This fertilizer contains both potassium and nitrogen. Wood ash can also help support plant growth. Spread it under each plant at a rate of 1.5 cups per square meter.

Nitrogen fertilization

Nitrogen helps plants develop and grow their above-ground foliage, as well as photosynthesize. If there's not enough nitrogen, the plant will appear puny and pale. Excess nitrogen can even leave the gardener without fruit, as the plant will waste nitrogen on growing foliage rather than forming ovaries. Urea diluted in water is used as a nitrogen-containing fertilizer. An alternative is ammonium sulfate, which provides not only nitrogen but also the necessary dose of sulfur.

Application of ash

Ash fertilizers are applied throughout the growing season. This natural component allows you to inexpensively enrich plants with macro- and microelements. Ash is applied between scheduled fertilizers.

Ash can be sprayed on plantings or used as a liquid fertilizer by diluting it with water and watering the beds generously.

Using natural fertilizers

Using traditional eggplant fertilizers yields the best results. The concentration of chemicals in natural fertilizers is less aggressive than in specialized fertilizers, making it virtually impossible to harm young plants (causing an overdose). Furthermore, natural fertilizers do not saturate the fruit with toxins and nitrates.

Popular folk remedies:

Herbal infusion

Place the mown grass in a barrel, add water, and let it steep for a week until the mixture ferments. The resulting solution is then watered at the roots of the bushes. Wood ash solution. A beneficial fertilizer is prepared from 150 grams of ash and 10 liters of water. The mixture is steeped for 2-3 days, then strained and sprayed.

Compost tea

Boil the potato skins, then add 100 grams of compost. Water the soil with the resulting mixture.

Yeast fertilizer

The effect of this fertilizer is comparable to that of a growth stimulant. To prepare the solution, you need a packet of dry yeast and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Dissolve the ingredients in warm water and let it steep for several hours. Then water the plants.

Bread-yeast based solution

A versatile product that enriches plants with all essential elements, boosts immunity, and stimulates growth. This beneficial fertilizer contains: black bread, yeast, grass clippings, ash, slaked lime, and chicken manure. All ingredients are mixed and left to soak for 6-7 days, after which a weak concentrate is diluted and watered into the garden bed. This fertilizer can be applied once a week.

Fertilizer application calendar

When fertilizing, try to use fertilizers containing both minerals and organic matter. The more components each application contains, the better the plant will grow, bloom more abundantly, and bear fruit. At different stages of eggplant development, it requires specific nutrients. Therefore, a specific fertilizing schedule is established, taking into account the plant's biological characteristics. Eggplants are typically fertilized twice during the seedling stage and 4-5 times after planting, depending on soil fertility.

Seedling feeding:

1. This is done after the first leaves appear. Fertilize with nitrogen and potassium.
2. Ten days before transplanting into the garden bed, phosphorus fertilizers are added to the nitrogen and potassium fertilizers.

You can also feed transplanted seedlings to strengthen their root system and allow the plants to develop more actively before planting in the ground. In a greenhouse, eggplants are first fed 14-20 days after transplanting. During this time, the underdeveloped root system will become strong enough to begin providing adequate nutrition. Subsequently, fertilize every 2-3 weeks, timing the plants' developmental stages.

The order of feeding eggplants:

In poor soils, the first feeding is done a little earlier, after 10-12 days. Then, apply fertilizer once a week, alternating between organic and mineral fertilizers.

Fertilizing eggplants during flowering and before fruiting begins

1. Each bush is watered with nettle infusion.
2. A solution is prepared from water, mullein and wood ash.
3. Urea, superphosphate and potassium chloride are diluted in water and applied as root dressing.
4. In 10 liters of water, dissolve a pinch of urea, a spoonful of potassium sulfate and 2 spoons of superphosphate.
5. Mix ammonium nitrate, superphosphate, potassium salt (10-15 grams each), dilute in 10 liters of water.
6. They infuse mullein, nettle, and ash with water and water the plantings.

Fertilizing eggplants during fruiting

1. 40 grams of superphosphate are diluted in water to make liquid fertilizer.
2. A spoon of potassium sulfate is diluted in a bucket of water.
3. Mix superphosphate and potassium salt, add water.
4. A kilogram of chicken manure and 4 tablespoons of nitroammophoska are diluted in a bucket of water.
5. Prepare an aqueous solution of mullein, chicken manure and urea.

The best fertilizers for eggplants at different stages of vegetation

1 feeding

During this period, it's optimal to apply complex mineralized fertilizers such as Kemira, Rastvorin, and Urozhai. They stimulate vigorous plant growth and the formation of multiple ovaries. Kornevin promotes plant growth.

When it comes to organic fertilizer, it's best to use grass infusion. This fertilizer is rich in humus, nitrogen, and micronutrients, which will boost the healthy growth of your eggplant.

2nd feeding

From ready-made preparations, they use Signor Tomato, Agricola, Kemira (suitable for all nightshades) or prepare a solution of superphosphate and urea.

An organic infusion is prepared from grass, mullein, slurry and ash.

3rd feeding

A growth stimulator is used; you can water with Effecton, diluted several times with water.

From organic matter, a solution of liquid manure with the addition of ammonium nitrate is used.

4 and 5 (as needed) feedings

The soil is enriched with potassium sulfate. Agricole-Vegeta is added during the fruit ripening stage.

An infusion of bird droppings and nitrophoska will help stimulate rapid fruit ripening. Before use, mix the infusion with water and water the areas under the bushes.

Taming the capricious eggplant and getting a bountiful harvest of this healthy vegetable is challenging, but certainly possible. The key is to follow the fertilizing schedule and use only the right fertilizers.