Tomatoes Question!! Ok so I added ALOT of high-nitrogen fertilizer to my plants?
Question:(8-4-4) a couple of weeks ago. They don't appear burned, but I have learned that too much nitrogen hinders fruit production. Question: Should I add a high-phosphorous fertilizer right now or wait a few more weeks for the high-nitrogen fertilizer to break down?
Thanks...
Answers:
No. Adding a high phosphorus (P) fertilizer now is not going to counter act the nitrogen fertilizer. Nitrogen promotes vegetative growth and adding P will not shut that response down. Nitrogen is highly volatile and leaches through the soil very quickly. If you are concerned that you have applied too much Nitrogen on your tomatoes then water them. Water a couple of really deep waterings to help leach some of the N out of the root zone. Do this over a 4-5 day period so that you are not drowning your plants.
You have already applied P & potassium (K) when you applied your fert. P is very stable and does not readily leach through the soil. K is also stable and does not move through the soil like N. Appling fertilizer to plants only works to a point. If your soil has a deficiency, then adding these elements helps a plant to grow. If your soil has enough of these elements to support your plants growth, then adding more to the soil will do absolutely nothing for your plants. A plant will only absorb what it needs regardless of what we silly humans put into its root zone.
The fertilization recommendation for tomatoes is that you should use a starter fert when you plant. Do not side dress with fert until tomatoes are set. The critical period is during flower formation. You do not want to fert at this period and promote vegetative growth at the expense of flower production. Once tomatoes have set you can apply a nitrogen fertilizer at the rate of 3 lbs. per 100 sq. ft. (A balanced 10-10-10 fert or even your 8-4-4 would be fine). Make two more applications three and six weeks later. Always water thoroughly after you fert.
P.S. Phosphorus (P) promotes root growth (which is why it is the higher number in a starter fert) AND flower & fruit production. Potassium (K) promotes disease resistance and cold hardiness. LJR may wish to review his hort books. Here is a link that details fertilizer elements and their impact on a plants growth/health: http://www.walterandersen.com/pdf/fertil...
And here is another published by a hort major: http://gardenline.usask.ca/misc/fertiliz...
I guess I would water regularly and hope that the nitrogen leeches out of the soil. don't fertilize again though.
8-4-4 is NOT a high Nitrogen fertilizer. In fact, the ratio of 2-1-1 is excellent. If you're worried about fruit production, you could add some 0-0-60 (Sulfate of Potash) as Potash helps with fruit production, Phosphorous with root production. If you decide to go this route, mix in a small amount of the 0-0-60 into a quality compost, aerate around your plants gently and add some of the mix. The high Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) of the compost will "hold" the Potash and make it readily available to your plants. If you add more 8-4-4 later, the compost will help do the same. Expect excellent results.
if it has been a couple of weeks you can add more fertalizer, but be careful and don't add too much,i reccomend 13.13.13,it is a balanced blend that my tomatoes thrive on, be sure to dig added fertalizer into soil and water well, good luck with the garden.
I agree with LJR. 8-4-4 is a rather balanced fert. IMO. High nitogen is most commonly found in lawn fertilizers as well as "farm use" fertilizers like urea 40-0-0.
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