How to classify and fertilize vegetables
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Leafy vegetables, such as cabbage, spinach, and leeks, require a balanced fertilizer application throughout their growth cycle. While nitrogen-based fertilizers are typically used for top-dressing, it is essential to also provide phosphorus and potassium during the growing period. A lack of nitrogen throughout the entire growth phase can result in stunted plants with coarse tissues, especially in spring-grown leafy vegetables, which may also be prone to bolting. In the later stages of growth, insufficient phosphorus or potassium can hinder the formation of compact heads, affecting both yield and quality.
Fruit vegetables, including melons, tomatoes, and legumes, have edible parts that are reproductive organs. During the seedling stage, these vegetables benefit from higher nitrogen levels to support early growth. However, excessive nitrogen can lead to weak, leggy plants and delay flowering, resulting in flower or fruit drop. During the reproductive phase, the need for phosphorus increases rapidly, while nitrogen should be reduced slightly. This helps balance the plant's energy, directing it toward fruit development rather than excessive vegetative growth.
Root vegetables, like radishes and carrots, have fleshy roots as their main edible part. In the early growth stages, more nitrogen is necessary to promote healthy leaf development. However, during the middle and late stages—when the roots begin to swell—it’s important to increase potassium and limit nitrogen. This encourages the transfer of nutrients from the leaves to the roots, helping form larger, more developed fleshy roots. If nitrogen is applied too late or potassium is lacking, the above-ground growth may become excessive, leading to smaller roots, lower yields, and poor quality.
In greenhouse vegetable cultivation, organic fertilizers are highly recommended. Greenhouse crops often receive significantly more fertilizer per unit area compared to those grown outdoors, and without rainwater to wash away excess nutrients, most of the fertilizer remains in the soil. This can lead to high salt concentrations, which can damage root absorption and negatively affect plant health. Therefore, when growing vegetables in greenhouses, it’s crucial to account for residual fertilizers from previous crops. Increasing the use of organic fertilizers while reducing chemical ones helps prevent salt buildup and ensures healthier, more sustainable growth for future crops.