How to fertilize chives? What kind of fertilizer is good?

Chives not only have extremely high edible value, but also have significant medicinal effects. It is known as the "meat among dishes" and is deeply loved by diners. As a perennial root plant, leek has excellent drought resistance, heat resistance and weak light resistance. Once planted, it can be harvested for five or six years in a row, so it is also called "lazy vegetable." Leek has strong growth ability and high demand for fertilizer. Only sufficient nutrients can ensure its continuous growth. So, how to fertilize leek? What kind of fertilizer is good?

1. Cake Fertilizer

Cake fertilizer, which is the residue after oil is extracted from oil crops , is a high-quality organic fertilizer .

The organic matter content of cake fertilizer is as high as over 75%, which is much higher than other animal manure. It is rich in major elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace elements such as calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc, which can fully meet the growth needs of leeks.

Chives are susceptible to attack by leek maggots, which can cause stem rot and yellowing leaves. Using cake fertilizer can reduce the breeding of leek maggots and promote the healthy growth of leeks.

Cake fertilizer can be used as base fertilizer or topdressing, with an application rate of about 100 kg per mu. It should be noted that the cake fertilizer must be fully decomposed before use to avoid burning the roots of the leek . In order to speed up the decomposition of cake fertilizer, organic fertilizer decomposition agent or EM bacteria can be added to convert it into compost or liquid fertilizer. Usually, decomposition can be completed in 10 to 15 days.

2. Sheep dung

Chives need sufficient nitrogen and potassium to grow. The potassium content in sheep manure is higher than that in pig manure and cow manure. Chives grown with sheep manure taste better. In addition, sheep manure can improve soil structure, increase the soil's ability to retain heat, water, and fertilizer, prevent soil compaction, and is beneficial to the health of the leek's roots.

Sheep manure also needs to be fermented before use. Uncomposted sheep manure may cause root burn and pests and diseases in plants. When fermenting sheep manure, wet material and straw or sawdust can be added to adjust the carbon-nitrogen ratio and promote fermentation.

3. Wood ash

As a typical source of potassium fertilizer, wood ash is particularly suitable for application to potassium-loving crops.

Wood ash can promote the germination and growth of the root system and improve the survival rate of leeks after transplanting. The nutrients it contains help the leek leaves become greener, enhance photosynthesis, promote the exchange and transportation of nutrients between the leaves and roots, and make the leek stronger.

Spreading wood ash on the leek field, about 30 kg per mu, can effectively kill pathogens and pests, protect the normal growth of plants, and reduce the occurrence of diseases and pests.

4. Ammonium Sulfate

Compared with organic fertilizers, ammonium sulfate has a faster and more adequate fertilizer effect. Ammonium sulfate mainly contains nitrogen, which is the main component of chlorophyll and is essential for photosynthesis. When nitrogen is deficient, leek plants will be short, have few tillers, and have yellow leaves.

During the leek planting process, the application of nitrogen fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate or urea can increase the leek yield while avoiding fertilizer waste and soil pollution.

When applying fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate, three major principles should be followed:

Single fertilizer application may cause soil compaction. Increasing the proportion of nitrogen fertilizer application can increase the yield and quality of leek, and at the same time pay attention to the application of micro-fertilizer and foliar fertilizer .

When fertilizing chives, you should adhere to the principle of applying small amounts and multiple times. Choose fertilizer types according to the conditions of the seedlings to promote plant growth and protect the root system. The absorption of nutrients by leek roots is affected by temperature and moisture. Choosing to fertilize on a sunny day will help nutrients be better absorbed.

In short, when growing leeks at home, you should avoid using chemical fertilizers, give priority to cake fertilizer or sheep manure, and use wood ash in combination to easily grow high-quality, high-yield organic leeks.