phostrogen feed

[hawthorns]

my 1st early potatoes are growing very well and are 6-8" high in containers. i have read that a liquid feed such as phostrogen will help the tubes form. i have phostrogen tomato feed in the shed will this be ok for the potatoes

[JO,JO]

i put tomato feed on evryhting that o grew last year and it does help even potatos that i had in an old potato bucket.

[hawthorns]

i also have nettles stewing in a bucket if i dilute it can this be used in the same way

[JO,JO]

i think so not so sure about that though,my friend who owns an allotment,puts horse manure in a muslin cloth and lowers it in to her water butt.

[jacob marley]

i also have nettles stewing in a bucket if i dilute it can this be used in the same way

Nettles are high in nitrogen not the best for potato's what you want is comfrey that is better for root veg's jacob

[hawthorns]

what is veg need high nitrogen feed

[Paulottie]

OK, Feeding plants in containers. Big subject but here's a quick guide.

All plants require a balance of food. There are many trace elements( especially mangernese, iron and magnesium) but the big three are Nitrogen, phospheros, and potassium. Nitrogen feeds leaves, phospheros -the roots, and potassium- the flowers and fruit.

When you look on the packet of fertilizer there will be a ratio N:P:K eg. 5:5:7 which slightly favours potassium ...thus ideal for a fruit crop such a Toms.

Spuds normally have a general fertilizer eg blood fish and bone (blood high in nitrogen and iron ...the leaves; fish -high in potassium -the flowers and bonemeal for the roots) you can buy these items separately and boost the element you need but bear in mind that a balance is needed, particularly with nitrogen/potassium (the later will inhibit the former which is why you only start feeding tom food once first flowers have set). A higher nitrogen option is chicken poo pellets...great for brassicas etc. Most available goodness leeches from the soil -one reason you should water pots from the bottom. However Overfeeding can do more harm than good so give a little once a week.

All of these can be synthesised. Eg sulphate of ammonia , or the balanced 'growmore' but the above are the naturally sourced products.

You can indeed make various smelly 'teas' (I'd really avoid the dung though.) They often have the benefit of boosting beneficial bacteria--Yakault for plants! Comfrey roots draw many elements and the leaves can be harvested, as can nettles which are marginally higher in nitrogen or I've used seaweed before....Irish and Jersey spud growers traditionally spread seaweed on the fields. they all stink! but should be diluted a little and watered on.

[hawthorns]

OK, Feeding plants in containers. Big subject but here's a quick guide.

All plants require a balance of food. There are many trace elements( especially mangernese, iron and magnesium) but the big three are Nitrogen, phospheros, and potassium. Nitrogen feeds leaves, phospheros -the roots, and potassium- the flowers and fruit.

When you look on the packet of fertilizer there will be a ratio N:P:K eg. 5:5:7 which slightly favours potassium ...thus ideal for a fruit crop such a Toms.

Spuds normally have a general fertilizer eg blood fish and bone (blood high in nitrogen and iron ...the leaves; fish -high in potassium -the flowers and bonemeal for the roots) you can buy these items separately and boost the element you need but bear in mind that a balance is needed, particularly with nitrogen/potassium (the later will inhibit the former which is why you only start feeding tom food once first flowers have set). A higher nitrogen option is chicken poo pellets...great for brassicas etc. Most available goodness leeches from the soil -one reason you should water pots from the bottom. However Overfeeding can do more harm than good so give a little once a week.

All of these can be synthesised. Eg sulphate of ammonia , or the balanced 'growmore' but the above are the naturally sourced products.

You can indeed make various smelly 'teas' (I'd really avoid the dung though.) They often have the benefit of boosting beneficial bacteria--Yakault for plants! Comfrey roots draw many elements and the leaves can be harvested, as can nettles which are marginally higher in nitrogen or I've used seaweed before....Irish and Jersey spud growers traditionally spread seaweed on the fields. they all stink! but should be diluted a little and watered on.

so in short nettle tea for brassicas and leaf crops such as lettuce, comfrey tea for spuds, specialized tom feed from shop.

is there an ideal diy tea or feed for toms.

i have flowers all over my garten perle so i guess i should start to fed them, my spuds are very leafy so should i feed them now or when they flower

[Paulottie]

Yes start to feed toms..Comfrey does have considerable potassium though (plant derivatives are quite balanced naturally). You can use potash from woodash or kainet to boost K content. But tom feed is fine and easy if you have it. If leaf veins go yellow that possibly means magnesium deficiency( a common prob with toms) then you use epsom salts or spray with the seaweed tea...commercially available as Maxicrop.(an excellent tonic for foliar feeding most plants)

Spuds could also be fed ...not the flowers/fruit your really interested in. Bone meal and/ or comfrey will be fine. If they are earlies flowering normally means they are ready.

I normally mix comfrey and nettle in brew anyway ...too many tubs of rancid liquid around otherwise!

[hawthorns]

thanks for your help