Which is the best fertilizer for sukuma wiki?
Farmers ask all the time.
Based on my 15 years growing sukuma wiki, the best fertilizer for sukuma wiki (that will give you maximum returns) depends on the stage of growth of the kale.
Let me explain:
Kale/sukuma wiki has to grow through:
- The seedling stage (4-30 days old)
- Juvenile stage (31-45 days old)
- Active productive growth (46-120 days old)
- Old age/senescence (121+ days old)
Each of these stages requires a fertilizer which is best for kale.
And that is what I am going to discuss briefly below.
Ready?
Continue reading.
The Best Fertilizer For Sukuma Wiki at The Seedling Stage:
When the kale seed is 0-7 days old, it does not require any fertilizer.
However, as the seedling increases in height and size, it needs a little nitrogen but not excessive.
Therefore the best fertilizer to use when a kale seedling is 8-30 days old is UREA!
Check out A Complete List of Fertilizers Plus Their Prices Here
Best Fertilizer for Sukuma Wiki at the Juvenile Stage:
This stage of growth lasts from day 31-45.
It is at this stage that you’ll transplant the kale seedlings to the open field.
During transplanting, the best fertilizer for Kale is DAP.
DAP promotes strong and fast root development so that the plant is able to resist drought and other harsh environmental conditions.
Strong and numerous roots means the plant will be able to feed itself with water and nutrients.
As you use DAP, don’t forget to add manure.
Manure helps to improve soil texture, soil micro flora, and water retention capability.
Check out A Complete List of Fertilizers Plus Their Prices Here
Best Kale fertilizer For Active productive growth (46-120 days old)
At this age, the plant is at its prime age.
It is growing rapidly, producing many leaves and expanding in size and height.
During this stage, give top dress the plant with either NPK 17:17:17 or NPK 20:20:20
These compound fertilizers will give the plant balanced nutrition to sustain this rapid growth.
As you top dress the plant, remember to use foliar feeds rich in macro nutrients and micro nutrients.
Using foliar feeds will help prevent the development of deficiency symptoms!
Best Kale Fertilizer For Old age/senescence (121+ days old)
When Kale gets to this stage, its productivity slows down.
It no longer produces lush leaves as it did before.
If you don’t take care of the plants at this stage, they won’t live past 6 months old.
And that would be a tragedy because you won’t have maximized the yields kale is capable of giving per acre.
So What is the best fertilizer for this stage?
To spur active growth, the best fertilizer is UREA.
When you give the plants urea, irrigate the plants for at least 1 week without harvesting to invigorate the plants.
After that, top dress with NPK 17:17:17 or NPK 20:20:20.
Don’t forget to boost the plant with foliar feeds containing micro and macro nutrients.
Do this, and you’ll harvest kale for over 9 months without any significant reduction of yield.
Check out A complete List of Fertilizers Plus Their Prices Here
Osho Easygro Vegetative Fertilizer (Best For Kale During Early Stages of Growth
Easygro Vegetative is a Foliar Fertilizer & Fertigation FormulationIt is Soluble Crystalline Powder
A water soluble fertilizer with chelated micro-elements and bio-stimulants for foliar feeding and fertigation.
Composition: N.P.K 27: 10: 16 plus Trace Elements (S, Mg, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, B, Mo) Plus biostimulants. It is recommended for use during:
- Plant growth periods that require relatively high Nitrogen levels e.g. during periods of vegetative growth.
- Directly after harvest when nutrients need to be stored for the next season.
It is ideal for the vegetative growth stage of kale/ sukuma wiki (e.g. shortly after establishment)
When you apply it at that stage, it enhances formation of adequate foliage for photosynthesis.
Since this plant has high Nitrogen content , plants have healthy vigorous growth, strong root development, dark green foliage, increased seed/fruit formation and higher yields.
EASYGRO Vegetative is compatible with most agricultural remedies.
However, avoid lime sulphur, white oils and certain copper formulations.
| CROP | Rate | Interval |
| All Vegetables e.g Cabbage, Lettuce, tomatoes, French Beans,Peas,Carrots, Cucurbits, Flowers, Field Crops,Potatoes, Cereals(wheat, Barley), tea, etc. | 30-40g/20ltr of water | Apply as full cover spray at 1-2 weeks interval until start of flowering |
| Fruit trees (Citrus,mangoes, etc.) And Coffee | 80g/20ltr of water | Apply at 1-2 weeks interval until start of flowering |
| Soil Drench | 3-6kg/ha | Apply into the soil and then leach with irrigation |
| Fertigation | 5-10kg/ha | Use lower rates for seedlings.Increase the rates as the plants mature |
Agriscope VEGIMAX FOLIAR FERTILIZER
Vegimax is an organic plant growth regulator with proven performance.
Vegimax contains 65-75% Nitrogen, 20-25% Organic Phosphorus, 3-5% Organic Potassium, trace minerals, vitamins and amino acids.
It is mixed with water and sprayed directly onto the growing plants, seedlings etc.
Directions of use:
- Shake well before use and do not mix until ready to use:
- Fruit Trees: Use 3-5 ml/20 Litres water every 10 days.
- Field Crops: Use 3-5 ml/20 Litres water every 10 days.
- Vegetables: Use 2-5 ml/20 litres water every 7 days.
- Flowers: Use 2-3ml/20 litres water every 10 days.
Composition: NPK 65:20:3 +TE
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