Professional vegetable growers water tomatoes with a solution of potassium permanganate. Indeed, such a tool helps to efficiently process the plant. However, before resorting to this method, you need to figure out why to do this and how to properly prepare the solution.
Why water tomatoes with potassium permanganate?
Preparing to grow tomatoes, many gardeners reasonably think about whether it is possible to spray or water the bushes with potassium permanganate. The agent in question has many positive characteristics that affect the growth and development of the plant.
Did you know? Potassium permanganate was discovered in 1774 by scientists Gottlieb Johan Hahn and Wilhelm Karl Scheele in Sweden shortly after receiving manganese.
Among them are the following:
- antiseptic properties that prevent the development of fungal diseases, including late blight;
- top dressing of roots due to the creation of atomic oxygen in the soil;
- strengthening stems and leaves when spraying tops;
- preventing the entry of harmful microorganisms during the bush planting.
Dates and processing mode
It is possible to process tomatoes with potassium permanganate regardless of whether they grow in a greenhouse or in open soil. Procedures can be carried out throughout the life of the plant, but it is important to know the measure. How often to process and in what mode to do it, is determined depending on the stage at which the plant is currently located.
| Stage | Frequency and mode |
| Seeds before planting | Soaking once |
| Seedlings | 2 times - watering the soil with an interval of 10 days, 1 time - spraying the bush |
| After landing | Watering - 1 time immediately after transplanting seedlings to a permanent place, spraying - 2 times: with the beginning of flowering and 2 weeks before harvesting. |
Basic processing rules
The main rules for processing bushes and soil are:
- the desired intensity of the solution;
- compliance with the norm in quantity;
- adherence to deadlines.
Important! With too much exposure, potassium permanganate destroys not only harmful bacteria and fungi, but also the microorganisms needed by the plant.
How to prepare a potassium permanganate solution for tomatoes
For use in the garden, usually 0.05%, 1% and 5% solutions are used, which are easy to prepare with your own hands.
Proportions and dosage
To prepare the solution you will need:
- pure water - 1 l;
- dry potassium permanganate - 0.5 g for 0.05%; 10 g for 1%; and 50 g for 5%.
Step-by-step cooking instructions
The drug is prepared as follows:
- Heat the water to a temperature of 40 ° C.
- Enter potassium permanganate depending on the desired intensity.
- Stir until the water turns purple.
- Filter the solution.
Potassium permanganate
Potassium permanganate is used for disinfection of seeds before sowing, seedlings in containers and tomatoes already planted in open soil.
Did you know? Potassium permanganate in some countries is prohibited for free sale and may fall into the hands of the buyer only by prescription.
Semen before sowing
Seed disinfection should occur according to the following algorithm:
- Dilute 1% solution in a small bowl.
- Put the seed in gauze or bandage and wrap it.
- Submerge the seed material in the solution container.
- After 20 minutes, remove the gauze and rinse under running water.
- Leave the seeds to dry completely.
Seedlings
Seedlings should be handled by watering and spraying. Water the soil with a solution of 0.05%. The procedure should be repeated twice, between each watering should take 10 days. Spraying is carried out by means of an intensity of 5%. It should be single. To do this, pour the drug into the spray bottle and generously process the tops.
Important! Unscheduled spraying is also useful in the development of late blight or other infections.
Ripening tomatoes
Immediately after planting, it is necessary to water the soil with 10 liters of a 0.05% solution. This will feed the root system of the plant with the necessary trace elements. During flowering, it is important to spray the bush with 5% preparation. The procedure should be carried out after fertilizers are applied to the soil.
The last time the tops should be sprayed with a solution of 5% 2 weeks before harvesting ripe fruits. This is important because of the high activity of late blight and infection that causes brown rot. Alternative methods include adding to 10 l of the product 1 chopped head of garlic.
Useful Tips
When undertaking spraying or watering tomatoes, pay attention to the following recommendations:
- potassium permanganate solution can also be processed containers before sowing seeds and picking in separate containers;
- when choosing a regime of regular irrigation of soil with potassium permanganate, the interval between procedures should be approximately 10-15 days;
- the use of the drug involves the use of protection for the skin of the hands and face.
Watering and treating tomato tops with potassium permanganate is useful and even necessary for the prevention of the development of various diseases and can be used as top dressing. With proper use of the drug and observing the necessary time and doses, you will get a good and high-quality crop from your tomato bush.
