With the arrival of summer and temperatures soaring in Saudi Arabia, sometimes exceeding 45 degrees Celsius, gardening enthusiasts and farmers face a real challenge in maintaining the health of their trees. Incorrect fertilization during this scorching season can be the direct cause of your plants' death instead of saving them. This is where the best summer fertilizers for trees come in, stimulating abundant production in the coming season. This comprehensive guide will be your compass for understanding the secrets of summer fertilization, from palm trees to mangoes, and from citrus to ornamental trees. Keep reading to transform your garden into a green oasis, even on the hottest summer days.
Why is fertilizing trees different in the summer than in the other seasons?
Fertilizing trees in summer differs due to the effects of intense heat and dry soil. At temperatures exceeding 40°C, some trees enter a state of heat stress. Microbial activity in the soil slows down, and sap flow within the tree changes. Traditional fertilizers that work effectively in spring can become toxic in summer if not used carefully.
Is it permissible to fertilize trees in the Saudi summer?
Yes, fertilization is permissible and even necessary in the summer, but with a completely different system to avoid burning the roots in hot weather.
A common misconception is that dry soil absorbs fertilizer. The opposite is true. When temperatures are high and the soil is dry, the concentration of salts around the tree roots increases, leading to a condition known as root burn. Symptoms appear on the leaves: scorched tips, abnormal yellowing, and then sudden leaf drop. To avoid this disaster in the Saudi climate:
- Never fertilize before an expected severe heat wave.
- Make sure the soil is moist before fertilizing but not waterlogged.
- Avoid highly concentrated, fast-dissolving fertilizers during the peak of summer.
Best fertilizer for trees in summer
Choosing the best fertilizer for trees in the summer depends on several factors: the type of tree, its age, and the type of soil. Here's a comparison of the top 7 options available at Al-Talib Store:
- NPK 20-20-20: For all stages of growth from seedling to fruiting.
- High potassium fertilizer: Specially designed to increase water absorption efficiency and ideal for the desert.
- Humic acid (liquid): Used to revive the soil and improve its ability to retain water and nutrients.
- Urea Tal 45 fertilizer: To promote and accelerate vegetative growth (leaves and stems).
The best fertilizer for fruit trees in the summer
Fertilizing fruit trees in the summer is your real investment. These trees go through a critical stage of fruit formation and ripening, such as mangoes and citrus fruits, or storing food for the next season, such as palm trees after harvesting dates.
Citrus fertilizer in the summer
Lemon and orange trees need a concentrated dose of potassium in the summer to improve fruit quality and increase sweetness. Look for an NPK 13-7-40 formula with added micronutrients (iron, zinc, manganese). Avoid excessive nitrogen at this stage, as it encourages vegetative growth at the expense of fruit production.
Mango fertilizer in the heat
Mangoes are very sensitive to heat stress. Use a liquid fertilizer rich in potassium and calcium to improve skin firmness and prevent fruit cracking. Foliar spraying with micronutrients in the morning is also very effective.
Palm and date fertilizer
A mature palm tree needs large amounts of potassium after pollination and before the harvest season.
The best fertilizer for ornamental trees and gardens in the summer
Ornamental trees such as poinciana, bougainvillea, and ficus require a balanced fertilizer during the summer to encourage flowering and maintain leaf greenness. Therefore, in home gardens, it is preferable to use an NPK 20-20-20 formula at half the recommended dosage on the package. This ensures the tree receives its essential nutrients without causing excessive vegetative growth that the roots cannot support in the heat.
How to fertilize palm trees in the summer
Palm trees are a symbol and part of the identity of Saudi Arabia. Fertilizing dates and palm trees in the summer also follows a specific protocol.
Summer palm fertilization stages
- Immediately after fruit set (June): Focus on potassium (K) to strengthen the fruit stalks and prevent fruit drop.
- Fruit growth stage (July - August): Add nitrogen in a moderate proportion with potassium to improve the size of the date.
- One month before harvest: Stop nitrogen fertilization, and stick to potassium and micronutrients (especially magnesium and boron) to improve the color and taste of the dates.
Application method for palm trees in Saudi Arabia
Spread the granular fertilizer under the palm tree's canopy (the root zone), not directly at the trunk. Then water thoroughly immediately. Avoid fertilizing if the temperature exceeds 45°C.
You may be interested in: The best fertilizer for vegetative growth
How to use the best fertilizer for trees in the summer without burning the roots
Here's how to use the best fertilizer for trees in the summer without burning the roots:
- Pre-watering: Water the tree thoroughly 24 hours before fertilizing. Moist soil distributes salts rather than concentrating them.
- Choosing the right time (fertilization): 6 pm or just after sunset. The temperature drops, and the humidity rises relatively.
- Dilution: If you are using a liquid fertilizer, use half the concentration written on the package, and increase the number of fertilizations instead of increasing the concentration.
- Post-watering: After applying the fertilizer, water again with a generous amount to push the fertilizer into the deep root zone.
- Monitoring: After 3 days, check the leaf tips. If scorching appears, stop fertilizing immediately and water thoroughly to leach out the salts.
Common mistakes in fertilizing trees in summer that kill your plants
Here are some common mistakes in fertilizing trees with the best fertilizer for trees in the summer that can kill your plants:
- Random mixing: Mixing urea with potassium sulfate and spraying it onto dry soil. This causes complete root burn within a week.
- Fertilizing at midday (12-3 pm): Foliar fertilizers at temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius will completely burn the leaves. The leaves will look as if they have been scorched by fire.
- Overdosing: The misconception that more fertilizer equals more production. In fact, overdosing increases salinity and inhibits water absorption.
- Ignore the soil type: Sandy soils, like most of Saudi Arabia's, do not retain fertilizer. They require frequent fertilization in small amounts, not one large application.
- Neglecting to irrigate after fertilization: Fertilizer without water is poison to the plant.
Al-Talib Store offers the best fertilizer for trees in the summer.
Here's why you should choose Al Talib Store as a trusted partner that provides you with genuine products:
- 100% genuine products: We import the best international fertilizers that conform to Saudi specifications.
- Agricultural consulting team: Our team will determine the best fertilizer for trees in the summer based on your region and soil type.
- Competitive prices: We provide the highest quality at the lowest prices in the Saudi market.
- Fast delivery: We deliver your order to your doorstep in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Mecca, and all cities of the Kingdom.
- Guarantee of return: If you are not satisfied with the product, we will refund your money immediately.
Conclusion
Fertilizing trees in Saudi Arabia's summer is an art that requires a delicate balance between the tree's need for nutrients and the risks of heat and salinity. The best fertilizer for trees in the summer is a balanced, sometimes slow-release, sometimes diluted liquid fertilizer, with a consistent focus on potassium to boost immunity. Visit our website and get the best selection of original summer fertilizers now from Al Talib Store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use urea (46%) for my trees in July?
Not recommended. High nitrogen urea promotes the growth of tender leaves that cannot tolerate heat. If necessary, use it very diluted (one tablespoon per 10 liters of water) as an evening foliar spray only.
When should I stop fertilizing completely in the summer?
If the temperature exceeds 48 degrees Celsius and continues for several days, stop any chemical fertilization, and only use compost or irrigation until the heat wave breaks.
Citrus trees have yellow leaves despite fertilization, what is the reason?
Yellowing in summer is often caused by iron (Fe) deficiency due to high soil temperatures. Foliar application of chelated iron is preferable to soil application in this case. Try the chelated iron product from Al-Talib Store.