Many, I, too, practice growing cucumbers in several stages, or rather, in several terms. First, I plant them in a greenhouse in a seedling way to try the first cucumbers as early as possible. Then I sow seeds in open ground - we eat these all summer, we make preparations. Here we will consider whether seed germination is necessary before sowing, discuss the reasons for the absence of ovaries on plants, get acquainted with the rules of plant formation during vertical cultivation or grown.
Growing Cucumbers - Germinating Seeds
Many people care about the question - is it necessary to germinate the seeds of cucumbers before sowing? I try to germinate. Sometimes, of course, there is not enough time for this, but I try ... Why? The answer is very simple - so that everyone ascends. After all, what purpose does any gardener pursue - everything that we plant needs to be grown, but for this, everything must come up.
It is often written on imported seeds of cucumbers: processed with a tiram - do not soak. But germination is not soaking. Germination - this is when the seeds are placed in a humid environment - on cotton wool, marlage, filter paper. At the same time, a solution of any one of the following growth stimulators can be used to moisturize: Novosil, Radiance -2, HB-101, Gumistar.
Solutions for seed germination are prepared as follows:
- Radiance-2 - 1 teaspoon of the drug + 1 teaspoon of sugar + 1 cup of water (settled, warm - 30 ° -35 ° C, non-chlorinated) - insist 8-12 hours;
- HB-101 or Novosil - 1-3 drops per 1 liter of water - withstand at least a day or until the seeds are bite.
Cucumbers are thermophilic plants. When germinating, the seeds should be at a temperature of 25 ° -30 ° C - usually this temperature is near the heating battery. As soon as they hatch, they immediately need to be sown.
Germinated seeds of cucumbers “pop up” from the ground on the second or third day. After germination, they need light and a temperature of 20 ° -23 ° C.
Try to feed cucumber seedlings 2 times a week. For root top dressing, use, alternating, such drugs as Biohumus or Gumistar, Radiance-2. For foliar - NV-101, Novosil.
How to determine the timing of landing? Usually we plant seedlings of cucumbers in a greenhouse or open ground 20 days after germination.
When transplanting, try not to injure the roots. Therefore, the germinated seeds of cucumbers must be planted on seedlings in large pots or containers - at least 400-500 ml.
Seeds of cucumbers retain germination up to 8 years. The optimal shelf life is 5-6 years. It is said that plants obtained from old seeds bear fruit better, their productivity is higher.
Why do cucumbers have few ovaries or do they turn yellow and fall?
These are very sore points for many gardeners.
- One of the reasons for the low number of ovaries is improper storage and preparation of seeds. For example, the seeds are overdried, stored in a warm place. Or, on the contrary, the seeds were stored in a too wet place, musty, lost their germination. It may be too old seeds.
- The second reason is the thickening of crops. This is the main reason why the ovaries turn yellow and fall. Cucumbers require a large area. It is impossible to thicken the landing. Where will the plants get strength and nutrients from? There is not enough space for food. Therefore, they will discard the fruits in order to survive. The minimum distance between plants is 40-50 cm. If you plant varieties with limited growth of lateral shoots (read the description on the back of the bag of seeds), then the distance may be less than 40 cm. For varieties with unlimited growth of lateral shoots (Phoenix), the distance between the roots must be at least 80 cm.
- The third is the cultivation of cucumbers without formation. Formation is needed to increase fruiting only for bee pollinated varieties with abundant branching (for example, the same Phoenix), since they tie fruit on the branches of the second, third order.
- The fourth - sharp fluctuations in soil moisture - overdried, then watered plentifully. Cucumbers, for example, only bloomed, ovaries appeared, and the soil was dry. Where do they get food from? The plant, saving itself from death, takes energy from leaves, ovaries. The ovaries turn yellow and crumble - there will be no harvest. If you cannot systematically water your beds, then protect them from drying out by mulching. A layer of mulch 5-7 cm. How can you mulch cucumbers? The best mulch for them is nettle. Nothing will rot, no slugs or snails will get to your crop.
- The fifth is hot, dry air. Growing cucumbers in a greenhouse requires frequent ventilation. In addition, it is desirable that there is a container of water to maintain and control air humidity.
- Sixth - irregular harvesting. In time, not picked fruits do not allow young cucumbers to develop.
What do cucumbers need for development? What conditions should be created for regular and plentiful fruiting?
- Nutritious soil - cucumber is very responsive to organics.
- Warm soil - do not plant them if the temperature of the soil is below 15 ° C. You can "warm" the greenhouse by placing between the plants along the beds ordinary plastic bottles filled with water. It is better to use bottles made of dark plastic, as they will better accumulate heat. During the day, the sun will heat bottled water, and at night they will give their heat to plants.
- Loose soil - the root system of a cucumber is located close to the soil surface, if it is covered with a crust, then the roots will have nothing to breathe.
- Wet soil - not a single plant will grow in dry soil.
There is another important feature of cucumbers. Wherever you plant seedlings, in open ground or a greenhouse, it must be planted in holes. That is, cucumbers should grow in the recess. Then, during watering, the water will not spill, it will go directly to the roots. In addition, such a planting will allow you to pour the soil into the hole on time to form additional roots - this will increase not only the fruiting time, but also the yield.
If you have planted seedlings in open ground, then to protect it from possible frosts, temporary shelter is necessary.
Pinching and shaping cucumbers
How to form cucumber plants? Do I need to pinch them?
Varietal, non-hybrid cucumbers grown in open ground (mainly bee pollinated varieties with unlimited growth), pinch over 3-4 leaves, as their side lashes are more fruitful. Such varieties usually grow grown, that is, they spread along the surface. This method of growing cucumbers has its pros and cons. Advantages - a good microclimate, the earth is hidden from the sun, the lashes do not dry out, additional roots form on the shoots. Disadvantages - inconvenience of harvesting, possible inadvertent damage to the shoots during harvesting, a lot of space is needed for the beds.
Growing cucumbers on a trellis. Advantages - space saving, convenient to harvest, convenient to process, spray. Disadvantages - you need to protect the landing from the wind, you need to shade the soil - mulching is necessary.
How to form cucumbers that grow vertically on a trellis?
With the vertical cultivation of varieties and hybrids with strong lateral branching, it is necessary to break off the lower 4 leaves. This is necessary for better ventilation. There will still be no harvest below, and the benefits of such an operation are significant.
In the process of growth of cucumbers, side lashes should be constantly shortened, forming a plant in the form of a pyramid at the top, i.e. the lower side lashes will be shorter than the upper ones. For example, the bottom 4 leaves or shoots were cut off, on the 5-6-shoots left 2 sheets, on the next - 3 sheets, above - four and so on, until the main shoot reaches the top of the greenhouse. Then you can lower this lash down, while leaving one sheet on the main branch. This is a professional scheme for forming a cucumber plant. The density of landing with such a reverse pyramidal formation should be 50-60 cm.
If you grow varieties or hybrids with limited lateral branching in a vertical way, then they do not need to be formed.
I would also like to draw your attention to the preferred "neighbors" when growing cucumbers. These are onions and carrots. In addition, cucumbers are very fond of when corn grows nearby. They can wander along it and feel great in such conditions. Cucumbers do not mind the neighborhood with nasturtium, radishes, beets, bush beans, peas. Marigolds planted nearby will scare away pests from them.