Content:
On the territory of Russia, cucumbers can be grown both in a greenhouse and in the open field under a film cover or without it. Caring for them, regardless of the cultivation method, is about the same, but the landing dates are different. It is worth understanding the timing and conditions of planting cucumbers, depending on the growing method.
Conditions for planting cucumbers in a greenhouse
To get a good harvest of cucumbers in a greenhouse, certain conditions must be met:
- Only self-pollinated varieties are grown in the greenhouse.
- Seedlings are planted at the age of 25-28 days.
- The soil requires special preparation. It should be fertile, fairly loose, with low acidity, and disinfected.
- The planting should not be thickened. The distance between plants must be at least 40 cm.
Conditions for planting cucumbers in open ground
The method of growing cucumbers in the open field is quite popular, however, it has one drawback - the first harvest of cucumbers can be harvested not earlier than mid-summer. Otherwise, it is quite comfortable.
And yet, there are also several conditions to be met here. Their implementation will allow you to get the earliest and most abundant harvest.
The soil
Several requirements are imposed on the soil, since it depends on its composition how quickly cucumbers will grow.
Looseness of the soil is very important. For the normal development of the root system, cucumbers need loose soil. Since cucumbers have a superficial root system, they strongly react to temperature extremes and oxygen deficiency. You can visually assess the looseness of the soil.
The beds should be located according to a certain principle: it is best to do them across the slope, that the slope was to the south. The beds arranged in this way provide unobstructed sunlight.
Seeds
In order for the seeds to sprout faster and be more resistant to diseases, it is necessary to carry out pre-planting treatment. Within a couple of hours, the seeds must be warmed up at a temperature of about 60 degrees. After that, they are placed in a special growth stimulant solution for 12 hours. This not only allows them to ascend faster, but also has a beneficial effect on the growth and development of plants.
Planting method
Planting holes are prepared in advance. The distance between the bushes is at least 40 cm. Up to 5 seeds are placed in the hole, after watering the soil. If the land does not fully meet the necessary requirements, you can increase the number of seeds.
Conditions for planting cucumbers under a film shelter
In most regions, air temperatures stabilize by mid-summer. And cucumbers react quite sharply to its changes, therefore, an alternative to cultivating cucumbers in the open field can be growing them under a film cover.
For planting cucumbers under the film, beds are made, slightly higher in height than usual. The beds must be well fertilized, this is necessary for the rapid growth of the crop. Up to 6 plants are planted per square meter.
When to plant cucumbers under film
The timing of planting cucumbers under the film depends on the temperature of the air and soil. Moreover, they are the same for planting both seeds and seedlings.
To determine when to plant seeds for seedlings, you need to study the weather forecast, see what temperature is expected in the next month, since cucumbers are planted in seedlings no older than 30 days.
When to plant cucumbers with seeds? The answer is simple - it depends on the average daily temperature. The temperature during planting seedlings and sowing seeds directly into the ground should be above 15 degrees; at lower rates, the plant stops growing. Accordingly, if May promises to be warm, you can sow cucumber seeds for seedlings in mid-April. In the event that forecasters predict late spring, it is better to postpone this procedure until the end of April. In the ground, planting seedlings and sowing seeds is carried out not earlier than the end of May-beginning of June.
If, nevertheless, the choice is made in favor of the seedling method, do not forget that cucumbers do not like transplanting. In this case, peat cups are an excellent alternative to traditional boxes.
Seedlings are also fed when the plant has 2 true leaves. After 10 days, the procedure can be repeated. Watered no more than 1 time in 3 days. Excessive watering contributes to root rot.
It is necessary to carefully approach the choice of the landing site. It should be well lit and, if possible, low-ventilated.
Cucumber care
Like any other crop, cucumbers need care. Moreover, they are very responsive to him. It is proper care that will allow you to get a higher yield.
First works
If the seeds were planted directly into the ground, thinning is performed after the emergence of seedlings. 3 cucumbers are left per hole, weaker plants are removed, and healthy, but superfluous plants are transplanted into those holes where the cucumbers did not rise. If this procedure is not carried out in the allotted time, the plants will stretch out strongly, weaken, the lateral shoots will develop poorly, and it is they that give the bulk of the fruit.
Cucumbers also need hilling. The first hilling is carried out in the phase of 2-3 true leaves.
At the same time, the second thinning is carried out. This time, only the two strongest shoots are left in the hole.
In the future, as the plant grows, the soil also needs to be loosened, but this is done in a certain way. For this, use a pitchfork. They simply pierce the ground near the roots. This method allows you to leave intact the roots located at the surface, and at the same time provide additional access to oxygen.
In case of heavy rains in hot weather, a crust may form on the surface. It is necessary to loosen it directly with your hands and very carefully, again so that the roots remain unharmed.
Weeding
Growing plants under a film cover not only promotes the growth of cucumbers, but also the growth of weeds. They grow much faster than in the open field, so it is important to weed in a timely manner.
The first weeding may even have to be done before germination. It is necessary for the emerging plants to receive a sufficient amount of light and nutrients. In the subsequent time, weeding is carried out as needed. During the season, at least three more weeding will be required.
Basic care
Cucumbers grow best at a temperature of 20-25 degrees, but in the daytime, even at a lower temperature, the film must be removed.This is done in order to provide insects with unhindered access to plants for pollination.
During the period of ovary formation, it is necessary to monitor the appearance of the plant. Any yellowed leaves and twisted buds should be removed so that they do not take away nutrients from healthy plants.
When growing in open ground under a film cover, it is not necessary to remove stepchildren, as is done in a greenhouse. Here they contribute to more active plant growth and development of the root system, and therefore, an increase in yield.
During the period of active fruiting, one should not allow the lashes of plants to come out from under the film shelter, since the cold night temperature contributes to the development of diseases. In particular, the plant can be affected by powdery mildew, which adversely affects fruiting.
Cucumbers should be covered with plastic wrap at night. This process is quite laborious, but necessary. At night and in the early morning hours, there is a high probability of fog and dew falling, which negatively affects plants. If you are not lazy and fulfill all the conditions, then the cucumbers will bear fruit for 2-3 months.
Top dressing
Cucumbers should be fed at least once a month. Do it with mullein or mineral fertilizers. The first is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10, the second - a matchbox for a bucket of water.
The timing of feeding cucumbers is also determined by their growth.
The first feeding is done in the lateral shoot phase. The timing of the second feeding coincides with the budding stage. During mass fruiting, foliar feeding is performed. Urea is used for it. 10-15 grams are diluted in 10 liters of water, and the leaves of the plant are sprayed with this solution. You can also use manganese and boric acid for foliar feeding. The result from their application is obvious.
Disease protection
Like any cultivated plants, cucumbers are susceptible to various diseases. They are most susceptible to diseases such as bacteriosis. Of the pests, the most dangerous is the spider mite. As soon as the first signs of spider mite damage appeared, it is necessary to start treatment.
Thiophos is used for spraying. It is recommended to carry out processing up to three times. Planting fortified green vegetables, such as spinach or Chinese cabbage, next to cucumbers, is a biological defense method.
Watering
Cucumbers are very susceptible to watering.
On average, I water it once a week. During the fruiting period, the frequency of watering is increased.
Removing the film from greenhouses
In the process of caring for a cucumber crop, the question arises as to when it is necessary to remove the film. You don't need to do this by covering the cucumbers throughout the season.
But, as a rule, the film will have to be removed in order to facilitate the care of the garden and prevent overheating. It is necessary to wait until the threat of a sharp drop in temperature at night passes, and the average daily temperature is at least 12 degrees.
Also, don't forget about ventilation. The first airing takes place when the plant has a second true leaf. If the plant was planted with seedlings under a film, ventilation must be carried out from the moment of planting.
So, for the good development of the plant and obtaining a high yield, a number of conditions must be met:
- Warm watering.
- Temperature conditions.
- Top dressing.
- Timely harvest.
Compliance with all these conditions will allow you to get an excellent harvest of cucumbers.There is one more little trick that will allow you to get a high yield of cucumbers. You should never plant one variety, it is better to plant 4-5 different varieties at the same time.