How to feed cucumbers in a greenhouse and open field

When choosing what to feed the cucumbers, in no case do you need to overdo it with the introduction of dressings, this will not only not benefit the seedlings, but in general it can be harmful. If the soil is good, the harvest is rich, the plants are healthy, there are no enemies, then you should not apply a large amount of fertilizer - this advice is given by experienced gardeners. The other side of the coin: a sufficient amount of fertilizers is still needed for the adaptation of seedlings in the shortest possible time, for the normal growth and development of plants.

The better to feed cucumbers

When to feed cucumbers:

1.when the seeds germinate (August);
2. after planting (the phase of the beginning of growth in the soil);
3. when the fruits are poured;
4. in the autumn.

It is necessary to feed in three to four stages, or less, depending on the condition of the seedlings. With a deficiency of minerals, the leaves turn pale and curl. In this situation, spraying or watering the plants as soon as possible will help. Before planting cucumbers, mineral and organic fertilizers are applied to the soil, giving them time to dissolve. Fertilize with ready-made mixtures or solutions prepared by yourself.

Nitrogen fertilizers

Cucumbers need nitrogen only twice during the time they grow and bear fruit. This is the difference in their cultivation from the cultivation of other garden "neighbors". The first feeding is applied at the stage of "green mass gain" to strengthen the plant. The second feeding is carried out when the plant is actively bearing fruit, when the leaves and shoots are re-growing. What fertilizers are suitable for cucumbers: mineral salts, nitrogen-enriched chicken manure and mullein, an excellent nitrogenous fertilizer - weed compost (provided that the weeds are without seeds). The peculiarity of cucumbers: they are unable to accumulate salt, in other words, they have little sensitivity to minerals. Therefore, you can not overfeed cucumbers with nitrogenous fertilizers.

Superphosphate

Phosphate fertilizers are essential for the establishment and development of a strong root system. In the fall, phosphorus fertilizers are applied to a previously prepared place for cucumbers, since the plants have a weak root system, which does not allow reaching for nutrients deep into the soil. Superphosphate will help in this matter, it moves little in the ground, thanks to this it will provide food for cucumbers during the entire vegetative period. If the soil was not fertilized in advance with phosphorus fertilizer, then we add superphosphate already at the stage of plant growth by foliar feeding. Superphosphate is applied separately from manure, the main fertilizer, there is no superphosphate in it.

Potassium

Helps at the stage when the plant is flowering and bearing fruit. Used chloride and potassium sulfate. Potash fertilizers are applied in the spring with other nutrients. Then before the plant begins to bloom and set fruit. It is necessary to monitor whether there is potassium in the earth. This will tell you the appearance of the seedlings and how quickly or, conversely, slowly, the fruits grow. Replacement of minerals - ash, dissolved in water or dry, is sprinkled on the ground. In the fall, the soil is dug up with ash, and the ash is broken down into important elements.

What not to do

Horse manure should not be applied due to the fact that it contains a lot of ammonia, which leads to poisoning. Poisoned cucumbers, subjected to nitrate treatment, look like this: large, their skin is covered with yellow spots. It is dangerous to eat them if you do not cut off the peel and stalk.

"Thanks to" watering the soil with fertilizers at low temperatures, the roots rot, and the plant may die altogether.This is because the seedling stops or slows down growth when the temperature drops.

How to make fertilizers yourself

The first and main question that arises in the head of all gardeners is how to feed cucumber seedlings so that they give a rich harvest. The answer lies on the surface - folk natural fertilizers and additionally mineral complexes.

If you have an idea to grow seedlings in the springtime, then before planting, we fertilize the earth with superphosphate 10 days before planting so that the superphosphate reacts with the earth. For planting, you need moist soil, because cucumbers do not like dry times and places, especially they do not tolerate temperature extremes.

14 days after planting, water the ground with mullein infusion (200 g of manure or 150 g of chicken droppings dissolve in 10 liters of water). Manure contains valuable trace elements: zinc and copper, which have a beneficial effect on the quality of the taste of cucumbers. An important rule: do not overfeed the plant. If you overdo it, you can disrupt the delicate root system of cucumbers, the damaged part of the root will not recover, and the new one will grow for a long time. And we don't need this at all, right?

How to spray

Recipes: weeds, mown recently, pour water, leave for 14 days, a herbal infusion is obtained; potassium permanganate (3 g / 10 l of water) spray the leaves from above and below;

- brilliant green - contains copper (you need 30 drops / 10 l of water),
- baking soda (2 tbsp. L / 10 l of water, root feeding; 50 g of soda and 40 g of grated laundry soap / 10 l of water, from rot and enemies, for disinfection),
- boric acid (10 g / 10 l of water) with sugar in order to attract pollinators, seeds are also soaked separately in boric acid before planting;
- a solution of water, milk, iodine (10 l, 1 l, 30 drops, respectively), rubbed soap is also added, the solution helps in the treatment and nutrition of seedlings.

Feed the cucumbers by spraying or watering, preferably in the morning or in the evening, so that the direct rays of the sun do not hit the wet leaves. The best option for applying foliar dressing is to carry it out when it has rained or in a cloudy time.

In addition to all of the above, gardeners use: ash solution, banana peel, yeast, infusion of crackers, chalk, infusion of onion husks, organic matter from the kitchen in the form of waste.

How to properly feed cucumbers in greenhouse conditions

In autumn, soil is dug up, manure, compost, lime or dolomite flour are introduced to reduce the acidity of the soil.

When the plants are already in the greenhouse, they add phosphorus and potassium, they are necessary. Cucumbers are harmed when there is a deficiency or excess of nitrogen. Overabundance symptoms: the plant does not want to bloom and bear fruit, roughly speaking, it is lazy, many leaves are rich green, some leaves are curled. Nitrogen deficiency symptoms: the leaf turns yellow and falls off. We feed with minerals and organic fertilizers in small amounts, but often. It is necessary to feed the cucumbers every 7-10 days to control growth.

Signs of nutritional deficiency

If the leaves turn yellow and dry out (the so-called leaf burn), the cucumbers become hook-shaped, this means that the plant lack of potassium. In this case, you need to urgently add liquid potassium sulfate. How to feed the plants: potassium sulfate, you can add a complex of mixtures, manure dissolved in water.

Nitrogen deficiency: Leaves and shoots are affected. Symptoms: pale green leaves and shoots, defective cucumber set. Urea dissolved in water will save the day. The solution can be used both root and foliar. How to feed the plants: manure dissolved in water, nitrogen fertilizer (do not overdo it), urea.

Lack of phosphorus: inadequate root development, therefore, insufficient nutrition of the plant organs with other fertilizing, they will not be absorbed in the proper volumes. Symptoms: Leaves are reddish-purple in color, or even black at worst.Urgent spraying will help here, after a couple of days, water the ground under the plants. It doesn't matter what to feed, there is only one important condition: the preparation / solution must contain phosphorus and potassium.

Top dressing of cucumbers in the open field

What fertilizers should be used to feed cucumber seedlings in open soil for a rich generous harvest, while not harming the seedlings and the root system? We learn about this from professional gardeners with rich experience in growing cucumbers.

First, the seeds are soaked in the fall, it is possible in a soda solution, it is necessary to stand for 12 hours. Then the seeds are planted to germinate in nutrient-rich soil (rotted manure will "go well").

At the same time, we prepare the place for growing. It is necessary to dig up the soil with nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium scattered over it. In the fall we bring in fresh manure, during the winter microorganisms and bacteria will work well for it. If it was not possible to cultivate the soil in the fall, we transfer this matter to spring, but instead of manure we add compost, because in the spring manure is not applied. We apply a complex feeding 14 days before planting.

After planting, after 14 days, we feed the plants with liquid manure for the first time. The second dressing is applied before the flowers are set. Don't forget to add potassium at this stage. Pay attention to the appearance of flowers, their number, sizes. Spraying with microelements in the complex will save the ovary if it is rather weak.

For better pollination, we use a honey solution by root feeding or spray the leaves with sweetened water. From the second summer month, you need to feed it once a week so that the plants bear fruit again and again.

At the end of the growth of the fruits, at the beginning of autumn, when it is time for rains and low temperature conditions, you need to remove the greens and prepare the soil for the next cultivation.

What and when to feed cucumbers - video

Thank you for your attention! Follow these recommendations from experienced gardeners, and then a bountiful harvest is guaranteed for you.