Is it possible to accelerate the growth of cucumbers outdoors?

Each of us loves to eat vegetables, especially cucumbers, and of course every gardener asks whether it is possible to accelerate the growth of cucumbers planted in open ground. What adversely affects cucumbers, how to plant them properly, water and season them, as well as what sores and pests exist and how to deal with them - you can easily find all the detailed information about this and answers to questions in this article.

What has a devastating effect on cucumbers

When growing cucumbers, you should be aware that excess potash fertilizers negatively affect the ability of cucumbers to absorb nitrogen, which leads to thinning of seedlings, and the foliage begins to brighten. But it is worth noting that with an excess of nitrogen, all the energy is spent on the growth of foliage and stem, while it could go into the growth of fruits, thereby accelerating their ripening. Accordingly, the cucumbers themselves will be smaller, and nitrates will accumulate in them. In addition, cucumbers will be sensitive to fungi, and such fruits are very dangerous to eat, they can be poisoned. If cucumbers have an excess of phosphorus, this can be recognized by the change in the color of the foliage from green to purple, necrotic spots appear, the nutritional value decreases, the vegetables will be small, and their taste is not very pleasant.

Growing cucumbers: how to plant them in open ground

If you decide to abandon seedlings, and plant seeds directly into open ground, both dry and germinated seeds are suitable for this, the latter, of course, will germinate faster and seedlings will appear. Before soaking the seeds, it is recommended to harden them - for this, the seeds are wrapped in damp gauze, then put in any dish and put in the refrigerator for a couple of days, periodically checking that the gauze remains wet. If stored in a cool, dry place, cucumber seeds can be stored for up to 12 years. When planting cucumbers with seeds, you can use both purchased seeds and collected yourself. Note that 4-5 year old seeds have the highest yield, while last year's seeds have the lowest yield. In order to plant cucumber seeds in open ground, planting material can be taken both dry and sprouted. In order for the cucumber seeds to take root successfully, we strongly advise you to carry out additional seed treatment: - the seeds are disinfected to avoid sores.

The most popular folk remedies are potassium permanganate solution, brilliant green solution, aloe juice; - the seeds are soaked and germinated. To do this, the seeds are wrapped in damp gauze (or damp cloth), after which they are placed in water for a couple of days; - the seeds are hardened to develop immunity. Before direct planting, the seeds are kept in the cold for a couple of days. After that, the seeds are ready for sowing. It is necessary to start planting only when the soil has warmed up to at least +12 degrees, and the temperature regime of the air should be stable at about +14. To begin with, on the garden bed, you need to prepare grooves or holes, 2 cm deep, spill them with water, then spread the seeds at a distance of about 5 to 10 cm from each other.You can immediately put several seeds together, if several seeds sprout at once, then leave the most healthy, strong sprout. Of course, the seedling method has more advantages, and for the northern regions it is the only way to get a harvest.

Cucumbers do not dive, because there is a high risk of damaging the root system, after which the plants get sick.Therefore, seeds for seedlings are immediately sown either in plastic cups or in peat pots that can withstand a temperature of 25 degrees until the seeds germinate. If the seedlings are elongated, then they need to provide more light and sun. When planting cucumbers, do not forget the rules of crop rotation. When choosing a place, keep in mind that this is a very thermophilic plant, you need to choose a sunny bed, any shadow will negatively affect the harvest. Sand protects well from root rot, which should be used to process the necks of seedlings.

Cucumber growth: how to water properly

Moisture for cucumbers is very important, therefore, in no case should it dry out, this can affect the yield and taste of the fruit. It is recommended to water cucumbers with warm water in order to exclude the appearance of rot. To keep the earth moist, fertilizers are applied. It is also worth noting that the fertilized soil is looser, therefore, it is not afraid of compaction, which can harm the growth of cucumbers.

Growing cucumbers: fertilizing

For the whole season, it is enough for cucumber bushes to make 3-7 dressings. For this, mineral or organic fertilizers are used, and according to the method of application, there are root and foliar dressings. The first feeding is carried out 15 days after planting with the following solution: for 20 liters of water, 2 glasses of chicken or quail droppings and 2 tablespoons of nitrophoska. The second feeding is carried out at the beginning of flowering: about 2 tablespoons of sulphate must be diluted into 20 liters of water, after which it is diluted with a liter of manure. The third feeding is carried out during the period of mass offering: for 10 liters of water, 10 grams of urea. The fourth feeding is also carried out during the offering period, to extend this period: for 10 liters of water, 14 grams of urea.

Disease prevention and pest control

For the prevention of sores, we strongly recommend disinfecting the seeds before planting, after planting to create favorable conditions for the growth and fruiting of cucumbers. You can also add ash and spray with a solution of potassium permanganate.

One of the most dangerous diseases - peronosporosis (downy mildew) - can lead to the death of cucumbers in 2 weeks. The reason is moisture on the leaves for at least 7 hours, which is why it is recommended to water the cucumbers no later than 4 hours so that the leaves have time to dry. After the first signs of peronosporosis (yellow spots on the leaves, white bloom on the shoots), it is necessary to create a moisture content of less than 80%, and the temperature should not drop below +22 degrees. Treat twice a day with a solution of copper sulfate with calcium hydroxide. Or use drugs such as Ordan, "Previkur Energy",

"Topaz". Powdery mildew - the appearance of white blotchy spots on the foliage, cucumber stems, as a result, the leaves dry out and fruiting stops. The reason most often is an excess of nitrogen fertilizers or irregular watering. To combat this sore, plants must be sprayed with topsin or colloidal sulfur. Or use drugs such as "HOM",

"Topaz". Cladosporium - the stems, as well as the fruits, are covered with brown sores, which over time increase in size and become darker. The cause of the disease is plant debris. After the first signs of cladosporium disease, stop watering for 5 days, maintain a 20-degree temperature, treat with a solution of Bordeaux liquid, or a solution of copper oxychloride, or use the preparations "Fundazol" or "Oxyhom".

Sclerotinia is the appearance of a white bloom on foliage, stems and fruits. The source is mushrooms that winter in winter, as well as waterlogging of the soil. The affected areas must be cut off, and the place of cuts must be treated with plenty of lime.

Gray rot - with this disease, the plant is completely covered with brown spots with a grayish bloom. The reason is an excess of moisture and low temperature. Areas affected by gray rot should be treated with Rovral or Bayleton preparations.

Root rot - the leaves of the plant wither noticeably, and then dry out altogether, and the roots after excavation take on a red color. The reason may be unfavorable conditions for the growth of cucumbers. It is necessary to stimulate the appearance of new roots, as an option, a 5 cm plant is sprinkled with fertile soil, and then spilled with warm water. If the plant died and it was not possible to save it, it is necessary to dig it up, and the tool should be thoroughly washed in soapy water.

Anthracnose (copperhead) - brown spots appear, the foliage withers and dries up, and the fruits themselves are covered with wet sores. The main cause of the disease is infected seeds, and copperhead spreads by watering the plant with cold water.

In order for the growth of cucumbers to be fruitful and not threatened by anything, it is also necessary to deal with pests.

Medvedka is a soil pest, very dangerous for seeds and seedlings. She is able to kill 20 cucumber bushes per day. For the fight, use the drug "Terradox" - it is suitable for the fight against all soil pests.

The melon aphid and whitefly — the appearance of three or more insects — is dangerous for plants. The preparations "Biotlin", "Tanrekom", "Aktara" are suitable for the fight. And ideally, attracting ladybirds to your garden is the best enemy.

Sprout fly - the flies themselves are harmless, the main danger is their larvae, which the flies lay on the newly laid manure. Make sure to plant cucumbers in the ground with manure already applied in advance.

Spider mite - lives on the back of the leaf. Eating on the juice of cucumbers, it burns through the foliage, which subsequently leads to its drying out. It is very difficult to get rid of it, therefore the solution to this problem is chemistry, for example, Fitoverm M.

Thrips - pierce foliage and also suck sap, affecting the development of cucumbers. The preparations "Tanrekom", "Aktara" are suitable for the fight. To combat sores and pests, you can use not only chemical preparations, but also biological ones, such as "Glyokladina", "Baktofit", "Alirina B", "Gamair".