The agrotechnics of the seedling method of growing cucumbers is not as complicated as that of eggplants, but some rules must be understood and learned in advance. So, in this lesson we will talk about seedlings of cucumbers.
How to grow cucumber seedlings
Sowing seeds of cucumbers for seedlings
The timing of sowing seeds for seedlings depends on the timing of planting seedlings in the ground. Seedlings should be 25-30 days old. Therefore, if you plan to plant in a greenhouse at the end of May, then sow in early May. Cucumbers are such a crop that may well help you provide a garden conveyor: when some varieties are already βdepartingβ, others will still bear fruit.Β
Pre-sowing preparation of cucumber seeds
We recommend soaking cucumber seeds before sowing for 15-20 minutes in a 1% solution of potassium permanganate. Rinse the seeds under running water and dry on a paper towel at room temperature. You can treat the seeds with biological products, such as Epin, Gibberellin.
The choice of soil for growing seedlings of cucumbers
To grow cucumber seedlings, light in composition, but moisture-intensive soil mixtures, water and breathable, saturated with organic and mineral fertilizers are needed. It is better to use ready-made soil from a trusted manufacturer. Such land is enriched with mineral fertilizers, which contribute to the rapid formation of the root system, and will provide good nutrition for seedlings of cucumbers.
Choosing a container for growing seedlings of cucumbers
Cucumber is grown without picking, so sowing should be carried out in separate peat, plastic pots or cups from fermented milk products. Whatever container you choose, remember that it must be well drained. If there are no drainage holes in plastic or cardboard containers, make them.
Technology of sowing seeds of cucumbers for seedlings
We additionally lay drainage at the bottom of the tank, then the soil mixture, which we spill well. In the center of the container we make a recess of 0,5-1 cm, we put the seed in it.Β
SeDeK specialists lay 2 seeds each and after germination leave one, better developed plant, and remove the other by pinching at the soil level. Sprinkle the seeds 1,0-1,5 cm with dry soil, slightly compact and moisten with a spray bottle. Cover the crops with a film to create greenhouse conditions.
Cucumber seedling care
Pots with cucumber crops are placed before germination in a warm place: + 26 … + 28 Β° Π‘. We do not water the soil mixture, but only moisten it with the same spray gun if necessary. As for fertilizers, those fertilizers that have already been added to the finished soil mixture will be enough. Additional feeding is not required.Β
The first shoots of cucumbers can be expected already for 3-5 days. Shelter can be removed when mass shoots appear. Containers with seedlings can be transferred to the windowsill. Lighting should be uniform. It is better to turn the containers over so that the plants receive the same amount of light. Otherwise, the seedlings will stretch towards more intense lighting. Therefore, if possible, use additional lighting. This is especially true for early sowings. In addition, cucumber plants have a fairly powerful leaf apparatus, so as seedlings grow, it is better to increase the distance between plants so that the leaves do not block sunlight from each other.Β
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After the appearance of cotyledon leaves, the optimum temperature for growing seedlings will be + 20 … + 22 Β° C during the day, and + 18 Β° C at night. A week before planting seedlings in a permanent place, you can begin to harden it off.
Terms of planting seedlings of cucumbers in the ground
1. Planting cucumbers on the balcony
Cucumbers can be planted on a glazed balcony from mid-May. Here the air warms up very quickly, and night temperature drops are not so terrible.
2. Planting cucumbers in a greenhouse
It is better to plant seedlings of cucumbers in the greenhouse a little later – towards the end of May. Just at this time, the nights become warmer. So that plants can normally adapt to new conditions and begin to actively develop. If you grow cucumbers without seedlings, then it is better to postpone planting for another 1-2 weeks. Young plants require much more heat.
3. Planting cucumbers in open ground
In open ground, cucumbers are planted last. Here, until the beginning of June, there is a very high probability of night frosts, so it is better to postpone planting.
And, of course, cucumbers in the open field must be additionally covered at night. Otherwise, they may not survive strong temperature changes.
How to grow cucumbers at home
Separately, it is worth noting the cultivation of cucumbers at home. This is interesting for those who love to tinker with plants, but do not have their own garden, and those who can not wait to start their summer season earlier. Planted side by side, several cucumber plants will decorate a balcony, veranda, loggia or even a windowsill. But they will not only delight you with beautiful rich greens, but also fragrant greens.
A place to grow cucumbers at homeΒ
When growing on a window, choose a place depending on your capabilities and the conditions of your apartment. Consider the main thing: the optimal direction of the windows is east or southeast. This should be the brightest spot in the room.Β
Sowing seeds and planting seedlings
You can sow cucumber seeds for seedlings as early as early February, and plant seedlings after 3 weeks, at the age of 3-4 true leaves. But with such an early sowing, additional illumination of the plant is necessary. If you do not have the opportunity for additional lighting, it is better to sow the seeds later – in the first decade of March.Β
When grown on an unheated balcony, veranda or loggia, seeds are sown at the traditional time – in early April. The air temperature is very important, at night it should not fall below + 16 Β°. The conditions can be controlled with the balcony door. It is worth remembering that the balcony has more light and higher humidity.Β
Container for growing cucumbers at homeΒ
For growing cucumber vines, pick up a reliable pot with drainage holes at the bottom, with a volume of at least 5 liters. For better drainage, expanded clay should be placed on the bottom. The soil is recommended to be purchased ready-made. The pH level of the soil should be in the range of 6,6-6,8.Β
Watering and caring for homemade cucumbers
Water the plants regularly, under the root, from a watering can with small holes. In the first 5 axils of the leaves, it is better to carry out “blinding” – the removal of the ovaries. This technique will give strength to increase the leaf mass, with the help of which the plant will later give a good harvest of cucumbers.
Once every 2 weeks, feed the cucumbers with a complex mineral fertilizer. Please note: during fruiting, it is necessary to reduce the application of nitrogen fertilizer and increase the proportion of potash fertilizers and trace elements. When growing cucumbers on a windowsill, it is advisable to have a humidifier indoors. Remember that overheating is possible from the battery under the window.Β
What varieties of cucumbers are suitable for growing at home
The success of growing cucumbers indoors will ensure the right choice of variety! For harvest at home, only early ripe, parthenocarpic and shade-tolerant hybrids are suitable. They will bear fruit without additional illumination, without pollination by insects. It is very important! With the wrong selection, all efforts will be in vain. We recommend smooth-fruited salad hybrids: very early F1 Mustafa, early ripe F1 Strauss, F1 Schubert, mid-ripening F1 Vivaldi, F1 Window and Balcony, F1 Balcony Miracle, F1 Gift of the East. Rarely tuberculate early ripe cucumbers are also excellent for salads. F1 Spring Caprice, middle-ripening F1 Ekaterina ΠΈ F1 Elizabeth.Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β In the photo: cucumbers F1Β Vivaldi,Β F1 Strauss
Β In the photo: cucumbers F1Β Schubert
That, perhaps, is all that we wanted to talk about growing cucumbers using the seedling method, as well as cultivating this vegetable at home. In the previous lesson, we helped you choose varieties and hybrids of cucumbers that best suit your needs.
