In recent years, summer in Russia has not been distinguished by warmth and the prescribed amount of sunlight – rains abound, and sometimes frosts. In this regard, many gardeners prefer to grow vegetables in structures such as greenhouses and greenhouses. However, even there the harvest sometimes leaves much to be desired. In this article, we will talk about how and how to feed cucumbers in a greenhouse so that they bear fruit with dignity and are tasty.
The need for top dressing
First of all, it is worth answering the question, why do we need top dressing at all, because when preparing the soil for planting seedlings, fertilizers were already applied there. This is explained by the fact that cucumber bushes initially have a very weak root system, which is not able to extract nutrients from the soil depths. And since the green mass of cucumbers is formed very quickly, all the reserves of elements from the upper layer are consumed almost in the first week.
And in order to provide themselves with a decent harvest, plants have strong immunity, the ability to resist various dangerous insects and diseases, and fertilizers are applied throughout the entire growing period. However, do not forget that the number of formed fruits is only the result of applying appropriate dressings.
An important role in this case is also played by indicators of air humidity in the greenhouse and irrigation. Only taking into account all factors, you can count on a decent harvest.
Overview of fertilizers
Currently, the number of dressings used by gardeners is striking in its diversity. On the shelves of stores you can find mineral and organic fertilizers, some even use home-made compounds to increase the yield of cucumbers.
Mineral
Let’s start the review with mineral fertilizers, since they are the most affordable of all. Tuki (their other name) are substances that differ in the inorganic nature of origin. They are presented in the form of mineral salts, which contain elements vital for the growth and development of plants, including cucumbers.
Top dressing with such substances is carried out immediately after the transfer of the formed seedlings to the greenhouse soil, but at the same time 3-4 leaves must appear on it. Ready-made mineral fertilizers include a number of useful elements, including potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Additionally, manganese, zinc, iodine, iron, boron, copper may be present there.
In the conditions of their own plot, gardeners can use the following types of fat:
- sodium salt – the well-known soda is able to accelerate fruiting, improve the taste of fruits, protect against various infections and fungi;
- urea – since it contains a large amount of nitrogen, this stimulates the growth of cucumber bushes;
- copper sulfate – effectively protects seedlings from various ailments;
- ammonia – plants begin to grow more actively, in addition, their external characteristics improve;
- calcium nitrate – contributes to better absorption of nitrogen by seedlings, which is especially important at the initial stages of vegetation;
- potassium nitrate – strengthens the root system, stimulates the development of green mass, guarantees resistance to adverse external factors (especially drought);
- boric acid – increases the number of ovaries, improves taste characteristics, provides a more active synthesis of biologically active substances;
- iodine – stimulates the formation of fruits, increases their number;
- superphosphate – strengthens the immune system, makes the shoots stronger, positively affects the yield;
- potassium humate – activates the growth of seedlings, helps to strengthen the immune system, improves the keeping quality of vegetables.
In order to adequately provide seedlings of cucumbers with everything necessary, it is recommended to mix ready-made mineral fertilizers.
Organic
Many gardeners are adherents of everything natural, therefore, organic top dressing is used to fertilize cucumbers. Organic mixtures are called optimally balanced mixtures that deliver nutrients to plants in the form of organic compounds. One of the easiest ways to saturate cucumber bushes with everything you need is to use the so-called green infusion. Each gardener clears his plot of weeds, which can not be taken out of the borders, but placed in a barrel and filled with water. After letting the composition brew for 3-4 days, it can be used to fertilize seedlings, after diluting it with water in a ratio of 1 to 5. With this infusion, top dressing is carried out only at the root, consumption – 5 liters per 1 sq. m.
Often pleased with the result of the owners of suburban areas bird droppings and mullein. If the latter does not need preliminary preparation and can be used immediately, then the former should, after dilution with water, ferment for several days. As in the previous case, solutions with the named components are poured only under the root – foliage and fruits can be burned with them. Many do not use such top dressing, as they are afraid that the vegetables will be “smell”. However, there is no need to worry about this, because neither mullein nor chicken manure affect the taste characteristics, especially if the bushes were previously tied up.
Named species dung enrich the earth with useful components, so necessary for crops for development, guarantee the ease of digestion of insoluble compounds by plant cells, strengthen plant immunity, increase productivity, make the soil looser. In the summer, many people like to feast on their own barbecue at the dacha. But ash from a fire can be usefully used – just for fertilizing greenhouse beds and plants growing on them. Its benefits are endless. Thanks to potassium and phosphorus, the root system is strengthened, the green mass grows more actively, sodium contributes to a better absorption of nutrients, magnesium stimulates the process of photosynthesis.
Fertilize best wood ash, which was obtained from the burning of young growth, hardwood and foliage.
In no case should you use ashes with particles of newspapers, plastic, painted wood. For top dressing, you can also use potassium monophosphate, which increases the endurance of plants, stimulates fruit formation, does not affect the acidity of the soil, and is not toxic.
Folk remedies
Beginning gardeners should remember that very primitive ingredients that are in every home can help cucumbers grow better. For instance, onion peel. Top dressing with infusion from it greatly helps the bushes to form and develop better, improve the taste of vegetables and protect against pests and diseases. It is recommended to prepare fertilizers from yellow onion husks.
Many people know the benefits yeast – they strengthen the roots, prevent the appearance of fungal infections, activate the growth and normal formation of green mass. A mixture based on the named component is used for spraying and watering under the root. However, the smell of yeast top dressing is quite specific, so it is better to cook it immediately before use and in small doses (for a specific number of bushes) or store it in a closed container.
If there is no yeast in the house, then alternatively you can use infusion of breadcrumbs. It has the same properties as the product described above. Zelenka can also help cucumber bushes grow better and form tasty fruits in large quantities. And all thanks to the contained copper, which improves metabolic processes, stimulates fruiting, protects against powdery mildew and root rot.
Many choose as a top dressing a composition that combines greenery and iodine. However, it is not recommended to use it in a greenhouse, since the latter negatively affects the building material. The well-known soda is also used by experienced gardeners to fertilize young seedlings of cucumbers. It not only disinfects the soil, but also improves the taste of the formed fruits (sweeter), repels pests, and prevents the green mass from wilting and yellowing. In addition, it is also necessary if the land in the greenhouse is highly acidic.
Banana peel is actively used by summer residents as a potash fertilizer, and this element, as a rule, is essential for plants, including cucumbers. First of all, it contributes to better rooting of seedlings and strengthens the immune system. Thanks to other microelements included in the composition (phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, a small amount of nitrogen), plants get sick less often and bear fruit better. Feedings based on such a popular pharmacy solution as hydrogen peroxide also have properties similar to the previous case.
The benefits milk Many have heard that using it as a top dressing is the right step. Its beneficial effect primarily lies in the fact that it perfectly fights insect pests whose digestive system does not absorb lactose, as a result of which they die.
Diseases also affect cucumber seedlings less, since the resulting film coating prevents spores and fungi from entering.
Application methods
There are many ways to saturate cucumber bushes with useful substances. Fertilization is the most common in the ground near the plants. Also often used spraying green mass. The best solution is still a combination of the two methods.
Under the root
This method is suitable mainly for strong and healthy plants: they will endure the effects of liquid in the root system.. Nutrient mixtures are applied only to pre-moistened soil, they must have a temperature similar to that of the environment.
During this procedure, the roots of plants absorb nutrients from the ground and send them to the stems and leaves, where they are properly absorbed. It is important to strictly follow the instructions on the package during root dressing. A weakly concentrated solution is not as dangerous for cucumbers in a greenhouse as it is too saturated. In the latter case, the roots of the crop can be severely damaged, because of which the plant will have to be dug up and thrown away.
Foliar
As for spraying “on the leaf”, they are resorted to only if the plant clearly needs a particular element: the leaves wither or turn yellow, the ovaries of future fruits do not form, and so on.. When preparing the nutrient composition, the fertilizer is diluted in a large amount of water (it should be 2 times weaker than in the previous case, when using similar compositions), otherwise all leaves and ovaries will be destroyed. Unpleasant consequences in the form of, for example, burnt greens can be observed if spraying is carried out on a hot sunny day. To do this, it is better to choose cloudy weather, as well as evening or morning hours.
When irrigating, the drops should be as small as possible, because only in this way the plant will absorb the nutrients much more efficiently. Yes, and directed jets can easily damage the leaves and destroy the ovaries. Foliar dressings are more beneficial for cucumbers than root dressings.
This is especially true in the case of cold soils, when it is doubly difficult for plants to extract useful substances from it. And this is provided that the root system of the plants in question is characterized by shallow depth and weakness.
Main stages
As cucumber bushes grow and develop, they need different nutrients.
After disembarkation
The transfer of seedlings from pots to greenhouse soil is carried out when each of the young plants has 2-3 full leaves. It will not be possible to carry out this procedure without consequences, because no matter how well everything is done, the culture will experience stress. Therefore, the first feeding will have to be carried out during this period (approximately 10-14 days after transplantation). For this, compositions saturated with nitrogen are chosen, since it is he who contributes to the growth of the green mass of the planted seedlings: infusions based on mullein, chicken manure, mineral fertilizers, compositions with yeast and ash.
During flowering
Flowering is a very important stage for all plants, so it is very necessary to support them at this moment. During the mentioned period, potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen are vital for cucumbers.. Their intake can be guaranteed by: a herbal cocktail, a complex of potassium nitrate, urea and superphosphate, various types of manure, boric acid (irrigation).
During the fruiting period
During this period, which is quite important, the plants need potash fertilizers. The compositions can be used and those that were used earlier, or you can try other combinations: nitrophoska, mullein infusion, magnesium sulfate, complex mineral mixtures. To prolong the fruiting period, plants can also be fed by spraying the green part: urea, a non-concentrated solution of complex fertilizers, growth stimulants, a solution of onion peel.
Cucumber bushes will delight with an abundance of fruits only if top dressing was carried out not only in the periods considered above, but also before and after that. For example, it is very important to saturate the soil in a greenhouse in autumn and spring. In the first case, it is desirable to use compost or humus for fertilizer, with increased acidity, a certain amount of lime can also be added to this. In the spring (about 8-10 days before transplanting), mineral fertilizers are applied to the ground.
