Cucumbers are one of the most famous crops, which are not too demanding on growing conditions. Planting seedlings of cucumbers in a greenhouse is one of the most important stages in the process of growing this vegetable.
Many summer residents do this procedure incorrectly, which negatively affects the quality and quantity of the crop. In order to avoid such mistakes, and to get the desired result, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the transplantation scheme, as well as to ensure competent care of the culture.
Terms and conditions
Untimely planting of cucumber seedlings in a greenhouse under a film or without it can have extremely negative consequences. As a result of this, plants very often slow down in growth, and sometimes they can pick up various diseases. All this negatively affects the quality of the crop and the taste properties of the crop. In the process of planting, it is imperative to take into account factors such as soil temperature, seedling age and atmospheric conditions. It is worth planting in greenhouse conditions with the help of seedlings with strict observance of all the rules and regulations that will allow you to get a good harvest. It is greenhouse conditions that are optimal for such cultivation of this vegetable. So, polycarbonate greenhouses are in great demand in the Urals, where it is not possible to plant cucumbers in the open field.
One of the most important points to pay attention to is the air temperature. The fact is that cucumbers begin to grow actively precisely in the presence of heat, and therefore it is extremely important to make sure that the temperature of the soil and air fully complies with the necessary parameters. When planting cucumbers in a greenhouse, temperature indicators must be measured at a soil depth of at least 10 cm. The temperature must be at least +15 degrees Celsius so that the crop can grow. If the soil is colder, then there can be no question of any growth of cucumbers.
The air temperature inside the greenhouse is also important. It should not be higher than +20 degrees Celsius, and at night it cannot fall below +15 degrees. That is why it is recommended by the time of planting to make sure that the weather conditions no longer imply sudden changes in night or day temperatures, since even the densest polycarbonate is not able to cope with such changes. Such differences negatively affect the health of the culture and weaken it.
If cucumber seedlings are transplanted, the age of the seedlings is extremely important. It must be at least 25 days. By this time, several true leaves are already appearing, which contributes to faster and better growth of the culture. If these leaves have not formed, then it is necessary to hold the seedlings for a few more days at home.
It is not recommended to transplant too early, since at this stage of growth the plants do not differ in strength and are characterized by susceptibility to various diseases. However, it is also necessary to ensure that there is no overgrowth of seedlings, as this can also negatively affect the ability of the culture to further growth. The main problem is that the root system of the vegetable is not able to develop in a small cup, which causes a lack of nutrients for growth, so the seedlings will need to be transplanted.
The timing of planting seedlings varies from region to region. The main feature of a polycarbonate greenhouse is that it retains heat well, but it is still necessary to take into account the peculiarities of the region. For example, in the south of Russia, planting is usually done in April, in the middle lane, seedlings can be relocated in May, but in the Urals it is best to do this in early summer.
It should be noted that some summer residents check the lunar calendar to ensure the most suitable conditions for growing vegetables, choosing the optimal date (number) for planting a crop.
Soil preparation
One of the most important steps that directly affects the ability of a crop to grow is soil preparation. The ideal solution for cucumbers is loose fertile soil, which is characterized by neutral acidity. It is mandatory to carry out its disinfection in order to prevent infection of the culture with various pathogens. To do this, it will be enough to pour the soil with boiling water or a solution of potassium permanganate. This is extremely important, especially if the crop was affected by a fungus or other diseases in past seasons. In case of damage by a fungus, you can additionally treat the soil with Bordeaux mixture. Soil preparation must be carried out in advance a few weeks before planting, and not immediately before planting seedlings.
An excellent fertilizer for these purposes are humus and wood ash, the combination of which allows you to provide the soil with all the important mineral components, which will help cucumbers grow in the future. If you need to loosen the ground, you can add sand or sawdust, which are an excellent solution when preparing the soil for planting cucumbers. If the soil is acidic, then the acidity can be neutralized with chalk, as well as dolomite flour. They show themselves well in the fight against high acidity. You can measure the level of acidity using ordinary litmus paper, and you should not neglect this stage, since it directly affects the quality of the crop.
How to plant?
Of great importance is the planting pattern of cucumbers, which depends both on the type of crop and on the characteristics of the variety itself. Among the generally accepted norms for growing cucumbers in a greenhouse, the following can be distinguished.
- Single line fit. A distinctive feature of such a planting is that the bushes should be planted in one row, and the interval at the same time is no more than 30 cm. As for the width of the beds, it should be about 50 cm. This scheme is actively used when growing high-yielding hybrid cucumbers.
- A two-line scheme, which involves planting a crop at a distance of 40 cm in 2 rows. At the same time, such a scheme is distinguished by a rather large width of the beds, which is about 90 cm. The main advantage of such a landing is that it becomes much more comfortable to get rid of shoots and leaves, which does not allow too much thickening.
- Chess order. This scheme is actively used in the process of growing cucumbers in greenhouse conditions. Its main advantage is that with such a landing, the bushes do not block each other, so that each of them receives the necessary amount of light. The unique features of the scheme make it an excellent solution for varieties with large fruits. In this case, the distance between the bushes is important, which should be at least 40 cm. With a competent approach, a huge number of plants can be placed on one bed.
The selection of the optimal scheme for planting is important to ensure the normal development of cucumbers and their health. In addition, it is important to observe the interval between cucumber bushes, since this determines whether the culture will receive the necessary amount of nutrients and moisture, as well as sunlight.
Not only the correct planting pattern for cucumbers is important, but also the fact which crops will be planted nearby, which is especially important in cramped greenhouse conditions. It is on this that the crop yield in the future, the taste properties of the fruit and its size depend. Neighbors for cucumbers must be selected taking into account the irrigation regime, the characteristics of the root system of another crop, the temperature regime and the level of moisture around. In this regard, cultures must be fully compatible with each other so that they do not have to constantly change the indicators of the external environment. Among the most suitable neighbors for cucumbers are the following.
- Legumes that can be planted around the perimeter or inside the cucumber bed itself. The main advantage of this crop is that it provides the earth with the necessary amount of nitrogen, which, after harvesting, remains in the soil itself, which has a positive effect on the ability of cucumbers to grow.
- Beet. When planting beets, it will need to be removed before the cucumbers have long lashes. The fact is that these crops are not able to grow at the same time because of the lashes, so beets should be harvested at an early stage of ripening.
- Radish. It grows much faster than the cucumber crop, so the roots will also be dug up before the cucumber bushes begin to change in size.
- An excellent solution for cucumbers can also be gourds. They can be placed on a vertical trellis, as a result of which the shoots will fall down. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that they are quite demanding on the amount of nutrients, therefore, it will be necessary to fertilize both melons and cucumbers without fail.
In no case should you plant tomatoes, various herbs, and peppers together with cucumbers, which require completely different growing conditions. To get a good harvest, you need to regularly water, feed and form cucumbers. In addition, it is worth carrying out various activities aimed at ensuring protection against diseases and pests. In no case should a warm or humid environment be allowed to occur, as it contributes to the development of pathogens that can infect cucumbers and reduce the entire crop.
One of the most important points when planting and growing in a greenhouse is watering, which is best done with warm water. It is better to immediately refuse to use a hose, as the pressure can erode the ground and damage the roots. An excellent choice for watering will be the most common watering can. And you can also create a drip irrigation system, which is considered one of the most effective and safe for this crop. As for the frequency of watering, it all depends on the age of the plant and the characteristics of the temperature regime. In hot weather, watering should be done every day, but in the presence of coolness, cucumbers can be watered every 2 days. In most cases, 5 liters of water per square meter is enough to ensure optimal crop growth.
The main advantage of cucumbers is that they perfectly accept both organic and mineral fertilizers, which allows each gardener to put the most convenient option in the ground. And you can also add humus, which will ensure accelerated growth of the crop, especially if the planting was carried out in the middle of spring. If you follow all the rules step by step, you can get a quality harvest at the output, which will be distinguished by tasty and large fruits.
Close attention in the growing process must be paid not only to the rules of planting and the creation of favorable conditions, but also to proper care of the crop.
