How to quickly germinate cucumber seeds before planting

Gardeners often germinate seeds before planting cucumbers. The procedure allows the plant to take root better in a new place and the first shoots appear faster. How to germinate cucumber seeds quickly and correctly, in what ways - read on.

Is it necessary to germinate

Germinating seeds before planting is the key to getting a rich harvest. Cucumber seeds sprout without preliminary preparation, but there are situations when it is needed:

• you need to know the percentage of germination;
• no time to reseed unsuccessful sowing;
• a friendly, even-aged seedling is required.

The viability of cucumber embryos lasts only two years, so it is not recommended to purchase seeds that have been stored for longer.

Advantages and disadvantages

The following advantages of the procedure are distinguished:

1. Selection of quality grains. During soaking, you can see which ones will grow better than the rest. They get rid of the bad ones right away.
2. Friendly germination. Sprouted grains sprout at the same time, 8-10 days after sowing.
3. Protection from disease. During soaking, the seeds become strong, and the plants grown from them are rarely exposed to fungal and viral diseases.

The main disadvantage of the process is its complexity, so some gardeners do not use it.

Preparing for germination

Before the procedure, the planting material is carefully prepared.

Calibration

They choose grains of healthy plants that are not affected by diseases. If these are not available, then you will have to purchase them at a garden store.

The selection takes into account the nuances:

• the backing should be green;
• the grains must be from the female type of plant, as they will give a good harvest;
• the planting material must be completely dry, dense and complete before planting.

To prepare a saline solution, 3-5 g of salt are poured into 100 ml of water, then seeds are dipped into it. Those that come up are empty, they are thrown away.

Sterilization

Plant diseases are transmitted along with the planting material, therefore the sterilization stage is important. They refuse it only if purchased seeds are used.

Homemade seeds are sterilized in this way:

1. Take a 1% solution of potassium permanganate and immerse the grains in it.
2. The water in the solution should be warm - + 20-26 ° C.
3. Keep the seeds in the solution for 15-20 minutes, then rinse them under running water.

There is also a second sterilization method - heating. The planting material is immersed in warm water (+ 50 ° C) and the grains are kept for 20-30 minutes. This is enough time to get rid of viruses or fungus remaining on the seeds.

Hardening

It is necessary if the seeds are planted directly into open ground. The air temperature will be low, so it is difficult for the plant to adapt to weather conditions. If you plant seeds in the hot season, then hardening is not required.

Attention! Hardening is started on the first day after placing the seeds in the germination containers.

Procedure:

1. The container is placed in a refrigerator at a temperature of 4-6 ° C for 12 hours so that the planting material adapts to the conditions. You can do this at night.
2. Such manipulations are carried out for 2-3 days until the seeds germinate.

Bubbling

Allows you to accelerate the emergence of seedlings. The essence of bubbling is oxygen saturation of the planting material, which has a positive effect on overall germination.

This will require an aquarium compressor and a capacity of 0.5-0.7 liters, or an ordinary glass jar.

Procedure:

1. Fill the container 1/4 full with water.
2. Dip the grains into the water in a small amount so that they float freely in the jar.
3. Lower the compressor tip to the bottom of the container and turn it on.
4. This processing of the grains lasts for 18 hours.
5. Dry the planting material after bubbling.

The process increases the germination rate up to 100% and guarantees fast germination of seeds - in 3-7 days.

Germination methods for cucumbers

Let's consider in more detail how and with the help of what they are carried out.

On the paper

You can use ordinary toilet paper, as it contains components that have a beneficial effect on plant growth. This includes cellulose and other polysaccharides that act as organic food.

First, the paper is spread on a flat surface and sprayed with water. Then spread the seeds and cover with a film, roll the paper into a roll. After 2-3 days, the grains will begin to hatch.

On a damp cloth

For these purposes, you will need a damp cloth on which the seed is carefully laid out. Sprinkle the seeds with warm water on top and cover them with another piece of damp cloth. Germination lasts 4-5 days.

In peat

A peat pellet is a compressed peat in the shape of an oval washer. There are small holes on the surface in which the seeds are placed. But before using peat tablets, they are placed in a container with water and kept there for 10 minutes.

When their size increases 2-3 times, grains are placed in the holes and sprinkled with peat on top.

For germination, take special peat pots. They are filled with a soil mixture consisting of soil, organic and mineral dressings. Further, holes are made in the soil and cucumber seeds are planted in them.

In a roll-up

This is a relatively new method for producing strong seedlings.

Reference. You can use this method not only for cucumbers, but also for other vegetable crops.

Procedure:

1. A plastic wrap is spread on the surface, paper is laid on top and poured with water.
2. Spread the seeds so that there is a distance of 4-6 cm between them.
3. Roll a paper-plastic strip into a roll and wait for the seeds to germinate.

In coconut substrate

To prepare the substrate, take shavings and coconut fibers. Before use, coconut tablets are soaked in boiling water so that they swell, and then the seeds are planted.

All not

Procedure:

1. Pour boiling water over the hay, and while it is still hot, put it in a suitable container.
2. The seeds are spread, keeping a distance of 2 cm, covered with a thin layer of hay.
3. The container with hay is covered with plastic wrap and the container is placed in a warm place where the air temperature will not be lower than + 25 ° C.

Requirements

For 100% germination of grains, it is important to observe the conditions: temperature, moisture, lighting, and also to protect them from pests.

Temperature regime

Cucumber seeds should be kept at a temperature not higher than + 25-26 ° C and not lower than + 20 ° C. If the temperature readings are high, it will slow down the pecking of the seeds and prevent the seedlings from developing fully.

Lighting

Cucumbers are a light-loving culture, so seedlings should be in a well-lit place. Shaded areas on the site will not work - there the seedlings will grow slowly.

Watering

Cucumbers are moisturized from time to time, otherwise their growth will stop. Water them three times a week using warm water.

Protection of crops from pests and diseases

Preventing the development of diseases and the appearance of pests will allow regular treatment of plants with drugs:

• "Ordan";
• "Baktofit";
• Fitolavin.

Processing is carried out in the evening or early in the morning.

How to speed up the process

To make the seeds germinate faster, you can use the following drugs:

1. Kornevin. The tool is suitable not only for stimulating growth, but also for protecting against diseases. To obtain a solution, combine 2 liters of water and 2 g of the drug. Treat the seeds once every 2-3 days before planting.
2. Silk. It activates the development of vegetables and increases their productivity. The drug protects crops from fungal diseases.
3. Sodium humate. Add 55 g of the drug to 5 l of warm water. Before use, the composition should be infused for 5-6 hours.

How many days do seeds germinate at home

It all depends on the method of seed germination and the conditions created for them. If all the rules have been followed, then the seeds will hatch after 5-7 days. But some varieties of cucumbers begin to hatch even 1-2 days earlier.

What to do if the seeds do not hatch and what are the reasons

This problem occurs when using low-quality seed. Pecking can slow down if vegetables are grown in a cool and poorly lit place. The growing conditions should be normalized and, if there is no result, repeat the procedure using quality seeds.

Read also:

How to grow cucumbers on a windowsill in winter.

Secrets of the best agronomists: how to grow cucumbers in the open field.

Review of Ajax f1 cucumber hybrid.

Conclusion

Germinating cucumber seeds is an important and necessary procedure to get a rich harvest. Plants grown in this way actively bear fruit and are reliably protected from diseases.

There are several ways to germinate - choose the one that is closest to you. But do not forget to comply with the necessary conditions - then the plants will certainly delight you with a delicious harvest!