We feed cucumbers in a greenhouse for a rich harvest: schemes and recipes

If a farmer is interested in a bountiful harvest when growing cucumbers, he cannot do without additional feeding. The cucumber bush has a weak and shallow root system that does not keep pace with the high growth rate of shoots and fruit ripening. At the same time, the wrong choice of fertilizers or a violation of the technique of their application can aggravate the situation, cause an imbalance of nutrients in the soil and deplorably affect the harvest.

Do I need to feed cucumbers in a greenhouse

Greenhouse cultivation of cucumbers has its own nuances... On the one hand, favorable temperature conditions are created under the film or glass, on the other hand, an enclosed space often causes excessive humidity and lack of air.

Unlike open ground, in a greenhouse, it is more difficult to observe crop rotation, which leads to a gradual depletion and acidification of the soil. This can be avoided by taking care of the preparation of the soil mixture in advance.

In addition, often planting in greenhouses is denserthan in open beds, and the plants themselves develop faster and more intensively. Consequently, cucumbers need more frequent feeding.

Reference! If, in open ground conditions, 2-3 dressings per season are enough for cucumbers, in greenhouses they need to be fertilized at least 4 times.

What is the effect of feeding in August

Usually, August coincides with the stage of intensive fruiting of cucumbers... At this time, the lash can weaken due to the distribution of nutrients inside the plant, the need for potassium and other micro and macro elements increases. Timely feeding will help bring the vegetable "to life", extend its growing season.

How to determine what the plant is missing

Cucumbers are sensitive to a lack or excessive amount of certain nutrients, they quickly react to imbalances by stopping the growth and development of the plant, deformation of the fruit, and a decrease in taste.

Any of these manifestations is a signal of improper plant nutrition.

Potassium

The fact that cucumbers lack potassium, say the following signs:

• too active growth of tops (lashes and leaves) against the background of the absence or crushing of fruits;
• leaf color change to dark green;
• light border on the lower leaves with a pronounced burn - yellow spots on the shoots;
• fruits take on the shape of a pear - taper around the stalk.

Besides, potassium is responsible for plant immunity, therefore, with a lack of it, it becomes defenseless against all kinds of infections.

Replenish the loss of substance will help an aqueous solution of potassium sulfate or wood ash.

Reference! A common cause of potassium starvation in cucumbers at the flowering and fruiting stage is excessive nitrogen fertilization at the beginning of the season.

Nitrogen

Nitrogen serves as a component of proteins, and they, in turn, are involved in the formation of the nucleus and cytoplasm of cells. Therefore, if there is an insufficient nitrogen content in the soil:

• the fruits acquire a light green color and a "beak-like" shape: the top (near the flower) becomes narrow and sharp;
• lower leaves turn yellow;
• the growth of lateral shoots slows down;
• lashes become thin and hard, quickly stiffen;
• ovaries crumble, some of the flowers die.

Reference! Insufficient watering of the plant prevents the normal absorption of nitrogen from the soil.

For "resuscitation" of plantings, they can be fertilized with an aqueous solution of urea or ammonium sulfate. Nitrogen is also found in manure, peat and compost.

Magnesium

With magnesium deficiency,:

• light green spots on the leaves,
• the leaves then turn yellow and fall off;
• multi-colored spots between the veins: yellow, red and purple;
• slow plant growth.

Reference! Excess potassium in the soil can lead to a lack of magnesium.

Calcium

Calcium participates in the formation of walls and membranes of plant cells... Therefore, with its lack:

• light yellow spots appear on young leaves;
• the leaves themselves become smaller and curved, a "fringe" appears at the edges;
• a purple color appears on the underside of the leaf;
• the growth of the bush slows down due to the rapid aging of the root system;
• fruits grow small and rough, their taste deteriorates.

Calcium present in wood ash, therefore, fertilizer based on it is one of the most effective for cucumbers.

Bora

A trace element like boron consumed by plants in small quantities... However, its lack has negative consequences:

• cucumber lashes grow more slowly;
• the apical point of the shoot dies off;
• flowers and ovaries crumble.

All this interferes with the normal fruiting of the plant.

Attention! To make up for the lack of boron, foliar feeding is necessary. When carrying out it, it is important to remember that boric acid does not dissolve in cold water, therefore, the substance is diluted in hot water (about 50 ° C), then cooled to room temperature and diluted to the desired concentration again.

Phosphorus

A special need for phosphorus in cucumbers occurs during the period of inflorescence.but it is also important for the development of the root system. If the plants are deficient in a trace element, then:

• the growth of lateral lashes and leaves will slow down;
• leaves are "crushed": new ones grow much smaller in size than old ones;
• a darker color of new leaves will appear;
• shoots will quickly fade and crumble.

Eliminate phosphorus deficiency solutions of ammophos and diammophosas well as an aqueous solution of superphosphate.

Reference! Although the trace element is needed by plants in small quantities, it is important to ensure that it is constantly supplied.

Molybdenum

If the plant lacks molybdenum, it will become noticeable by such signs as:

• chlorosis of leaves, pale veins;
• curved edges;
• small flowers.

Reference! An excess of ammonia nitrogen and heavy metals in the soil leads to a shortage of molybdenum.

Gland

Iron participates in the production of chlorophyll, therefore, if it is lacking:

• the plant slows down growth;
• leaves brighten, their color can vary from light yellow, to lemon and almost white;
• growth points do not develop.

Reference! The problems described do not always indicate an iron deficiency. The matter may be in poor absorption of the substance due to a lack of potassium, or, conversely, an excess of phosphorus, calcium, copper or zinc.

Copper, zinc and manganese

Manganese plays a special role in plant respiration, as it promotes more efficient assimilation of carbon dioxide by green mass. With a lack of this trace element, light (so-called "chlorotic") spots appear on young leaves, then they acquire a brown or yellow tint.

Zinc deficiency also especially visible on young shoots. Leaves and petioles turn brown, then die off.

From lack of copper the tips of the leaves turn pale, the color changes to a specific blue-green, the edges of the shoots are twisted into a tube. Shedding of flowers is possible.

How to feed cucumbers in a greenhouse

The correct choice of fertilizers will help the plants absorb the nutrients they need more efficiently.

In general, fertilizers are classified into:

• organic (vermicompost, humus, peat, manure, bird droppings, ash, compost);
• mineral (simple and complex).

Organic fertilizers

Organic fertilizers are good because contain a complex of nutrients and often do not require any purchase costs: manure and poultry droppings are by-products of animal husbandry, and there are compost heaps in almost any farm.

Nevertheless, has "organic" and disadvantages... First of all, due to the natural origin, one cannot be 100% sure about the composition of the fertilizer, the concentration of micro- and macroelements, since this depends on many factors. Secondly, organic fertilizers are slower, "soft" action.

Most often used for feeding cucumbers:

• slurry
• infusion of herbs ("herbal tea"),
• chicken droppings.

Mineral fertilizers

Mineral fertilizers characterized by faster and harder action, therefore, a smaller amount of substance is required for feeding. The gardener can adjust the soil chemistry by adding only those elements that are necessary to achieve the optimal balance.

Mineral fertilizers can be single-component:

• ammonium nitrate (contains nitrogen);
• superphosphate (phosphorus);
• potassium chloride.

Complex fertilizers are used for feeding several elements at once:

• nitrophosphate (phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium);
• ammophos (phosphorus and nitrogen), etc.

Folk remedies

Among the popular folk recipes for feeding cucumbers:

• yeast;
• wood ash;
• iodine;
• "Herbal tea".

Fertilization with yeast has a beneficial effect on the growth and fruiting of the plant, however, you need to beware of recipes with the addition of sugar, since in conditions of high humidity in greenhouses, they can cause the growth of mold and the development of fungal diseases. An excellent result is obtained by a yeast solution with ascorbic acid: 10 g of dry yeast, 2 g of ascorbic acid and 5 liters of warm water.

Wood ash - one of the best fertilizers in conditions of excess nitrogen in the soil. It contains a large number of calcium, potassium, phosphorus and a whole set of trace elements (boron, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, sulfur, zinc, copper).

Use ash:

• dry, scattering in a thin layer around the bushes;
• as a solution (2 tbsp. l ash per 1 liter of water);
• in the form of a tincture for foliar feeding (proportion with water 1: 5, that is, 1 tbsp. ash per 1 liter of water).

Iodine stimulates the growth of cucumbers, rejuvenates the whips and lengthens the fruiting period... It also helps the fruit accumulate vitamin C. Water (30 drops per 10 liters of water) and water-milk solutions (30 drops per 1 liter of milk and 10 liters of water) are used.

For the preparation of "herbal tea" take chopped weeds and poured with water (10 liters per 1.5-2 kg of green mass), left for a week for fermentation. Such a remedy is especially effective for feeding fruit-bearing bushes, as it avoids feeding with chemical fertilizers.

Types of dressings

By the method of fertilization, root and foliar dressing are distinguished.

Root

Fertilization is combined with watering plants at the root... The disadvantage of the method is that nutrients spread through the soil and can promote the growth of weeds.

Foliar

It is fertilized by spraying a nutrient solution on the leaves and stems... Such feeding is considered more effective and desirable, and is often used for "emergency resuscitation" of weakened plants. The result can be seen already after a few hours after the procedure.

It's important to follow the rules:

• avoid strong concentrations of the substance;
• carry out top dressing in the evening or on a cloudy day to prevent leaf burns.

When and what top dressing is needed: schemes for feeding cucumbers in a greenhouse

Often suggest the following scheme for feeding cucumbers:

• the first - 15-20 days after planting;
• the second - at the beginning of flowering;
• the third - during the fruiting period;
• the fourth - 10 days after the third, in order to extend the life of cucumber lashes and collect a richer harvest.

In addition, it is possible to apply special fertilizers in case of plant diseases.

Feeding the soil

In the autumn after harvest it is important to get rid of plant residues, disinfect all the details of the greenhouse structure and dig up the soil. At the same time, they prepare the soil for the next season - they bring in rotted manure, humus or compost. To reduce the acidity of the soil, dolomite flour or lime-fluff is also used (300-500 g per sq. M).

In spring, at least a week before disembarkation cucumber seedlings, the soil is dug up again and fertilized with ammonium nitrate, potassium sulfate and superphosphate (in equal proportions). For disinfection, the soil is watered with a weak solution of potassium permanganate (1-3 g per 10 liters of warm water).

After landing

For the development of shoots and leaves, cucumbers need in nitrogen fertilizers... Therefore, 2 weeks after planting the seedlings, nitrogen-containing mineral fertilizers (ammonium nitrate, nitrophoska) or organic matter (mullein, chicken droppings) are introduced into the soil. Sub-root dressing is carried out: 0.5-1 l of nutrient solution per plant.

During flowering

In the phase of flowering and fruit setting, cucumbers need phosphorus.... Good results are obtained by feeding "cocktail":

• 0.5 l of liquid mullein,
• 1 tbsp. l. nitrophosphate,
• 1 glass of ash or 2 tbsp. l. potassium sulfate,
• 0.5 g of boric acid,
• 0.3 g of manganese sulfate,
• 10 liters of water.

If they grow poorly

Slow plant growth may be due to a lack of various elements, but most often - their imbalance.

In the fruiting stage, cucumbers are fed:

• ash, as it is rich in calcium and potassium. Ashes are sprinkled on the ground around the bushes or the soil is watered with a 10-day infusion (1 glass of ash per 5 liters of water);
• yeast (100 g per 10 l of water);
• a weak solution of manure (1:20).

From disease

From root rot the crop will be saved by the introduction of fertilizers containing copper: copper sulfate or iodine (dissolved in water or milk).

With gray rot baking soda copes: 75 g per 10 liters of water. The resulting solution is sprayed on the bushes every 3-4 days.

Zelenka (brilliant green) is used from powdery mildew or peronosporosis... To do this, dissolve 50 g of urea, 2 liters of whey and 10 ml of brilliant green in 10 liters of water. The lashes are sprayed with this solution 3 times with an interval of 10 days.

During fruiting

During the period of active fruit formation, cucumbers are fertilized with a mixture: 2 tbsp. l. potassium nitrate, 5 tbsp. l. urea and 1 glass of ash. All this is dissolved in 10 liters of water and the bushes are watered at the root.

In August to prolong fruiting

10 days after the third feeding, the plants are fertilized with an ash solution (1 glass of ash per 10 liters of water). It is rich in potassium and calcium.

In addition, spraying with a urea solution is carried out (1 matchbox per 10 liters of water).

Do I need to feed in winter

If cucumbers are grown in a winter greenhouse, in addition to maintaining the temperature and artificial lighting, it is worth taking care of soil fertilization. A good harvest requires a fertile, loose soil. For example:

• 10 liters of semi-rotted sawdust;
• 20 liters of humus;
• 20 liters of peat;
• 300 g of wood ash;
• 130 g nitroammophoska.

Further, a solution of cow manure is used as top dressing (in a 1: 5 ratio with water), ash (3:10) or nitroammophoska (15: 100).

What happens if there is too little or too much fertilizer

The general rule for feeding cucumbers is: A delicate crop reacts better to a lack of fertilizer than to an excess. Therefore, you should avoid too frequent additional feeding of plants and high concentrations of substances. Any root dressing should be combined with abundant watering, since water helps to better absorb micro and macro elements and prevent burns.

Examples of overfed cucumbers:

• due to excess nitrogen - fattening of the whips: all forces go into the thick stem and dark green leaves of the plant, and flowering slows down and no ovaries are formed;
• too much phosphorus leads to yellowing of the leaves;
• high potassium content interferes with nitrogen absorption and slows down plant development;
• excess calcium provokes leaf mosaicism;
• excessive zinc results in discolored areas between leaf veins.

Conclusion

When feeding cucumber plantings, it is important to observe the measure and clearly understand what substances are needed for the plant in a given period. Therefore, the gardener should know the main signs of both a deficiency and an excess of the most important micro and macro elements, as well as follow the recommended feeding schemes.