How to water cucumbers in a polycarbonate greenhouse: instructions and basic rules
The quality of cucumber fruits largely depends on proper irrigation - if there is not enough moisture, vegetables begin to taste bitter. As a rule, in temperate climates, cucumbers are grown in greenhouses, which allows you to maintain the temperature regime and get the harvest much earlier than in the open field.
In the article, we will consider the questions of how to water cucumbers in a polycarbonate greenhouse and what are the requirements for the frequency and abundance of moisture.
The content of the article
What are the features of irrigating cucumbers in a greenhouse
Cucumbers are a moisture-loving vegetable crop, so you need to water the bushes regularly. In hot weather, it is not only the soil that needs moisture... The fruits and leaves of plants also require watering.
Important! When irrigating, pour water strictly between the rows so as not to erode the soil at the roots.
A polycarbonate greenhouse ideal for growing cucumbers... It has light transmission, retains heat, protects fruits from wind and rain. The crop matures faster than outdoors.
For plants to grow well, the temperature in the greenhouse should be at the level of + 20… + 26 ° C. Only in this case the plant will not stop developing.
Polycarbonate greenhouse water it is recommended to pour in small portions, avoid liquid stagnation at the roots. The soil should be loose.
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How to manually water cucumbers in a greenhouse
Manual method of irrigation of vegetable crops use in a small garden... When manually watering plants, gardeners use a watering can and a hose.
This method is simple and does not involve serious financial investments, since every gardener has a watering can and a hose. But the manual irrigation method is time consuming.
Important! If you water cucumbers with a hose, make sure that the water pressure is low, otherwise there is a high risk of eroding the soil at the roots.
Water requirements
Water for watering cucumbers should be warm... Optimum temperature: 20-24 ° C. This temperature will provide the fruit with a comfortable growth environment.
Important! Do not use boiled water, it does not contain minerals necessary for plants. For watering vegetables, it is better to use settled liquid.
For convenience, water can be stored in special containers (barrels). During the day in the sun it will warm up, and in the evening it can be watered with vegetables.
Make sure that there is no excess of salt and fluoride in the liquid... The water should always be clean and not hard. Do not use dirty water for irrigation.
Reference. If the water is hard, soften it. Add 5 teaspoons of wood ash to 10 liters of water.
Frequency, time and amount of irrigation
Morning and evening are the best time for watering cucumbers... In the daytime, drops remaining on the leaves become a kind of magnifying glass. The sun's rays penetrate through them and burn the leaves and roots of plants.
It is also not recommended to irrigate cucumbers closer to night, as the temperature drops. Due to waterlogging in cold weather, the roots will begin to rot.
The frequency and amount of watering depends on the growth phase of the plant and climatic conditions. The older the vegetable crop, the more water it requires... Mature plants need watering every other day. About 10 liters of liquid are added under each bush.
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The nuances of watering at different periods
The irrigation regime depends on weather conditions, plant development phases and soil conditions.
Plant development phases:
- landing;
- bloom;
- fruiting.
After planting cucumbers
Most often, plants are planted in greenhouses with seedlings. After being transferred to the soil, plants need abundant watering.... The seedlings should take root well in the soil.
After that, young cucumbers are watered regularly. Watering in a polycarbonate greenhouse is carried out every five days. 3-5 liters of water are used per 1 m². Thanks to this watering, cucumbers will form ovaries faster.
During flowering
During flowering the plant is watered more often - every 3-4 days... During this period, they form ovaries. About 10 liters of water are consumed per 1 m².
During fruiting
During fruiting in the summer months cucumbers are watered every other day or every day... The hotter it is outside, the more often the soil is moistened. One bush uses 7-10 liters of liquid.
During the heat
In the heat, cucumbers especially need watering.... In this regard, the frequency of irrigation is increased. During flowering and fruiting, if it's hot, cucumbers are watered every day.
At temperatures above 26 ° C, it is recommended to additionally moisten the cucumbers by sprinkling (spraying water with special mechanisms). This prevents the ovaries from wilting. 1-1.5 liters of water is used for 1 m². The procedure is carried out in the morning and in the evening.
In rainy weather
In rainy weather, the frequency of watering decreasesAt this time, the soil and air in the greenhouse have high humidity. Gardeners need to monitor these indicators. When the temperature drops, the soil becomes waterlogged, and this contributes to root decay and plant death.
In rainy weather cucumbers watered in the morning... Make sure that the soil does not dry out.
How to make a drip irrigation system
The drip method is a good way to irrigate a vegetable crop... It does not require large investments.
Special pipes with holes are installed on the site... Through them, the liquid flows directly to the plant. This method not only saves water and time, but also allows you to control the volume of the incoming fluid.
A barrel of water, where the liquid for irrigation is heated in the sun during the day, is placed in an elevated place. A special hose is attached to the barrel.
With the help of a tap, the volume of incoming water is regulated. After the tap opens, the liquid flows through the pipes directly to the plant. This method prevents the soil from eroding near the roots.
Tips for experienced summer residents
To get a good harvest and avoid common mistakes, you should follow the rules for watering cucumbers. Experienced summer residents can tell you how best to irrigate a vegetable crop:
- To prevent the cucumbers from being bitter, observe regular watering. Do not let the soil dry out. The water should be warm. Combine with watering top dressing.
- White bloom on the soil surface indicates that the frequency of watering and the volume of water should be reduced.
- In hot weather, you can cool the greenhouse structure with a regular chalk solution. They irrigate the walls of the greenhouse.
Do not water plants directly at the root. Thus, the soil is eroded. Moisture stagnates at the roots and mold appears. Water the vegetables in the grooves near the plant, which are dug out from each bush.- For drip irrigation, a regular bottle is suitable. Several holes are made in the lid, the bottom of the container is cut off, and the neck is set in the ground next to the plant. Each of the bushes should have its own capacity. The bottle is then filled with water. Through the holes, the liquid enters the roots of the vegetable crop.
- If the plant is sick with a fungal infection, the sprinkling method is excluded. Use a watering can or drip.
- Iodine and urea will protect plants from infections. Add them to the liquid when watering vegetables.
Conclusion
In order for cucumbers to bring a high-quality and good harvest, you need high-quality and regular watering.Irrigation is carried out with extremely warm and settled water in the morning or evening hours. Depending on the period of plant growth and climatic conditions, the frequency and volume of watering vary. An adult plant is watered every other day. The volume of water is 10 liters per 1 m². In hot weather, plants need daily watering, in cold weather, the frequency decreases.
The best way to moisturize is the drip method. With its help, it is easy to control the volume of liquid, while the soil does not erode - the water flows directly to the roots of the vegetable crop.