Rules for feeding cucumber seedlings
How to get a high-quality harvest of cucumbers at home? High-quality seed, fertile climate, fertile soil, caring care - all these are essential components. However, there is one more important point: it is necessary to determine when the feeding of cucumber seedlings is carried out in order to get a harvest of healthy, tasty fruits of a presentation. This business should be approached with all responsibility so as not to harm the growth of seeds.
Rules for feeding cucumber seedlings
Fertilization period
Top dressing will not bring the expected results if the period is chosen incorrectly. You need to start applying fertilizers from the moment the first leaves appear. These green messengers report that the cucumber's root system is under active development. Fertilizers are best applied to the ground in the morning, at the same time as watering: in this way, an even distribution of nutrients in the soil is ensured.
There is an exception case that requires premature feeding. If the plant has an unhealthy, lethargic appearance, it is recommended to start the process earlier. This usually happens with greenhouse plants.
Premature feeding
Farmers who believe that the sooner you start feeding your seedlings, the more harvest you can expect in the future, are wrong. The process will be wasted until the first leaf grows on the plant: the nutrients will simply not be absorbed. At the beginning of its life, the seedling has enough energy, which is in itself. In addition, the transplanted plant must be given at least 2 weeks to adapt. During flowering, watering with an ash solution will be useful. Add 0.5 cups of ash to a glass of hot water and insist for at least a day. Before using the cucumber seedlings of the solution, it should first be poured with water at room temperature.
Agronomists advise feeding the seedlings at the ripening stage exclusively with natural fertilizers. Depending on the degree of leaf germination, the composition of the fertilizer will change.
Types of dressings
The soil can be fed with organic, that is, natural, or mineral substances. There are root and foliar methods for obtaining nutrients.
The former are usually used when there are no problems with the development of the root system. They are suitable for regions with a favorable climate in early spring. It is better to choose the evening period after rain or abundant watering as the time for holding.
Foliar dressing is needed in cloudy and cold weather, when the roots are unable to cope with the absorption of minerals. Spraying will come to the rescue, which must be carried out in such a way that the solution is distributed in small portions evenly over the leaves. Its long stay on their surface will ensure high-quality absorption.
Processing stages
Enough 3 sessions of feeding cucumber seedlings:
- Before planting it in a greenhouse or open soil. For a weak plant - every 2 weeks.
- The second stage starts after the next batch of leaves has germinated.
- A couple of days before landing in the ground, the last feeding is done.
Sometimes, during the period of mass fruiting, farmers arrange an additional, fourth, in order to extend the flowering period and for a general increase in yield. You should not overdo it with the amount of fertilizer applied: this will not benefit the growth of the plant.
First step
The first feeding will help the root system to form
Experienced agronomists recommend starting feeding with a mixture of organic fertilizers with mineral fertilizers. List of example options:
- manure diluted with water (proportion 1: 1, whole bucket), 20 g of superphosphate;
- bird droppings with water (1:10), 20 g of superphosphate;
- 7 g of ammonia nitrate, 15 g of superphosphate, 9 g of potassium, sulfuric acid, 10 liters of water, you can also add mullein (1: 4) or aged chicken droppings (1: 7); such a mixture is good at the stage of the emergence of flowers in the plant;
- ready-made complex fertilizers such as Potassium Humate or Sodium Humate in a ratio of 1 tbsp. l. on a bucket of water.
For 1 sq. m is enough 2-2.5 liters of solution. Correct first feeding of cucumber seedlings at the initial stage of life is able to form a healthy root system in the plant and a strong trunk.
Second phase
The main principle of subsequent dressings is to double the amount of minerals in the feed mixture. After the second turn of leaves has grown, fertilizing is also connected in the form of spraying. Plants growing in a greenhouse especially need additional trace elements.
At this stage, the cucumbers are fertilized with complex mineral supplements. It can be a mixture of "Kimira Lux" and "Nitrofoska". 1 tbsp is enough for a bucket of water. l. a similar mixture. Watering is carried out according to the scheme of 2.5 liters per 1 sq. m seedlings. Boric acid is suitable as a food. It can be mixed in an amount of 1 tsp. with 12 crystals of potassium manganese and 1 liter of water or in a volume of 2 g with 100 g of sugar per 1 liter of hot water - this recipe is suitable for attracting pollinating insects to seedlings. Another option is 30 g of superphosphate per 10 liters of water at room temperature. From organics, it is realistic to try an infusion of green grass in a concentration of 1: 5.
Stage Three
One of the best recipes for the mixture necessary for a plant 2-3 days before planting in the soil is the following: 15 g of urea, 40 g of superphosphate, 10 g of potassium salt, 10 liters of water. Chlorine is not recommended as it can harm young cucumbers. One bucket feeds 2 sq. m beds.
It is good to use a green solution in a ratio of 1: 5 as an organic fertilizer. For foliar feeding, 12 g of urea per 10 liters of water is suitable.
Fourth stage
If the gardener considers it necessary to carry out another, control, feeding process after planting, then he can use hay aged in 30 g of baking soda per 10 liters of water or 1 glass of ash for this purpose. In a zone with a cold climate - 15 g of urea per 10 liters of water.
Feeding technology
The basic rule of feeding cucumber seedlings is to do it clearly at the root. But in the case of a foliar diet with a low saturation of microelements, the principle is not used.
Root feeding of cucumbers for seedlings needs subsequent abundant watering with water at room temperature or warmer. Attention! The nutrient mixture should not get on the leaves and stem: in this case, burns or a yellow coating are likely. If drops of solution still fall on the objects of the restricted area, this part of the plant should be immediately sprayed with warm water.
Conclusion
Fertilizing for seedlings of cucumbers contributes to the provision of seeds with all the necessary substances for the formation of seedlings and the growth of a tasty and healthy vegetable. This care element is no less important than all the others in the growing process.
Top dressing is a prerequisite for growing cucumbers for seedlings.