Growing cucumbers in open ground is always a challenge for any gardener.
Cucumbers are very sensitive to growing conditions and can be attacked by various pests and diseases.
The right choice of variety can greatly facilitate the growing process and ensure a good harvest.
One of these varieties is "Green Long".
Choosing a landing site
The first thing you need to decide on is the planting location. Cucumbers do not like shading, so you need to choose bright and sunny places for them. They also need good drainage, so it is better to choose areas with sandy-clay soil.
You should not plant cucumbers in areas where squash, pumpkin or other vegetables from the pumpkin family were previously grown. This is due to the fact that these plants are often affected by the same disease as cucumbers - powdery mildew.
Preparing the soil
Before planting, it is necessary to prepare the soil. To do this, it must be well loosened and compost or humus must be added. If the soil is acidic, limestone flour or ash should be added. It is important to remember that cucumbers like loose soil, so it must be regularly weeded and loosened.
Features of sowing
Cucumbers can be sown in open ground beds in the spring, as soon as the soil warms up to +12 degrees. If it is too late to start sowing, you can use the seedling method - growing cucumbers in pots.
The seedlings should be planted at a depth of 3-5 cm and the distance between them should be about 30 cm. 2-3 days after planting, the bed should be watered generously.
Plant care
Cucumbers need regular watering, but do not oversaturate the soil with water. It is better to water them in the morning or evening, when the sun is not so bright. Cucumbers also like warmth, so during cold periods it is worth covering them with agrofibre or film.
Regularly collect ripe fruits, this will stimulate the growth of new ones. For "Green Long" the optimal fruit size is 25-30 cm. Cucumbers of this variety have a bright green color and reach a weight of 80-100 grams.
One of the important stages of cucumber care is fertilizing. It is recommended to use complex fertilizers that contain all the necessary elements for the growth and development of plants.
Diseases and pests
Cucumbers are often affected by diseases and pests, so regular inspection of plants is very important. Most often, cucumbers suffer from powdery mildew, bacteriosis, fusarium and other diseases. For prevention and treatment, you can use special preparations, but it is best to take preventive measures, such as proper sowing and watering.
Among the pests, the most dangerous are cucumber moth, thrips and mites. If you find traces of their activity on your plants, you should immediately begin to fight them.
Cucumbers "Green Long" are a very productive and easy to grow variety. The right choice of planting site, soil preparation, regular watering and care - all this will help you get a good harvest. Do not forget to monitor the plants, prevent possible diseases and fight pests.
