It seems that there is nothing complicated in growing cucumbers. Most summer residents act according to the following scheme: they plant cucumbers, water them occasionally and collect them when the fruits ripen.
This approach is acceptable, but it is unlikely that you will get a good harvest. Therefore, it is worth examining several tricks for growing cucumbers.
More details are provided by the expert of the online publication BelNovosti, agronomist and landscape designer Anastasia Kovrizhnykh .
Which variety to choose?
The first step to getting a high yield is choosing the right cucumber variety.
There are varieties that have been specially bred for high yields and disease resistance. Among them are:
• "German F1";
• "Ecole F1";
• "Marinda F1" .
Of course, there are other varieties that are also worth considering. However, it is worth remembering that when choosing, it is necessary to take into account the climatic conditions.
Proper watering
Cucumbers love moisture, but too much water can lead to root rot and disease.
Watering should be done regularly, especially on hot days.
The best solution is drip irrigation. It is important that water does not fall on the cucumber leaves during irrigation.
Plant fertilizing
To obtain a record harvest, cucumbers need regular feeding.
1. Nitrogen: necessary for the growth of green mass. It is best to use ammonium nitrate or urea.
2. Phosphorus and potassium: important for fruit formation. Superphosphate and potassium salt are suitable.
You can also add other fertilizers, but it is worth remembering that their effectiveness in most cases raises questions.
Disease and pest control
The main enemies of cucumbers are powdery mildew, anthracnose and downy mildew. To protect plants, it is recommended:
• treating seeds with fungicides before planting;
• do not plant cucumbers in the same place two years in a row;
• use of biological protection agents such as Fitosporin and Trichodermin;
• at the first signs of disease, affected plants should be removed immediately to prevent the spread of infection .
Diseases and pests can cause significant damage, but some people don't fully understand the risks.
Support and formation of plants
To ensure that cucumber plants are not damaged and produce maximum yield, it is important to properly maintain and shape them.
It makes sense to use trellises or nets to support the plants. This improves air circulation and makes harvesting easier.
It is also worth regularly paying attention to extra shoots, because they will take away energy from the bush, preventing its proper development.
Previously, ideal days for planting cucumbers in early June were named.
Expert: Anastasia Kovrizhnykh
