Cucumbers are the most popular snack on our table. Most European gardeners grow these vegetables in their gardens. We have prepared some useful tips on how to increase your cucumber harvest so that you can not only enjoy them in the summer but also make useful preserves from them in the winter. You will learn more about 6 Effective Ways to Improve Cucumber Harvest by Bubgo article.
How to increase the cucumber crop in your garden? The first thing to do is to choose the right seeds and plant them on the ground.
To choose seeds for planting in the greenhouse or outdoors, experienced gardeners recommend soaking them in tap water for a few minutes. Then soak them in a saturated salt solution (1.5 grams of salt to 0.5 grams of water). Use the seeds that have settled at the bottom of the container with the solution. The remaining seeds may not germinate when planted in the soil.
Before sowing, cucumber seeds should be treated to protect them from possible diseases. First, heat them at 140 °F (60°C) for 2.5 to 3 hours.
Tip: We recommend using any container with boiling water that can be heated while the liquid is cooling.
The seeds are then soaked in a solution of manganese and boric acid for 15-20 minutes. If you have a UV lamp for disinfection at home, place the seeds under the lamp for 5 minutes.
To germinate, soak the seeds and wrap them in gauze for a few days. When they begin to germinate, place them in the refrigerator for a few hours to harden. The cucumbers are ready to be sown!
Plants like warmth and water. To increase cucumber yields in the greenhouse and outdoors, it is best to water in the evening with water that has been heated during the day in the sun. If it is cold outside, warm up your cucumbers with a pot or two of boiling water. The best water temperature for watering is 86 °F (30 °C).
Use a watering can on the cucumber roots: leaves should avoid dripping. Plants do not need heavy watering until they bloom. If there is no excessive heat, water once a week at a rate of one-third of the bed per 40 inches (1 meter) extension, i.e. 2.6 gals (10 liters) in the watering can. Double the amount of watering when flowers appear and triple it if ovaries are formed.
Tip: During the formation of cucumber ovaries, you can add a glass of milk to the watering can. This will help increase the yield.
Cucumbers should also not be overwatered, so reduce the frequency and amount of watering during cloudy days.
For mulching, it is best to use sawdust, peat, hay, haylage, or straw. Some gardeners prefer non-woven and aluminum foil materials. The composition of the mulch material has no effect on yield.
Why mulch soil in greenhouses and open fields.
1. This agronomic technique makes it easier to increase yields.
2. It helps to get rid of weeds.
3. The ground under the mulch retains heat in case the temperature drops sharply at night.
4. The soil maintains optimum moisture content.
5. Organic mulch provides nutrients to the beds.
Some gardeners believe that there is little need to prune cucumbers. However, if the plant is not controlled, the bushes will be dominated by male flowers. And also female flowers are needed to form the crop.
To increase cucumber production.
1. All lateral branches growing below the fourth true leaf should be removed.
2. Lateral shoots in the axils of 5-6 leaves are pruned at 8 inches (20 cm).
3. Wings at 12, 15, 20 inches (30, 40, 50 cm), etc. are tied on a trellis.
4. The tops of the shrubs were cut at a height of 60 inches (1.5 m).
Tip: On average, each shoot retains 3-4 ovaries and the same number of leaves.
Cucumbers have a shallow root system and should be planted in holes. To make sure they are firmly anchored in the ground, dig several times at the beginning of the season, pushing the ground cover back slightly. The first time should be raked out when the fourth true leaf appears, and the second time a few weeks later.
If the roots become bare during the growing season, the mulching should be done again. Raking the soil down to the stem should not prevent water flow to the roots, so the hill should not be too high.
Let's look at how to fertilize cucumbers to increase their yield. During the growing season, the bush should be fertilized with various substances. The first feeding of seedlings is 14 days after planting them in a fixed location.
Dissolve a bucket of water to prepare the fertilizer as follows.
1. 20 grams of ammonium nitrate.
2.10 grams of potassium sulfate
3.10 grams of calcium superphosphate.
The application rate is 0.26 gals (1 liter) of nutrient solution per shrub.
Second fertilization was made at the beginning of flowering. This time the cucumber smoothie was included.
1. 30 g of ammonium nitrate.
2. 20 grams of potassium nitrate.
3. 0.40 grams of calcium superphosphate per bucket of water.
The consumption per plant is the same - 0.26 gals (1 liter).
Feeding cucumbers with ovaries with ash infusion: 0.13 gals (0.5 liters) of ash per bucket of water (left for 2-3 days). When they start you can feed cucumbers again with 1 tablespoon of nitroglycerin diluted in a bucket of water.
Tip: Pick ripe cucumbers at least once every 2-3 days. Otherwise, ripe fruits may delay growth and oviposition. Harvest in the morning.
What steps do you take to get a good crop of cucumbers on your plots? Please share your experiences with other gardeners in the comments!
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