Growing cucumbers in a polycarbonate greenhouse

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In order to gather a rich harvest, you should study in advance the detailed information on how to grow cucumbers in a greenhouse made of polycarbonate.

First you need to choose the appropriate grade. When making a purchase, you should pay particular attention to the manufacturer's recommendations indicated on the packaging. Whichever variety of cucumbers you choose, you need to make sure that the preliminary preparation and processing of the planting material has been carried out. If the seeds are not processed, you will have to carry out this procedure yourself.

Seed preparation for sowing

There are several ways to prepare seeds for sowing:

It is necessary to germinate pre-disinfected seeds on wet gauze. In order to wash off all pathogenic bacteria from seeds, a solution of hydrogen peroxide or potassium permanganate is suitable. Seed material must be kept for 5-7 minutes in a disinfectant solution, then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Dilute in 100 ml of pure water 1/3 tsp. boric acid, immersed in the resulting fluid seeds for 3 hours. After this procedure, the seeds are washed with running water.

Sprouted cucumber seedlings can be planted in the greenhouse after 4 dense leaves appeared on the stem and at least 30 days have passed since the beginning of growth. Greenhouse at this point will be a favorable place for planting.

Recommendations for growing cucumbers in the greenhouse

How to grow cucumbers in a polycarbonate greenhouse? The main thing is to remember that sudden changes in temperature, humidity and dryness, excess moisture in the soil and watering with cold water are the worst enemies that impede the development of a strong plant. A greenhouse is no exception; in it, as in the open field, it is important to observe proper conditions.

To harvest the cucumber hit its volume, you must follow the basic rules:

The greenhouse in which cucumbers grow must be aired, but drafts must not be allowed. Moreover, the airing should be carried out in any weather, even rainy.
In order for a seedling to actively develop, the composition of the soil in which it is planted must be neutral, without excess nitrogen. The root system of cucumbers loves oxygen, so the soil must be carefully loosened.
For cucumbers important proper feeding. Exactly 21 days after planting, seedlings can begin to feed. Well stimulates the growth of soil mulching. For these purposes, mowed grass or sawdust is excellent. Mulching helps to retain moisture in the ground as much as possible, to prevent the fruits from rotting if they grow close to the ground surface. So that the soil does not dry out and a hard crust does not form on its surface, the beds are mulched with a thin layer of hay.
It is important to ensure that the surface roots of cucumber seedlings are not exposed. They are recommended to be sprinkled periodically with earth.
It is recommended to water cucumbers on day 3 after planting. This period is correct for both greenhouses and open ground. For 2 weeks, water the seedlings only in the root part in order to allow the root system to develop well. Until the first ovary appears, cucumbers are watered 1 time in 3 days.

Experts advise to adhere to some recommendations of proper watering:

Do not pour water directly on the leaves. Without good air circulation, the seedlings will start to hurt. It should be watered at the root of the plant with warm and settled water. If water is drawn from the tap, then it must be allowed to stand for several hours.
It is forbidden to water cucumbers in direct sunlight. Drops of water remaining on the leaves will turn into burns.

How to tie up and feed

When growing cucumbers in a greenhouse made of polycarbonate, it is necessary to tie the lash carefully, without tightening the loop tightly. As the plant grows, the stem of the plant will thicken, and if the loop is tightened too tight, it will squeeze the shoot. Once a week you should check the quality of tying, directing the stem in the right direction.

It is impossible to grow a healthy and fertile plant without competent fertilization. Systematic feeding allows you to collect the maximum crop of cucumbers in volume and makes the seedlings more resistant to diseases and pests. Experts recommend sticking with the following fertilization scheme:

During the period of active growth of shoots and leaves, seedlings need to be fed with nitrogen fertilizers.
During flowering and the period of formation of ovaries, the soil should be properly fertilized with nutrient compounds with a large amount of phosphorus.
When the whips begin to actively bear fruit, the soil needs potash and nitrogen fertilizers.

The very first feeding begins with the formation of this 4th leaf. Subsequent feeding with a frequency of 1 every 3 weeks. The signal to conduct additional feeding can be the formation of new colors.

The threat to cucumbers growing in the greenhouse

To minimize the risks of damage to the leaves and stem of the seedlings, cucumbers are grown in greenhouse conditions. In a greenhouse, the main pests for cucumber seedlings are aphid and whitefly. Aphids like to eat up the pedicels, so it is important that there are no weeds in the greenhouse. The whitefly, covering the plant with its juice, causes the appearance of fungus. To avoid this scourge, all windows of the greenhouse are carefully closed with a grid.

The main enemy of cucumbers is powdery mildew. This disease often appears, and it is difficult to get rid of it.

What if cucumber leaves turn yellow? Yellow leaf - a serious problem for gardeners. For plants planted into the ground, adverse weather conditions can cause the appearance of a yellow sheet, and in the greenhouse - a shortage of nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil.

You never have to wait for a cucumber to grow. A fully ripe fruit can be considered if it is 5 cm in length. Uncollected crop burdens the bush, reducing the number of new ovaries.

Drying lower branches - not the best condition for the formation of new ovaries. Such a problem may occur if in the summer period there is not enough fresh air in the greenhouse, low humidity. To remedy the situation, you must carefully remove all the yellowed leaves, lay the stem of the seedlings on the soil and sprinkle it with soil. Landings begin to water more often, until the root system becomes stronger.

The fruits of cucumbers develop extremely slowly - this is one of the problems of gardeners. In order for cucumbers to grow more actively in a greenhouse made of polycarbonate, it is necessary to shed the soil well on a sunny day, and then tightly close the greenhouse. Care must be taken that the ripe fruit does not exceed 12 cm in length. Harvest at least 2 times a week.

For greenhouse conditions choose hybrid varieties. They are distinguished by high yields, but there are situations when the ovary stops developing, dries and eventually subsides. The reasons for this phenomenon may be several:

air temperature exceeds +35 ° C, and humidity is more than 90%;
the plant has no male flowers;
the soil is poor in minerals and requires their introduction;
harvesting is rare.

It's a shame when a cucumber grown in such labors is bitter. Why it happens? The taste of this vegetable has a significant effect a special substance - cuckbitacin. Its quantity depends on the conditions in which the cucumber grew, the influence of the variety of seedlings and the duration of ripening.

The longer the cucumber ripens, the more bitter will be its taste.