How to fertilize cucumbers in a greenhouse

Cucumbers

Fertilizing cucumbers should begin when they're still seedlings. When a pair of true leaves appears on the young plant, its root system has strengthened, and it's time to apply the first fertilizer. This should be taken very seriously, as this is when the future plant is forming, and the entire future harvest depends on it. A wide range of complex fertilizers for cucumber seedlings is available commercially. Using them is quite simple; the main thing is to carefully read the instructions on each package.

Many gardeners with years of experience growing greenhouse cucumbers know that to produce tasty cucumbers, the soil must be rich in potassium. Therefore, potassium is added to the soil during tillage, especially in floodplain soils. Potassium sulfate strengthens the plant's immune system, increases yield, and helps fight various diseases.

There's hardly a garden plot or vegetable patch where cucumbers aren't grown. Everyone uses their own growing and fertilizing methods, learns from their own mistakes, and asks friends and acquaintances for advice. But there are some rules to follow, especially if this vegetable is grown in a greenhouse; after transplanting, it requires special attention and knowledge.

Fertilizers and types of fertilizers

Whether or not to fertilize is the gardener's choice. However, if growing fruit in a greenhouse, fertilizer is essential.

There are three main types of fertilizers used for greenhouse cucumbers.

Phosphorus

Correctly and timely applied phosphorus will help the plant strengthen its root system and promote proper fruit set and ripening.

Nitrogen

Greenhouse cucumbers are fed with nitrogen fertilizers almost throughout the season. This can be done through spraying, foliar feeding, or drip irrigation.

Potassium

These are essential for normal growth and good fruiting. Many people often use potassium chloride, but it's better to use fertilizers without chlorine, which is not good for cucumber fruit. It's best applied in the fall, when the soil is dug.

Fertilizing cucumbers in a polycarbonate greenhouse

To ensure a successful harvest, with beautiful and crisp fruits, soil preparation begins in the fall. Once the entire crop has been harvested, all debris in the greenhouse is carefully removed, the soil is dug over, and well-rotted manure or compost is added at a rate of one bucket per square meter.

Disinfection of the structure is also mandatory. The entire greenhouse is treated with a chlorine solution. The mixture is easy to prepare: use 300 grams of regular bleach per ten-liter bucket. Dilute and let sit for several hours. Then spray the room.

In the spring, the soil is dug over again, watered with warm water, and some add a small amount of potassium permanganate. The soil is covered with plastic film and removed just before planting. Cucumbers are primarily fed with mineral and organic fertilizers, and can be applied either root or foliar.

Throughout its growth, the vegetable requires additional nutrition. During the initial stages, it primarily requires nitrogen, then potassium, and during fruiting, phosphorus.

Selection of seeds

Selecting the right seeds is crucial to obtaining a high-quality and abundant harvest. They must be high-quality, flawless, and self-pollinating varieties are best, as there are no bees in a greenhouse. Before planting, seeds must be soaked in a potassium permanganate solution and kept in a damp, soft cloth or cheesecloth for several days. As soon as sprouts appear, the seeds are ready for planting.

How to fertilize cucumbers in a greenhouse 2 weeks after planting

The seedlings are transplanted into a greenhouse, allowed to establish themselves and adapt to their new location. After two weeks, the vegetables are fed with the same fertilizer used for the seedlings. To avoid burning the roots of the young plants, water them thoroughly before fertilizing, preferably in the evening.

Many people feed their seedlings with homemade fertilizers. To do this, add 10-15 grams of superphosphate, ammonium nitrate, and potassium sulfate in the same amounts to a ten-liter bucket of warm water. Mix everything thoroughly and water the plants at a rate of three liters per square meter.

After planting, cucumbers can and even should be fertilized with yeast. When released into the soil, it releases vitamins and phytohormones. This supplement is equivalent to a good complex fertilizer. However, it's important not to overdo it; too much yeast can lead to excessive growth of the tops, which will slow down the growth and fruit production.

During flowering and fruiting, root and foliar feeding is necessary. This will provide the plant with essential nutrients and protect it from pests and diseases.

A second feeding is recommended at the beginning of flowering. To help the cucumbers grow and bear fruit, add the same fertilizer used for the first feeding. During this period, in addition to nitrogen and potassium, the plant also needs magnesium. For this, add chicken manure or mullein to the soil.
For the third feeding, use 10 g of potassium nitrate diluted in 10 liters of water.

During heavy fruiting, the plant requires potassium and nitrogen fertilizers. During this period, urea diluted in water at a rate of 100 g per 20 liters of water is suitable. Many use mullein diluted in water at a ratio of 1:5. You can purchase ready-made fertilizers such as "Zircon," "Ideal," and "Kormilets," which will help your plant produce good, strong fruit. Baking soda (25-30 g of powder per 10 liters) can also be used.

Cucumbers require fertilization 3-4 times throughout the season, but only in small amounts. It's better to underfeed than overfeed, and the best option is aqueous solutions, which are better absorbed by the plant.

To get a good harvest of greenhouse cucumbers, you need to remember when to fertilize:

after 2 weeks of seedlings being in the greenhouse;
after the first flowering;
during mass fruiting.

By following this rule, even the most inexperienced and novice gardener will be able to get high-quality fruits.

Soil for cucumbers

The soil composition must also be considered. For example, clay soil will deprive the plant of phosphorus and nitrogen, while sandy soil will be deficient in potassium, boron, and copper. Therefore, it's essential to consider the soil used in the greenhouse first. The ideal soil for growing cucumbers is one with added ash and charcoal.

What fertilizers are needed?

When cucumbers have a beautiful, even shape, are green in color, without yellowing or bending, and the leaves are bright green, without spots and not turning yellow, this indicates that your seedlings are healthy and are not bothered by pests and diseases.

If your cucumbers are deficient in, or have too much of, certain nutrients, you'll know right away. To determine what your plant needs or is getting in excess, consider some external factors.

Potassium deficiency

These simple facts will help you understand that a vegetable lacks potassium:

the leaves turned dark green;
the shoots and leaves grow too quickly and reach unusual sizes;
the fruit takes on the shape of a pear;
A yellow border appeared on the lower leaves.
To avoid unwanted results, immediately apply a root dressing with a wood ash solution: simply weigh out 100 grams and dilute in a bucket of water. This solution can be used to fertilize and feed cucumbers at any time, every ten days.

Lack of nitrogen in the soil:

fruits are light green in color;
the fruit resembles a bird's beak or hook;
stem growth slows down;
the lower leaves turn yellow.

These symptoms can occur due to underwatering and when the plant isn't receiving enough nitrogen. If this occurs during fruiting, it's best to avoid chemicals. Instead, you can feed the plant with an herbal infusion. To prepare such an infusion, cut about two kilograms of weeds, chop them finely, and add a 10-liter bucket of water. Let it steep for several days, strain, and use for watering.

Phosphorus deficiency in the soil:

leaves and shoots slow down their growth;
The new leaves that form are much smaller than the old ones, they are dark in color and dry out quickly.

Solutions such as ammonium phosphate and diammonium phosphate can help prevent phosphorus deficiency. If a cucumber has a very narrow center, this indicates that the water used during irrigation is too cold, or the soil lacks magnesium or iron. Complex fertilizers are needed.

When the fruit begins to taste bitter, it's catastrophically lacking water and needs more water. Water only with settled water, as tap water, containing various impurities, can be detrimental to the plant.

It's best to spray cucumber plants in the evening or on a cloudy day. The solution should be sprayed evenly, in fine droplets. This will allow it to remain on the leaf surface longer, allowing the plant to absorb all the nutrients.

If the vegetable starts to turn yellow, foliar feeding should be done immediately. In this case, an infusion of fresh nettles can help. Dissolve a liter of the infused herb in a bucket of water and spray the plants.

In conclusion, we'd like to emphasize the importance of proper and timely fertilizing of cucumbers in a greenhouse. This not only promotes healthy growth and development but also ensures a bountiful, high-quality harvest. We've examined various types of fertilizers, their advantages and disadvantages, and provided recommendations for their use. We hope this information is useful and helps you grow healthy and productive cucumbers. Remember, the most important thing in gardening is love and care for your plants. Good luck with your gardening!