Potassium fertilizers for cucumbers: types and how to feed them

Cucumbers

When growing cucumbers, it's important to remember that they require nutrition. No matter how fertile the soil, it can eventually become depleted of nutrients. They especially need potassium fertilizers. If the plant suffers from a deficiency, yields decrease, development slows, and the fruit may become smaller, as potassium ions are found in the vegetable's juice.

Why do you need to feed cucumbers with potassium?

Potash fertilizers Essential during the period of active flowering and fruit set. There are two types of mineral deficiencies in plants: temporary, which occurs when transplanting seedlings into the ground or during cold spells; and chronic, which is caused by insufficient nutrients in the soil.

Attention!

If there is a lack of potassium in the plant, ammonia nitrogen accumulates, which has a toxic effect and tissue death occurs due to a lack of moisture.

Typically, the condition of the plant's bushes indicates when a deficiency is occurring, but not everyone has the experience to notice this, so it's worth examining all the symptoms in detail:

The first thing you need to pay attention to is the absence of ovaries on the vines, but at the same time there are many branches and leaves, as in the photo;
the leaves lose their natural green color, yellowing appears at the edges, gradually making its way to the middle of the leaf, and eventually it may die;
Many barren flowers appear, the shape of the fruits changes, they look like a pear, and become bitter in taste due to the lack of sugar.

Potassium fertilizers for cucumbers boost the plant's immunity, promote rapid growth during flowering and fruiting, and increase resistance to insect pests. Fertilizing cucumbers with potassium humate will make them stronger.

Types of fertilizers

Fertilizers can be simple, which means they contain only one mineral substance, or complex, which means they contain many mineral substances.

Simple ones include:

Liquid potassium humate for cucumbers is recommended for use before planting. It removes toxins and nitrates, promotes seed germination, improves immunity, and extends harvest shelf life.
Potassium sulfate can be applied to cucumbers at any time. If the soil is more clay-rich, you can apply the fertilizer in the fall; otherwise, you can add it in the spring and during flowering. It promotes proper circulation in plant tissue, evenly distributing nutrients throughout the plant. Fertilizing cucumbers with potassium sulfate helps promote the development of new fruit.
Potassium salt has a greater effect on the soil itself, replenishing it with potassium, but has no effect on crops. It can be applied in the fall to prepare the soil for the next season.

Complex mineral fertilizers include:

Monopotassium phosphate, applied as a solution during planting. Its use improves overall cucumber development, boosts immunity, and initiates the growing season earlier.
Nitrophoska provides the plant with potassium and affects the crop throughout its growth and development.
Potassium nitrate should be used with caution, as too much can have the opposite effect. It is best applied during the fruiting period. This is a good fertilizer for cucumbers in a greenhouse.

Potassium deficiency affects the growth and development of cucumbers. It is important to apply fertilizers on time; there are specific fertilizers for each stage of development.

Attention!

Depending on soil conditions, potassium is applied five to seven times. Fertilizer is added approximately every three weeks.

Rules of application

Mineral fertilizers must be applied in the right quantities. Both insufficient and excessive amounts negatively impact growth, development, and fruiting. If cucumbers lack potassium, they need to be supplemented from outside.

But to be effective, they need to be prepared correctly:

Dissolve a teaspoon of complex fertilizer per 10 liters of water. You can also add 200 grams of mullein. If you don't have mullein, use herbal infusions. Apply at the roots using a watering can.
The next time cucumbers will need feeding is during the period of active fruiting; due to the active use of nutrients from the soil, the ovaries may dry out and fall off.
You can make a potassium fertilizer for cucumbers at home using wood ash. Add one and a half cups of wood ash per 10 liters of water. You can also use dry ash by sprinkling it on damp soil and then lightly watering.

Experience shows that it's best to prepare the soil for planting in the fall, after harvesting and removing any vegetation from the area. Potassium isn't washed out of the soil over the winter, but it dissolves and becomes an easily digestible form. Manure rots during this time and doesn't burn the roots when planting in the spring. Chlorine evaporates from mineral fertilizers containing chlorine before spring arrives. Root feeding of cucumbers is done approximately four times per season: immediately after emergence or after planting, during the active flowering period, during fruiting, and after the mass harvest. This method is considered the best, as nutrients are delivered directly to the plant's roots. Liquid fertilizers are watered between rows, while dry fertilizers are distributed throughout the area and dug in.

There are certain rules for applying fertilizers:

It is necessary to prepare a solution: 20 grams of potassium per 10 liters of water;
You can fertilize plants only after watering, since if the soil is dry, minerals can damage the roots, thereby weakening the plant’s nutrition;
the solution must be poured into the hole, avoiding it getting on the leaves, otherwise they may get burned, otherwise the leaves must be washed with water;
The procedure should be carried out in cloudy weather or in the evening, and the next day it is advisable to loosen the soil so that the roots are saturated with oxygen.

Reviews

Fertilizers affect the appearance of cucumbers, not their taste. They need to be especially fertilized during flowering and fruit set. But moderation is key. Apply potassium strictly according to the instructions, as both excess and deficiency can negatively impact the plants.

Marina, 34 years old.

I used potassium fertilizers when growing cucumbers, and I really liked them. They're relatively inexpensive and produce excellent results. Our soil is quite good, so I only applied fertilizer during flowering. The cucumbers grew well, there were plenty of them per plant, they fruited longer, and most importantly, the fruit had a long shelf life. Nitrogen-containing fertilizers are also a good choice.

Semyon, 54 years old.

I noticed the first signs of potassium sulfate deficiency in my cucumbers and started feeding them with monopotassium phosphate. The cucumbers in the greenhouse recovered from the deficiency. The plants recovered, set fruit, and lost their fruit. The harvest was very good and long-lasting; we enjoyed fresh cucumbers practically until the first frost; the fertilizer didn't affect their taste. Their shelf life has been extended; they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks without wilting.

Larisa, 60 years old.

I've been using potassium fertilizers for many years. I love them; my yields have increased. I apply them frequently: in the spring before planting, then during the growing season, and after harvesting. The fruiting period has increased, we can enjoy fresh cucumbers longer, and most importantly, the fertilizer doesn't affect the taste of the fruit. I recommend using them, but be sure to read the instructions before applying them; overfeeding negatively impacts plant growth and development. A potassium deficiency in cucumbers is dangerous.

Plants fertilized with potassium are less susceptible to disease during temperature fluctuations or prolonged rainfall, and their fruits also have a longer shelf life after harvest. However, potassium must be supplied to plants without chlorine, as it will interfere with the absorption of many nutrients, resulting in poor results.