Fertilizing cucumbers during flowering and fruiting

Today we'll explain how to fertilize cucumbers during flowering and fruiting. We hope our tips will help you achieve an excellent harvest. Also read: What to do if cucumbers don't grow.

Where to start caring for cucumbers

Essentially, you need to start by fertilizing the seedlings, and then continue this process to ensure good results. When the first leaf emerges on the cucumbers, they need to be fed. Add 50 mg of ammonium nitrate and just 1 g of superphosphate per liter of water. Repeat the feeding when the second leaf appears.

The next feeding will be needed when the plants are planted in the ground. To do this, add a fertilizer containing potassium salt and superphosphate to the soil in the garden bed, along with a little potassium chloride and a tiny bit (check the packaging) of ammonium nitrate. After two weeks, feed the plants with slurry diluted 1:8 with warm water.

Fertilizing during the flowering period

Fertilize as described above for seedlings and apply mineral fertilizers. To enhance fruit set, spray the cucumbers with boric acid. Add ¼ teaspoon of boron to a bucket of warm water. Apply this twice per season, and your cucumbers will respond with good fruit set.

Fertilizing during the fruiting phase

During this period, it's a good idea to feed cucumbers with urea – 50g/10l of water. Water the soil generously, then apply the fertilizer. Do not apply fertilizer to dry soil, as the nutrients simply won't reach the roots and, in high concentrations, can be harmful. Apply only after rain or watering.

If fruiting is delayed, it can be stimulated with superphosphate at a rate of 2 liters per 10 liters of water. If fruit set is poor, use urea at a rate of 1 liter per 10 liters of water.

In general, you need to focus on the condition of the plants. If they're feeling well, with no signs of disease, green and juicy leaves, and neat, even fruits, then periodic ash application and watering with herbal infusion will be sufficient. If you notice that the cucumbers are sick, drying out, wilting, or bearing poorly, it's time to apply the necessary fertilizer.

One cup of ash, preferably from fruit trees, can be added to the watering frequently, every two weeks. This will have a positive effect on both flowering and yield, as ash contains many nutrients beneficial for cucumbers (and other plants). If cucumbers are grown in greenhouses, they require small amounts of fertilizer, especially nitrogen (rich in chicken manure). Once they begin to bear fruit, focus on potassium and magnesium supplements, along with nitrogen support.

Top dressing with biofertilizers, yeast and bread

To avoid the hassle, you can buy biofertilizer specifically for cucumbers. It's effective, and you don't have to figure out how much to add. But let's stick with folk remedies—you'll save money on purchases.

Cucumbers respond very well to this type of fertilizer at any stage of growth. Add a packet of yeast (100g) to a ten-liter bucket, and you can water every couple of hours, ideally every 24 hours. You can read more about it here. How to properly feed cucumbers with yeast.

You can also make a slurry from stale black bread by placing it in a bucket of water and letting it sit for a couple of days to ferment. To prevent mold, press down on the bread so it doesn't float to the surface.

Other fertilizers using folk remedies

Herbal fertilizer is also a good folk remedy. Add mown grass (without seeds, otherwise you'll breed even more weeds), soak it in water, cover with plastic wrap, and let it ferment. After a few days, strain it, dilute it with 1/5 water, and water. One liter is usually enough (added to the soil, previously watered, under the roots).

The liquid manure should be diluted with water 1:8, if you use chicken manure - 1:15 with water.
To prevent various cucumber diseases, periodically spray them with an infusion of onion peels. This is especially helpful if the leaves have started to turn yellow. Place a cup of peels in a bucket, add 8-9 liters of water, bring to a boil, and turn off the heat. Let it steep for about 5 hours. Then strain and water. Peels, like ash, can be used multiple times. It won't harm your cucumbers. Use them in small quantities and at moderate concentrations. By following these tips, you'll grow excellent cucumbers, preserve them for the winter, and provide your family with a full supply of healthy vegetables during the growing season. Good luck!

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