Planting cucumber seedlings in the Moscow region in 2021 according to the lunar calendar

To achieve an excellent vegetable harvest, you need to not only learn agricultural techniques and care for each seedling, but also pay attention to the best time to plant cucumber seedlings in 2021 in the Moscow region. When choosing the sowing date, consider the variety's growing season, germination characteristics, the climate of the growing region, and lunar calendar recommendations. By choosing the right planting dates, you can avoid worrying about weak seedlings with poor immune defenses.

Features of the region's climate

Every gardener knows that sowing cucumbers and other vegetables directly into the soil is only possible if the soil is well-warmed and the temperature outside is consistently warm. The Moscow region has a unique, rather unseasonable climate. Therefore, when growing various crops, pay attention to the following important points:

1. Due to the fact that winter lasts almost 6 months, the growing season of plants is shortened.
2. In January, you can already gradually loosen the snowdrifts.
3. In February, they begin sowing seeds.
4. In March, these activities continue, and greenhouse preparations begin. Snow is dug away around them to speed up melting. The soil is cultivated and turned.
5. Fertilizers are applied to the beds and greenhouses.
6. Cucumber seedlings can be planted in a greenhouse. Before planting, the beds should be sprayed with pest and disease control agents.

July and August are ideal for harvesting early-ripening varieties. It's best to choose those that ripen evenly. In September, the second flush of the harvest is harvested, but it must be grown under plastic, as night and day temperatures are insufficient for cucumber development. In the last days of the month, remove plant debris and prepare the beds for winter.

It can be concluded that growing seeds in soil is only suitable for 2-3 months. The region experiences very rainy summers, and light frosts at night are possible. Therefore, to preserve the harvest and protect it from such factors, it is best to cover the beds with plastic film or spunbond. The sun is practically absent, so during the day, no cover is used to prevent sunburn from ultraviolet rays.

Timing of planting and transplanting seedlings

In areas with high humidity due to excessive moisture throughout the growing season, immune-boosting products are used to prevent the development of fungus and mold. To plant cucumber seedlings, it's worth studying the lunar calendar, which selects favorable days based on the moon's phase.

There are also unfavorable periods when it is not advisable to transplant seedlings or even water them.

It is important not to blindly follow the recommendations of astrologers, but also to take into account the condition of the plant.

Zoned varieties

A huge number of cucumber varieties are available commercially. Many of them are hybrids and are specifically designed for greenhouse conditions. Below are the zoned varieties that used mainly in the Moscow region.

Varieties:

1. Masha F1. A gherkin hybrid. Recommended for greenhouses. Early maturing. Ovaries are collected in bunches, each of which produces about six fruits. A versatile variety with good disease resistance.
2. Connie F1. Early maturing hybrid variety. On one m² You can get about 12-13 kg of vegetables. This variety is high-yielding and resistant to many diseases that can specifically affect cucumbers. Five to six fruits grow on clusters of ovaries.
3. Cucumber Tumi F1. Early maturing, with consistent fruiting. Suitable for growing under plastic and in greenhouses. The growing season is 45 days. Fruit grows up to 11 cm in length.
4. Kurazh F1. This parthenocarpic hybrid is grown only indoors. Harvesting occurs 1.5 months after planting. When grown in a heated greenhouse, harvesting occurs after 2 months. The cluster-shaped inflorescences produce 10 ovaries each. Excellent flavor.
5. Claudia. A mid-season hybrid capable of growing even in adverse weather conditions. The harvest begins 60 days after the first shoots appear. This indeterminate variety produces versatile fruit. High-yielding.

These are far from all the varieties that can be grown in the Moscow region, but they are adapted to the conditions of this region.

Landing features

The quality of seedlings, fruiting performance, and the taste and quality of the resulting fruits depend on proper planting. Therefore, it's important to follow all agricultural practices according to the established guidelines. Proper pre-planting preparation increases yield, makes plants more resilient to stress, and accelerates germination. Proper seed preparation can extend their shelf life by up to 10 years. Before beginning, consider a number of important points:

1. Do not collect grains from annual crops on your own.
2. A varietal sample has the same yield as the plant from which it was collected.
3. Sunflower seeds purchased from specialty stores are already processed. Those prepared at home require disinfection.

To germinate, they are placed in a cloth bundle, moistened, and placed in a warm place. Some use a hardening technique. The bundle containing the seeds is placed in a cold place at 0°C for 24 hours. Then, they are planted immediately. Stress will speed up germination.

To obtain tasty fruits, the plant is planted in light, moisture-retentive soil. It should be:

• breathable;
• with drainage.

Mineral and organic additives are added according to standards. Generally, cucumber seedlings don't need additional fertilizer, otherwise they will grow too quickly. Simply plant the seeds in well-fertilized soil. It's best to prepare the soil commercially. It doesn't need to be disinfected before use. To prepare the soil mixture yourself, add:

• sand;
• mature compost;
• leaf soil;
• high-moor peat.

If the latter component is not possible, it is omitted. To remove pathogenic microorganisms, the following is performed:

• freezing;
• calcination;
• steaming.

Finally, preparations are added to promote rapid germination and rooting of the seeds. Additionally, treatments are carried out against fungi and harmful microflora. Biofungicides such as Fitosporin and Trichodermin are used for this purpose.

The planting process is carried out step by step as follows:

1. Prepare the container.
2. It is filled with soil to 2/3 of its height.
3. Drainage is installed in advance.
4. Water generously.
5. You need to wait until the excess moisture drains away.
6. The soil should be loose, moist, but not sticky.
7. The holes are made at a size of 3x5 cm. 2 seeds are planted.
8. The seeds are covered with soil or sand. The sowing is compacted slightly.
9. The container must be covered with film or glass.
10. It is installed in a room where the air temperature is +26+28 ^OWITH.

Until the first shoots appear, watering is done by light moistening – irrigation.

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Care

If the seeds are planted correctly, you can see sprouts in five days. As soon as they begin to sprout, remove the film from the container and place it in a well-lit area. Active germination occurs indoors, where the temperature is maintained at 26°C to 28°C. ^OC. When the cotyledon sprouts begin to open, the temperature is reduced to +25+27 ^OS. In the second week, the level is maintained at +18+22 ^OC during the daytime and +15+17 ^OC at night. The soil should be warmed up to +18+20 ^OC. At two weeks of age, seedlings should be acclimated to sudden temperature changes during the day. If the room has high humidity, ventilate it, but avoid creating drafts.

To grow strong and healthy cucumbers, follow these recommendations:

1. If the seedlings do not receive enough light due to cloudy days and without additional lighting, they will begin to stretch and will have difficulty absorbing nutrients from the soil.
2. Phytolamps must be installed over the plantings.
3. As the seedlings grow, move the containers further apart. Crowding the plants will shade the soil and lower leaves.
4. The leaves should not touch each other.
5. Watering begins 5 days after seedlings have emerged. Spray with warm water at +24+25 ^OC. If necessary, water through the tray.
6. After each procedure, mulch using dry sand or finely ground soil with humus.
7. If the water is too much, the roots will rot.

If the soil and stem are affected by mycorrhiza, it will be extremely difficult to get rid of it.

Planting cucumbers from seedlings or seeds requires the use of specialized fertilizers. These aren't necessary if the soil mixture was purchased from a specialty store and was supplied with all the nutrients under industrial conditions. The growing period for the preparatory seedlings is short, about 30 days. During this time, the roots don't have time to deplete the soil, so fertilizing is unnecessary.

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Maintaining the correct proportions is essential. Otherwise, growth will concentrate on the tops, and the roots will weaken. Such seedlings will be barren.

Common mistakes

Choosing the right planting dates for cucumbers in the Moscow region may not always contribute to a good harvest. There are a number of mistakes gardeners make that can negatively impact the growth and development of the plants and fruit.

1. The seedlings are stretching. This can be prevented by creating a stressful situation for the seedlings. The normal temperature is sharply reduced to +17 ^OFor a while. This slows down growth.
2. The sprouts are tilted to one side, preferably toward the light source. Cucumber containers are rotated 180 degrees, and additional lighting is installed above the containers.
3. The seedlings are actively growing, but frosts are still lingering outside. To prevent overgrowth, use special preparations, such as Tur and Camposan. They don't negatively affect the formation of foliage and buds. In some cases, the tops will be stronger, and the stems will be strong and thick.
4. The stem has stretched considerably before the leaves have formed. It is carefully folded into a ring and covered with soil. Water thoroughly. This will allow the stem to begin rooting, and the seedlings will become stronger.

If transplanting seedlings into warm soil is necessary, the area around the holes is covered with black film. This helps the soil retain heat.

A chart of favorable days for planting cucumbers in the Moscow region will be a reliable aid for any gardener. Cucumbers are grown in almost every garden plot, regardless of the region's climate. They are used for preserves, salads, and making original winter snacks. Most cucumbers can be grown either from seedlings or directly in the ground. However, with either method, proper care is essential. Only then can you enjoy a rewarding harvest.