Using saltpeter for cucumbers: how and when to feed

Saltpeter is used to fertilize vegetables, flowers, trees, and shrubs. It improves crop yields and enhances the quality of fruits. Unlike other nitrogen-containing fertilizers, calcium nitrate does not affect the soil acidity level, so it can be used on any type of soil.

Calcium, potassium and ammonium nitrate for cucumbers

Ammonium nitrate comes in different forms: nitrate, which acts very quickly, and the slower-acting ammonium form. Unlike most fertilizers, it works even in unheated soil, so it can be used even for the earliest plantings. Ammonium nitrogen is suitable for longer periods of plant growth because it is used up slowly. It is most commonly found as nitrogen sulfate fertilizer, or ammonium nitrate B.

Nitrogen sulfate is a compound of nitrogen and sulfur, available in varying proportions. Nitrogen content ranges from 25% to 32%, while sulfur content ranges from 2.9% to 15%. It comes in brown or sand-colored granules. These elements are highly water-soluble and improve plant absorption of other beneficial minerals.

Ammonium nitrate B contains only nitrogen and is the most effective of its peers. It is available as light-colored granules or powder. The color varies depending on the additives: it can be slightly yellow or pinkish. The active ingredient content is over 34%.

Calcium nitrate is a more gentle and safe fertilizer. It contains not only nitrogen in the form of nitrate but also calcium, up to 19%. It is most often found in light-colored granules or crystals. The fertilizer is water-soluble and has a long shelf life in a sealed container. Unlike other nitrogen-containing fertilizers, calcium nitrate does not affect soil pH. It is most effective on sod-podzolic soils.

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Potassium nitrate contains only 13% nitrogen and a significant proportion of potassium: over 40%. This ratio, better than other fertilizers, promotes fruit formation and growth, so it is widely used in the middle of the growing season. This type of nitrate also normalizes photosynthesis and strengthens the immune system.

Advantages and disadvantages

Fertilizing cucumbers with saltpeter helps improve fruit quality, accelerate growth, and strengthen the immune system, making the crops more resistant to disease and temperature fluctuations. Calcium nitrate is most often used, as it is the safest form for humans and is best suited for cucumbers.

Using this fertilizer:

• improves metabolic processes and photosynthesis;
• strengthens cell walls;
• accelerates the development of green mass;
• makes roots stronger;
• increases plant immunity and resistance to fungi and bacteria;
• allows better tolerance to temperature changes;
• increases crop yields.

Calcium nitrate is suitable for all soil types, even those with high acidity. Unlike other types of saltpeter, it does not further acidify the soil. This fertilizer will not cause any negative effects if applied correctly and at the correct dosage. Using it too frequently can damage the root system.

Ammonium nitrate is used less frequently because it has more disadvantages. It is explosive, acidifies the soil, and is not suitable for melons. Most cucumbers ripen quickly, but minerals are absorbed slowly, creating a cumulative effect. As a result, nitrates accumulate in the fruit, causing harm. Fertilizing should only be done during the initial stages, before harvest. It's better to use dry granules rather than a solution, burying them 10 centimeters deep in the soil. Watering burns the stems, damaging the plants. Many choose this fertilizer because of its low price, but it's better to spend more and save your crops.

Feeding cucumbers with calcium nitrate

This fertilizer cannot be combined with straw, sawdust and manure, as well as chalk andphosphate-based fertilizersThis combination can lead to a fire. However, it can be combined safely with wood ash or urea: its beneficial properties will only be enhanced. Fertilizing with saltpeter is carried out in several stages:

1. Before planting. The granules are applied dry, without diluting them with water, otherwise the nutrients may be washed out of the soil. 8-10 grams of the substance are sprinkled on the planting site of each bush. The granules are mixed with the soil to evenly distribute the active ingredients.
2. During the growing season, fertilizer is applied in liquid form. A weak solution is most commonly used: 20 grams per 10-liter bucket of water. The fertilizer is applied under the roots, using one liter per plant.
3. Fertilizer can be applied a third time when fruit is forming. It's best to use foliar application, spraying the plants with a spray bottle. Once the cucumbers begin to grow vigorously, it's best to stop feeding to avoid buildup.

Saltpeter improves the development of the green part of the plant, strengthening cell walls and roots. Spring soil fertilization will accelerate the breakdown and absorption of nutrients in the soil, resulting in faster germination of plant seeds. Therefore, it's best to apply the fertilizer to well-warmed soil or in a greenhouse.

Foliar feeding can also be used in the initial stages. After transplanting the seedlings into the ground, cucumbers need to be fertilized three more times. The first application can be made after the second pair of leaves has emerged. For safety, the dose should be small: 1.5 tablespoons per 10 liters of clean water. As the plant grows, gradually double the dose. The second application can be made two weeks later, and the third application four weeks later.

Spraying allows for more economical use of the product, accelerates its action, and isolates calcium nitrate from other nutrients the plant absorbs from the soil. When applied to the leaves, the fertilizer is absorbed more quickly and begins to work sooner than when applied directly to the soil. The danger lies in the concentration: too much of the substance can cause sunburn, especially when exposed to sunlight.

The main indications for use are calcium and nitrogen deficiencies. These deficiencies can be identified by the following signs:

• formation of light spots on leaves;
• increased fragility of stems and cucumber vines;
• the occurrence of rot and affected areas;
• change in leaf shape, curling;
• weakening of the root system;
• the appearance of yellowing on the stems and leaves;
• pointed ends of fruits;
• smaller than usual cucumbers.

Fertilizers are often used to enrich the soil in greenhouses, where it has a greater need for beneficial minerals. Nitrate can be applied indoors in liquid form—due to the lack of precipitation, the substances are not washed out of the soil. Caution should be exercised in heated areas: contact of the fertilizer with a heat source can cause an explosive reaction. For the same reason, it is not recommended to apply fertilizer in hot or sunny weather.

Production of calcium nitrate

You can make fertilizer at home using ammonium nitrate, which contains the main components. To do this, you'll need to combine it with slaked lime. This requires a fire, so you'll need bricks and firewood. It's best to carry out the reaction in an aluminum pan. It's best to do this in a clear area away from residential buildings, as the reaction produces an unpleasant odor.

Build a fire and place bricks on top, spacing them out enough to accommodate an aluminum container. Fill the pot with water and add saltpeter. For every 300 grams, you'll need half a liter of liquid. Bring the mixture to a boil over the fire, then carefully begin adding the lime. Do this slowly and in small portions. Wait until the mixture becomes uniform each time. The entire solution will require about 140 grams of the active ingredient.

Boil the mixture until the unpleasant odor disappears. Let it cool to allow the unused lime to precipitate. This can be disposed of, but the solution should be carefully poured off: this is calcium nitrate in a concentrated liquid form. To make a fertilizer, dilute the resulting solution in a 1:10 ratio and use it for watering and spraying plants.

Storage and safety

The main hazard is fire. This can occur at high temperatures or when in contact with flammable substances. Therefore, it's best to store supplies in dark, dry places, tightly packed in airtight containers. Ideal packaging is polyethylene or paper; the main thing is to ensure the packaging is intact. Protect the fertilizer from heat and direct sunlight, as this can cause an explosive reaction.

Another problem is nitrate accumulation. Melons accumulate nitrates in their cells more than other crops, so application should be stopped at the fruit formation stage. Using saltpeter in combination with organic fertilizers is also not recommended, as this will increase soil acidity.

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When working, you must follow basic safety precautions:

1. Mix solutions away from living areas.
2. Use protective equipment: mask, respirator, glasses, gloves.
3. Do not exceed the recommended concentration of the substance to avoid burning the skin and plants.
4. Water sparingly, without touching the stems and leaves: they can only be sprayed with a light solution.
5. If the solution comes into contact with skin or mucous membranes, wash the affected area and consult a doctor.

It's best not to use ammonium nitrate on cucumbers: it's more reactive, causes nitrate accumulation in melons, and can damage delicate stems and leaves. It can be neutralized by converting it into calcium nitrate. The resulting concentrate should be diluted and used for watering and spraying crops.

Reviews

Ivan, 46

I like calcium nitrate for its beneficial properties and ease of use. It slightly increases cucumber yields and replenishes nitrogen and calcium deficiencies. If used before sowing in the spring, the plants will grow quickly. I don't buy nitrate; I make my own from ammonium nitrate. It's a bit more work, but it's cheaper. It's best to watch the video before making it to avoid any potential problems.

Anna, 39

I use this fertilizer to feed cucumbers deficient in nitrogen and calcium. It quickly replenishes mineral deficiencies and strengthens the plants. They tolerate temperature fluctuations better and are less susceptible to disease. It's best applied as a solution, spraying the cucumbers or watering them directly at the roots. It's important not to overdo it, as it can damage the root system.

Alexander, 54

Cucumbers can be watered with a calcium nitrate solution immediately after transplanting. I do this three times a season, two weeks apart. Compared to normal growth, the yield increases, and the cucumbers turn out greener and brighter. It's important to finish feeding promptly to prevent nitrate accumulation.

Saltpeter helps cucumbers replenish nitrogen deficiency, increases yield, and strengthens the plant's immune system. Calcium nitrate is best suited for cucumbers: it doesn't cause nitrate accumulation and is gentler than other fertilizers. Calcium nitrate can explode when exposed to heat, so it should be stored in a cool, dark place in an airtight container. If you take precautions and fertilize cucumbers according to schedule, you can increase yields by 15%.