Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L., family Cucurbitaceae) – annual plant pumpkin family. The cucumber root system consists of a short tap root and numerous lateral roots.
The bulk of the roots are located in the upper (15...20 centimeter) layer of soil, although individual roots penetrate to a depth of 1 meter or more.
The cucumber has a long, pentagonal, fragile stem that spreads along the ground, giving rise to first-order side shoots, from which second-order shoots, in turn, grow, and so on. The stem has grooves along each edge, is covered with colorless hairs and reaches a length of 2 meters.
There are short-climbing and bush forms of cucumber with a stem length sometimes not exceeding 20 centimeters, as well as determinate ones, in which growth stops above 10...12 nodes, with a shoot length of about 40...60 centimeters. At favorable conditions While growing, the cucumber plant gains a huge vegetative mass of leaves and many stems. The stems have so-called tendrils that tend to attach themselves to some kind of support, and if this happens, the plant grows upward to receive maximum sunlight and heat.
Cucumber leaves are petiolate. On the same plant they differ in size and color. The first leaf is formed 5...6 days after emergence. In the axils of each leaf, starting from the third and above, tendrils, shoots, flowers, and adventitious roots are formed. The leaf arrangement is regular. The leaf blade is entire, jagged at the edges, slightly lobed, pentagonal in shape.
Flowers, as well as tendrils and shoots, are formed in the axils of the leaves. The varieties have dioecious, cross-pollinated flowers. The corolla is funnel-shaped, yellow. Male flowers grow in a bunch (inflorescence), while female flowers are usually solitary with an ovary. Some varieties have so-called partial dioecy - with a predominance of female or male flowers. Special attention vegetable growers deserve parthenocarpic hybrids of cucumbers. They form fruits without fertilization, which is a very valuable quality in greenhouse growing conditions.
Female flowers are larger than male ones, they are mostly solitary, but there are varieties, mostly early ripening, in which 2...5 flowers are simultaneously formed in the axil, collected in bunches. Male flowers usually appear first on the lower nodes of the vine, female flowers later on the upper nodes.
In addition to male and female flowers, some cucumber varieties produce hermaphroditic flowers. In some varieties they lean more towards the feminine side, in others - towards the masculine side. Such flowers form spherical or turban-shaped fruits.
In monoecious forms of cucumber, the number of male flowers is significantly greater than female ones. In this case, there are usually more male flowers on the main stem, and more female flowers on the side vines located further from the main stem. The manifestation of gender, the ratio of male and female flowers is a varietal trait, although it can vary depending on external conditions and agricultural practices. So, a short 12…13 hour day, keeping it in the air carbon monoxide, acetylene promote the formation of female flowers and an increase in their number.
The fruit of a cucumber is a false berry (pumpkin) with three to five seed chambers, various sizes, shapes, pubescence, painted in various shades of green. Fruits up to 8 centimeters long are small, 8...11 centimeters are medium, 12...18 centimeters are large and more than 18 centimeters are very large. Varieties that form greens longer than 18...20 centimeters are called long-fruited.
The shape of greens is very diverse - from spherical to crescent-shaped, but in most varieties it is cylindrical and elongated-ovoid. The surface is smooth, finely or coarsely tuberculate, pubescent with white or black spines. The color varies from milky white to dark green with or without a pattern on the fruit.
Important varietal qualities of fruits are peel density, yellowness, taste, aroma, pulp consistency, shelf life, and pickling qualities. Some varieties have bitter fruits. However, the manifestation of bitterness in other varieties is facilitated by lower temperatures, low air humidity and irregular watering. Removable (technical) ripeness of green fruits occurs at the age of 3…12 days.
Biologically ripe fruits - seeds are 1.5...2 times larger than greens. In them, the color of the fruit becomes white, yellow, brown and other colors, in many varieties a medium or coarse mesh is formed, lignification of the seed coats occurs, and the acidity of the pulp increases. The fruits of the testis contain 100...400 seeds.
The seeds are located in seed chambers located in the core of the fruit. The seeds are white, with a yellowish tint. Cucumber seeds come in various shapes, colors and sizes. For the most part, they are flat, smooth, oblong, white or light cream in color, 5...17 mm long, 3...7 mm wide. The weight of 1000 seeds is 16...35 grams, 1 gram contains 28...62 pieces. The seeds of long-fruited varieties are more elongated than those of short-fruited varieties.
Biological features of cucumber
Cucumber's relationship to temperature
Like all cucurbits, cucumber is a very heat-loving crop. It does not tolerate frost at all.
Seeds begin to germinate at a temperature of +12...+13 °C, but the optimal temperature is +25...+30 °C. Of course, such a temperature during sowing, as a rule, does not happen, so a temperature of +17...+18 °C is considered acceptable for obtaining seedlings. This temperature in middle lane In Russia it usually happens in the second or third decade of May, when sowing takes place.
The optimal temperature for growth and development before fruiting is +24...+28 °C on a sunny day, +18...22 °C on a cloudy day, at night it is desirable - not lower than +12 °C. During fruiting, the optimal temperature is slightly higher: +24 …+30 °C during the day and above +16 °C at night. If the air temperature during the day is below +15 °C, the growth and development of plants is delayed, and pollen formation is impaired.
Daytime temperatures below +10 °C, depending on the duration, lead to damage to organs or death of plants. 3-4 days at a temperature of +3 °C leads to the death of plants. Such a demanding attitude to heat will be determined, first of all, by late sowing dates.
Cucumber's relationship to light
Cucumber is a short-day plant, but in our conditions, as a rule, varieties that are neutral to day length are grown.
Light-loving plant. Increasing illumination leads to increased yield. In protected soil, additional illumination is used for this, and in open soil, a sunny southern slope is chosen and the plant density is adjusted to the optimum.
Cucumber to moisture ratio
Cucumber is demanding on soil moisture and relative air humidity. The optimal relative humidity is 80-90%. The optimal soil moisture during the period of growth of the leaf surface is 70-80% NV, during the flowering period - 55-60% NV (in such conditions the fertilization process is more successful). Lack of moisture in the soil stops plant growth, promotes a shift in the sex of flowers to the male side and the appearance of bitterness in the fruits.
We feel bitterness in fruits due to cucurbitacins, which accumulate at high temperatures and lack of moisture, as well as during prolonged cold spells. It should be noted that there are varieties that are not capable of accumulating cucurbitacins.
Waterlogging of the soil is also detrimental to the crop, leading to the death of the roots (roots also breathe and for this they need oxygen). Cucumber is a crop that reacts very strongly even to short-term flooding.
The relationship of cucumber to soil and nutrients
The best soils for cucumbers are light, fertile, with a high humus content.
Cucumber requires a neutral reaction of the environment: best = 6.4...7.
The removal of nutrients from cucumber is relatively small: on chernozems it is N - 3, P 2 O 5 - 1.2, K 2 O - 3.2 kt/t of product, on sod-podzolic soils - a little more.
However, the peculiarity of the cucumber is that it very quickly forms an above-ground mass, and therefore absorbs nutrients very quickly. At the same time, their constant presence in the soil is required, especially considering that the main root system is located in the arable layer. But another feature of the cucumber is that it does not tolerate high concentrations of soil solution. What to do? There is a way out - apply fertilizers fractionally, incl. in fertilizing.
Vegetable plants of the pumpkin family are the most numerous in terms of the number of species included in it. They unite 100 genera, which include about 800 species used as food. A common botanical feature is liana-like shoots (except for some varieties and varieties), which are often called lashes. They spread along the ground or are attached to supports and trees with the help of antennae. There are three main types of flowers in plants: male, female and hermaphrodite. All pumpkin plants are short-day plants. With a short day, flowering and fruit formation begin earlier.
The ratio of flower types on a plant is a genetic trait. But depending on the growing conditions, the sex ratio can be changed in one direction or another. The proportion of female flowers can increase under the influence of a short day, at lower night temperatures, with the introduction of increased doses of nitrogen fertilizers and an increased content of CO 2 carbon dioxide in the air and other factors.
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) belongs to the pumpkin family. Its homeland is the tropical and subtropical regions of India and China, where it still grows in natural conditions. The fruits of wild cucumber are small and inedible due to the content of bitter substances - cucurbitacins. In Russia, this the culture has been known since the 16th century and is very popular among the population.
Unripe fruits at technical ripeness are used for food in raw and canned form. Their nutritional value is determined by the presence of alkaline mineral salts (potassium, magnesium), phosphorus and iron salts, as well as enzymes that promote the absorption of vitamin B 2 from other foods and proteins of animal origin. In terms of energy value, cucumber fruits occupy the penultimate place among vegetables, as they contain only 4-6% dry matter, about 2% sugars, 1% proteins. The value of cucumber is determined by its taste and medicinal properties. The fruits contain ascorbic acid, thiamine (vitamin Bi), riboflavin (B2), folic and pantothenic acids (B5 and B5).
Cucumbers - good source iodine and a number of microelements. Fresh fruits have diuretic and antipyretic properties, reduce the acidity of gastric juice.
Plant fiber (0.7%) is not absorbed by the body, but plays an important role in regulating intestinal activity and promotes the release of cholesterol from the body. An enzyme similar in nature to insulin was found in the fruit, thanks to which the cucumber is valuable dietary product. Applicable in folk medicine for the treatment of gouty tumors, kidney and lung diseases, is integral part diets for obesity. Cucumber juice is an excellent cosmetic product.
Cucumber is one of the early ripening cucumbers vegetable crops, begins to bear fruit on the 36-42nd day after the appearance of mass shoots (early ripening varieties), pickles and gherkins are formed 5-7 days earlier. This is an annual plant. Ground varieties have a main stem - a vine of varying lengths. There are long-climbing varieties (main stem 150 cm), short-climbing (60 cm) and medium-climbing (61-150 cm). Bush and dwarf varieties are also known, the stem length of which does not exceed a few centimeters. The leaves are petiolate, with an alternate arrangement. The root system is taprooted, branched, diverging from the taproot within a radius of 1.5 m, but concentrated in the surface layer of soil at a depth of 15 to 40 cm.
In the axils of the 3rd-4th and subsequent leaves, tendrils, shoots, adventitious roots and flowers are formed, collected in 3-15 pieces in an inflorescence corymb. Cucumber is a monoecious, dioecious, cross-pollinated plant. Men's and female flowers can be formed in separate or in the same (mixed) nodes. But these properties are not required. Among the wide variety of forms, there are dioecious, partially dioecious and with bisexual flowers. The ratio of male to female flowers depends on the variety and growing conditions. In the axils of the lower leaves, predominantly male flowers are formed. Higher up the stem, the ratio of male and female nodes shifts towards the latter. The uppermost nodes of the main stem, as well as the nodes of the branches higher order, can only be female. Varieties and hybrids of predominantly female flowering type form male inflorescences on the main shoot only in the lower nodes, and then only female inflorescences are formed or alternation of male and female nodes is observed. There are varieties (Lemon) with bisexual flowers.
The fruit is a multi-seeded false berry (pumpkin). Zelentsy (8~10-day ovary) vary in size (5-10 cm), weight (20-300 g), shape, structure and color. The surface of the fruit varies from hairless, smooth to ribbed and tuberculate with spines. Pubescence can be simple, complex or mixed; the color of the thorns is white, brown or black, the color of the fruits is from white to dark green. Fruits with black pubescence turn yellow faster, losing their presentation. Varieties and hybrids with pubescent greens with well-defined tuberculation have higher pickling properties. Sometimes cucumber fruits are bitter. The appearance of bitterness caused by the accumulation of glucozoids-cucurbitacins is influenced by age, growing conditions (lack of moisture, high temperature and prolonged cold spells) and genetic factors. There are varieties and hybrids that do not produce bitter fruits. Cucumber flowers are pollinated mainly by bees. IN last years Parthenocarpic hybrid varieties have been created that form fruits without pollination. They are used in greenhouse production; their fruits retain commercial quality for a longer period, which allows for less frequent harvesting.
Cucumber has a high requirement for heat and does not tolerate frost. Seeds begin to germinate at a temperature of +12.+13°C. At!4°C, seedlings appear in 15 days. The optimal temperature during the period “sprouting - flowering” is +24+28°C in sunny weather, +18+22°C in cloudy weather. With prolonged exposure to a temperature of +5°C, plants die, and at +10+12°C, the growth of roots and aerial parts stops, the leaves turn yellow due to the destruction of chlorophyll. Growth processes stop at temperatures above 40°C. The formation of female flowers and filling occurs most intensively at temperatures of +25+30°C during the day and -+8+20°C at night. At daytime temperatures + 2 + 15 ° C, pollen growth and formation weaken.
For cucumber plants, sudden transitions from high to low or from low to high temperatures are undesirable. This can lead to the death of crops. Far Eastern varieties adapt better than European ones to low temperatures and sharp fluctuations in temperature. Night cold snaps in summer and early autumn sharply shorten the growing season, fruits are severely affected by diseases, and light frosts destroy plants. With sharp temperature fluctuations, plant depression and root death occur. At night temperatures during flowering and fruiting below 16°C, the growth of ovaries is inhibited.
Varieties intended for open ground need good lighting, especially when young. Lack of light is observed in thickened crops, so it is necessary to carry out thinning in a timely manner. Cucumber is neutral to day length, but its greatest productivity is recorded with a 9-12 hour day. A shortened day is especially important in the first 20-25 days after emergence. Copra of tropical and subtropical origin are distinguished by a particularly pronounced photoperiodic reaction, which do not form generative organs when grown in summer in mid-latitudes. With a lack of light, assimilation decreases and flowering is delayed by 1-2 weeks; less sugars and other nutrients accumulate in the fruits.
Cucumber places increased demands on soil and air moisture. Optimum soil humidity is 80% NV, air humidity is 90%. Lack of moisture in the soil inhibits growth, reduces turgor during the day, leads to an increase in the number of male flowers and contributes to the appearance of bitterness in fruits. Excessive moisture and
flooding leads to the death of roots. In conditions of overheating and low relative air humidity, refreshing sprinkling irrigation (50 m 3 /ha) is effective.
Cucumbers carry few nutrients when harvested. Thus, to form 100 centners of harvest with the corresponding amount of leaf and stem mass, they consume up to 35 kg of nitrogen, 10-16 kg of P 2 O 5 and 40-51 kg of K 2 O. However, the rate of their consumption is very high, which is determined by the intensity of mass growth plants. Cucumber is very sensitive to the concentration of the soil solution and soil reaction. Optimal conditions for cucumber growth are at pI 6.0-6.5. Effective application of high doses organic fertilizers. It responds better than other vegetable crops to the application of fresh organic fertilizer, the significance of which is to improve not only mineral nutrition, but also the physical properties of the soil and increase the release of carbon dioxide.
Cultivation technology
Predecessors. IN vegetable crop rotation cucumber can be placed along the layer and turnover of the layer of perennial grasses, after vegetable peas (if the crops were not treated with herbicides), tomato, potatoes, cabbage, onions, vetch-oat mixture and winter wheat. For summer crops of cucumber in irrigated crop rotations, areas are chosen after early vegetable crops. The best soils are sandy loam, light and medium loams, well fertilized with organic and mineral fertilizers.
Basic tillage system. After the predecessors, which clear the field early, peeling is carried out to a depth of 6-8 cm. When placing the cucumber along the alfalfa layer, they are plowed with a GSh-4-35 plow with the moldboards removed to a depth of 10-12 cm to trim the root collar, and after 10-12 days autumn plowing at 27-30 cm with plows with skimmers in late September - early October. Areas infested with root shoot and rhizomatous weeds are treated before autumn plowing with plowshares and PL-5-35 or GShL-10-25.
Fertilizer system. The main fertilizer (2/3 of the calculated dose) is applied during fall plowing. On Cis-Caucasian leached chernozems without irrigation, a large increase in cucumber yield (74 c/ha) is ensured by the application of mineral fertilizer with a predominance of nitrogen (Nj 2 ()P6oK6o); in irrigated areas, increasing the dose to Ni8oPi8oKi8o increases the increase to 82.4 c/ha, however, the payback of fertilizers decreases. A further increase in the dose or unbalanced application of nutrients reduces the increase in yield due to the growth of tops to the detriment of weed formation. On meadow-chernozem soils, the application of N 9 o P90 K90 + 30 t/ha of manure is effective.
The most effective form of nitrogen fertilizer turned out to be ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate; from potassium - chloride salts. Experiments at the Krasnodar Research Institute of Vegetable Growing have established high efficiency application of microfertilizers: when applying 5.5 kg/ha of manganese sulfate with N90P90K90 under plowing, the yield of cucumbers on meadow-chernozem soil increased by 34 c/ha, when applying 1 kg/ha of ammonium molybdenum oxide in the same combination - by 26 c/ha ha. At the same time, there was an acceleration in the intensity of formation and growth of fruits and an increase early harvest, the content of sugar and ascorbic acid increased.
Pre-sowing tillage begins with early spring harrowing with medium BZSS-1.0 harrows across the plowed area or diagonally. After the weeds grow, early cultivation of KPS-4 is used to a depth of 12-15 cm. Pre-sowing cultivation is carried out the day before sowing to a depth of 4-5 cm. For early cultivation, the remaining mineral fertilizers and the herbicide devrinol at a dose of 3-6 kg/ha (in this case, it is better to use greens only for processing).
Varieties and hybrids. Cucumber varieties and hybrids differ in terms of ripening (early ripening, mid-early, mid-ripening* late ripening); by cultivation method (for conventional technologies and one-time mechanized harvesting); by purpose (salad, pickling, canning and universal).
In the Krasnodar region the following varieties and hybrids are zoned: Stork (early ripening, universal), Dean (mid-early, canned), Competitor (early ripening, pickling), Phoenix (late ripening, salad), Brigadny Fj (mid-early, universal), Zhuravlenok Fj (early ripening, salad), universal), Rodnichok R 5 (early ripening, pickling).
Noteworthy are the promising pickling varieties Asterix, Business, Vzglyad, Aquarius, Zodiac 499, Unity, Cascade, Katyusha, Favorit, Electron and hybrids Golubchik F 1 Klavdiya F 1 From canned varieties, promising varieties are Vector, Ira, Lotus, Malysh and hybrids Desdemona F; and Nightingale F1. Along with them, I cultivate Gaia Far Eastern varieties that exhibit field resistance to periospora: Avangard, Vostok, Vladivostoksky 155, Dalnevostochny 6, Kit, Lotos, Mig, Ussuriysky 3, Dalnevostochny 27 and others.
Pre-sowing preparation seeds It is better to sow with seeds that have a shelf life of 2-3 years, which are selected by density in water or a 3-5% solution of table salt. For sowing, seeds that have settled to the bottom are used. Wash them in running water. Seeds can be sorted on sieves by size or by specific gravity in the air flow. Seeds dried to a moisture content of 6-7% are heated for 2-3 days at a temperature of +45+50°C, then for several hours at a temperature of +76+78°C to disinfect them from viral diseases. Before sowing, the seeds are treated with one of the preparations: TMTD (4 g per 1 kg of seeds), fenthiuram (4 g per 1 kg of seeds), Ridomil (12 g per 1 kg of seeds), Apron (4 g per 1 kg of seeds) or a mixture of Apron and TMTD (according to 4 g of each drug). Wet dressing in a 1% solution of potassium permanganate is also used, immersing the seeds for 20 minutes, then they are thoroughly washed. It has been established that treating cucumber seeds with potassium salts delays the aging of plants, prolonging their fruiting. At the same time, the green color of the greens lasts longer. Seed disinfection can be used by bubbling them in a TMTD suspension. It is also effective to soak seeds in water, solutions of salts of various microelements and growth stimulants, germination before pecking, hardening at variable or constant temperatures. Soaking is carried out for 12-14 hours. To do this, use manganese sulfate (0.05-0.1%), copper sulfate (0.001-0.005%), boric acid (0.005-0.05%), zinc sulfate (0.03-0.05%), molybdate ammonium (0.03-0.05%), cobalt nitrate (0.01-0.02%), potassium alum (0.002%), sodium carbonate (0.5-1.0%), potassium bromide (0. 1%), succinic acid (0.001-0.002%), nicotinic acid (0.02%), methylene blue (0.03%), sodium humate (0.01%). The stimulant ivin at a concentration of 0.0005% (5 mg/l) with exposure for 24 hours helps to increase the number of female flowers. However, after treatment with ivin, it should not be treated with drugs, especially a solution of potassium permanganate, as it neutralizes the effect of ivin.
Best quality Dressing is achieved by encrusting the seeds - processing them using film-forming preparations. Along with pesticides, growth substances and microelements can be included in this solution. Encrusting seeds allows you to protect them from adverse influences environment, activate germination. To treat seeds using the inlay method, the following composition is prepared (in grams per 100 kg of vegetable seeds): polyvinyl alcohol - 200, zinc sulfate -40, copper sulfate - 40, gibberellin or gibbersib - 2.5, TMTD-400 or fentiuram - 300, In addition to disinfectants, the mixture must include the drug iron, which is effective against downy mildew (400g per 100kg of seeds). Gibberellin can be replaced with the growth regulator ivin (2g). After treatment, a thin film is formed on the surface of the seeds that retains the preparations. Encrusted seeds ensure the harvest arrives 7-10 days earlier, which makes it possible to collect it before mass destruction
false plants powdery mildew. Inlaying can be done in pans or small-sized mixers.
Sowing. For a uniform supply of products throughout the season, optimal loading of canneries and mechanized harvesting, it is advisable to sow at several times. They begin to sow when the soil at a depth of 4-5 cm warms up to +12+15°C and the danger of frost has passed. In the Krasnodar Territory, this temperature approximately occurs in mid-April. Each subsequent period is appointed when the first true leaf begins to appear on the plants of the previous sowing (after 15-20 days). The last (summer) sowing is carried out no later than June 30.
Sowing of seeds is carried out using a seeder SKON-4.2, SO-4.2 (seed rate 9-10 kg/ha) or a seeder for precise and dotted seeding (seed rate is reduced to 3-6 kg/ha). The depth of seeding on light soils is 4-5 cm, on heavy soils - 3-4 cm. Sowing patterns for cucumber - two-line tape 90+50 cm or wide-row with row spacing 70 cm. After sowing, rolling is advisable.
Plant care system. To control weeds, four to five days after sowing, pre-emergence harrowing is carried out with medium harrows diagonally or across the sowing. Emergence harrowing is used in the phase of three to four true leaves (if the plants are sufficiently dense). The first loosening of row spacing, like all subsequent ones, is carried out to a depth of 6-8 cm with a KRN 4.2 cultivator, then weeding and digging of plants to specified distances. For varieties Mig, Avangard, Dalnevostochny 27, no more than 45-50 thousand plants are left per hectare, for varieties Cascade, Dalnevostochny 6, Vladivostoksky 155 - no more than 40 thousand plants. Varieties Konkurent, Aist, Dean, Brigade F1 can be thickened to 60-70 thousand pieces/ha; for the short-flying varieties Kustovaya 98 and Obelisk, the crop density can be left at 150-200 thousand pcs/ha. Depending on the variety, the distance between plants is left from 10 to 35 cm. At least three cultivations are carried out during the growing season. Feeding nitrogen fertilizers are appropriate if they were not applied before sowing
The first time is fed in the phase of the second or third true leaf, the second time - a week before flowering. It is advisable to use ammonium sulfate or urea as fertilizers, since they contribute less to the accumulation of nitrates. To increase productivity, it is recommended to treat plants with a hydrel solution (300-500g per 400 liters of water) in the phase of 3-5 true leaves.
Irrigation is carried out when soil moisture in the root-inhabited soil layer decreases to 70% HB; after flowering - up to 80% NV. The highest moisture consumption per day (50-60 m 3 /ha) is observed in cucumbers during fruit formation. During the growing season, it is required to carry out from 7 to 9 irrigations at a rate of 150 to 300 m 3 /ha with the DDA-100M unit. In hot weather, refreshing irrigation with sprinkling of 50–75 m 3 /ha is useful, while the air temperature decreases by 5-8°C. To avoid plants being affected by diseases, it is not advisable to water cucumbers with water from artesian wells and mountain rivers. Curtains made of sorghum and corn protect from overheating and winds. The width of the interstage strips is 10-12 m, the direction is across the prevailing winds.
Pest and disease control measures. Weeds are a breeding ground for melon aphids in the spring. Therefore, it must be destroyed in a timely manner. Against aphids, crops are sprayed with one of the following preparations: 0.2% karbofos; 0.1-0.2% phosphamide (Rogor, BI-58); 0.1-0.15% acrex; fufanon (0.6-1.2 kg/ha); phosband (0.3-1.5 kg/ha); Rogor (BI-58) is used 30 days before harvesting, other drugs - 20 days.
The most harmful diseases of cucumber in open ground are bacteriosis, anthracnose, true and downy mildew. Against bacteriosis, preventive spraying with Bordeaux mixture (0.5-1.0%) or a 0.5% suspension of copper oxychloride, cuprosan or zineb is used. Against powdery mildew, treat with a 0.5-1% suspension of colloidal sulfur with the addition of 0.2% urea or 0.5% copper sulfate or dust with a mixture of sulfur and fluff lime (8-10 kg of sulfur and lime each per 1 ha). You can also spray with a 0.08-0.1% suspension of karatan or foundationol. One of the following drugs can be used against peronosporosis: avixil (2.1-2.9 kg/ha), alacid (0.8-1 kg/ha), alette (2 kg/t), vitaxid (2.1-2 .4 kg/ha), daconil (1.5-1.8 kg/ha), oxychome (1.9-2.1 kg/ha), ephal (3 kg/ha), Bordeaux mixture (6-10 kg /ha). The number of treatments per growing season is 3 or 4. The preparations Avixil, Vitaxid, Oxychome, Efal can be used 20 days before harvesting, Bordeaux mixture - 5 days, Aliette - 7 days, Alacid and Daconil - 3 days. Against spider mite, melon aphids, thrips use actellik (0.3-1.5 kg/ha), karbofos (0.6-1.2 l/ha) 20 days before harvesting or ground sulfur 20-30 kg/ha in one day before cleaning.
Varieties of Far Eastern selection and the Phoenix variety can be grown without the use of chemical measures combating downy mildew. Instead, foliar feeding is used with a mixture of preparations per 1 ha: 7-10 kg of urea, 120-150 g of copper sulfate, 120-150 g of boric acid, 200-250 g of potassium permanganate per 500 liters of water. The first feeding is carried out when signs of the disease appear, the second - after 7-10 days; During the period of mass fruiting, you can carry out 1-2 feedings with the same mixture. Feeding is carried out in the morning and evening hours.
Harvest. Harvesting is carried out every two days, for pickles and gherkins - daily. With the most careful daily collections, gherkins account for 40-45%, and with collections every other day - no more than 15-20%. For harvesting, harvesting platforms POU-2, PNSSH-12A, UPNS-100, PT-35 are used. They reduce harvesting costs by 1.5-2 times, but do not solve the problem of complete mechanization of harvesting. The non-marketable part of the harvest is separated on the field. The final sorting is carried out at the cannery according to the following qualities: premium gherkins - 50 mm in length, i grade - 70 mm, small cucumber - 90-110 mm, medium cucumber - 120 mm, large cucumber - up to 140 mm.
It is more advisable to use combined harvesting: 2-3 manual collections using harvesting platforms, and then one-time harvesting with a combine harvester. For this purpose, a complex of domestic machines is offered, consisting of an AUS-1 unit for selective harvesting of vegetables, a KOP-1.5 or KOU-1.5 combine harvester for continuous one-time harvesting of cucumbers, an LDO-3 line for post-harvest processing products. You can use a VU cucumber harvester (Hungary), which cuts plants in the soil at a depth of 3 cm, picks them up and feeds them into the fruit separator. The fruits separated from the plants are fed into a storage hopper, cleaned of plant impurities with an air jet and delivered to boxes, and then to a nearby transport. Labor productivity increases four times; the machine harvests 25-30 hectares per season.
One-time harvesting of varieties and hybrids with quickly yellowing greens should be carried out on the third day after the last manual harvest, and of the Kustovaya 98 variety - on the fifth day. The yield of marketable fruits when harvested with a combine can reach 250 c/ha.
In the greenhouses of OJSC Agricultural Plant "Gorkovsky" cucumbers are grown in winter - spring and summer - autumn rotations. In winter - spring rotation in protected soil, the leading position is occupied by shade-tolerant bee-pollinated hybrids of the Relay variety type, such as F 1 Relay and F 1 Atlet. (Gavrish) The agricultural complex uses F 1 Gladiator as a pollinator hybrid. In summer-autumn rotation, parthenocarpic hybrids are grown such as: F 1 Effect, F 1 Courage
Pre-sowing preparation of seeds. To accelerate the growth of seedlings, soak the seeds in a solution of microelements for 12 hours:
for 1 liter of water, 100 mg of boric acid, copper sulfate, zinc sulfate and manganese sulfate, 20 mg of ammonium molybdate. After soaking, the seeds are dried to a free-flowing state.
TMTD - against a complex of diseases: seed treatment with 4 g/kg of seeds (10 ml of water/kg of seeds).
In winter - spring rotation, the optimal time for sowing cucumber is December 1 - 3. And for the summer - autumn turnover 12 - 14 June. Seedlings are grown in mineral wool cubes. The cubes are placed close to each other on sliding racks (which allows you to maintain a high percentage of the usable area of the seedling greenhouses, helps save energy, provides better heat and light conditions, and also improves working conditions) and covered with film.
After the emergence of seedlings, the covering film is removed and the seedlings are arranged manually at the beginning of the closure of the leaves. When a true leaf appears, the seedlings are turned so that the first true leaf of each plant is directed in one direction. This way the leaves shade each other less. The final plant density after placement is about 20 – 22 plants per m2). Before emergence, the air temperature is maintained at 25 - 26 o C, and the substrate temperature is 24 - 25 o C. After emergence, the covering film is removed and the air temperature is gradually reduced to 20 - 22 o C. This temperature is maintained until seedlings are planted at 20 – 21 o C – during the day (with additional illumination) and 17-18 o C at night (without additional illumination). The difference between day and night air temperatures provides good development root system. The temperature of the substrate must correspond to the air temperature. Air humidity 80 - 85%, substrate humidity 75-80%. and turn on the illumination lamps. In low greenhouses, Reflax lamps are used - 400, and in new high greenhouses Reflax - 600. For the first 3 - 4 days, supplementary lighting is carried out around the clock. Then 10-12 days - 16 hours a day; the next 10-12 days - 14 hours each, and the last 4 - 5 days before planting the seedlings - 12 hours each. On the last day, the seedlings that are being planted are not illuminated. The size of nutrient cubes when growing seedlings is 10x10x4.5; the weight of one dry cube is about 12-15 and 50-55 g.
Mats should be stored in unheated, fire-safe rooms. To prevent drying out, the mats are covered with plastic wrap.
When growing cucumber in small-volume crop conditions, it is advisable to have sub-substrate heating. The temperature of the coolant in the sub-substrate heating system must be regulated automatically; its increase in the sub-substrate heating system above 24 o C leads to an increase in the temperature of the substrate and damage to plants by pythium and fusarium rots. Particular attention is also paid to watering; 2–3 days before planting, the mats are saturated with a nutrient solution with an EC of 2.5–3.0 mS/cm and a pH of 5.3. The optimal substrate temperature is not lower than 22 o C.
When growing seedlings on mineral wool, water once or twice a day at a rate of nutrient solution 0.3 - 0.4 l per plant.
Nutrition levels depending on the growth periods of cucumber plants when grown on mineral wool are given in Table 1.
Mineral nutrition levels of the F 1 Atlet hybrid when grown on mineral wool. Table 1
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During a long period of cloudy weather, you need to water especially carefully, because... high root pressure with minimal transpiration can lead to stem cracking.
The day before planting, the seedlings are watered with a solution of fungicide against root rot. When selecting plants for planting, all sick and weakened ones are removed. The seedlings are collected in boxes and transported for planting.
Cucumber seedlings are planted at the end of December, 25–30 cm high, with five to six large leaves, and a well-developed root system. The main value is the early part of the harvest, arriving in spring and early summer. The planting density is 2.3 – 2.5 plants per m2.
Preparing the greenhouse for planting seedlings begins with its disinfection after the end of the previous crop. Rows of plants are placed along the ridge, with a span width of 6.4 m, 4 rows of plants are planted. After placing the mineral wool cube on the mat, it is necessary to carry out 2-3 waterings to improve its contact with the mat and stimulate the rooting of plants. For better surface contact, the cube is “pinned” to the mat with a bamboo stick. In the future, watering is carried out taking into account the arrival of solar radiation. After rooting (2-4 days after planting), the plants are tied with twine to horizontal trellises - wires stretched over rows of plants, with 2 trellises (50 cm from one another) placed above one row of cucumbers. The optimal height of the trellis is 2.2 m. First, the twine is tied to the wire with a double sliding knot, and then to the stem of the plants (for convenience, the twine is thrown onto the trellis in an empty greenhouse). As the plants grow, their stems are twisted around the stretched twine.
Yellowing lower leaves, deformed ovaries and shoots that bear fruit should be removed. It is recommended to remove the tendrils, since the infection remains inside the leaves twisted by them, which reduces the effectiveness of treating plants with pesticides.
From the leaf axils of the lower part of the plants (up to a height of 50 cm), it is necessary to blind the side shoots and flower buds. Above this zone of “blinding” of the leaf axils, pinch the next 6 - 7 shoots (up to a plant height of 1 m) into 1 leaf and 1 ovary. The side shoots in the middle and upper parts of the main stem (up to a height of 1.5-1.7 m) are pinched into 2 leaves and 2 ovaries, and the topmost ones (under the trellis) - into 3-4 leaves and 3-4 ovaries. Pinching of shoots should be carried out with minimal losses for the plant, i.e. remove only the tip of the shoot. Delay in pinching growth points, as well as removing shoots 20-30 cm long leads to a significant decrease in yield (by 2 - 3 kg/m2).
The first fruits on the main stem must be picked when their weight reaches 180 - 210 g, otherwise they will retard the growth of side shoots, especially in cloudy weather. After the top of the main stem has outgrown the trellis, it is smoothly bent to the wire (making two turns). It is very important to point the tops of all plants in the same direction. The top of the shoot is led to the next plant, then 1-2 leaves are lowered down and pinched.
On the main hybrid of a predominantly female type of flowering, a sufficient number of male flowers for full pollination is available only in the first stages of flowering. Further, the number of male flowers decreases sharply. Therefore, the agricultural complex grows the main bee-pollinated hybrid F 1 Athlete together with the pollinating hybrid F 1 Gladiator. It is very important that the fruits of the main hybrid and the pollinator hybrid are as similar as possible, so that there is no need for additional sorting. The number of hybrid pollinator plants is 10–15% of the total number of plants (1:4–5). Planting of hybrid pollinator plants begins at the end of February, when the main hybrid’s own male flowers are no longer sufficient to ensure normal pollination. However, in pollinators, the proportion of male flowers decreases with increasing branching order. Therefore, during the winter-spring rotation, seedlings of a pollinating hybrid are planted in 2-3 terms. In the second half of March, 3-5% of the hybrid pollinator plants are planted with the main hybrid, then the next planting is carried out in mid-May to ensure fruiting of the plants in June. You can plant hybrid pollinator plants in place of fallen plants.
A feature of bee-pollinated cucumbers compared to parthenocarpic cucumbers is that the growth of the ovary and the formation of the fruit are impossible without setting seeds after pollination. Cucumber pollen is coarse-grained, sticky, and cannot be carried by the wind. Pollination of cucumber flowers in greenhouses occurs with the participation of bees.
Maximum fruit set and good quality are obtained when flowers are pollinated in the morning. If a female flower is fertilized on the first day, the next day its petals turn pale and bees visit such a flower less often. Bees visit female cucumber flowers less often than male flowers, which are more attractive because they contain not only pollen, but also nectar.
In greenhouses in the morning, bees visit mainly male flowers. This is explained by the lack of beebread reserves in the families, which is why the bees experience protein starvation. One bee colony can provide effective pollination in a hangar greenhouse up to 1500 m2 in size. In block greenhouses there should be 8-10 bee families per 1 hectare. When growing a bee-pollinated cucumber crop, the exhibition of bee families from the winter hut to the greenhouse is carried out after gartering the plants, 4-5 days before the start of their flowering. The hives are installed in the southwestern corner of the greenhouse, with the entrance facing the crop being pollinated. Placing the bee colony at the end opposite to the entrance to the greenhouse is due to the fact that when installing hives at the doors, bees fly into the working and production premises and get lost. Bee colonies are placed on metal stands 35-40 cm high, leaving around a free space of 1 m for the bees to fly out. In cloudy weather, bees can be placed at any time of the day, and in sunny weather it is better in the evening. A day after the flight, a control inspection of the exposed bee colonies is carried out. If necessary, bee colonies are transplanted into clean hives and food supplies are replenished as necessary. A prerequisite for preparing bee colonies for pollination is the installation of individual drinking bowls with salted water on the day of the exhibition of bee families in greenhouses. Treatment with pesticides is recommended to be carried out at the most favorable time, if possible, with preparations that are harmless to bees and, preferably, in the afternoon, and at elevated temperatures - in the late afternoon, when bees no longer visit flowers.
The optimal temperature regime in the greenhouse is described in Table 2.
Air and soil temperature. Table 2.
Relative air humidity is maintained within 70-75% before fruiting and 75-80% during fruiting.
After the end of the first wave of fruiting on the main shoot and the transition of fruiting to the side shoots, the night temperature is reduced for two weeks to 16 - 17 o C, which entails the formation of female flowers, stimulates plant branching and accelerates the appearance of side shoots.
Fruiting of cucumber hybrids in winter-spring rotation begins from January 19-25. And in summer - autumn at the beginning of August. The first fruits appear on the main stem. The period from the beginning of flowering to the formation of the fruit, depending on the light and variety, is 12-20 days.
Harvesting of greens is carried out every other day. The fruits are harvested early in the morning, because Fruits collected during the day heat up and are stored worse. Harvesting is the most labor-intensive work. Harvesting trolleys and tractor lifts must be used. Standard fruits are collected in boxes and transported on carts from the rows through adrenal heating pipes.
Standard cucumber fruits are 18-22 cm. It is very important that the fruits of the main hybrid and the pollinator hybrid are as similar as possible so that there is no need for additional sorting. For winter-spring and extended rotation, cucumber hybrids are needed that are adapted both to short days (7-8 hours) and low light in the winter months, and to long days and high light in the spring and summer months. A very important property for these hybrids is also resistance to sudden transitions from low to high light and vice versa. Also resistant to low temperatures of day and night. The importance of this point increases with increasing energy prices for winter greenhouses.
Bee-pollinated cucumber hybrids can withstand a drop in night temperatures to 15-16 C without reducing yield, which makes it possible to reduce energy costs and expand the growing area in cultivation facilities.
Cucumber cultivation must be completed at the end of June, because Cucumber plants age quickly; The yield of the crop is significantly reduced and the number of non-standard products increases (more than 50%). With the appearance of cucumber on the market, the price of the fruit drops significantly (taking into account non-standard products, this price drop is noticeable). Due to the aging of the cucumber and the accumulation of diseases and pests, the number of chemical treatments has to be significantly increased. Also, further extension leads to difficulties in marketing products and loss of optimal timing for planting the next crop. The yield of cucumber in winter - spring crops (before July 1) is 31-33 kg/m2. .
In the summer-autumn rotation at JSC Agrokombinat "Gorkovsky", cucumbers are planted before July 8, at the age of 20-25 days. Each week of delay in planting seedlings means a yield loss of more than 1 kg/m2. The main problem when growing cucumbers in summer-autumn rotation is compliance with a set of phytosanitary measures. By the time of growing seedlings
For the second rotation, pathogens and pests remaining after the winter-spring rotation accumulate in greenhouses. F1 Courage is resistant to powdery mildew. Near greenhouses with a summer-autumn crop of cucumber there should not be greenhouses with an extended crop of cucumber as a source of infection for young plants.
In order to improve illumination and air exchange in the prism zone, it is recommended to blind the lateral shoots from the lower leaf axils of the main stem at a height of 90 cm. Form side shoots located above 90 cm into one leaf and one fruit, and on the main stem increase the number of fruits, leaving ovaries starting from a height of 40 cm above the soil surface.
The irrigation regime is of great importance. The substrate should not be allowed to dry out, because the root system weakens. As the weather worsens, watering reduces the temperature of the substrate at the beginning of cultivation to 22-24 o C, at the end of 19-20 o C. Relative humidity before fruiting is 70-75%, after fruiting 80%. They also fertilize with potassium fertilizers.
The autumn crop of cucumber is completed at the end of October and, depending on the variety and planting date, a yield of 10-12 kg/m2 is obtained.
Carbon dioxide feeding.
Obtaining a high overall and especially early yield is impossible without the use of carbon dioxide fertilizers, especially in the case of cultivation using low-volume hydroponics. In greenhouses, carbon dioxide is released by plants through respiration, contained in the atmosphere, or introduced into the greenhouse. The first two sources are not enough to ensure a high level of photosynthesis. In sunny weather, and in February - March with closed transoms, without additional supply of carbon dioxide, its content in the air decreases, which leads to a significant crop shortage.
The sources of carbon dioxide supplied to the greenhouse can be divided into biological and technical. The use of biological sources is associated with the activity of microorganisms that decompose fiber and produce carbon dioxide during their life processes. Biological sources of CO 2 in greenhouses are manure, straw, wood chips, sawdust, peat, etc. Such sources can be taken into account when growing cucumber crops on soil, but they should not be taken into account when growing cucumber in low-volume hydroponics. The main disadvantage of biological sources is the impossibility of regulating the feeding process and the short duration of the increase in CO 2 concentration in the greenhouse.
Among the technical sources of carbon dioxide, liquefied carbon dioxide is currently the most widely used; boiler room exhaust gases; gas generators of various types operating on natural gas. A promising source of carbon dioxide is boiler house exhaust gases. The use of exhaust gases has several big advantages: fertilizing can be carried out with open transoms, i.e. throughout the entire season, the emission of CO 2 into the atmosphere is regulated, while natural gas is saved, and most importantly, the project quickly pays off. The exhaust gases from the boiler room are supplied to the greenhouse through a pipeline, using blower fans, and in the greenhouse - through polyethylene sleeves with a diameter of 5 cm with perforations of 4 holes for every 20 cm. The sleeves are placed under each row of plants. The pipeline must have drainage holes to drain condensate. Since the environment in which the pipeline is operated is quite aggressive, it is better to make it from polyethylene pipes rather than from metal pipes (metal is subject to rapid corrosion). Currently, with the refusal of many greenhouse complexes from large boiler houses and the installation of boiler houses on each block of greenhouses, this method has become more economical, because does not require the installation of an expensive main pipeline of larger diameter over long distances. This method also has disadvantages, one of them is the presence of CO and NO 2 impurities, which can pose a serious danger to both people working in the greenhouse and plants. In this case, it is necessary to have a CO/NO 2 analyzer to monitor the air in greenhouses. Second drawback: summer time when there is no need for heating, the boiler operates to supply CO 2. In addition, when switching from gas to fuel oil in a mine or emergency situation, due to the small amount of impurities hazardous to human health and harmful to plants, fertilizing with boiler room exhaust gases cannot be carried out.
The use of gas generators running on natural gas or propane is also quite widespread nowadays. Gas generators in the amount of 9-16 pcs. per 1 hectare, depending on their productivity, they are installed permanently above the trellis level. They are easy to operate, equipped with an automatic control device for burner operation and allow you to automate the process of CO 2 feeding. The main disadvantages are: the impossibility of using them with open ventilation transoms, when CO 2 with the air heated during burner operation escapes into the atmosphere; A significant increase in air temperature in the area where gas generators are located, which affects the uniformity of plant growth; possibility of formation of CO and NO 2 impurities.
CO 2 feeding begins at sunrise, simultaneously with the beginning of plant photosynthesis, and ends 2-3 hours before sunset. Seedlings are not fed with carbon dioxide. Most often this is due to the difficulty of supply and single-row distribution of CO 2 in the seedling compartment. The CO 2 concentration in the greenhouse is maintained at 700-800 ppm. In the summer months (May - June), it is advisable to maintain the CO 2 concentration at a higher high level(up to 1000 ppm) due to higher illumination, but technically this is difficult to do with open transoms.
Cucumber is native to the humid tropics of India and Indochina. On the territory of Russia, cucumbers appeared and became widespread even before the founding of Kievan Rus. In our country, cucumbers are one of the most favorite vegetable crops. Cucumber fruits are used both fresh and for processing: canning, pickling.
Cucumbers are valued not only for their taste, but also for their content of vitamins and mineral salts. Cucumbers contain carotene, vitamins C, B1, B2, folic acid, as well as trace elements: sodium, magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium, copper, phosphorus, zinc, chromium, silver, iodine.
Cucumbers are very good for health - they improve appetite, help absorb fats and proteins from other foods, and improve metabolism. Due to their low calorie content, cucumbers are recommended for obese people to include in their diet.
Botanical features of cucumber
Cucumber is an annual herbaceous plant from the pumpkin family. It has a long creeping, branching, 4-5-sided, pubescent stem. On the main stem, shoots of the first order are formed, on which shoots of the second order develop, etc. The main stem reaches a length of 200 cm, but when grown in greenhouse conditions, it can grow more than 5 meters. There are bush forms of cucumbers; they are characterized by stopping the growth of the main stem in a certain phase, for example after the formation of 10-12 nodes. On the stems, in the axils of 3-6 leaves, tendrils form, with them the plant clings to the supports and the vine grows upward, which allows you to grow cucumbers on a trellis.
Roots. The root system of the cucumber is taprooted and branched. Its development depends on soil and climatic conditions. In the middle zone and more northern regions, the bulk of the roots are located in the upper layer of soil, up to 30 cm. Individual roots penetrate to a depth of up to 80 cm. In the southern regions, with a lack of moisture, the roots grow superficially only at the beginning of growth, and then begin to grow deeper , up to 120 cm. If the soil is sufficiently moistened, then on the cotyledonous knee, during the period of intensive vegetative growth, many adventitious roots grow.
Flowers. Cucumbers are monoecious plants with dioecious flowers. Female, male, and less often bisexual flowers are formed on the plant. Female flowers are usually solitary, less often 2-4, with an ellipsoid or oval-elongated ovary on a short stalk. The ovary is three-petal-shaped, inside of which there is a stigma. Male flowers have a long stalk and five stamens containing pollen. Flowers are collected in inflorescences of 5-7 pieces. Male flowers usually bloom 1-3 days earlier than female ones. The structure of the calyx and corolla is female and male flower are the same, only the corolla of the female flower is larger than the male one. The corolla is yellow, five-lobed, wheel-shaped. The calyx is goblet-shaped, with five stamens (2 fused in pairs, 1 free). The ovary is inferior, pubescent, the stigma is tripartite. Bisexual flowers have a stigma, an inferior ovary and five stamens.
As the plant grows, flowers form in the axils of the upper rudimentary leaves. Which flowers there will be more on a plant, male or female, depends on the growing conditions, characteristics of the variety or hybrid. On the central shoots, more male flowers are formed than female ones, and on shoots of the first, second and further orders the ratio changes - the number of female flowers increases sharply.
Cucumber is a cross-pollinated plant; for pollination it needs insects: bees, flies, wasps, bumblebees, ants and others. Along with bee-pollinated varieties, there are parthenocarpic varieties and hybrids. In such varieties and hybrids, fruits develop without pollination; they are good for growing in greenhouses.
Fetus. The fruit of the cucumber is a meaty false berry (pumpkin) and has 3-5 seed chambers. Fruits vary in size, weight, shape, color, pubescence, depending on the variety.
By size, cucumber fruits are divided into 3 categories: pickles (length 3-5 cm), gherkins (5-9 cm) and greens (9-30 cm)
According to the shape of the fruit, cucumbers are ovoid, elongated-ovoid, cylindrical, elongated-oval, spindle-shaped.
The color of fruits at technical ripeness varies from light green to dark green, at biological ripeness from white to dark brown.
Fruit pubescence can be complex, simple or mixed. Hair color - brown, black, white. Fruits with black complex edges are well suited for pickling.
The fruits are eaten when they are technically ripe, have reached a certain size, are green in color, with watery seeds beginning to form. Sometimes the fruits are bitter. Bitterness appears in cucumbers under unfavorable growing conditions: low temperature, lack of light, nutrients, moisture, high temperatures and drought.
Seeds. Seed fruits contain 100-400 seeds. Cucumber seeds are white with a yellowish tint or light brown, elongated-elliptical in shape, 7-15 mm long, 2-3 mm thick, 3-6 mm wide, smooth. Germination remains for 6-8 years. For sowing, it is better to use 2-3 year old seeds, they produce more female flowers.
Biological features of cucumbers
Tropical origin determines the biological characteristics of the cucumber, the plant presents high requirements to heat and humidity, as well as to soil fertility and structure. Agricultural technology for growing cucumbers requires careful adherence to temperature and water conditions. As with growing other vegetables, there are secrets to growing cucumbers. Now in more detail about the features of this healthy and tasty vegetable, as well as how to grow it.
Temperature. Cucumber is a heat-loving crop. The temperature required for seed germination should not be lower than +15 degrees, the optimal temperature is +25+30 degrees. If the seeds have been previously hardened and given the opportunity to hatch, they will sprout at a temperature of +10+13 degrees. If after sowing the soil temperature remains at +8+10 degrees, then the seeds will simply rot, which often happens with early sowing. The higher the temperature, the easier and faster the seedlings will appear. Shoots appear 5-6 days after sowing, at a soil temperature of +20 degrees and after 10 days if the soil has warmed up to +18 degrees.
For normal development, the plant, in the period before fruiting, requires a temperature of +20+28 degrees during the day, and at night - not lower than +12 degrees. During the fruiting period, the temperature is required higher: +24+30 degrees during the day and not lower than +16 degrees at night. When the temperature drops below +13+15 degrees, the root system absorbs nutrients and water worse, and plant development stops. A decrease in temperature to +8+10 degrees for 10 days or a decrease in temperature to + 3+4 degrees for 3-4 days leads to the death of plants. Cucumbers cannot tolerate frost at all.
At optimal temperatures+22+25, cucumbers begin to bloom 22-28 days after germination, bear fruit after 32-38 days, depending on the variety. With more low temperatures these periods are significantly increased.
Cold and wet weather over a long period harms cucumbers more than prolonged drought. Cold nights in summer and early autumn shorten the growing season of cucumber plants. Sharp temperature fluctuations cause stunted growth and death of roots. At high temperatures, above +42 degrees, plant growth stops.
Water mode. Moisture is one of the main components of success when growing cucumbers, since cucumber makes high demands on air and soil humidity. The reason for this is the poor development of the root system, its low absorption capacity and the large evaporating surface of the leaves. With low soil moisture and dry air, cucumber plants develop poorly, grow slowly, the first ovaries fall off, few fruits are produced and they are of poor quality.
The cucumber plant consumes the most water during the period of intensive leaf growth and fruiting. For normal development and growth, plants require 70-80% soil and air humidity.
Water for irrigation should be warm; watering with cold water can lead to disease and death of plants. Plants cannot be flooded, otherwise the roots will lack oxygen and nutrients, begin to rot, and the plant will grow worse. Weak watering is also not acceptable, especially during the period of active growth of vines. Watering should be carried out in the first half of the day, followed by ventilation of the greenhouses. If the humidity is too high, pollination deteriorates, flowers fall off, and rot appears.
Light. Cucumber is a short-day plant, but in our conditions, varieties that are day-neutral are usually grown. Although, when the daylight hours during the seedling period are reduced to 10-12 hours, plant development accelerates, female flowers are more actively formed, and the period of fruiting is reduced. With a long day, a large vegetative mass grows, to the detriment of fruiting.
Cucumber is a light-loving plant and a lack of sunlight delays flowering for 1-2 weeks, and less nutrients accumulate in the fruits.
The soil. Cucumber requires structured, fertile soil. The cucumber plant is characterized by rapid growth and development, producing a harvest within a short time, so it requires a lot of nutrients. Cucumbers grow well in humus-rich soils with a high content of nutrients. These can be cultivated light or medium loams.
Cucumbers can be grown on loose soils by adding organic fertilizers and lime. Heavy clay soils must be “diluted” with loosening materials ( coarse sand or old sawdust), peat, turf soil with humus.
The soil for cucumbers should be slightly acidic or neutral, since acidic soil Cucumbers absorb nutrients worse. Such soils must be “deoxidized” by adding lime, chalk, and ash.
Cucumbers require various macro and microelements for full development and fruiting. The most important are: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, as well as boron, manganese, zinc, molybdenum and others.
At nitrogen deficiency, plants slow down, leaves turn pale green, then turn yellow.
Phosphorus is of great importance in the initial stage of plant development. Phosphorus deficiency delays fruiting, weakens the plant, leaves become smaller.
Calcium improves soil structure, reduces acidity, and stimulates root growth. At calcium deficiency White spots appear between the veins and along the edges of the leaves.
Potassium regulates metabolism in the plant, is easily absorbed, increases cold resistance, disease resistance, and improves the taste of fruits. At lack of potassium A pale yellow border forms on the edges of the leaves. The cucumber removes this nutrient most from the soil.
Magnesium plays an important role in the life processes of cucumber plants. At shortage magnesium, appear between the veins on old leaves yellow spots(chlorosis). If the magnesium content in the soil is too high, the leaves darken and curl.
At boron deficiency, the leaves of cucumbers acquire an intense dark green color, the fruits are deformed, the roots and growing points die off.
The need for cucumbers nutrients depends on the stage of development. During the first 10-15 days, cucumbers need more nitrogen nutrition. During the flowering period, more phosphorus fertilizers are required, and when cucumbers begin to bear fruit, they need nitrogen-potassium fertilizer. Cucumbers especially need potassium in poor light conditions (cloudy weather, shading).
