The technology of growing cucumbers in hydroponics at home
Most gardeners in Russia have cucumbers in their beds. According to statistics, they rank first among crops grown in greenhouses. A plant from the pumpkin family, it is popular due to its taste and unpretentiousness. The cucumber became the only member of the family capable of bearing fruit in poor light conditions. To obtain the best yield, there are a number of cultivar-specific crop recommendations. One of the most effective methods applicable to most varieties is hydroponic cucumbers.
General information about the method
The essence of the technique is to grow plants without soil, instead of it there is an artificially created nutrient medium. The effectiveness of the method is due to the rapid and easily assimilated delivery of nutrients to the plant culture. The history of the emergence of this method of growing vegetables begins in the middle of the XX century. The technique found in the United States quickly gained popularity and went beyond the borders of its native country due to a compact planting and economical consumption.
Today, there are six main methods of cultivating plants in hydroponics:
- Aeroponics. We do not require the use of soil compounds. The root system of the plant culture is moistened with a special nutrient mixture from an aerosol. The technique is not suitable for home use, only for specialized greenhouse conditions.
- Periodic flooding. A porous substrate acts as a basis; as necessary, it is poured with a special nutrient composition. The technique is suitable for greenhouse cultivation.
- Drip irrigation. The absence of manure allows the method to be used indoors. To organize the process, you will need equipment - two communicating vessels. In one part, the roots of cucumbers are placed, the other is filled, and from the other, nutrients are periodically taken. The technology made it possible to cultivate vegetables indoors, even in poor light conditions.
- Floating platform. The plant is planted in special blocks, which are placed in reservoirs with a nutrient medium. The technique excludes the decay process root system of cucumbers.
- Organization of the nutrient layer.
- Wick. Focused on the cultivation of ornamental plants.
IMPORTANT! The most effective technique for cucumbers has been periodic flooding.
The process of planting cucumbers
There are a lot of constructions that can help in the cultivation of cucumbers. To create the simplest and most effective, you will need two consumables:
- Crushed stone. It is advisable to choose a smaller one.
- Expanded clay. Easily absorbs liquid and, if necessary, easily gives it to crops.
- Pipes with cut openings.
- Pump or pump.
- Compost.
- Drinking water.
- Complex of mineral fertilizers.
Do-it-yourself hydroponics for cucumbers is a simple combination of available building materials and nutrient solution. Old plastic pipes are suitable for the construction of the structure. They are placed in parallel in the form of a snake and make small holes with a diameter of 4-5 centimeters. The distance between the holes is at least 10 centimeters. A plastic cup with expanded clay and rubble will be placed in each hole as soil for cucumber seedlings.
You can make your own nutrient solution or purchase it from a specialist store. For self-production you will need:
- Hot distilled water.
- Compost.
The two ingredients are combined in a 1: 2 ratio and left to stand for 12 hours at room temperature. After the advent of the recommended time, any fertilizer you use for planting at home is added to the composition. The humate obtained in the composition is removed, and the remaining volume is filled with distilled water.
The sequence of actions when transplanting cucumbers from the soil:
- Place the plant roots in room temperature water.
- Cleansing the roots from lumps of dirt with a small stream of clean water;
- Place the roots in a prepared glass, gently straighten them.
- Water the planting with a little warm water and let it settle down.
The adaptation process can take up to 10 days.
Pros and cons of the technique
The advantages of the American method of cultivating plants in hydroponics are:
- The ability to clearly regulate the amount of required fertilizers and irrigation. The grower independently controls the amount of required nutrients, focusing on the characteristics of the variety.
- Partial or complete elimination of pesticides.
- Does not require the use of herbicides.
- Increasing the yield indicator. A rich harvest is due not only to the large number of ripening fruits, but also to their large size.
- The availability of growing plants, regardless of climatic conditions, the nature of the soil.
- Rationalization of the landing area. The method allows you to plant cucumbers tightly without losing yield. The gardener does not need to change the planting site, there is no need to renew the soil.
- Availability. Hydroponic cultivation of cucumbers is carried out at home, in greenhouses and in the open field.
- Taste qualities. Grown cucumbers have the same good taste as when grown in classical conditions.
Despite all the advantages of the method, there are a number of factors that stop gardeners from using it:
- Cost. Hydroponics requires expensive, specialized equipment.
- Strict adherence to the rules of agricultural technology for a particular variety. If the recommendations for watering and fertilizing are violated, there is a high risk of completely losing the crop.
Gardeners' opinion
Good day! I would like to advise all gardeners on the hydroponic method. I have been using it for many years for the cultivation of cucumbers. The technique allowed me to reduce fertilizer costs, increase yields and streamline maintenance. The difficulty was only in the early stages. After the construction of a structure for growing plants, you just need to strictly follow the rules of agricultural technology for a particular variety. I did not find any minuses for myself.
Alevtina Borisova, 54 years old
Good afternoon! Last summer I started using hydroponics for cucumbers. We managed to get an excellent harvest in not the most favorable climatic conditions. The cold and rainy summer had no effect on the cucumbers. Everything is simple and convenient, it saves energy. I advise!
Valentina Fedorova, 43 years old
