How to quickly and correctly germinate cucumber seeds before planting and is it necessary
Germinating cucumber seeds before planting can be done in a variety of ways. The process helps to significantly increase yields, speed up the ripening process and reduce the risk of many growing problems.
How to accelerate germination
On which day the first shoots will appear after sowing the seeds depends on many factors. Subject to all the rules, the result can be achieved already on the third day. What to do to accelerate the germination of cucumber seeds? All the necessary conditions must be met:
- more seeds that are previously germinated are hatching;
- you need to choose a damp and warm place;
- the cultivation of cucumbers should take place in high-quality and clean soil, which is previously spilled with boiling water or a weak solution of potassium permanganate;
- the shelf life of the planting material should not exceed four years.
Germination after sowing, on the contrary, will increase the lack of oxygen. That is why the box with crops is covered with foil until a large number of shoots appear.
The air temperature largely affects how many days the emergence of seedlings can be expected. The optimal germination temperature for cucumbers is considered to be from 19 to 25 degrees. In addition, it must be borne in mind that the soil must also warm up to these marks. At a soil temperature of 12-14 degrees, seedlings will have to wait a long time.
The quality of the soil also affects the germination rate of the planting material. If it lacks the necessary trace elements, then germination will take longer even in a warm room.
Whether you need to germinate cucumber seeds depends on their quality. But you cannot always be sure of this. Therefore, reviews of experienced vegetable growers indicate that it is advisable to germinate them before planting seeds in the ground.
How long will it take to wait for the first shoots to appear? The maximum period for which seedlings should appear is two weeks. If no shoots have appeared during this period, then it is better to start re-sowing.
If the seeds do not germinate well, the preparation rules may not have been followed. The reasons why cucumbers do not sprout may be associated with the following unfavorable factors: too deeply planted seeds (sowing no deeper than 2 cm), heavy, dense soil, dry or too moist soil, improper or too long storage of planting material.
If all the preparatory work at home was carried out correctly, then it will be possible to taste sweet and crispy cucumbers ahead of the stated date.
How to grow seedlings
There are two options for planting cucumbers: seedling or seedling. With the seedling option, sowing seeds begins a month before transplanting into the ground. For planting, it is recommended to use swollen and germinated seeds.The grown seedlings allow you to achieve a good harvest.
It is advisable to grow cucumber seedlings in an individual, small container. It is better to exclude the picking stage, since cucumbers do not tolerate transplanting well. It is better to replant the grown seedlings by the transshipment method.
Tips from leading gardeners: “I sort and soak the seeds for seedlings before planting. Growth stimulants will help them swell and hatch faster. I choose only proven drugs. This procedure helps to speed up the hatching time and increase the number of germinated seeds. You need to soak no more than a day. "
If it is supposed to grow cucumbers in the open field, then it is recommended to carry out a hardening procedure with the seeds that have hatched.
After most of the germinated seeds hatch above the soil surface, thinning is carried out. The air temperature in the room should be 22 degrees, there should be no drafts, on cloudy days it is recommended to carry out additional lighting.
When the first pair of true leaves appears on the sprouts, top dressing is carried out. You can purchase ready-made mineral fertilizers or make a composition of urea, superphosphate and potassium sulfate yourself.
How can cucumber seeds germinate quickly?
You can also speed up the emergence of strong cucumber seeds by soaking and sprouting. Therefore, the answer to the question whether it is necessary to germinate cucumber seeds is unequivocally positive. At the optimum temperature, germinated seeds hatch already for 3-4 days.
At home, you can choose one of the popular methods to sprout as much seed as possible.
- The easiest way to germinate cucumber seeds is to use a damp cloth. Seeds are laid out on the material soaked in water and covered with another layer of damp cloth. To increase the temperature of the air and reduce the supply of oxygen, the moist matter is placed in a plastic bag.
It is best to soak the fabric with rainwater, as there are no harmful impurities in it. If it is not possible to get it, then settled water, the temperature of which is about 25 degrees, will do.
- There is another modern method of germinating cucumber seeds before planting. To do this, you need to prepare plastic cups and toilet paper, this option for growing cucumbers without land.
It will take no more than an hour to germinate seeds on toilet paper. You will need a film, which is cut into strips about 9 cm wide. To grow cucumber seedlings in diapers, you will need to cut the film into squares rather than strips.
On each piece of film, spread two layers of toilet paper and spray with water. Seeds begin to be placed at intervals of 2 cm, retreating from the upper edge about the same distance. Two more layers of paper are laid on top and again moistened with water. Cover with foil on top and roll into a roll.
The resulting roll is placed in a cup, seeds up. Pour over settled water (up to half a glass) and place on a warm windowsill. The method of cultivation without soil in a roll-up allows you to protect young shoots from infections that live in the soil. As soon as the first cotyledon leaves appear, the shoots must be transplanted into the soil.
- Many experienced gardeners know another method for germinating cucumber seeds before planting. Germinate the seeds by placing them in a coconut substrate. It is rich in nutrients and has antibacterial properties. Protects roots from pests and infections. Seeds are sown into the prepared grooves, and then sprinkled with a substrate. Seeds germinate quickly, as they are warm and breathe.
Accelerated germination is observed when using the method of planting cucumbers in boiling water. Initially, the soil is poured into prepared plastic containers, lightly pressed down and watered with plain water. After that, the ground is poured with boiling water and seeds are planted. The containers are covered with foil and placed in a warm place. This tactic increases the chances of a large number of sprouts emerging in a short time.
Peat seedling base
Planting cucumbers is not difficult. It is only necessary to make shallow grooves and lower the seeds there. How to plant cucumbers in a permanent place, by seeds or seedlings, the choice remains with each vegetable grower. If the second method was chosen, then it became popular to plant cucumbers for seedlings in a container of peat. It is best to plant pre-germinated planting material.
Growing cucumber seedlings in peat pots is considered a convenient way. It is best to choose the medium size of individual or joined together peat cups.
Any soil and fertilizers can be poured into peat pots, the container will not be deformed. For planting, both dry and germinated material are used. When transplanting seedlings to a permanent place, the peat base quickly disintegrates and does not interfere with the development of the root system. The only thing you need to pay special attention to, the soil in such pots dries out quickly, so watering is carried out every day.
Before filling the pot with soil, you need to make several holes at the bottom. A sprouted seed is carefully placed in a hole 2 cm deep, sprinkled with earth and slightly crushed. It is recommended to moisten the soil with a spray bottle.
If all conditions are met, the first shoots should appear from the germinated seeds in 4-5 days. During this time, the soil settles a little, so you need to add a new one.
Growing seedlings in peat tablets is becoming widespread. Planting cucumbers in peat tablets is convenient and simple. They include not only high-quality peat, but also growth stimulants, as well as micronutrients. From above, the composition is protected by a net, which must be removed before transplanting the seedlings to a permanent place.
Before planting cucumbers in peat tablets, they are poured with water. As it is absorbed, the liquid is added. After about a couple of hours, even columns with a hole in the upper part are formed. It is there that the seeds that hatch are placed.
Peat sticks are placed in a deep container and covered with foil. Once every two days, you need to moisten the composition by spraying with warm water.
