The use of urea for cucumbers as a top dressing
Urea for cucumbers (carbamide) is considered the most affordable and at the same time effective fertilizer of nitrogen origin, because it is nitrogen that is the substance that is necessary for the normal vegetation of the plant. In appearance, it resembles small colorless crystals or tablets that dissolve well in water. This fertilizer can be used as the main type of top dressing or in combination with others. A considerable number of summer residents believe that feeding cucumbers with carbamide is very profitable, because price and efficiency are successfully correlated.
The main signs of nitrogen deficiency
Cucumber is considered a vegetable that everyone loves. It is used not only fresh for making salads, but also pickled or salted. Therefore, gardeners are trying to grow more cucumbers for fresh consumption, pickling and sale. This is where proper care and treatment of plants comes in handy, because without this it is almost impossible to grow a good harvest.
With a lack of nitrogen, cucumbers will be observed:
- slowdown in growth;
- yellowing of leaves and even stems;
- falling leaves during the peak of the growing season;
- lack of formation of not only leaves, but also the ovary;
- decrease in the level of productivity;
- pale color of fruits;
- dulling the growth of lateral shoots.
If the listed signs of nitrogen deficiency are found, it becomes necessary to introduce urea. However, it must be remembered that an excess amount of nitrogen can spoil the seedlings of cucumbers. This is manifested by the fact that only an excessive build-up of green mass will be observed: the sheets will reach large sizes and have a dark green color. As for the fruit, cucumbers may be missing or will grow crooked and underdeveloped.
Please note that when adding urea, it should be remembered that after entering the soil, bacteria affect the composition, due to which the release of ammonium carbonate occurs. For best efficiency, fertilizer should never be applied superficially. Feeding cucumbers with urea will be effective if the composition is introduced into the soil, because this will minimize the loss of ammonium.
Urea is endowed with the ability to increase soil acidity and alkali content, therefore, when used on acidic soils, it is recommended to apply chalk in parallel with urea in a ratio of 200: 300 g.
Technique for feeding cucumbers with urea
During the growing season, it is recommended to fertilize the cucumbers at least five times, which will allow you to get a good and rich harvest of vegetables: the fruits will be healthy and beautiful.
Fertilizing under the root system
Basically, the following stages of plant nutrition are distinguished:
- The introduction of urea when preparing the soil for planting cucumbers in the garden. It is carried out when digging the beds. It is necessary to ensure that the granules fall 7 to 8 cm deep into the soil. Fertilizer consumption should not exceed 5 to 10 g per square meter of soil. The best option for introducing urea for feeding cucumbers is considered in two stages - in autumn and spring.
- Direct introduction of carbamide when sowing seeds. Fertilizer is thrown into the holes, but in such a way that it does not come into contact with the seeds, otherwise there will be a delay in the development and germination of the plant. It is recommended to add about 4 g of urea to the hole, sprinkle with soil and sow seeds.
- After the appearance of the first leaves. At this stage, urea must be applied at the root in a diluted form. It is necessary to dilute 30 g of fertilizer in 10 liters of water. When planting plants grown using the seedling method, it is recommended to recharge no earlier than 14 days after planting in the ground - this time is enough for the adaptation period to pass. In this case, 50 g of superphosphate must be added to 10 liters of water.
- During the appearance of the first fruits. Recharge must be carried out to make it easier for plants to build up fruit mass. The best option is the combination of urea with superphosphate and potassium nitrate in a ratio of 30:40:20 g.
- During fruiting. To prepare the fertilizer, add 13 g of urea and 30 g of potassium nitrate to 10 liters of water.
It is not recommended to apply saltpeter during a drought or at lunchtime, when the sun is most active. It is best to recharge in the evening or morning, and then water the plants.
Foliar dressing
Foliar dressing of cucumbers is used if the plants have a painful condition or the leaves and even the ovary are falling off.
Foliar dressing is extremely effective during dry and cold weather. This is explained by the fact that at this time, nutrients from the soil are not absorbed in sufficient quantities by the root fibers.
Application of foliar feeding:
- helps to increase the duration of active fruiting for a long period;
- enables nutrients from the fertilizer to get into plants almost immediately, through leaves and stems;
- it is distinguished by a high level of efficiency, because fertilizer falls on a specific plant, and not into the soil, from which not only cucumbers, but also weeds feed on nutrients
- allowed at any time - regardless of the stage of formation or development of the cucumber.
Spraying is considered highly effective because it can be used to prevent cucumber diseases and pests. Strengthening of the plant's immune system is observed.
In order not to cause harm, you need to know how to feed the bush correctly, remember the rules for processing and dosage:
- For irrigation, 5 tbsp are bred in a bucket of water. l. urea. If the plants are young, the amount of fertilizer may be slightly less. It is not recommended to increase the dosage, because this can lead to the fact that cucumber leaves get burned.
- Do not water the seedlings when it is raining or at lunchtime when the sun is very active. The best options for fertilization are morning and evening.
- For the best effect, it is recommended to combine the application of urea and manure or other fertilizers and useful elements.
Greenhouse cucumber processing
The introduction of diluted fertilizer for feeding cucumbers in a polycarbonate greenhouse should be carried out before flowering.
For cucumbers in the greenhouse, the second stage is carried out if there are visible signs of nitrogen deficiency.If a favorable climate and frequent watering are provided in a polycarbonate greenhouse, the deciduous mass should not look twisted and yellowed, but have a bright green color for the entire period of time during which fruiting occurs. If a disturbance in the growth and development of greenhouse plants is detected, it is allowed to carry out a second feeding: the soil and leaves are processed.
The manual indicates that in order to prepare the solution, you need:
- to feed the root system, dilute 50 grams of urea in 10 liters of water;
- to spray the foliage, add 15 g of fertilizer to 10 liters of water.
When watering, you need to be very careful and make sure that the solution falls into the soil a few centimeters from the root system. The best time for processing plants in a polycarbonate greenhouse is the evening, because the risk of burns disappears.
Top dressing of cucumbers in the open field or in greenhouses can be carried out with dry granules. It is recommended to introduce them into the soil very carefully, a few centimeters from the root. After that, be sure to water the seedlings. Adding fertilizer dry is risky, so before feeding in this way you need to weigh the pros and cons.
Nuances that need attention
Note that a combination of foliar and root dressing is best. This is explained by the fact that having chosen one of the methods, fertilization will need to be carried out very often, at least once every 14 days, otherwise no visible benefit will be observed. To see the result of fertilization, you can leave off one plant and compare the results, whether the bush will differ from the fed.
To make the calculation of fertilizer easy, remember the following numbers:
- 1 tbsp. l. urea contains 10 g;
- a box of matches - 13 g;
- a glass with a capacity of 200 ml - 130 g.
Before watering the plants, carefully carry out the calculations and in no case exceed the recommended amount of urea for feeding cucumbers, which is indicated by the instruction, because such actions can leave without a crop.
Growing cucumbers is not that difficult. All that is needed is to monitor the condition of the plants, nourish them with urea and other nutrients. These actions will make it possible to obtain a high level of yield, because cucumbers will bear fruit for a long period of time. Now you know whether it is possible to water cucumbers with urea and how much fertilizer should be used for this or that type of processing. Follow the recommendations specified in the instructions for using the product, and the result will not be long in coming.
