What fertilizers and how to carry out foliar feeding of cucumbers

Cucumbers are a fairly common vegetable that almost every vegetable grower is engaged in growing. In order for the cucumbers to fully develop, it is necessary to ensure the regular flow of useful elements into the soil. It is for this that foliar feeding of cucumbers is carried out, with the help of which it is possible not only to provide plants with minerals, but also to protect them from many pests and diseases.

Foliar dressing of cucumbers is carried out by spraying bushes. This procedure should be carried out regularly during the cultivation of cucumbers.

Key recommendations

Feeding cucumbers in the open field must be carried out correctly, therefore it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the basic tips for carrying out this procedure:

• You need to feed the bushes very carefully, since initially only a small amount of fertilizer can positively affect them. If there are too many nutrients, then because of this, the inflorescences will begin to fall off and the leaves will turn yellow. The amount of foliar feeding should be increased gradually.
• Feeding cucumbers during fruiting should be carried out only in the evening or sutra so that there is not too much sunlight outside. In some cases, due to the sun's rays, severe burns begin to appear on the leaves. Also, the procedure should be carried out when there is no strong wind and rain outside.
• Sometimes it is difficult to independently determine which substances are lacking in cucumbers. In such cases, it is recommended to test various fertilizers in advance on several bushes. If after that their condition began to improve, then it will be possible to start feeding the rest of the bushes. You can also use complex fertilizers, which are versatile and suitable in any case.
• It is necessary to spray only for prevention. A high concentration of fertilizers can harm young plants.
• Do not feed on hot sunny days.

When to fertilize

Before applying foliar fertilizers to the ground, it is necessary to determine the period when this should be done. It is recommended to apply top dressing at each stage of the development of the bushes:

• before flowers begin to appear;
• before the beginning of fruiting;
• during the collection of ripe cucumbers.

Fertilization methods

During the foliar feeding of cucumbers in the greenhouse, various solutions are used that contain a large amount of useful substances. Before you start applying fertilizers, you need to familiarize yourself with which solutions are used for this.

Urea

Urea is a fairly popular fertilizer that is sold in small granules in many stores. It is used in cases where the bushes lack nitrogen, which is necessary for their rapid development. Also, this substance is used during the fight against various pests. It helps protect bushes from aphids or weevils.

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To determine the lack of nitrogen, you should pay attention to the appearance of the plant. Its leaves begin to lose their color and gradually turn yellow.

It is necessary to start fertilizing cucumbers with urea during the growing season. Therefore, the first feeding is carried out immediately after the young seedlings have been planted in the soil. The second feeding is carried out after a few weeks.

Fertilizing plants with urea, you need to determine the amount of substance used. To process cucumbers, at least 15 grams of the substance is added to 10 liters of water.

Boric acid

This substance is used to protect bushes from various diseases and to increase the amount of the crop obtained. After application boric acid cucumbers get more oxygen, which has a positive effect on their taste.

It is recommended to use boric acid when the following symptoms appear:

• falling of fruits;
• a small number of ovaries;
• the appearance of small yellow spots on the leaves.

The first treatment is carried out before the plant begins to bloom. The next time, the procedure is repeated already during the formation of the first ovaries.

To use boric acid, you need to prepare a special mixture. For this, the substance is dissolved in heated water and poured into a small container. Then the mixture is mixed and several liters of cold water are added to it.

Calcium nitrate

Calcium nitrate is a highly soluble fertilizer that is often used when feeding cucumbers. It contains a lot of calcium nitrate, which is well absorbed by vegetables. The main advantage of this dressing is that it can be used even in high humidity or low temperature conditions.

Regular use of calcium nitrate leads to:

• improving the taste of cucumbers and increasing yields;
• the emergence of immunity to many diseases;
• improving the performance of enzymes;
• increasing the shelf life of the harvested fruits.

To prepare a solution from calcium, add 2-3 grams of the substance to a liter of water. Then everything is thoroughly mixed and infused for several minutes. The resulting mixture can be used after the third leaf is formed on the bush. After that, it is necessary to fertilize the bushes with calcium nitrate every week.

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Iodine

It is no secret that young seedlings are exposed to various diseases during flowering. In order to protect plants from them, it is recommended to use a solution that contains iodine. It is necessary to use this solution after the fourth leaf appears in the bushes. To prepare a mixture of iodine, add 45 drops of the substance and a liter of milk to 10 liters of water.

Some gardeners add soap to it, thanks to which the solution will stay on the leaves longer.

When signs of disease are already beginning to appear on the bushes, you will have to create a more concentrated solution. To do this, you will have to mix water with iodine in a two to one ratio. Even if this mixture doesn't help save cucumbers from disease, then the bushes will have to be removed and burned.

Yeast

Some vegetable growers use dry yeast for foliar feeding. They contain a considerable amount of minerals, vitamins and proteins that young bushes need.Therefore, the use of a yeast solution has a positive effect on plant development.

Making your own yeast mixture is pretty simple. For this, fresh yeast is added to the water in a ratio of one to five. Then the solution is mixed and infused for several hours. After that, five more parts of warm water must be added to the container with the mixture.

There is another method for preparing the solution. To create it, add 2-4 liters of water to a small saucepan. Then it should be heated to 40 degrees, after which 20 g of yeast and 100 g of sugar are added to the pan. Before using this mixture, it must be infused for 10-15 hours.

Yeast should be used every 7-10 days. In this case, no more than a liter of yeast mixture is consumed per bush.

Conclusion

During the cultivation of cucumbers, do not forget about the periodic application of mineral fertilizers. If you periodically add manure to the soil with other dressings, cucumbers will grow and develop much better.