Crispy green cucumbers are the leaders in popularity among gardeners. A lot of effort goes into the process of growing them. A successful result largely depends on planting seeds and caring for seedlings: following the basic rules allows you to get a rich and high-quality harvest.
Compliance with planting deadlines
Seeds are sown approximately a month before the intended planting in open ground. Depending on the climatic characteristics of the regions, the procedure is carried out:
- in mid-April - in central Russia;
- in the first ten days of May - in Siberia and the Urals;
- at the end of March - in the southern part of the country.
Preparation of suitable soil and containers
The recommended soil composition for seedlings consists of turf soil, rotted manure and sand in a ratio of 3:6:1, and fertilizers (urea, superphosphate, potassium and magnesium sulfates) are added here.
Young plants are sensitive to soil acidity, so if its level is elevated, lime should be added to the substrate.
The optimal containers for seedlings are plastic cups with a diameter of 10 cm, cassettes or peat pots. They provide sufficient space for future seedlings and allow you to avoid injury to the seedlings during picking (you can completely abandon replanting).
Proper seed preparation
The quantity and quality of seedlings depends on the selection and preparation of seed material.
To obtain a good harvest, select large, even and healthy seeds, discarding damaged, irregularly shaped and stained ones.
The preparation process includes disinfection with a solution of potassium permanganate (30-minute soaking) or Fitosporin-M (2-hour pickling). After the procedure, the seeds are washed and dried.
To speed up germination, a germination method is used: the seeds are placed in a damp cloth for three days. This time is enough for the appearance of 5 mm processes.
Compliance with sowing technology
To obtain healthy seedlings, it is necessary to follow all stages of sowing seeds:
- wash the containers and place a 1-centimeter layer of drainage (small pebbles, expanded clay) on the bottom with holes;
- lay out the soil, water it and make a hole 2 cm deep in it (one hole per container);
- Place the seed in the hole and cover with soil;
- cover with film and place in a warm place with a temperature of 23-25 degrees;
- After the seedlings appear, remove the film and leave it warm.
Providing care for seedlings
Mandatory elements of caring for seedlings are providing sunlight (if there is a shortage, install lamps), observing the temperature regime (18-20 degrees), watering as the top soil layer dries, and regular irrigation from a spray bottle.
After the first leaf blooms, the seedlings should be fed by moistening the soil several hours before applying fertilizer (prevention of root burns).A mixture consisting of 3 g of ammonium nitrate, 8 g of potassium, 15 g of superphosphates and 1 cup of chicken manure is suitable as a top dressing. When the second leaf appears, 20 g of wood ash and 5 g of nitrophoska, dissolved in 3 liters of water, are added to the soil.
Dive
If sowing was carried out in a common container, and not one seed per container, when the seedlings grow, they will not have enough space. To prevent plants from interfering with each other, at the stage of formation of 2–3 leaves, they are transplanted into separate pots. During the picking process, the bushes are placed in a new place with pre-moistened soil. They are transferred with tweezers along with a lump of earth, sprinkled with earth and sprayed.
Following simple rules when planting cucumber seedlings will allow you to grow strong and healthy seedlings and ultimately get a long-awaited, tasty harvest.
