Cucumber seedlings are planted in a greenhouse from late April to mid-May. The exact timing depends on the growing region and the weather in the current season. The air temperature by this time should warm up to 16–18 °C. There should not be much cold at night. In order for cucumbers to develop well and produce a harvest in due time, you need to choose a suitable variety and follow certain planting rules.
Variety selection
The greenhouse creates favorable conditions for the growth and development of cucumbers, but there are difficulties with pollination. That is why self-pollinating or parthenocarpic varieties are grown indoors. In addition, it is important to consider the purpose of the fruit.
Cucumbers can be salad or intended for pickling. There are also versatile varieties that can be eaten fresh and processed. To provide yourself with a harvest for a long time, it is better to plant early, mid-season and late cucumbers in the greenhouse.
Hybrids are characterized by the greatest resistance to diseases and adverse factors. If a favorite bee-pollinated variety is planted in a greenhouse, it is important to provide insects with access by regularly opening windows and doors. Alternatively, artificial pollination can be used.
Greenhouse preparation
The greenhouse must first be cleaned if this was not done in the fall. The walls are washed from the outside with a hose using a stream of water under pressure to improve the light transmission of the polycarbonate. The inside of the building is washed with soapy water, thoroughly cleaning not only the transparent surfaces, but also the frame. Residues of soap are washed off with clean water.
You also need to take care of the condition of the soil. Over time, the soil accumulates pathogenic microorganisms and becomes depleted. Immediately after the snow melts, it is advisable to pour boiling water on the ground.
For the purpose of disinfection, a solution of “Fitosporin” is also used. If last season the crops in the greenhouse were sick, it is necessary to replace the top layer of soil 8-10 cm thick, it is in it that fungal spores, bacteria, and pest larvae are preserved.
Fertilizer application
2 weeks before planting, the soil is dug up and fertilizers are applied. Nitroammophosphate, which contains nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus in the required proportions, is suitable. Application rate – 30 g/sq.m. m. If organic matter has not been added since the fall, during digging, add 4–5 kg of compost or humus per 1 sq. m. m area.
In order to save fertilizers, they can be added directly to the hole. The holes are dug 5–7 days before planting and filled with a mixture of garden soil, organic fertilizers and wood ash. The depth of the hole should be 30 cm.
Sowing green manure will help to fertilize the soil in the greenhouse for cucumbers and at the same time improve its structure. Phacelia, mustard, and oilseed radish are used for this purpose. Sowing seeds of green manure crops is carried out in March - April.A month before planting cucumbers, the shoots are cut off and buried in the ground. In this case, other fertilizers will not be needed.
Suitable age of seedlings
Cucumber seedlings are transferred to the greenhouse at one month of age. The plants are first hardened off, gradually accustoming them to cool air. It is advisable not to overexpose the seedlings at home. Young seedlings tolerate transplantation better and adapt faster to a new location.
If there is a fear that the cucumbers will freeze in the greenhouse, after planting, cover the bed with film or agrotextile. Plants can also be protected from night frosts by additional heating by placing bottles of hot water between the plants or by placing a metal bucket with heated bricks nearby.
Compliance with the planting pattern
When planting cucumbers, be sure to follow the planting pattern. A distance of 30 cm is maintained between seedlings. The row spacing should be 40–50 cm. Thick planting will lead to the plants not having enough light and the ventilation of the bushes will deteriorate.
Under such conditions, cucumbers can get sick and reduce yield. Usually in a greenhouse there are 2 longitudinal beds with cucumbers, the distance between them should be 70–80 cm. The number of plants is calculated in advance, the seeds are sown for seedlings with some reserve. The calculations take into account the area of the greenhouse and the planting pattern.
Mulching the soil
Before planting, seedlings in cups are watered - this will facilitate easier separation of the earthen clod from the walls of the container. Do not bury the subcotyledon of cucumbers. Proper planting will protect plants from rot.After the bushes are planted, they are mulched with a layer of peat, humus, dry or freshly cut grass.
The thickness of the mulch layer should be 5–10 cm. This technique will protect the roots from temperature changes. The bed will not be overgrown with weeds, and there will also be no need to loosen the soil and frequently water the plants. After planting, the cucumbers are tied to a trellis, which should be installed in advance.
After planting, according to all the rules, all that remains is to provide the plants with proper care. It includes watering, fertilizing, shaping, and preventive treatments against pests and diseases. During the flowering period, it is useful to spray cucumbers with boric acid - this will increase the chances of abundant fruiting.
