Cucumber - vegetable culture of the pumpkin family. The plant produces many fruits and is quite easy to grow. Instead of buying seedlings, try planting cucumbers on the balcony with seeds. How to grow cucumber at home, and will be discussed in this article.
Varieties of cucumbers for growing on the balcony
The rich and good crop of cucumbers largely depends on the choice of the appropriate variety of this crop. Not all types of cucumbers are suitable for growing cucumbers on the balcony. Some species grow in containers better than others. Only self-pollinated hybrid varieties should be used. The most successful cucumber varieties for the balcony are: "April", "Zozulya", "Courage", "Biryusa", "Gribovchanka", "Debut", "Buyan", "Marinda", "Connie", "Kukaracha", "Elegant "," Ging "," Stresa ". In addition, the following hybrids were created by the breeders for growing cucumbers indoors: "F1 City Cucumber", "F1 Balcony", "F1 Balagan", "F1 Calendar", "F1 Hummingbird", "F1 Machaon", "F1 Garland", " F1 Tomboy ".
Did you know? If on the package with cucumber seeds you see the inscription "F1" - be sure that these are hybrids. To produce hybrid cucumbers, experts cross two different varieties. The seeds that will come out as a result are first generation hybrids, abbreviated "F1". "F" (Filli) Translated from Italian means "children", and "1" - the first generation.
Selection of container for growing cucumbers
As pots for growing cucumbers can serve any pots, vases, boxes. The greater the capacity, the better for your cucumbers. Larger containers will hold more soil and, accordingly, will be able to hold water longer. However, as in the case of any plant, an excess of moisture can harm the roots. Therefore it is necessary to take care of proper drainage. It is also advisable to use containers that retain heat, such as black plastic pots or boxes. Another option for growing cucumbers on the balcony is in hanging pots or baskets (pots). Thus, a large, deep and dark container with several drainage holes would be the best option for growing cucumbers at home.
Important! If the container is not new, do not forget to thoroughly clean it. before use. Pchanging plants always need to clean the pots. In the used container there may be hidden bacteria or insect eggs, which can later cause great damage to the crop.
Soil for growing cucumbers
The quality of the soil for growing cucumbers should be top notch. A good, rich and healthy soil for cucumbers is a mixture of loose soil with a sufficient amount of organic fertilizers. Do not use garden soil, it may be contaminated with bacteria and pests. In addition, this land is bad for water. Prepare a special soil mixture that meets the needs of the cucumber plant. To do this, mix equal amounts of turf soil, vegetable humus, perlite and peat.
Seed preparation before planting
Preparation of seed before planting cucumbers is a very important stage. First of all, the seeds need to be disinfected. To do this, soak the future cucumbers for 10-15 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate and rinse with clean water. Next, place the seeds on a wet gauze, folded in several layers, for two days at 23 ° C. After swelling, move the seeds to the refrigerator for 24 hours. In this preparation of cucumber seeds is considered finished.
Sowing Cucumber Seeds
Sow the seeds in warm soil. So that the seedlings germinate safely, the soil temperature must be at least 21 ° C. Make a recess in the center of the soil, put 6-8 seeds there. Do not sow too many seeds, otherwise the cucumbers will thin out. Planting no more than 5-6 seeds will significantly increase your chances of success. From above, without tamping, cover with a layer of earth. After sowing, moisten the soil so that water seeps as deep as possible. There is no need, however, to create pools of water.
Conditions for growing cucumbers on the balcony
Cucumbers love heat, so the main condition for growing them in boxes is extra sunlight. After sowing the pot should be placed in a bright, sunny place. To achieve a good harvest, regular watering and fertilizing the plant with fertilizers is also important. Cucumbers in containers are susceptible to several pests that are rare in the garden. This is a spider mite and thrips. Both pests are practically invisible at first. However, as the number of harmful insects increases, the consequences for the plant can be devastating.
Adult thrips are tiny winged insects. During watering, you may notice how they soar from the surface of the soil. Most of the damage is caused by the larvae of these insects, accumulating on the back of the leaves of the cucumber and sucking the vegetable juices. Spider mites are tiny red insects that gather on the surface of leaves. Like thrips, they cause damage when sucking the nutrients from the leaves. The simplest preventive measure for spider mites and thrips is spraying with water (these insects do not like high humidity).
Care for cucumbers on the balcony
There are simple rules that will help preserve and protect your cucumber plants. Warm, rich soil that is constantly in a wet state is the main aspect of maintaining indoor cucumbers. Next, take a closer look at the features of the care of cucumbers on the balcony.
Protection from direct sunlight
During the entire growing season, keep a pot of cucumbers in the sun. To get enough light and heat during this period, cucumbers need at least six hours of direct exposure to sunlight. However, in the future, to protect the bushes from the scorching rays of the sun and prevent burning of the leaves, the container should be stored in partial shade. This is also important in view of the fact that in very hot and sunny weather cucumbers in containers dry out quickly.
Nip
Pinching cucumbers on the balcony is removing some shoots of a young plant in order to control its growth. The cucumber shrub is usually formed into one stem. To do this, regularly pinch off the so-called "tendrils" - regrown ends of the shoots. The main stem can begin to be processed when the plant reaches full growth. Side shoots are removed so that the green mass does not take power from the plant. The rest of the shoots pinch over the ovary, while leaving one leaf. To understand exactly when to pinch cucumbers on the balcony, there is a simple rule: the whiskers are removed after the appearance of 5-6 sheets, and after the appearance of 10 sheets the plant is clamped.
Watering mode
Water is essential for the growth of cucumbers. Pay close attention to the mode of watering your cucumbers. Most vegetables in containers in hot weather need 1 liter of water daily. Cucumber leaves occupy a large area, and may need more water. Provide mature plants with plenty of water. Make sure the water reaches the roots of the plant. The soil should be wet, not wet. However, never allow the soil to dry out, as dry soil will restrain growth and lead to a bitter harvest. In addition, dry soil can lead to root rot. Always check the soil moisture before watering. If the surface appears to be dry, then it is time to re-water it.
Top dressing of cucumber bushes
Cucumbers on the balcony require regular and proper feeding, which contributes to their successful cultivation. Be sure to take care of fertilizer nutrients, but try not to overfeed cucumber plant. Add a balanced fertilizer once a week, especially during the growing season. Be sure to moisten the soil before applying additional fertilizer, as adding fertilizer to dry soil can create problems. Therefore, try to use only water-soluble fertilizers. Organic fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are also useful for cucumbers. Nitrogen promotes leaf growth, phosphorus improves the condition of the roots, and potassium affects the overall strength of the bushes. Be sure to follow the dosage specified by the fertilizer manufacturer.
Important! Try not to use fertilizers with pesticides. Many chemicals can have a detrimental effect on the human body. Before applying chemical fertilizer inAlways check the warnings on the label.. BUT before eating tWash the fruits thoroughly to rid them of chemical traces, dirt and bacteria.
Garter bushes to support
To ensure the future growth of plants, bushes can be tied up to a support. In addition, thanks to the garter bushes to the support of the foliage gets more sunlight. The support must be strong enough; it can be placed directly in a container with a plant. Any stick or trellis (lattice) can serve as a support. If you are at a loss with a choice, give preference to a trellis. This is a simple and more reliable way to maintain plants. Cucumber vine will grow up the trellis, which allows you to save space.
Harvesting cucumbers
Crop of cucumbers on the balcony can be collected gradually, as ripening. The fruits are ready to be harvested when they reach the size indicated on the seed bag. Most varieties are ready for harvest between 55 and 70 days after sowing. The ripened cucumber should have a dark green color and also be firm under gentle compression. Do not allow the fruits to ripen, otherwise they will become bitter in taste. In order not to damage the plant, do not pull or tear the fruit. Instead, cut cucumbers from the vine with shears.
Did you know? Cucumbers grow very quickly. The plant can germinate to full length for several days. The more cucumbers you collect on time, the greater the yield will be.
That's all the wisdom of growing cucumbers at home. As you can see, it is not difficult at all and does not require special skills. Cucumbers need warmth, fertile soil and regular watering. Try to follow these simple guidelines, and you will be able to enjoy a good harvest from each bush.
