Cucumbers are a capricious crop that loves moisture and warmth. Even a slight decrease in temperature has a detrimental effect on this plant. If the soil is not moist enough, the shoots may stop developing. Poor lighting, excess moisture and temperature changes are also detrimental to this crop. All this reduces the plant’s immunity and contributes to the development of diseases such as peronospora, powdery mildew, and ascochyta. To increase the resistance of cucumbers to these stress factors, experienced summer residents use a special product — Epin extra.
Characteristics of the drug
Epin extra is an artificial growth stimulator for vegetable and garden crops. Its popularity is due to its high efficiency: after spraying, plants’ immunity is strengthened, growth is enhanced and productivity increases. As gardeners note, after using Epin, the quality of ripe fruits also improves.
The effectiveness of the drug is due to its composition. It includes epibrassinolide, an artificial phytohormone that increases the plant's defenses. The effect of this substance is identical to that of the natural phytohormone - brassinolide. Thanks to it, cucumbers are less susceptible to various diseases, and the diseased plant recovers faster.
Epin increases the resistance of young and adult plants to such stressful phenomena as rainfall, drought, and frost.
The use of Epin gives the following results:
- the productivity of horticultural crops increases by more than 15%;
- heavy metals and other harmful substances contained in the soil are neutralized;
- the level of pesticides and nitrates in fruits decreases;
- the germination of seeds treated with the product improves;
- the drug promotes better rooting of seedlings during transplantation;
- Young shoots are actively growing and old ones are renewed;
- the fruits of treated plants are larger and ripen earlier;
- the harvested crop is stored longer.
Epin extra is sold in ampoules. Before use, the product must be diluted with water according to the instructions.
To dilute the drug, you must use boiled or filtered water! Alkaline water should not be used; it inhibits the action of the active ingredient.
Is it possible to spray cucumbers with Epin?
Numerous experiments and reviews from gardeners show that it is not only possible, but also necessary to use Epin for spraying cucumbers.The results of using this drug are positive: it stimulates the development and normal growth of the plant without stretching it, and strengthens the root system. It was also noted that the number of flowers and shoots in cucumbers increases. Processing cucumber seeds improves their germination, and sprouted seedlings are strong and heat-resistant.
The action of Epin allows you to halve the risk of the plant contracting peronosporosis and other diseases.
How to use Epin?
The drug Epin extra is effective when used for gardening crops, indoor and outdoor flowers, mushrooms, fruit and berry trees. Recommendations for use are different in each case.
Instructions for using Epin for cucumbers include the following points:
- Seed treatment. Cucumber seeds are soaked in the prepared solution (a few drops of the product in half a glass of water). Soaking lasts 18 hours. The solution should be at room temperature. This procedure ensures quick and friendly shoots.
- Spraying seedlings. For seedlings, prepare the following solution: add 1 ml of the drug to 5 liters of water. The resulting product should be sprayed on the sprouts when 2 or 3 leaves appear. During bud setting, the procedure should be repeated. The number of ovaries in the plant increases after this treatment.
- An adult plant is sprayed with Epin solution in case of stressful situations - if the cucumber bushes are exposed to disease or frost, in case of broken shoots or pest invasion. Damaged and diseased plants recover faster after using Epin. For this purpose, 6-7 drops of the product are dissolved in half a glass of water. This treatment is carried out at intervals of 10 days.
General recommendations for use of the drug
To achieve maximum effect when using Epin, certain rules should be followed:
- Spraying of plants should be carried out in the evening or in the morning, when there is no wind or precipitation. There shouldn't be any dew on the leaves either. It is not recommended to carry out the procedure during the day, since the solution evaporates under sunlight and the plants do not have time to absorb it.
- The product is not absorbed through the root system, so only the above-ground part of the crop is treated - shoots and leaves.
- An interval of two weeks should be maintained between spraying, since the drug is absorbed by the plant within 3 days. For a healthy plant, 3 treatments per summer are enough for prevention.
- Before use, the drug must be mixed well. It completely dissolves in an acidic environment. Therefore, before diluting the product, you can add a little citric acid to the water.
- The solution should be used immediately after preparation; its beneficial properties are lost during storage.
- When processing garden and berry crops, including cucumbers, the solution should be evenly distributed over the leaves and shoots. The product should also be applied to the underside of the leaves.
- Epin is not a fertilizer. This is an adaptogen that stimulates the development and growth of the crop, but it does not nourish the plant in any way. Therefore, you should not refuse scheduled plant nutrition.
- Before spraying the crop, you should prepare it: remove broken shoots, pests, loosen and fertilize the soil.
- Before using the biostimulator, it is recommended to read the instructions to avoid overdose. Epin should be used only for its intended purpose.
Precautionary measures
Epin has been assigned hazard class 3, it does not contain toxins, is safe for humans and animals, and is also harmless from an environmental point of view. However, basic precautions must be taken. When treating plants with the drug, you must wear gloves and a protective mask. Until the end of spraying, you should not eat, drink or smoke.
The drug contains ethyl alcohol and shampoo. In case of contact with skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water. If the product gets into your eyes, rinse them immediately with running water.
If the product is accidentally swallowed, you must immediately rinse your mouth and be sure to induce vomiting by drinking a large amount of water. After this, you should consult a doctor. If this is not possible, you should drink 5 tablets of any sorbent.
The drug should be kept out of the reach of children. Epin is stored away from food and medicine, as well as away from open fire. The shelf life of the biological product is 3 years from the date of release. After this year, the drug cannot be used.
The product does not require special disposal. Used ampoules and remaining solution are thrown away with regular trash.
Advantages of biostimulator Epin extra
Some growth stimulants for garden crops force them to grow actively immediately after applying the product. Epin works differently. Penetrating into the plant, it stimulates its natural biological processes and acts gently.
The drug reduces the growth of hormones that slow down the development and growth of seedlings. It awakens dormant cells of seedlings and improves their immunity. As a result, the crop yield increases, but the plant itself does not suffer.
Numerous reviews from summer residents show that Epin really works. It not only increases the yield of cucumbers and other crops, but also significantly reduces the level of pesticides used in their cultivation. This means that the environmental value of the product increases.
