Most Russian gardeners have cucumbers in their garden beds. According to statistics, they occupy first place among crops grown in closed ground conditions. A plant from the pumpkin family, it is popular due to its taste and unpretentiousness. The cucumber became the only member of the family capable of bearing fruit in poor light conditions. To obtain the best harvest, there are a number of recommendations on agricultural technology, focused on a specific variety. One effective method, applicable to most varieties, is hydroponic cucumbers.
General information about the method
The essence of the technique is to grow plants without soil, instead using an artificially created nutrient medium. The effectiveness of the method is due to the rapid and easily digestible delivery of nutrients to the plant crop. The history of the emergence of this method of growing vegetables begins in the middle of the 20th century. The technique, found in the USA, quickly gained popularity and spread beyond its native country due to its compact planting and economical consumption.
Today, there are six main methods of cultivating plants hydroponically:
- Aeroponics. We do not require the use of soil compounds. The root system of the plant crop is moistened with a special nutrient mixture from an aerosol. The technique is not suitable for use at home, only for specialized greenhouse conditions.
- Periodic flooding. A porous substrate serves as the base; if necessary, it is filled with a special nutritional composition. The technique is suitable for greenhouse cultivation.
- Drip irrigation. The absence of manure allows the method to be used indoors. To organize the process you will need equipment - two communicating vessels. Cucumber roots are placed in one part, the other is filled, and nutrients are periodically taken from the other. Technology has made it possible to cultivate vegetables indoors, even in poor light conditions.
- Floating platform. The plant is planted in special blocks, which are placed in tanks with a nutrient medium. The technique eliminates the process of decay cucumber root system.
- Organization of the nutrient layer.
- Wick. Focused on growing ornamental plants.
IMPORTANT! The most effective method for cucumbers was periodic flooding.
The process of planting cucumbers
There are a huge number of structures that can help in growing cucumbers. To create the simplest and most effective, you will need two consumables:
- Crushed stone. It is advisable to choose a smaller one.
- Expanded clay. Easily absorbs liquid and, if necessary, easily gives it to crops.
- Pipes with cut out openings.
- Pump or pump.
- Compost.
- Drinking water.
- Complex of mineral fertilizers.
DIY hydroponics for cucumbers is a simple combination of available building materials and a nutrient solution. Old plastic pipes are suitable for constructing the structure. They are placed parallel in the shape of a snake and small holes are made, 4-5 centimeters in diameter. The distance between the holes is at least 10 centimeters. A plastic cup with expanded clay and crushed stone will be placed in each hole as soil for cucumber seedlings.
You can make your own nutrient solution or purchase a ready-made solution from a specialty store. For independent production you will need:
- Hot distilled water.
- Compost.
The two ingredients are combined in a 1:2 ratio and left for 12 hours indoors at room temperature. After the recommended time has arrived, any fertilizer you use for planting at home is added to the composition. The humate obtained in the composition is removed, and the remaining volume is filled with distilled water.
The sequence of actions when transplanting cucumbers from the soil:
- Place the plant roots in water at room temperature.
- Cleaning the roots from lumps of dirt with a small stream of clean water;
- Place the roots in the prepared glass and gently spread them out.
- Water the planting with a small amount of warm water and let it take root.
The adaptation process may take up to 10 days.
Pros and cons of the technique
The advantages of the American method of cultivating plants using hydroponics are:
- The ability to clearly regulate the amount of necessary fertilizers and watering. The gardener independently controls the amount of required nutrients, focusing on the characteristics of the variety.
- Partial or complete elimination of pesticides.
- Does not require the use of herbicides.
- Increased productivity. A rich harvest is due not only to the large number of ripening fruits, but also to their large size.
- Availability of growing plants, regardless of climatic conditions and the nature of the soil.
- Rationalization of planting area. The method allows you to plant cucumbers densely without loss of yield. The gardener does not need to change the planting location, there is no need to renew the soil.
- Availability. Cucumbers are grown hydroponically at home, in greenhouses and in open ground.
- Taste qualities. Grown cucumbers have equally good taste as when cultivated under classical conditions.
Despite all the advantages of the method, there are a number of factors that stop gardeners from using it:
- Price. Hydroponics requires expensive, specialized equipment.
- Strict adherence to the rules of agricultural technology for a specific variety. If the recommendations for watering and fertilizing are violated, there is a high risk of completely losing the crop.
Gardeners' opinion
Good day! I would like to recommend the hydroponics method to all gardeners. I have been using it for many years to cultivate cucumbers. The technology allowed me to reduce the cost of fertilizers, increase the yield and streamline care.The difficulty was only in the first stages. After constructing a structure for growing plants, you just need to strictly follow the rules of agricultural technology for a particular variety. I didn’t find any cons for myself.
Alevtina Borisova, 54 years old
Good afternoon! Last summer I started using hydroponics for cucumbers. We managed to get an excellent harvest in not the most favorable climatic conditions. The cold and rainy summer had no effect on the cucumbers. Everything is simple and convenient, saving energy. I recommend!
Valentina Fedorova, 43 years old
