Phosphorus fertilizers should penetrate the soil where cucumbers grow in small quantities, but constantly. They ensure normal growth and development of the root system, as well as the green, above-ground part. It is important to know the timing of fertilizing in order to get only the benefits.
Types of superphosphate
Superphosphate is a balanced complex of nutritional components, most of which are phosphorus. The lack of this component leads to the fact that the leaves and stem turn purple, blue or dark burgundy, and gray spots appear.If there is insufficient phosphorus, the roots become weak and develop poorly, the leaves begin to fall off and the plant dies.
Feeding cucumbers with superphosphate allows you to achieve good immunity. The vegetable crop resists fungal, viral or bacterial infections well. During the flowering period, many flowers are formed, the taste of cucumbers is juicy and crunchy.
Superphosphate for cucumbers does not contain very much nitrogen, so the fertilizer does not promote strong growth of green mass. Superphosphate is also applied during autumn tillage. In this case, next year, cucumbers will additionally withstand sudden frosts.
There are several types of superphosphate that are suitable for cucumbers in a greenhouse.
- Simple superphosphate, sold in grayish powder form. Monophosphate contains approximately 22% phosphorus oxide. Other components are also present, such as nitrogen, sulfur, calcium sulfate. It is best used for making compost. Combines well with nitrogen.
- Double superphosphate includes a large amount of phosphorus (up to 52%), additionally there is sulfur and nitrogen. Small granules dissolve easily in water. Superphosphate goes well with potassium.
- Granular superphosphate is also used. It contains a lot of phosphorus (more than 50%) and calcium sulfate (more than 30%). A liquid solution of superphosphate is made, and dry use is also allowed.
- Ammoniated superphosphate contains about 35% phosphorus and 30% potassium sulfate. Does not change the acidity of the soil, dissolves well in water.
It is especially useful to use a mixture based on superphosphate in protected soil.7–8 days before planting seedlings, dig up the ground and add approximately 30 g of this component in combination with 30 g of ammonium nitrate and 20 g of potassium sulfate.
Required Items
Cucumbers are demanding on soil composition. The content of nutrients must be balanced, since not only a deficiency, but also an excess of some microelement can lead to crop loss. It is not recommended to plant cucumbers in the same place for several years in a row. In a greenhouse, the soil is quickly depleted, so annual renewal is recommended.
Fertilizers for cucumbers are prepared independently, using folk recipes, or purchased ready-made. Be sure to take into account the dosage of mineral or organic components.
Mineral components are also contained in the soil itself, but their quantity is not enough for the full development of the vegetable crop. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically add phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, iron, and manganese to the soil. You can find it in the store complex mineral fertilizers, which consist of several microelements at once:
- Nitrogen fertilizers are necessary at almost all stages of cucumber development. It is especially useful to apply nitrogen at the beginning of the growing season. The lack of this component leads to the fact that the leaves of cucumbers turn pale green, the fruits shorten, thicken and also lighten.
- Phosphorus stimulates the formation of ovaries and numerous fruits. If there is a deficiency, the plant slows down in growth, and purple spots are observed on the leaves.
- Potassium is a conductor of nutrients to all parts of the plant, promotes normal development and numerous fruiting. With a lack of potassium, the leaves begin to curl inward, the edges turn yellow and dry out. The fruits are pear-shaped.
- With a lack of calcium, the leaves begin to curl, the flowers fall off during the flowering period, and the fruits become bitter.
Organic formulations are made from natural ingredients. Compost, bird droppings, manure, humus, wood ash, and herbal infusions can be used as a basis.
You cannot use one type of fertilizer throughout the entire growing season. It is recommended to alternate the application of organic fertilizers with mineral components.
Different growing conditions
Growing options and features of caring for cucumbers that grow in a greenhouse or in open ground are almost the same. The only difference is that in the greenhouse there are more opportunities to maintain the temperature and humidity at the optimal level.
If a vegetable crop grows in a greenhouse or greenhouse, it is imperative to monitor the composition and quality of the soil. Every year you need to remove the top layer of soil and replace it with a new layer.
In the fall, they begin to disinfect it. For this purpose, you can dilute lime in water, leave it to infuse for a day, and then carry out the treatment. A weak solution of potassium permanganate is suitable for spring treatment.
- Feeding of cucumbers that are supposed to be grown in greenhouse conditions begins at the seedling stage. Fertilizer is applied when the first pair of leaves appears, then the second pair, and then after another two weeks.
- A few days before transplanting vegetables into permanent beds, it is recommended to carry out foliar spraying with nutrient solutions.
- The next feeding occurs at the stage of active growth and flowering.
- During the fruiting period, at least two feedings are recommended. Only those trace elements that do not affect the taste of the fruit are used.
For cucumbers in open ground, fertilizers are prepared during the same periods.Additional fertilization is necessary if the appearance of the bushes changes, diseases appear, or pests attack.
Rules for applying fertilizing
For cucumbers planted in protected ground or in the open air, root and foliar treatment with nutrients is equally useful.
Root feeding involves adding the necessary nutritional components to each root. The procedure should be carried out in the evening; in cloudy weather it is also possible during the day. For better distribution of components and to prevent burns to the roots, the soil is pre-watered with regular, warm water. You can feed cucumbers immediately after rain.
Foliar feeding is especially necessary for cucumber beds when the weather is cold, rainy and the beds are deprived of sufficient lighting, when the appearance of cucumber vines changes.
Each of these factors adversely affects the development of the root system. Therefore, fertilizers that will be applied to the soil will be poorly absorbed by the plant.
Because phosphate fertilizers poorly soluble in water, and in dry form are poorly absorbed by plants; gardeners add it in liquid form. To do this, the granules are poured with boiling water. The properties are not lost, but the composition is easily distributed throughout all parts of the plant.
The granules completely dissolve within a day. During this time, the solution is stirred periodically. The finished solution is filtered so that there is no sediment and before use it is diluted again with water.
Instructions for using superphosphate suggest a dosage for cucumber planting of 20 g per 1 square meter. meter. You need to apply fertilizer into the hole. The resulting solution should have a milky white color.
Fertilizer application time
For cucumbers at different stages of development, superphosphate is needed to a greater or lesser extent. When fertilizing cucumbers, you must strictly observe the dilution proportions of the various components.
When sowing seeds, it is useful to make a mixture of superphosphate and potassium nitrate, of which 10 g are taken. Copper sulfate 0.2 g is added. It is allowed to add granulated superphosphate (5 g per 1 sq. m) to the prepared beds, if used in powder form, then mixed with humus.
When planting cucumbers in the ground, it is advisable to use organic matter; a slurry of manure or an infusion of chicken droppings is ideal. Instead of organic components, you can use mineral fertilizer. In a large bucket of water, 10 g of superphosphate, potassium salt and ammonium nitrate are diluted.
The very first application of fertilizers begins when the first pair of true leaves unfold on the sprout. Fertilizing is especially necessary for cucumbers when the bushes look weak and grow poorly. Nitrogen is considered the most basic component; liquid manure or chicken droppings are well accepted.
The composition of urea and superphosphate is considered especially popular for cucumbers. Add 30 g of urea and 60 g of superphosphate to a bucket of water. Fertilizer must be applied under each root during watering.
The second fertilization procedure coincides with the beginning of flowering of cucumbers. Additional components stimulate the appearance of a large number of flowers, increase the number of ovaries and prevent flower falling. You can make a complex fertilizer by diluting 45 g of superphosphate, 32 g of ammonium nitrate and 23 g of potassium nitrate in a bucket of clean water.
It is useful to sprinkle the beds with a mixture of superphosphate and dry wood ash. You can simply spray the plants with a superphosphate solution.To do this, dissolve 60 g of superphosphate in 10 liters of water.
The next feeding is carried out at the stage of active fruit formation. During this period, the plant needs a large amount of nutritional components, especially phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen. But it is best to use organic components instead of mineral fertilizers during this period.
Some time after the first harvest, the last application of fertilizers is carried out. This is necessary to extend the period of fruit formation, the formation of new ovaries and the appearance of even and juicy fruits.
To prevent cucumber leaves from curling and turning yellow, it is recommended to use a solution of superphosphate, ammonium nitrate and potassium salt. Each component is taken in equal quantities and dissolved in water. When watering, make sure that the solution does not get on the leaves of the cucumbers.
