The technique of growing cucumbers has been known to many since ancient times, but in modern agriculture, various subtleties are constantly appearing that contribute to obtaining an earlier and richer harvest. We hope that even the most experienced gardeners will find useful tips in this article and be able to use them in their practice.
Almost everyone knows about the benefits of cucumbers: it contains about 90% water, pure, almost distilled. Cucumber juice is used for cosmetic purposes to moisturize the skin and saturate it with useful substances. These substances include vitamins and mineral elements.
As a result of the presence of salads in the diet, the body is cleansed of toxins and the correct metabolism is restored. But in order to collect a really impressive harvest, you need to know how to properly process the seed material and process the bushes from the moment the seedlings themselves appear until the fruits are obtained.
Description, types, varieties
Cucumbers belong to the “Pumpkin” family. This vegetable is considered a native of India, but it is now known that it was successfully cultivated in ancient Greece and Africa. This culture is moist and heat-loving, responsive to the introduction of organic additives and complete mineral complexes into the soil.
Traditionally, cucumber seeds are divided into early-ripening, medium-ripening and late-ripening. But more important is the species classification, which allows you to choose a variety for different growing conditions.
There are the following types of cucumbers: garden cucumbers, intended for placement in the garden in open ground, the size of the fruits of which varies from 10 to 15 cm; greenhouse, grow well, regardless of weather conditions outside the greenhouse, reaching about 20-30 cm of fruits in length; cornichons are best suited for preservation, as they are characterized by small fruit size, not exceeding 10 cm.
Experienced gardeners have long noted that cucumbers with spikes on the surface painted in light shades are suitable for vegetable salads, and those with dark spikes are suitable for pickling. Chinese cucumbers, which are grown in a greenhouse or on a trellis, are of interest. They have unusual taste qualities, and the length of the fruits can reach 80 cm.
Landing
Depending on where you plan to grow cucumbers, you can start sowing seeds at the end of autumn already in mid-January. For this, separate peat cups or plastic containers are used with the possibility of their subsequent removal, since this culture does not like transplants. Accordingly, it is necessary to select a variety. Greenhouse varieties are used for spring harvest, and garden varieties are used for annual crops.
Care
As seedlings appear, greenhouse varieties of cucumbers must be tied to the trellis. To save space in the greenhouse, twine is used, one edge of which is attached to the upper point of the greenhouse, and the lower one is attached to the base of the bush. Cucumbers can unhindered in the growth process behind the twine. Garter is not required for garden varieties, but if you grow varieties with a powerful aerial part, it is recommended to use a trellis, thanks to which the shoots will become stronger, and the fruits will be larger and will be able to receive the necessary amount of sunlight.
Irrigation must be carried out from the moment of sowing to harvesting regularly in a sufficient amount, as both the activity of growth and the size of the fruits depend on it. Due to frequent watering, there is a need to fight weeds more often, but do not ignore this measure, since at the time of cleaning the weeds, the soil is loosened and the roots are aerated.