Content
Growing cucumber seedlings is a special process. Growing in pills is gaining popularity today. All gardeners and summer residents met such material in stores on the shelves among cups and seedlings, but perhaps they did not pay special attention to it. Are they as good as sales assistants say? Let's figure this out.
What are pills
Cucumber is a whimsical culture, although many believe otherwise. It is in Russia that the cultivation of cucumbers is considered quite difficult, but at the same time the number of gardeners who want to grow a rich harvest is only growing every year.
One of the most popular ways to grow this vegetable crop is seedling. First grow seedlings of cucumbers, and then, when the weather outside the window becomes warm and stable, they move it into the open ground. You can also grow it in a greenhouse - it all depends on the weather in the region. And in this case, you can use seedling tablets. What are they?
This is pressed peat in the form of a large washer, which is enclosed in a natural net. This mesh is impregnated with a fungicide, which protects the plant itself. When exposed to water, the material increases 5-6 times. Some manufacturers are replacing peat with coco fiber. Summer residents will not notice any special difference in the quality of the product. These materials are interchangeable.
Pros of using
The advantages of growing in tablets are as follows:
- organic peat environment is ideal for cucumber seedlings;
- peat tablet retains moisture very effectively;
- growing in such a simple way is economical, simple and convenient;
- the material contains the necessary trace elements that have a positive effect on the growth rate;
- there is no need to apply fertilizers at the stage of planting seedlings;
- when transplanting, the seedlings are not injured or sick;
- cucumber seedlings breathe well in such tablets, which is no less important;
- seeds during germination are protected from many bacteria, fungi and viruses.
Peat tablets are available in different diameters for growing different seedlings.
This material is used not only for growing cucumbers, seeds of flowers, tomatoes, and other vegetables are placed in them. Despite all the advantages, the tablets also have a number of disadvantages.
Cons of using
One cannot but mention the shortcomings of this material. Of course, there are few of them, but for some they are weighty. Let's list everything:
- when growing cucumbers in this way, you will have to use pallets, glasses, and this is problematic for some;
- it is believed that there are more economical options for growing cucumbers and other crops;
- tablets made from peat and coconut fiber dry out very quickly and must be monitored carefully.
For many, these disadvantages are insignificant, so the popularity of growing seedlings in tablets is only growing every year. Most often, those gardeners who are faced with the problems of growing cucumbers in poor-quality soil pay attention to them. "Black" leg destroys immature seedlings en masse, and this is very insulting.
Use for growing cucumbers
Few people buy peat tablets just like that, without first acquainting themselves with the topic. We will study in detail how to grow cucumber seedlings in such conditions. It's simple enough. The process includes several stages:
- choice of material and purchase;
- preparatory process;
- cultivation and care.
Material selection
Since several types of tablets are produced, you will need to choose exactly those that are ideal for cucumbers. What do you need to grow?
- peat washers themselves;
- containers for them.
Washers are needed with a diameter of 40 millimeters and above. A small diameter will not work, because the seedlings will be cramped in them. Another important nuance: cucumbers need a neutral pH environment, do not buy material with an acidic environment.
Already after transplanting into the soil of the plant, the mesh impregnated with the fungicide will not dissolve, which is very important. If you choose a small small tablet, the root system of the cucumber will be very cramped, and the cucumber will not give a good harvest. It is not worth saving on this.
As for pallets, you can use specialized ones or any others that are available.
The main thing is that there are no holes in the pan to let water through.
Sowing preparation
The process is very simple. It lies in the fact that the purchased material is placed in a pallet and filled with warm water. Under the influence of moisture, peat washers will turn into a kind of cups in a grid. They will increase almost before our eyes in a few minutes.
When soaking, the characteristic depression of each tablet should be on top. That's it, you can plant cucumber seeds.
Sowing and caring for seedlings
When the material is completely saturated, you can plant cucumbers. If water remains, it is drained. Cucumber seeds can be used either sprouted in advance or directly from store-bought packaging. One seed of cucumber is placed in a recess and slightly pressed down: the depth of the touchdown is 1.5 - 2 centimeters, sometimes 3 centimeters, which is indicated on the package.
There is no need to sprinkle anything on top, this is a common myth! Below is a video of planting cucumbers in this way.
From above, you need to close the material with a lid or just a film to create your own microclimate for cucumbers. This is a kind of greenhouse. They put it in a warm place and from time to time observe the appearance of the first shoots of cucumbers.
Remember that tablets dry out quickly and cucumbers are very demanding to water. Seedlings will be resistant if the gardener monitors them carefully.
Very often they ask about the timing of sowing cucumbers for seedlings. The fact is that cucumber seedlings do not like to stay in cups for a long time. You can keep it in tablets for 3 weeks, but not more than 4.
As for the transplant, it is very convenient: you just take a tablet with a cucumber plant and place it in the finished well. It is not only convenient, but also justified. If the cucumber plant is removed from the soil, it will touch the root system. Cucumbers will be sore for a long time after this and can easily die.
Conclusion
New ways of growing different crops are very popular today. They make life easier for summer residents and gardeners. Saving time and simplifying tasks is what everyone, without exception, dreams of. Today it is available, albeit slightly more expensive than standard growing methods.
Growing in peat pellets is one of the most convenient ways to grow plants. Try to use it, the effect will be positive.
