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It is no secret to anyone that cucumber gives the best yields in greenhouses, that is, when grown in greenhouses or greenhouses. Yes, this requires additional costs for their device. But the result is definitely worth it.
Cucumber is the main greenhouse crop
Most gardeners are so accustomed to the commonness and everyday life of the cucumber that they do not even think about its undoubted usefulness. The fruits of such a familiar product contain:
- several useful minerals (potassium, iodine, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium);
- always useful vitamins (groups B and C);
- fiber, which also will not be superfluous;
- natural analogue of insulin;
- rare and very useful enzymes (tartronic acid).
Cucumber has the ability to satisfy hunger. This is due to the fact that the amount eaten leads to the stretching of the walls of the stomach, resulting in a feeling of fullness. The liquid, which is 95% cucumber, is an excellent natural absorbent. With the constant and frequent use of cucumber fruits, it will allow the human body to cleanse itself of harmful toxins and pollutants.
The advantages of cucumbers can be enumerated for a long time.
But two of them are worth highlighting:
- improves digestion, helps with cardiovascular problems, as well as with such common diseases as hypertension and arthritis;
- normalizes various types of balance in the human body: both water-salt and acid-base.
Stages of growing cucumbers indoors
In order to get a high yield of cucumbers indoors, it is necessary to carefully and consistently complete all the necessary stages of growing the plant.
Soil preparation
Any varieties of cucumber, even the best ones, are quite demanding on the soil, especially on the soil of a greenhouse or greenhouse. Therefore, preparation must begin long before the actual planting. Requirements for the soil:
- high soil fertility;
- neutral reaction, or close to it;
- sufficient capacity of the soil to pass and absorb moisture and oxygen.
Most qualified specialists believe that the best conditions for any kind of cucumber in a greenhouse are created by a two-component mixture of humus and ordinary sod soil. The following composition is often taken:
- peat (about 50%);
- humus (about 30%);
- field soil (the remaining 20%),
It is also allowed to add sawdust to the soil (necessarily from the species of coniferous trees) in a ratio of 1 to 1.
The sequence of the operation when preparing the soil for planting cucumbers:
- cleaning the soil from plant residues;
- digging up the soil (depth approximately - 20-25 cm);
- decontamination of soil using a solution of copper sulfate (7 percent);
- 30 days after the treatment, preparation of the mixture and its enrichment (dosage and formulation are as follows: ammonium nitrate / superphosphate / potassium sulfate, respectively, 0.4 kg / 3 kg / 2 kg per 1 cubic meter of soil mixture).
It is believed that the best conditions for the growth of cucumbers in greenhouses are created when they are grown in ridges or ridges with a width of about 1 m and a height of 0.25 m. The device of the ridges is as follows.First, a pit is dug with a depth of 0.4 m. Then warm manure is placed in it. From above, it is covered with a layer of soil mixture 0.14-0.16 m thick.
Landing
When growing cucumbers in greenhouses, as a rule, only and exclusively the seedling method is used, but not seeds. It allows for a shorter onset of fruiting compared to using cucumber seeds.
Most often, when planting cucumbers in a greenhouse or greenhouse, 25-day seedlings are used. Landing occurs with a tape in two lines. The recommended distance between the nearest rows of cucumbers is 0.5-0.6 m, between the nearest strips of plants - 0.8 m, between nearby plants in one row - 0.2 m.
The linearity of the rows and ridges is observed using a cord; an ordinary scoop is used to form the holes for planting. After digging the hole, an organic-mineral mixture is placed in it, then watered abundantly. Then the pot with cucumber seedlings is immersed in the resulting mud and covered with soil. After all the operations carried out, mulching is performed, the purpose of which is to prevent the evaporation of moisture from the soil from the formation of a crust on its surface.
Care features
Do not think that since cucumbers are grown in greenhouse conditions that are comfortable for them, the need for care will be removed. On the contrary, only careful and regular plant care will allow you to achieve a high yield, even if the best varieties of cucumbers are used. The main actions are as follows:
- regular watering of cucumbers... Warm water is used. In winter, it is necessary to water the growing plants in the morning after sunrise. In the warm season, watering of plants is usually carried out twice a week, and in sunny weather - the best conditions are created by watering every other day;
- careful and shallow loosening of the soil... It must be done very carefully so as not to damage the root system of cucumbers, located close to the surface. The purpose of the event is to increase and maintain the air permeability of the soil at an appropriate level, as well as to prevent root rot;
- regular ventilation of the greenhouse... This type of care must be constantly performed; after the onset of stable warm weather, it is recommended to leave the greenhouse ventilated for the whole day;
- plant feeding... For these purposes, a slightly fermented infusion of mullein or chicken manure is usually used. The use of nettle and other weeds is allowed. In addition to organics for the nutrition of cucumbers grown in closed conditions, it is also recommended to use mineral dressings specially developed for pumpkin crops. The number of such plant dressings should not exceed 5 per season. In the case of a predominance of sandy soils, it is necessary to additionally introduce nitrogen fertilizers, standard in such cases, for floodplain soils, respectively, potash fertilizers.
Popular varieties of cucumbers for indoor use
Based on the growing conditions of plants, self-pollinated and parthenocarpic varieties of cucumbers are most suitable for closed grounds. This is quite logical, since when using insect pollinated cucumbers, additional measures will be required to attract pollinating insects. Self-pollinated cucumbers are varieties that have flowers that combine the properties of both sexes, which leads to their self-pollination. Self-pollinated plant varieties differ from parthenocarpic ones, which have female-type flowers that do not need pollination. Therefore, the latter lack seeds.
However, it is not worth completely abandoning varieties and hybrids of cucumbers, for pollination of which bees are needed, since some of them have rather attractive properties and characteristics, for which it is quite possible to go for additional labor costs.
Cucumber hybrid Emelya F1
A versatile hybrid, perfect for salads and pickling. Bred specifically to grow cucumbers in greenhouses or greenhouses closed grounds.The first cucumbers can be harvested as early as 39-40 days. The high productivity of the plant is ensured by an unlimited number of lashes that form in the plant, and rather large fruits: a cucumber reaches 13-15 cm in length with a weight of up to 150 g. It belongs to the group of self-pollinated varieties of cucumbers, that is, there is no need for additional pollination by bees.
Cucumber hybrid Dynamite F1
A versatile hybrid. Plants of this variety are self-pollinated, do not need insect pollination. Ideal for indoor conditions, especially if sufficient space is provided for it. Has a classic dark green color of cucumbers with characteristic tubercles, located quite often. The fruit has a regular cylindrical shape and relatively small size: length - 12-14 cm, weight - 100-120 g.
Cucumber hybrid Annushka F1
Bee-pollinated mid-season hybrid. The main advantages of the cucumber variety are the ability to resist diseases and a stable yield. The plant has medium-sized leaves with a characteristic green color. The fruits of the hybrid are not very large - 10 cm long, weighing 90-110 g. The shape and color are traditional for cucumbers: dark green, with medium-sized tubercles.
Cucumber hybrid Hercules F1
A late-ripening hybrid of indoor cucumbers. Possesses high productivity. It has quite large fruits weighing up to 150-170 g. The shape of the cucumbers is fusiform. Mixed flowering. The main disadvantage of the variety is the need for pollination by bees, since the cucumber does not belong to the self-pollinated species. However, it is quite possible to replace it with manual artificial pollination. The high palatability and excellent yield are clearly worth the extra effort.
Cucumber hybrid Granddaughter F1
An early ripe hybrid with large fruits (up to 18-20 cm long and weighing 130-140 g). The plant does not form seeds, since the inflorescences are predominantly female and are self-pollinated. It is widely known, seeds for seedlings are sold everywhere.
Cucumber hybrid German F1
The hybrid was bred specifically for indoor use. The flowers of the cucumber are self-pollinated, the seeds in the fruit are usually absent. The high yield of cucumbers of this hybrid is combined with resistance to major diseases. The seeds of the plant are shown in the photo.
Conclusion
Growing cucumbers in greenhouses is a rather laborious, but interesting task. With its correct and competent management, the invested efforts will pay off many times in the form of a wonderful harvest that can please household members and visiting guests.
