Content
- 1 Features of using potassium humate for cucumbers
- 2 Pros and cons of feeding
- 3 When to feed cucumbers with potassium humate
- 4 How often to feed cucumbers with potassium humate
- 5 Instructions for the use of potassium humate for cucumbers
- 6 The proportions of liquid potassium humate for cucumbers
- 7 Precautions when working with Potassium Humate
- 8 Conclusion
- 9 Reviews on the use of liquid potassium humate for cucumbers
Using liquid potassium humate for cucumbers, gardeners and farmers are seeking to increase yields. It promotes the formation of beautiful fruits, adapted for long storage. Many vegetable growers highly appreciated the help provided by potassium humate in the cultivation of cucumbers in open beds and in a greenhouse.
Features of using potassium humate for cucumbers
Cucumbers and other crops benefit from organic fertilizers only after they have completely decomposed. Potassium humate is the end result of the breakdown of natural substances, so it instantly saturates plants with minerals. In the cultivation of cucumbers, he found the following application:
- Soaking seeds before planting.
- Application to the ground for young shoots and mature bushes.
- Foliar dressing with a weak solution.
Foliar feeding is of particular importance for cucumbers. Farmers have found that fertilization also provides nutrients to the roots of the weeds. If the leaves and stems of cucumbers are processed after weeding, only the grown crop will receive stimulation.
Pros and cons of feeding
It should be noted that this organic fertilizer is extremely economical. The drug increases the effectiveness of other mineral dressings and reduces their consumption.
The use of potassium humate in the cultivation of cucumbers gives the following positive effects:
- Increased productivity.
- Presentation of fruits.
- High palatability.
- Decrease in the concentration of nitrates.
- Disease resistance.
- Increased frost and drought resistance.
- Acceleration of growth and maturation.
- Accumulation of nutrients.
- The development of microorganisms in the soil.
A negative consequence of the introduction of a concentrate obtained from brown coal and sapropel (lake sediments) may be the ingress of heavy metals and other toxic substances into the soil. No less dangerous is the use of alcohol, cellulose and paper industry waste as raw materials. Experienced agronomists prefer not the cheapest, but safe and effective humate from low-lying peat.
When to feed cucumbers with potassium humate
Potassium humate is unique in that it provides the necessary minerals for crops at all stages of their development. Soaking cucumber seeds in a solution awakens them to germination. Watering young plants stimulates the formation of strong roots and the growth of the aerial part. Potassium humate for cucumbers during the fruiting period plays an equally important role, as it increases the quantity, quality and taste of the crop.
The first application of the solution is usually carried out in the presence of 3-5 leaves. The remaining 3-5 dressings are evenly distributed throughout the growing season. When planning them, the processing of cucumbers from diseases and pests is taken into account. Combination with other types of organic matter is allowed.
How often to feed cucumbers with potassium humate
According to professional agronomists, the effect of potassium humate lasts for about a month. Based on this, it is easy to draw up a fertilization schedule. Starting with the formation of three leaves on the bush, top dressing is applied every 3-4 weeks.
You should not feed the cucumbers with the remedy more often than recommended. Otherwise, it will turn from a stimulant into a retardant (inhibits the growth of roots and stems). When growing cucumbers on organic-rich soils, only 2-3 approaches are enough.
Instructions for the use of potassium humate for cucumbers
Potassium humate is produced in two forms: powder and liquid. A solid preparation is easier to transport and store, but most gardeners prefer the liquid form of the substance because of the convenience of preparing a solution.
It is used as an organic fertilizer. Combination with other dressings enhances its effectiveness. Gardeners often prepare a mixture for spraying cucumbers from potassium humate and boric acid. Top dressing is applied to wet soil or through a small-drop sprayer. The second method is preferable during a cold snap or, if necessary, to quickly revive the bushes.
How to use liquid potassium humate for cucumbers in a greenhouse
In the greenhouse, cucumbers are usually grown by seedlings. The first feeding is done when young shoots are planted in the garden. So they take root faster and absorb nutrients from the soil. No other fertilizers are added at this point.
Organic fertilized greenhouse soil usually contains an abundant supply of nutrients. In view of this, it is enough to introduce potassium humate only three times: when planting seedlings, during flowering and during fruit setting. In poor lighting and low temperatures in the greenhouse, it is better to use the foliar feeding method. In this case, it is important to reduce the concentration of the solution so as not to harm the culture.
How to use liquid potassium humate for cucumbers outdoors
When grown outdoors, cucumbers are usually fertilized more frequently. This also applies to feeding with humate.
Experienced gardeners make a solution prepared from liquid potassium humate under the following conditions:
- formation of 3-5 sheets;
- budding;
- flowering period;
- the beginning of fruiting;
- end of the first wave of fruit setting.
The composition is injected under the root of cucumbers or sprayed over the leaves. The second method is most effective in the cold season, when the processes in the root system slow down. They try to process both leaves and stems.
The proportions of liquid potassium humate for cucumbers
The liquid concentrate is very easy to use: the dark brown substance is diluted in water, after which the composition is completely ready for use.
For each type of processing of cucumbers, there are separate proportions of the mixture:
- Seed soaking: 1/3 tsp diluted in 1 liter of water.
- Irrigation solution: 1 tbsp. l. poured into 10 liters of water.
- Spraying solution: 1 tsp. mixed with 10 liters of water.
The result should be a light brown liquid. The danger of exceeding the recommended concentration lies not only in slowing down the development of bushes, but also in the accumulation of harmful substances in the fruits.
Precautions when working with Potassium Humate
Potassium humate belongs to low-hazard substances. When working with him, the likelihood of acute poisoning is completely excluded. However, contact with the body should be avoided. The following recommendations will save you from the unpleasant consequences of contact with a concentrated substance:
- Store out of the reach of children and animals.
- If accidentally swallowed, induce vomiting immediately.
- Wear gloves when applying the solution.
- In case of contact with skin, wash off with soapy water.
- Remove from mucous membranes with plenty of water.
- Dispose of empty containers with household waste.
Undiluted potassium humate is stored for 5 years. The shelf life of the finished solution does not exceed 1 month. Safely sealed containers with fertilizer are stored in the refrigerator.
Conclusion
Liquid potassium humate for cucumbers is used by most experienced summer residents and farmers. The result is a bountiful, high-quality harvest that does not keep you waiting long. The stimulating solution increases plant immunity and endurance. Cucumbers are becoming tastier and healthier.