Mandatory procedure for the care of cucumbers, both when growing in open ground and in a greenhouse, is micronutrient fertilizing. It is important, when making, to take into account the needs of the plant in a particular stage of development. So, before flowering, nitrogen is needed for the active growth of green mass. And during the fruiting period, phosphorus and potassium-containing fertilizers come first. The latter will be discussed in this article.

What trace elements do cucumbers need

All summer residents and gardeners involved in the cultivation of cucumbers are interested in an important question: what should be done so that cucumbers grow faster, give birth better, produce tasty and high-quality fruits. There is only one answer - they need to be fed with microelements. The main substances that a vegetable needs are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Nitrogen is necessary for the plant to actively grow green mass. It must be present in the soil, from planting to flowering. Then nitrogen-containing fertilizing is already harmful to cucumber bushes.

Phosphorus is required for the development of the root system. Only with a sufficient amount of it can the roots absorb nutrients from the soil without problems. Phosphorus is required at all stages of plant development.

When ovaries and fruits begin to form on the bushes, the plant really needs potassium. It allows you to improve the taste of greens, eliminate bitterness from them. The quantity of ovaries and the volume of the future crop depend on the level of its content in the soil.

In addition to the main trace elements, the plant also needs other substances: magnesium, calcium, copper, boron, sulfur, manganese, iron, zinc.

It is recommended to feed cucumbers by alternating organic and mineral fertilizers. Also a good effect is the introduction of home remedies.

Important! Cucumbers should not be fertilized often. Excessive fertilizer application can only cause harm to the plant - weaken it and make it vulnerable to various diseases.

What is potash fertilizer

Top dressing, in which potassium is one of the constituents, is called potash. These include ores, natural concentrates and industrial by-products.

Such fertilizers are needed in order to:

• enhance cell metabolism;
• help the plant tolerate drought more easily;
• accelerate photosynthesis;
• activate protein-carbohydrate metabolism;
• increase resistance to negative factors;
• increase the shelf life of the fruit.

The main types of potassium fertilizers are made by processing natural salts.

Signs of Potassium Shortage in Cucumbers

If the plant is in urgent need of some element, then it undergoes characteristic changes in appearance.

The fact that the bushes lack potassium is indicated by the following symptoms:

1. Actively growing lashes and leaves.
2. Foliage changes color to dark green.
3. The leaves appear yellow border.
4. Zelentsy pear and hook-shaped forms are formed.

Did you know? To successfully grow 100 cc of cucumber with fruits of excellent commercial quality and taste characteristics, 44 kg of potassium will be required.

Varieties of potash fertilizers

There are several types of potash fertilizers. The owner of the garden or greenhouse can independently choose the type of fertilizer that is easier for him to work with and which will be most effective. Let us consider in more detail how to feed cucumbers to satisfy their need for potassium.

All fertilizers are divided into 2 groups:

• mineral;
• organic.

They can also be dry (in the form of powder, granules, crystals) and liquid.

From mineral baits to replenish potassium use:

• potassium nitrate;
• potassium humate;
• potassium sulfate;
• potassium chloride;
• potassium sulfate.

Of course, for vegetables, it is preferable to use organics.

Potassium is found in:

• wood ash;
• manure
• bird droppings;
• green fertilizer.

  

Top-up dates

Potassium must be present in the soil already at the planting stage. It is better to make it in the fall using potassium sulfate in dry or diluted form with water. Mandatory such top dressing is in gardens with heavy and dense soils. As an option, fresh manure is also introduced in the autumn period.

If in the autumn it was not possible to feed the soil on the site for some reason, then you need to do this in the spring, 3-4 weeks before sowing seeds or planting seedlings. Spring bait is also allowed if in the planting area light soil - sandy or sandy loam.

Did you know? The longest cucumbers in the world grow from a Chinese species. Their length is 1.5–1.8 m. These plants in China and Japan are cultivated on the roofs of houses, and then transplanted into open ground.

Already formed plants are fertilized with potassium under the root as part of a complex supplement of the three main elements after the appearance of sprouts.

Next time, potassium is introduced into the flowering phase. At the stage of ovary formation, they resort to foliar bait.

Video: Potash feeding cucumbers

How to breed fertilizers

For application under the root, the cultivation of mineral fertilizers is carried out as follows:

1. Measure 2-3 tbsp. l granules.
2. Pour in 10 liters of water.
3. Stir until completely dissolved.

If you plan to spray the solution, then the concentrate is prepared less saturated - 1.5–2 tbsp. Are used for the same amount of water. granules.

The maximum amount of potassium that can be applied during root dressing: up to 15 g in open ground and up to 10 g in closed; foliar - up to 10 g.

How to prepare organic additives, we suggest that you read the table:

How to feed cucumbers at home

Fertilizers are applied in 2 ways:

• root
• foliar.

The first method is considered the main one. The second is optional. Especially important is the combination of these methods in the fruiting phase.

Important! Both root and foliar top dressing is done after rainfall or heavy watering, on a sunny day or in the evening. The solutions should be heated to a temperature of + 20 ° C.

Root dressing

This method of fertilizing is considered the best, because when it is used, nutrients are delivered to the roots faster. Dry additives are distributed on the site and dug along with the soil. Liquid - watered in the aisles.

Foliar top dressing

In the feeding schedule, it is necessary to include such a useful procedure for vegetable crops as foliar top dressing. They are applied by spraying leaves and stems with a sprayer. The best time for them is a cool summer.

Using foliar top dressing, it is possible to rejuvenate cucumber lashes, eliminate the early yellowing of leaves, speed up the process of photosynthesis, and extend the plant's growing season.

Features of the use of potash fertilizers during fruiting

During the fruiting period, potassium-containing bait is especially important.

At this time, you can make:

1. Nitrofosku (1 tbsp. / 10 l of water).
2. Mullein (0.5 L) with potassium sulfate (1 tsp), diluted in water (10 L).

From natural fertilizers use:

1. Chicken droppings (proportions are given in the table above).
2. Manure (proportions are given in the table above).

In the foliar way:

1. Complex mineral fertilizers.
2. A solution of superphosphate (60 g), potassium nitrate (30 g), boric acid (1 g), manganese sulfate (0.4 g), zinc sulfate (0.1 g).

In order to extend the period of fruiting, cucumber bushes are sprayed with hay infusion. It is poured with warm water in a ratio of 1 to 1, insisted for 2 days. Apply three times with an interval of 7 days.

Did you know? There are folk traditions in the world to serve a cucumber at a sweet table as a dessert. So, for example, do Moroccans, Iranians and Cypriots.

So, top dressing cucumbers with potassium is an important and mandatory procedure that guarantees the proper growth and development of the plant, and is also responsible for the taste of the fruit. To feed the culture with potassium, you can use ready-made mineral fertilizers, prepare a solution yourself or use organics.