When to plant autumn cucumbers? Planting time and management methods

SummaryAutumn cucumbers are suitable for planting in early August. Before planting, select excellent varieties with strong resistance, few diseases and high yield; soak the seeds for 3-4 hours before sowing, cover with a small amount of soil after sowing, and transplant about 5000 seedlings per mu; during growth, apply about 2500 kg of human manure and urine; water promptly when the soil is dry, and drain promptly during heavy rain; use dichlorvos emulsifiable concentrate and Bordeaux mixture to control pests and diseases, and do a good job of trellising and tying vines in the later stage.

I. Planting time of autumn cucumbers

1. Autumn cucumbers can be planted in early August. The temperature during this period is slightly lower, which helps reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases.

2. The suitable temperature for the flowering and fruiting period of autumn cucumbers is about 30℃, so excessive vegetative growth can be avoided, and flower and fruit drop can also be avoided. In southern regions, the planting time can be postponed a little more.

II. Selecting good varieties

1. The temperature during the seedling stage of autumn cucumbers is slightly high, so it is recommended to select excellent varieties with strong resistance, few diseases and high yield.

2. Each place can make its choice based on local rainfall, temperature and disease characteristics. If you do not know how to choose, you can consult experienced local farmers.

III. Sowing and transplanting

1. Autumn cucumbers are generally direct-seeded. Before sowing, soak the seeds for 3-4 hours. After sowing, cover with a small amount of soil, which helps lower temperature and retain moisture. Or 6-7 days before sowing or planting, sow quick-growing leafy vegetables in the cucumber field, such as water spinach and pak choi, which can protect the seedlings.

2. When raising seedlings and transplanting, avoid damaging the seedlings. You can transplant shallowly with more soil. During this period, replant promptly to ensure a full stand. The transplanting density is slightly higher than that of spring cucumbers, and about 5000 plants can be transplanted per mu. Use deep furrows and high beds for transplanting, which helps drain promptly during heavy rain and irrigate during drought.

IV. Fertilizer and water management

1. The growth and fruiting of autumn cucumbers can proceed at the same time. The maturity period is short and the growth is fast, so quick-acting fertilizer can be used as base fertilizer. Generally, 2500 kg of human manure and urine or 50 kg of compound fertilizer can be applied per mu.

2. After transplanting, combine with watering and apply 1 topdressing of dilute human manure and urine or quick-acting chemical fertilizer every 5-7 days. After harvesting autumn cucumbers at the full fruiting stage, apply 1 foliar topdressing of nitrogen fertilizer and phosphorus fertilizer.

3. In summer and autumn, autumn cucumbers have a large water requirement, but they cannot be waterlogged. Improper irrigation can easily induce diseases and lead to reduced yield of autumn cucumbers. Therefore, irrigation should be flexibly controlled by “watching the sky, the ground and the seedlings”, draining promptly during heavy rain, and using furrow irrigation with “horse-running water” during drought, irrigating and draining at the same time.

V. Pest and disease control

1. Autumn cucumbers suffer more insect pests, and they occur earlier, which is the main factor affecting yield. Therefore, control should be started from the seedling stage. The main pest at the seedling stage is the yellow squash beetle. During this period, spray with 50% dichlorvos emulsifiable concentrate at 1000-1200 times dilution, or 90% crystalline trichlorfon at 1000 times dilution.

2. In addition, aphids also need attention for control. Autumn cucumbers are prone to downy mildew. During this period, spray 1:0.5-0.8:240-300 Bordeaux mixture for prevention.

VI. Trellising and harvesting

1. In the later stage of growth, do a good job of trellising, tying vines and harvesting. Autumn cucumbers have a short growth period and the plants grow fast, so trellising and vine tying need to be done early.

2. Because temperatures are high in summer and autumn, the fruits tend to age, so they need to be harvested promptly. Generally, harvesting can begin 40-50 days after sowing, and then once every 3-5 days.