When to Fertilize Cucumbers? Detailed Guide to Fertilizing Time and Methods
AbstractThe timing of fertilizing cucumbers is mainly during the germination stage, early flowering stage and fruiting stage. Germination stage: apply sufficient base fertilizer, about 4-5 kg of organic fertilizer per mu, which can be mixed with an appropriate amount of superphosphate. Early flowering stage: the first top dressing, mainly slow-release organic fertilizer; the amount of nitrogen fertilizer needs to be controlled, high-potassium water-soluble fertilizer containing humic acid should be added, and foliar fertilizer should be sprayed on the leaves. Fruiting stage: top dressing is needed every week, and for every 2 harvests, top dressing should be applied 1 time; fertilizing should alternate between quick-acting fertilizers such as human and livestock manure and chemical fertilizers.
I. Fertilizing Time for Cucumbers
1. Germination stage
(1) This period is mainly about promoting seed emergence and improving the survival rate.
(2) During this period, the demand for nutrients is relatively small; it is only necessary to ensure sufficient base fertilizer, and the base fertilizer should be mainly organic fertilizer.
(3) Organic fertilizer is about 4000-5000 kg per mu, and 20-30 kg of superphosphate can also be mixed in.
2. Seedling stage
(1) This period is mainly the key period for flower bud differentiation and for laying the foundation for early yield.
(2) At this time, it is only necessary to pay attention to field management, water control and ventilation.
3. Early flowering stage
(1) This period is the most critical stage of vegetative and reproductive growth, and also the stage when both occur together. The early flowering stage refers to the stage from planting to the opening of the first flower, about 25 days.
(2) During this period, the first top dressing is needed, mainly slow-release organic fertilizer, which is beneficial for increasing leaf area and increasing the number of female flowers.
(3) The amount of nitrogen fertilizer needs to be properly controlled, otherwise it will affect plant shape, shown as broad leaves, thick stems and vines, long internodes and long petioles.
(4) Add high-potassium water-soluble fertilizer containing humic acid, and a special humic acid foliar fertilizer can be sprayed on the leaves.
4. Fruiting stage
(1) This period is the key period for yield formation, and great attention must be paid to the supply of water and fertilizer.
(2) During this period, top dressing is needed once a week; in addition, top dressing should also be applied according to the harvesting situation, basically applying top dressing 1 time for every 2 harvests.
(3) Fertilization should alternate between human and livestock manure and chemical fertilizers; this type of fertilizer belongs to quick-acting fertilizers and can be absorbed by the crop more quickly.
(4) When applying top dressing, trace elements such as calcium, iron, zinc and boron should also be supplemented at the same time; 1% urea and 0.5 potassium dihydrogen phosphate can be used for foliar spraying.
II. Fertilizing Methods for Cucumbers
1. When fertilizing cucumbers, organic fertilizer must be applied well; the organic fertilizer should be mainly decomposed organic fertilizer, and this kind of fertilizer can provide cucumbers with comprehensive nutrition.
2. Decomposed organic fertilizer can also improve the soil, with a dosage of about 7500 kg per hectare.
3. During use, organic fertilizer can be applied together with phosphate fertilizer and potassium fertilizer, about 1000 kg per hectare.
4. After each harvest, water and fertilizer need to be replenished in time; mix the fertilizer into the water and apply it into the furrows.
5. When applying top dressing, follow the principle of light and frequent application; top dressing should be carried out once a week, with each urea dosage at about 150-200 kg per hectare, and 5-6 top dressings are needed throughout the growing period.
6. During the growing period, potassium fertilizer needs to be applied heavily; potassium fertilizer can enhance the disease resistance of cucumbers and improve cucumber quality.
7. When applying foliar fertilizer, spray 1000 times Kezi 891 plant growth promoter (3.4% titanium citrate aqueous solution) 2 times in the middle of growth, or spray 0.2%-0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution 2-3 times.
8. Cucumbers can also be fertilized with carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide top dressing can begin after the seedlings have recovered from transplanting. If the plants grow very vigorously, it can be carried out after the flowering and fruiting stage. It is generally used about 1 hour after sunrise, and the application duration is more than 2 hours, which can increase cucumber yield.