How to Grow Autumn Delayed Cucumbers? Detailed Explanation of Key Cultivation Techniques
1. Select heat-resistant and disease-resistant varieties
The main heat-resistant varieties include Jinyan No. 7, Jinza No. 2 and No. 4, Xiafeng No. 1, Xiaqing No. 4, Lu Cucumber No. 9 and No. 4, as well as Zhongnong No. 8, Jinyou No. 1, Zhongnong 1101, etc.
2. Sow at the right time
In Shandong, Hebei, Tianjin and other places, sowing generally starts from late July to early August, and the growth period is generally about 100 days. The sowing density should be controlled at a row spacing of 60 cm and a plant spacing of 20-30 cm. Both direct sowing and transplanting can be used. From sowing to emergence generally takes about one week. In addition to thinning seedlings in time, during the seedling stage apply 200 g of compound microbial fertilizer (600-800 times dilution) per plant; or use a soil improver (100 g per mu) to drench the roots, which is beneficial to the early root development of cucumbers and prevents the occurrence of root rot and damping-off during the seedling stage.
3. Scientifically select fertilizers
Autumn delayed cucumbers have a relatively short growth period, so water and fertilizer must be sufficient. Because directly sown cucumbers cannot receive sufficient basal fertilizer in the early stage, start applying humic acid water-soluble fertilizer by flushing when the cucumbers begin to flower and set fruit, using 20-40 kg per mu. After that, each time cucumbers are picked, apply fertilizer once together with watering, and do not water without fertilizer. Along with topdressing, spray Fengshou No. 1 and an inducer on the leaves once every 10-15 days for 3-4 consecutive times, which is very necessary to prevent flower dropping and curved cucumbers and to increase yield. Cucumbers like organic fertilizer, especially large amounts of decomposed chicken manure and cow manure. It is recommended to use 4000-5000 kg per mu, mixed with 400-480 kg of bio-organic fertilizer and 30 kg of potassium sulfate (3×15) compound fertilizer as basal fertilizer.
4. Strengthen vine management
Autumn delayed cucumbers have a short growth period, and the fruiting period is only more than 40 days. Therefore, in the early stage, it is necessary both to promote vine growth and to avoid excessive vigor. By cultivating strong seedlings, promote the differentiation of more flower buds. In the early fruiting stage, mainly let the main vine bear fruit, and remove side branches above the 12th node. After the middle cucumbers, 3-4 side branches should be retained, and each side branch should be pinched after leaving one cucumber and one leaf, so as to achieve the effect of the main and side vines bearing fruit at the same time. In the late fruiting stage, remove old leaves and diseased leaves at the bottom in good time to reduce nutrient consumption and ensure the growth requirements of the cucumber fruits. To increase the number of female flowers, the growth hormone ethephon can be used for treatment. The concentration should be controlled at 100 ppm. Spray the cucumber plants in the morning once every two days for a total of 3 sprays. Note that the concentration should not be too high. If the concentration is too high, flower topping is likely to occur and phytotoxicity is also likely. After spraying, fruit setting increases noticeably, and fertilizer and water must closely follow to ensure sufficient fertilizer and water, so that yield can be increased.