Spring Cucumber Planting Time and Methods Explained in Detail
Spring cucumbers are mostly grown by sowing and grafting, usually sown and raised as seedlings in winter, and transplanted after the night frost, starting at the end of April in the Beijing-Tianjin region.
Key points for growing spring cucumbers:
1. Seedling management
During the spring cucumber seedling period, which falls in the low-temperature season, temperature management should be carried out according to the temperature requirements of the seedlings at different stages. Pay attention to changes in the seedbed soil temperature, and adopt soil heating measures when the temperature is low. In addition, the seedling period falls in winter, with short daylight and relatively weak light intensity, so the straw mats should be uncovered in time to increase the light duration.
2. Water and fertilizer management
After each watering, hoe the soil to loosen it, raise the soil temperature, and promote root development. After the cucumber seedlings have recovered, cultivate the soil several times. Once the first cucumber has set, apply topdressing; you can open a furrow and apply decomposed, finely crushed dry manure or decomposed dry chicken manure. After the cucumbers set, appropriately increase the number of waterings. During the peak fruiting period, both the vegetative growth and reproductive growth of the plant enter a vigorous stage, and the fertilizer requirement increases greatly. Under normal circumstances, water once every 1-2 days, preferably in the early morning or evening. Topdressing is also needed, generally once every 7-10 days. In the hot summer season, pay attention to drainage to prevent root rot.
3. Trellising and leaf removal
Once the cucumber vines begin to run, trellises should be set up. A-frame trellises are mostly used. Tie the vines when the plant height is about 25cm, and then tie them once every 3-4 leaves. When the stems and vines reach the top of the trellis, pinch off the growing tips in time to encourage side vines to develop; after side vines produce cucumbers, leave 2-3 leaves and pinch off the tips. For varieties that mainly bear fruit on the main vine, side vines at the base should be removed in time. In the late fruiting stage, remove diseased and old leaves in time to improve ventilation and light conditions.
4. Pest and disease control
In addition to paying attention to crop rotation, soil disinfection, and keeping humidity in the greenhouse from becoming too high, Bordeaux mixture can be sprayed for downy mildew. For powdery mildew, a 200-fold wettable sulfur powder suspension can be sprayed. In addition, attention should be paid to preventing and controlling invasions by diseases and pests such as fusarium wilt, downy mildew, melon aphids, Aulacophora beetles, and melon fruit flies.
Spring cucumbers can generally be harvested about one month after transplanting. When harvesting, they should be picked appropriately early to increase yield.