What are the cucumber cultivation techniques and its effects and functions?

Cucumber, also known as hu gua or qing gua, belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and is an annual trailing or climbing herbaceous plant. It is widely distributed throughout China and is one of the main greenhouse products. So, what are the cucumber cultivation techniques? What are its effects and functions?

1. Cultivation techniques

1. Land preparation

Apply 5 cubic meters of decomposed organic fertilizer, 25-30 kg of superphosphate or 10-15 kg of diammonium phosphate (5-5 kg of superphosphate per cubic meter, 2-3 of diammonium phosphate per cubic meter). Before planting, plow and make beds 1.2 m wide and more than 15 cm high, and cover with plastic film.

2. Planting

Determining the planting date: plant as early as possible on the premise of ensuring no frost damage after planting. In the Chengde area, planting is generally done in late April to early May. Temperature requirements: the minimum night temperature should be above 5°C, and the soil temperature at 0-10 cm should be above 12°C. For autumn open-field cucumbers, the direct seeding method is used.

Planting density: 4000-4500 plants/mu, planted in wide and narrow rows, with a narrow row spacing of 40 cm, a wide row spacing of 80 cm, and a plant spacing of 25-30 cm. Plant using the dark water method.

3. Management

Trellising. Set up trellises early after planting to prevent wind damage and promote seedling growth. Flower stands or A-shaped frames can be used, placed about 8-10 cm from the roots.

Vine tying. Use the “8” figure method to tie the vines, preventing damage to and drooping of the stems. Tie once every 2-3 nodes, and do it in the afternoon, as stems are easily broken in the morning. The tightness of tying should suppress the strong and support the weak; for plants with strong growth vigor, tie them a bit tighter, and keep the growing points at a uniform height.

Pruning and pinching. For varieties that bear fruit on the main vine, remove all side branches. For those that bear fruit on side vines, after fruit set, leave one to two leaves and pinch off the tip, and remove all tendrils. When the stem exceeds the top of the trellis, pinch off the tip promptly to promote the growth of lower fruits; the twisting-tip method can also be used to inhibit upper growth.

Fertilizer and water management. Water and cultivate in a timely manner; the amount and frequency of watering depend on the weather and growth stage. Water to help seedlings recover 5-7 days after planting; before fruit set, control water, cultivate, and restrain seedling growth; when the first fruit reaches 10-12 cm, water to promote fruit development; during the fruiting period, water once every 5-7 days. The principle for topdressing is light first and heavy later, with small amounts applied multiple times. Apply fruit-promoting fertilizer after the first fruit sets, and apply peak-fruiting fertilizer after the first fruit is harvested. The use of organic fertilizer for topdressing is encouraged.

2. Effects and functions

Cool in nature, sweet in taste, slightly toxic; enters the lung, stomach, and large intestine meridians. Clears heat and promotes diuresis, detoxifies and reduces swelling, promotes fluid production and quenches thirst. Mainly treats conditions such as fever with thirst, sore throat, wind-heat eye diseases, damp-heat jaundice, and difficult urination.

1. Anti-tumor

The cucurbitacin C contained in cucumber has the effect of improving human immune function, thereby achieving anti-tumor purposes. In addition, this substance can also treat chronic hepatitis and persistent hepatitis, and has the effect of prolonging survival for patients with primary liver cancer.

2. Anti-aging

Cucumber is rich in vitamin E, which can help prolong life and resist aging; the cucumber enzyme in cucumber has strong biological activity and can effectively promote the body's metabolism. Applying cucumber juice to the skin has the effect of moisturizing the skin and smoothing wrinkles.

3. Preventing alcohol poisoning

The alanine, arginine, and glutamine contained in cucumber have a certain auxiliary therapeutic effect on liver patients, especially patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, and can prevent and treat alcohol poisoning.

4. Lowering blood sugar

The glucosides, fructose, and other substances contained in cucumber do not participate in normal sugar metabolism, so when diabetic patients use cucumber instead of starchy foods to satisfy hunger, blood sugar not only does not rise but may even decrease.

5. Weight loss and body strengthening

The tartronic acid contained in cucumber can inhibit the conversion of sugars into fat. In addition, the cellulose in cucumber has a certain effect on promoting the elimination of putrefactive substances in the human intestinal tract and lowering cholesterol, and can strengthen the body.

6. Brain health and calming the mind

Cucumber contains vitamin B1, which is beneficial for improving the function of the brain and nervous system, can calm the mind and stabilize the spirit, and assists in treating insomnia.