Causes of Flower-topping in Cucumbers and Detailed Prevention and Control Methods
Cucumber flower-topping, also called "flowers hugging the head," is a common physiological phenomenon in greenhouse cultivation. This phenomenon often causes cucumber yield reduction, and in severe cases leads to total crop failure, seriously affecting growers' interests. So what causes the cucumber flower-topping phenomenon? Is there a way to solve it? Let's take a look.
1. Abnormal temperature
Abnormal temperature is the main cause of the cucumber flower-topping phenomenon. In the early growth stage, a large day-night temperature difference prevents the nutrients produced by the leaves during the day from being transported to other parts in time, causing the leaves to become dark green and wrinkled, accelerating aging, and affecting photosynthesis. Under low-temperature conditions, plant growth is inhibited, and reproductive growth exceeds vegetative growth, causing the flower-topping phenomenon.
Prevention method: When planting, pay attention to temperature changes. During high temperatures in the daytime, strengthen ventilation of the greenhouse to lower the temperature inside, while at night when the temperature is lower, close the greenhouse to raise the temperature inside and reduce the day-night temperature difference.
2. Imbalance of fertilizer and water
After cucumbers are planted, if the organic fertilizer applied is not fully decomposed or not fully mixed with the soil, the high-concentration fertilizer comes into direct contact with the plant roots, causing root burn, weakening the roots' absorption capacity, causing physiological drought, and resulting in flower-topping. In addition, long-term lack of water can also lead to flower-topping.
Prevention method: Strengthen fertilizer and water management. When applying base fertilizer, choose fully decomposed organic fertilizer, and after application, mix it evenly with the soil through plowing. Water promptly after planting to reduce the fertilizer concentration so the roots can absorb it quickly. Water promptly during drought to keep the soil moist; conversely, during rainy seasons, take good drainage and waterlogging prevention measures.
3. Root damage
During the seedling stage and planting, root damage may be caused by certain reasons, such as the excessive fertilizer concentration mentioned above causing root burn, excessive soil water accumulation causing root rot, or root breakage during transplanting. These causes of root damage make the flower-topping phenomenon highly likely to occur.
Prevention method: Do a good job in planting management and avoid root damage caused by the above reasons.
4. Pesticide damage
Improper use of pesticides during planting, excessive use of fumigants or fungicides, or overly frequent pesticide application inhibits the plant's growth nodes, causing flower-topping.
Prevention method: When using pesticides, strictly follow the instructions. Do not use excessive amounts or apply too frequently, so as to reduce the impact of pesticide damage on the plants.
5. Treatment methods
When the flower-topping phenomenon appears in cucumbers, do not treat it blindly. First thin flowers and fruits, removing all the top flowers and cucumbers from part of the plant, then apply amino acid fertilizer and zinc fertilizer. In winter, first dissolve them in water before applying. The next day, mix 30 grams of glucose and 50 grams of urea into one bucket of water and spray it on the leaves to strengthen flowers and preserve fruits, once every 10 days, with excellent results.
The above are the causes of cucumber flower-topping and the prevention and control methods. We hope they can help you. To learn more about cucumber cultivation, please stay tuned to us.