How to plant the latest cucumber seeds? Teach you the correct planting method
How to plant cucumber seeds? Cucumbers are usually grown through sexual reproduction (seed propagation), but because cucumber sap contains certain plant alkaloids, organic acids, etc. that inhibit growth, they have the effect of inhibiting seed germination. If treatment is not carried out before sowing, even if the cucumber seeds are sown, it will be difficult for them to germinate. Below, the editor will introduce to you how to plant cucumber seeds!
Selecting cucumber seeds
For cucumber seed varieties that have been planted in previous years, growers can choose them with confidence, because the planting and harvest results of these varieties are already clear. However, for seed varieties that have not been tried before, it is best to plant them on a small scale first. If the germination effect and growth conditions are relatively satisfactory, then sow them on a larger scale. In addition, before sowing, it is best to first test the germination rate and germination vigor of the purchased seeds. Cucumber seeds with strong germination vigor sprout quickly and uniformly, and only a germination rate of 90% or above meets the planting requirements and ensures the harvest effect.
Of course, different varieties of cucumber seeds adapt differently to different cultivation conditions. Some are suitable for open-field cultivation, and some are suitable for greenhouse cultivation. When purchasing cucumber seeds, friends should analyze the specific situation and choose varieties suitable for planting.
Cucumber seed treatment
According to surveys of various infectious cucumber diseases, about 34.6% of diseases are transmitted by seed-borne bacteria, mainly including anthracnose, scab, black spot, bacterial angular leaf spot, etc. Therefore, seeds should be disinfected before sowing. There are many disinfection methods, among which the heat sterilization method is relatively good. It has the advantages of simple operation, a broad sterilization spectrum, safety for seeds, environmental friendliness, and cost savings, and is suitable for use by the majority of farmers.
1. Warm water pre-soaking: First soak the cucumber seeds in room-temperature water for 4 hours. After removing them, soak them in hot water at 55°C, using heat to sterilize and disinfect for 15 minutes. Then remove them and put them into cool water to cool down, then transfer them to germination or sowing. The note is to strictly observe the required water temperature and time.
2. Seed disinfection: Seed disinfection is the most economical and effective method for controlling many infectious diseases and pests, and is an indispensable measure for preventing seedling-stage diseases and pests. Because the amount of pesticide used in seed treatment is very small, and the time from treatment to the cucumber harvest period is long, there is almost no problem of pesticide residues. Therefore, it is also an important measure advocated for use in the production of pollution-free vegetables.
① Seed coating: Seed coating agents contain fungicides and insecticides that kill seed-borne diseases and underground pests, as well as trace element fertilizers and plant growth regulators that can promote seed germination and cucumber growth. Some commercial seeds are already coated before leaving the factory. Using such seeds does not require further disinfection treatment.
② Warm soup seed soaking: Warm soup seed soaking uses the difference in heat tolerance between dry seeds and pathogens, killing pathogens on the seed surface through high temperature. Put dry seeds into warm water at 55-60°C, stir continuously, and keep adding hot water to maintain the water temperature at 55-60°C for 10 minutes. When the temperature drops to 28-30°C, soak the seeds for another 4-6 hours. After washing them clean, carry out germination.
③ Chemical seed soaking: First, use 72.2% Previcur SL or 25% metalaxyl wettable powder at 800 times dilution, soak the seeds for 20 minutes, which can prevent and control fungal diseases at the cucumber seedling stage. Second, soak the seeds in 50% thiram wettable powder at 500 times dilution for 20 minutes to prevent and control anthracnose and stem blight. Third, coating and disinfecting with 2.5% Celest suspension seed coating agent can not only kill pathogenic fungi latent on the seed coat, but also penetrate into the interior of the seed, killing pathogenic fungi that have invaded the seed interior, effectively preventing and controlling diseases such as damping-off and Rhizoctonia rot at the melon seedling stage. Fourth, to prevent viral diseases caused by virus-carrying seeds, soak the seeds in 10% trisodium phosphate solution for 20 minutes. Fifth, soak the seeds in a 500 times diluted solution of 1 million units of agricultural streptomycin for 2 hours to prevent and control bacterial diseases.
No matter which chemical is used for seed soaking, after soaking, the seeds must be rinsed with clean water to prevent phytotoxicity.
Seed soaking and germination
1. Seed soaking: Seeds that have undergone warm soup soaking or chemical soaking are then soaked at 25-30°C for 4-6 hours, so that the seeds absorb water equal to 50-60% of their dry weight. Then rub and wash the mucus on the seed coat by hand, remove germination-inhibiting substances, float off impurities and shriveled seeds, and rinse them clean with clean water.
2. Seed germination: Wrap the soaked seeds in clean wet gauze, then wrap the outside with a wrung-out wet towel, and place them in a 25-30°C location for germination. Wash them with warm water 1-2 times a day. After washing, continue germination. At 25-30°C, they will germinate in 16-20 hours. The germinated seeds can be picked out in batches for sowing, or placed under 5-8°C conditions, and sown together after all have sprouted.