Detailed explanation of cucumber cultivation techniques: why green vegetable cucumbers are so popular

1. Choose early-maturing varieties.Cucumber varieties and F1 hybrids suitable for open-field cultivation of spring cucumbers include:Luchun32, Luchun26, Zhongnong4, Bichun, Jinchun4, Jinchun5, Jinyan4.

       2. Sow early at the right time and raise large seedlings.In frost-prone areas, open-field spring cucumbers must be planted or sown after the local frost ends (absolute frost-free) and when the soil temperature stabilizes above12°C. The suitable sowing period in Shandong is3early month, and the seedling-raising method uses cold-frame nutrient-pot seedling cultivation.4Month25day planting, seedling age40-45days; at planting the seedlings have5-6leaves, and female flowers have already appeared at the1-3th node, so harvesting can begin around5mid-month.

       Experiments show that raising large seedlings in nutrient pots increases yield compared with cultivating small seedlings. The reason is that small seedlings are sown late and planted late; after planting, although the external climate is suitable, because the seedlings are small they need a long period of vegetative growth before they can switch to reproductive growth. Using the method of raising large seedlings allows the cucumber's vegetative growth period to be spent in protected seedling beds, effectively resolving the contradiction of older seedlings after planting and slow recovery. After planting, the cucumber seedlings can quickly enter the flowering and fruiting stage, set fruit earlier, and lay the foundation for high yield.

       3. Apply sufficient base fertilizer and prepare the land into beds.The amount of base fertilizer should be determined according to soil fertility. Generally, before planting15days, in combination with plowing, apply fully decomposed organic fertilizer per mu5000-7000kg and nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer50-80kg, so that the base fertilizer and soil are fully mixed. Deep furrows and high beds are required, with bed height not less than15cm, built into arched beds, high in the middle and low on both sides, with deep furrows throughout, to facilitate timely drainage after heavy rain and also facilitate irrigation in dry weather.

       4. Plant appropriately densely and cultivate on tall trellises.The planting density of open-field spring cucumbers should be determined according to variety characteristics, soil fertility, and the length of the growing period. Cucumbers planted as large seedlings generally do not grow excessively, so density can be appropriately increased. Generally, plant3500-4000seedlings per mu. For varieties that bear fruit on the main vine (Luchun26, Luchun32, Jinyan4, etc.), where soil fertility is low, and to increase early yield, planting can be denser; conversely, plant somewhat sparsely. Generally, row spacing is60-75cm and plant spacing is25-35cm. To prevent cold overcast spring chills and promote early seedling growth, it is best to plant in the afternoon on a clear day at the end of a cold spell and the beginning of warm weather. At planting, make planting furrows13-15cm wide and8-10cm deep according to the predetermined row spacing, and sun them for1-2days. At planting, place the seedlings in the furrow and cover lightly with soil, just enough to keep them from falling over. Then water along the furrow until the water depth is level with the seedling block; the amount of water should not be too large. After the water seeps down, close the furrow with soil from both sides, then immediately cover with black plastic film and lead the seedlings out of the film.

       Spring winds are strong and often cause wind damage to young seedlings. Immediately after planting, set up trellises. Use1.7-2m thin bamboo poles at about10cm from the seedlings, inserting1per plant, forming an “”-shaped trellis. Then tie the vines, tying3-4node1time. Vine tying is generally done in the afternoon, which can avoid breaking the vines. When the cucumber vines begin to set fruit, branches tend to appear on the lower part;10all branches below the node are removed. When branches appear in the middle and upper parts, each1branch retains1cucumber2leaf and is topped to prevent excessive vine growth. Tendrils are removed as the vines are tied. When the cucumber vines cover the trellis, pinch the growing tips again to promote secondary fruits. Old leaves and diseased leaves on the lower part are removed together, which helps ventilation and reduces disease.

       5. Skillful fertilization and watering, scientific management.For watering, generally the amount of water in the early stage should be small and the frequency should be low, while in the later stage the amount of water should be larger and the frequency should be higher, reflecting the principle of controlling first and promoting later. After planting4-5days, water1time for seedling recovery, but the amount of water should not be too large because the soil temperature is relatively low at that time. After that, watering should be controlled, and seedling restraint should be carried out for about10days. When the first fruit begins to grow and the color of the fruit stalk darkens, resume watering. This watering is best done with dilute manure water. When watering is resumed, the weather is not yet very hot and the cucumber vines have not yet climbed halfway up the trellis. Generally, water6-7day1time; by the peak fruiting stage, the plants have a high water requirement and the temperature gradually rises, so water every3-4days1time. As the weather turns hotter, watering should be done in the early morning.

       According to the fertilizer requirements of cucumbers, in order to achieve early maturity and high yield, the amount of fertilizer applied should be increased, and the principle of applying fertilizer in stages should be adopted. In the early stage when the weather is not hot, organic fertilizer is better; after the weather turns hot, quick-acting chemical fertilizer is preferable. The amount of chemical fertilizer should not be too much; apply10-15kg urea per mu each time. Generally, after every1-2time of clear water irrigation, apply1time of fertilizer.

       6. Control diseases and pests and extend the harvest period.Harvest at the right time; especially harvesting the first fruit early has the effect of increasing later yield. In the early fruiting stage, harvest every3-4days1time; during the peak fruiting stage, harvest every day or every other day. According to experiments, during the fruiting period, harvesting every day compared with harvesting every other day can increase the rate of marketable fruit by32%, reduce defective fruit by50%, and increase total yield by about7%. This not only ensures the quality of marketable cucumbers but also helps the young cucumbers expand rapidly and increases the fruit-setting rate.

    The main diseases and pests of spring cucumbers include downy mildew, powdery mildew, aphids, leafminers, etc. From the time the young seedlings just emerge, the field disease situation should be observed every day, so as to prevent early and prevent small outbreaks. For plots with disease, spray heavily to prevent spread. Especially after rain, spray in time. If downy mildew occurs, use72%Previcur AS1000times dilution, or use72%DuPont Curzate800times dilution, or58%Ridomil MZ700times dilution, or80%phosethyl-Al wettable powder600times dilution for spray control; if powdery mildew occurs, in the early stage of disease spray15%triadimefon1500times dilution, or use75%chlorothalonil wettable powder600times dilution,5-7days1time, continuously spray2-3times. For aphids, use10%imidacloprid wettable powder3000times dilution for spraying; for leafminers, use48%chlorpyrifos EC1000times dilution for spray control.