How to best apply top dressing when growing cucumbers? An analysis of key cultivation techniques
How to best apply top dressing when growing cucumbers? Has any netizen shared a method? To achieve high yields when growing cucumbers, top dressing must be tailored to the fertilizer needs of cucumbers. The following cucumber top dressing methods are provided for reference: Method 1: Fertilization method from planting to before fruit set: In the early stage of cucumber growth (generally within one month after planting), the soil...
How to best apply top dressing when growing cucumbers? Has any netizen shared a method?To achieve high yields when growing cucumbers, top dressing must be tailored to the fertilizer needs of cucumbers. The following cucumber top dressing methods are provided for reference:
Method 1: Fertilization method from planting to before fruit set:
In the early stage of cucumber growth (generally within one month after planting), the soil temperature is still low. If too much fertilizer or water is applied, "root rot" will occur. This is because the root system has weak activity and cannot absorb nutrients fully, causing excessive water accumulation in the soil, reducing air, and suffocating and rotting the roots;
The aboveground part then shows thin leaf flesh, dull leaf color, and is prone to wilting. Therefore, cucumbers should not be given too much fertilizer or water at one time; instead, the top dressing method of "light fertilizer applied frequently, small amounts in multiple meals" should be used.
Method 2: Fertilization method from young fruit stage to harvest stage:
Cucumber is a vegetable with shallow roots and a relatively high fertilizer requirement. During production, top dressing should be increased from the young fruit stage of the first fruit to the harvest stage to promote its growth and development and meet the nutrient needs during the fruit enlargement stage.
For cucumbers grown in greenhouses, top dressing should not be applied dry by digging ridges or opening furrows; it must be applied in furrows with water. Generally, the amount of each top dressing should not be too much; an average of 1.5 grams per cucumber plant is appropriate. During the peak harvest period of cucumbers, fertilizer water should be mixed in with every watering. This way, fertilizer burn does not occur and high yields can still be achieved.
In the middle and late stages of cucumber growth, if leaves are found to be thin and yellow, use 50 grams of urea diluted in 15 kg of water, stir thoroughly until dissolved, and spray on the leaves, once every 5-7 days, for 3-5 consecutive times.
When severe fruit abortion or many deformed fruits are found, use 50 grams of monopotassium phosphate diluted in 15 kg of water and spray on the leaf surface, once every 3-5 days. In the late production stage, as the roots age, urea can also be used at the same time.
Method 3: Leaf surface top dressing method:
Cucumbers not only absorb nutrient elements from the soil through the roots, but can also absorb mineral nutrients through the leaves to promote fruit development. Generally, in the middle and late production stages, when leaves are found to be thin and yellow, nitrogen fertilizer is applied as top dressing. Use 50 grams of urea mixed with 15 kg of water, stir thoroughly until dissolved, and spray on the leaf surface, once every 5-7 days, for 3-5 consecutive times. The effect is very good.
When severe fruit abortion, enlarged leaves, and many deformed fruits are found, use 50 grams of monopotassium phosphate mixed with 15 kg of water, stir until dissolved, and spray on the leaf surface once every 3-5 days. This can also achieve certain results.
In the late production stage, as the roots age, use 50 grams each of urea and monopotassium phosphate mixed with 15 kg of water, then add half a bottle of Pengshibao, stir until dissolved, and spray on the leaves. This can replace root top dressing, increase cucumber disease resistance, delay aging, and strive for high yields.
However, in general, pesticides should not be arbitrarily added to chemical fertilizers and sprayed at the same time, as this can easily cause pesticide damage or render the pesticide ineffective. If simultaneous spraying is needed, spray pesticide in the morning and fertilizer in the afternoon.
Method 4: Precautions for cucumber fertilization:
Fertilizing when the soil is wet can easily cause female flower differentiation, the appearance of deformed fruits, and physiological diseases such as leaf drop, flower drop, and fruit abortion. Fertilizing under high temperature conditions causes large water evaporation from plant leaves and can affect the exertion of fertilizer efficiency. In addition, the best time for fertilizing is early morning or evening.
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