What Causes Hollow Cucumbers? Detailed Explanation of Causes and Prevention Methods
In our impression, cucumbers are round and plump, full of flesh and juice, with a smooth and refreshing taste. However, if the growing environment is unsuitable, they can develop some physiological disorders. Many farmers are very troubled by the problem of hollow cucumbers, which seriously affects the quality and yield of cucumbers. So how should hollow cucumbers be prevented and controlled? Let's take a look together.
1. Malnutrition
If the soil is poor in fertility and no timely topdressing is applied, the plant will suffer from insufficient nutrients, grow thin and weak, develop poor roots, have fewer leaves, carry out limited photosynthesis, and synthesize fewer nutrients, which cannot meet the needs of fruit growth, thus causing hollow cucumber symptoms.
Prevention methods: When planting cucumbers, if you want them to grow well, you must pay attention to fertilization. Before planting, apply sufficient base fertilizer, and during the growing period, apply reasonable topdressing to ensure good root growth and strengthen the absorption of fertilizer and water, which is beneficial for improving yield and quality.
2. Lack of Certain Elements
In addition to malnutrition, even in an environment with sufficient nutrients, a lack of boron or potassium can also cause hollowing. The main reason is that many farmers, in order to increase yield, fertilize blindly, applying excessive nitrogen fertilizer or not applying organic fertilizer and farmyard manure. Excessive nitrogen fertilizer affects the roots' absorption of other elements, and not applying organic fertilizer leads to a lack of trace elements in the soil, thereby causing hollowing.
Prevention methods: Fertilization must be scientific and reasonable. Base fertilizer should mainly be farmyard manure or organic fertilizer as much as possible, and the application rate of nitrogen fertilizer must be controlled. Especially during the flowering and fruiting period, the plant's demand for nitrogen fertilizer is relatively low, so phosphorus and potassium fertilizer or micronutrient fertilizer should be increased at this time.
3. High Temperature
In hot weather, especially when the nighttime temperature is too high, cucumbers are very prone to excessive vegetative growth, causing uneven growth nutrients and resulting in hollowing. This is a common phenomenon in many greenhouse cultivations.
Prevention methods: During high temperatures, pay attention and cool down by improving ventilation or spraying water mist, keeping the temperature within the range suitable for cucumber growth, neither too high nor too low.
4. Water-Related Causes
When there are large fluctuations in moisture, because the ground temperature is too low or too high, the root system may be damaged, thereby causing water deficiency in cucumber cultivation and an imbalance in nutrient proportions. Another reason is that prolonged exposure to the sun causes the plant to lack water, which can also cause hollow cucumbers.
Prevention methods: Pay attention to temperature changes, water reasonably, and maintain a certain soil moisture level, but also pay attention to drainage during the rainy season.
The above is an introduction to the causes of hollow cucumbers and prevention methods. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.