What causes big-bellied cucumbers? How can they be prevented?

Cucumber is a fairly common vegetable, crisp and mild in taste, and also highly nutritious, so it is deeply loved by consumers. During cucumber cultivation, those with good appearance and freshness generally sell at a higher price. But there are still some reasons that cause cucumbers to develop a big belly, so farmers cannot sell them at a good price. Let us take a look below at what causes big-bellied cucumbers?

1. What causes big-bellied cucumbers?

The main feature of big-bellied cucumbers is obvious swelling at the head end of the fruit, shaped like a big belly. This type of cucumber is mostly caused by incomplete pollination and fertilization. If it is a big-bellied cucumber formed parthenocarpically without fertilization, then it is caused by weak plant vigor and poor nutrition, especially potassium deficiency. Sometimes, during the fruit growth process, water shortage in the early and late stages and no water shortage in the middle stage can also form big-bellied cucumbers.

If the female flower of the cucumber is not fully fertilized and seeds are produced only at the tip of the fruit, nutrients accumulate at the tip, causing the flesh tissue at the tip to become especially enlarged and form a big-bellied fruit head.

When the plant lacks potassium while nitrogen fertilizer is supplied in excess, big-bellied cucumbers will be produced.

If cucumbers lack water in the early growth stage and are given a large amount of water in the later stage, big-bellied cucumbers will be produced. This is because water has a very strong effect on cell elongation or enlargement growth. When water is lacking, cells grow slowly; when a large amount of water is supplied, cells develop rapidly.

2. How can big-bellied cucumbers be prevented?

1. Create suitable conditions to promote flowering and pollination, or use a suitable flower-setting agent.

2. Apply appropriate amounts of potassium fertilizers such as plant ash and potassium nitrate, and spray foliar fertilizers containing potassium such as monopotassium phosphate on the leaves.

3. Supply water evenly throughout the entire growth cycle of the cucumber, keep the soil alternating between dry and moist, and avoid sudden heavy flooding irrigation after excessive drought.

3. How can big-bellied cucumbers be improved?

First, create good conditions for flowering and pollination. If the female flower of the cucumber is not fully fertilized and seeds are produced only at the tip of the fruit, nutrients accumulate at the tip, causing the flesh tissue at the tip to become especially enlarged and form a big-bellied fruit head. First, male flowers are picked and the petals are removed. Then use the style to gently rub the stigma of the female flower so that pollen falls on the stigma. To increase the chance of success, several male flowers can be used to pollinate one female flower. You can also dip a cotton swab with male pollen and brush it on the female stigma.

Second, fertilization should be balanced during the flowering and fruiting period. Apply in a timely manner the nutrients needed and consumed for flowering, fruit setting, and fruit growth and development, with a nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium ratio of 5:2:6, and at the same time spray a high-quality foliar fertilizer once every 10~15 days.

Third, water at the right time and in the right amount, using water to carry fertilizer, to promote root development, prevent the soil from being too dry or too wet, and ensure a balanced water supply; supply water evenly throughout the entire growth period, keep the soil moist, and avoid excessive drought and water shortage or heavy flooding irrigation.

Finally, thin flowers and fruits appropriately, and keep the fruit only after the plant's growth vigor has recovered. When a female flower opens upward, it is abnormal flowering, and this female flower should be removed. Normal female flowers open obliquely downward, are large, and are bright yellow.