Crispy and fragrant, fresh or pickled cucumbers. Who doesn't love them?
After a long winter I want to get a good crop of cucumbers as early as possible.
To do this, you need to know some of the nuances of growing early varieties.
Growing early varieties seedling method
Growing by seedlings accelerates the production of fruits by an average of two weeks. For early harvest choose the following varieties of cucumbers:
- April;
- Hermann;
- Zozulya;
- Cascade;
- Little finger;
- Chinese (farm or "Chinese snakes") and others.
All the above varieties of cucumbers have good varietal qualities and yield.
Seed preparation for sowing
To obtain high-quality seedlings, you must select the appropriate planting material. There are varietal seeds and hybrids.
Hybrids (packaging is marked with the abbreviation "F1") self-pollinated, resistant to diseases, more intended for greenhouses.
- Before sowing, select large, full-bodied seeds.
- Then hold them in a solution of potassium permanganate for 20 minutes.
- Then rinse with water.
- Instead of potassium permanganate use a two-percent solution of hydrogen peroxide or a solution of boric acid (half a teaspoon of powder per cup of water).
- To separate non-sprouting seeds, they are germinated until the appearance of roots 0.5 cm long, placing them in a moist environment. For this purpose, wet gauze or fabric, folded in 2-3 layers, cotton wool, sawdust is also used.
If you plan to plant seedlings in open ground, preferably harden the seeds. Soaked seeds, placed in a damp cloth, two days stored in a refrigerator at a temperature of from 0 to 2 degrees. After hardening, landing.
Read more about seed preparation before planting.
Sowing seeds and growing seedlings
It is important to calculate the sowing time.so that the size of the seedlings is optimal. Early planting of seedlings leads to freezing of the plant. Too late planting delay the timing of fruiting. The term of sowing will depend, first of all, from the place of growing cucumbers: in open ground or in a greenhouse. As a rule, cucumbers are planted in heated greenhouses in early March. In film and glazed greenhouses - in the middle of May. In the middle lane for unheated greenhouses, sowing of seeds is carried out in mid-April, and for soil at the end of April.
Sowing it is desirable to carry out in peat cups into the soil spilled beforehand with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Also, small pots, paper cups, and jars of dairy products are used as containers. Soil is chosen with a high content of peat.
Seeds deepened by 1-2 cmsprinkled with primer. Glasses are placed in a pallet, covered with foil and put in a warm place. After the emergence of seedlings (after 3-4 days), the film is removed, the seedlings are placed on a bright window.
After germination double culling ugly or lagging behind seedlings.
Watering carried out every 2-3 days with separated water. To maintain humidity, it is recommended to put cans of water between the glasses.
At the time of planting in open ground shoots should reach the age of 2-3 weeks and have 3-4 leaves.
When and how to plant "April" cucumbers for seedlings
April is a high-yielding early cucumber hybrid, ideal for canning. The variety is self-pollinating, cultivation on the windowsill is possible.
Hybrid seeds are usually prepared for planting by the manufacturer. but Many gardeners additionally process seeds. In this case, planting material is subjected to sorting, heating, etching with a solution of manganese and germination with further hardening.
Seedlings planted on the 20-25 day after germination. The increased cold resistance of this variety allows it to be planted in open ground in mid-May. Therefore, for the timely receipt of seedlings, the seeds should be sown in late April.
Features of growing seedlings of cucumbers "Zozulya"
Zozulya - productive early ripe self-pollinated hybrid. The seedling method is optimal for obtaining a good crop of cucumbers of this variety. Also, like the previous hybrid, Zozulya sprout and sow in special peat pots.
Usually seeds are planted a month before planting in a permanent place. As with the previous variety, the optimal sowing time is the end of April. The variety is afraid of dampness, therefore the soil should dry well between waterings. Transplanting seedlings carried out after May 15, when the soil is well heated. Usually Zozulya grown in greenhouses. When transplanting into the open ground, it is advisable to cover the seedlings at night, so as not to freeze.
Differences cultivation of seedlings varieties "Herman"
Herman - superearly high-yielding variety, adapted both for cultivation in open beds, and in hotbeds. Differs powerful seedlings, poorly tolerated transplant. Sowing of seeds should be carried out in spacious containers, to remove the seedlings from which is not difficult.
Poor resistance to low temperatures allows you to plant plants in open ground only after warming the air to plus 15-20 degrees without sudden drops. The first fruits appear 40 days after germination.
Planting "Chinese" cucumbers for seedlings
Sort characterized by unpretentiousness, yield, long fruits of impressive size, excellent taste indicators. Differs poor germination in the open field, so more often grown seedlings. In addition, the seedling method provides better qualities, such as size and shape.
Seed treatment and planting on seedlings is carried out in a standard way. Seeds planted in pots with a diameter of at least 25 centimeters. Shoots appear after 6-7 days, and sometimes after 2 weeks. The ideal temperature for germination is 32 degrees.
In the open ground Chinese cucumbers planted at the age of 25-30 days when reaching 15-20 cm in height. Under the covering material seedlings are planted in mid-May, and in the ground - in early June.
Useful materials
Check out other helpful cucumber seedlings articles:
- How to grow on the windowsill, balcony and even in the basement?
- Tips for growing in various containers, particularly in peat pots and tablets.
- Find out the planting dates depending on the region.
- The causes of common diseases, as well as why the seedlings stretch out and the leaves dry and turn yellow?
- How to calculate the time of sowing seeds, as well as when to plant seedlings in open ground?
Selecting these varieties and following the recommendations for growing seedlings, you get a high yield of strong, healthy cucumbers.
