Cucumbers contain a high percentage of water (95-98%). This is why vegetables need regular watering, especially during flowering and fruiting. Lack of moisture can provoke a decrease in yield and contribute to the development of various diseases.
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What water temperature to use for irrigation
The temperature of the liquid depends on weather conditions and many other factors, the optimal indicator is + 25... + 28 ° С. Previously, gardeners leave the water in special containers in the sun or in a greenhouse to allow it to warm up and soften.
In dry and hot weather, plants are watered with a cold stream, which has a beneficial effect on crops, since it helps to restore their tone. Produce moderate irrigation and try not to wet the leaves to avoid the development of fungal diseases.
If the air temperature drops by more than + 10 ° C, the roots of cucumbers lose their ability to absorb moisture from the ground. To prevent the death of plants, the water is heated up to + 40... + 45 ° С and poured out at a distance of 5-7 cm from the stems (it is not recommended to irrigate at the very base of the seedling).
The best time to water
Moisturizing the soil is an important step in the care of cucumbers; its regime must be adjusted in accordance with weather conditions. They try to water the bushes in the evening after sunset, because after morning or afternoon irrigation, most of the liquid can evaporate as a result of an increase in air temperature. In addition, if watering during the day, water droplets falling on leaves and stems can act as lenses and cause burns.
Before flowering
Plants need frequent watering during flowering and fruiting. Low soil moisture contributes to the deterioration of the growth of cucumbers, as a result of which the flowers begin to fall off, and the leaves - wither. Water the vegetables at a rate of 5-7 l / m². Gardeners only moisturize the roots of the plants and try to prevent the jet from washing the substrate off the roots. In cold weather, the interval between watering is 3-4 days, and in hot weather - 4-6 times a week. For cucumbers, which have a shallow root system, the soil is moistened more often, but with less liquid.
During fruiting
Cucumbers love moisture but dislike excess water. During the first period of growth and when fruits are formed, the plants need regular watering. Drought during fruiting is undesirable as it leads to deformation and poor growth of the fruit. It is recommended to water cucumbers daily or every other day, and on hot days it is increased up to 2 times a day. The volume of water can increase up to 8-12 l / m² depending on the intensity of fruit development.
At the end of the growing season, the amount of liquid decreases again to 3-4 l / m², and the interval between procedures increases to 7-10 days. If cucumbers are grown in greenhouses, it is recommended to ventilate the room after each watering, since high humidity provokes the appearance of fungal diseases.
How to properly water cucumbers
It is necessary to regularly monitor that the soil remains moist, this directly affects the quality of the crop. In addition, low soil moisture contributes to the accumulation of substances in cucumbers that form the bitter taste of vegetables.
Drip irrigation is one of the most effective methods of soil moistening. This option:
- saves a significant amount of water;
- does not form soil crust;
- maintains normal aeration;
- eliminates the need for periodic loosening, which can damage the roots.
When watering, weather conditions are taken into account. If the weather is rainy, the procedure should be postponed to prevent excessive moisture in the soil, as this can cause destruction or decay of the root system.
Some gardeners successfully practice dairy nutrition to accelerate the growth of cucumbers. Every 2 weeks, the bushes are watered with a solution: 1 liter of milk per 10 liters of water.
It is recommended to loosen the soil after each irrigation to ensure breathability. You can loosen it with a fork, carefully working the ground up to 3-4 cm deep. It is also useful to use mulching for cucumbers, which prevents the rapid evaporation of moisture and the development of weeds.
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