Superphosphate for cucumbers: application of fertilizer in the greenhouse and open field

Phosphorus fertilizers must penetrate the soil where cucumbers grow in small quantities, but constantly. They ensure the normal growth and development of the root system, as well as the green, ground part. It is important to know the timing of top dressing in order to get only the benefits.

Varieties of superphosphate

Superphosphate is a balanced complex of nutrients, most of which are phosphorus. The lack of this component leads to the fact that the leaves and stem turn purple, blue or maroon, gray spots appear.With a lack of phosphorus, the roots become weak and poorly developed, the leaves begin to fall off and the plant dies.

Feeding cucumbers with superphosphate allows you to achieve good immunity. Vegetable culture resists fungal, viral or bacterial infections well. During the flowering period, many flowers are formed, the taste of cucumbers is juicy and crispy.

The superphosphate for cucumbers does not contain much nitrogen, so the fertilizer does not contribute to the strong growth of green mass. Superphosphate is also applied during autumn tillage. In this case, next year, cucumbers will additionally endure sudden frosts.

There are several types of superphosphate, which is suitable for cucumbers in a greenhouse.

• Simple superphosphate, sold in greyish powder form.The monophosphate contains approximately 22% phosphorus oxide. There are other components such as nitrogen, sulfur, calcium sulfate. It is best used for making compost. Combines well with nitrogen.
• Double superphosphate includes a large amount of phosphorus (up to 52%), additionally there is sulfur and nitrogen. Small granules dissolve easily in water. Superphosphate works well with potassium.
• Granular superphosphate is also used. It contains a lot of phosphorus (more than 50%) and calcium sulfate (more than 30%). They make a liquid solution of superphosphate, dry use is also allowed.
• The ammoniated superphosphate contains about 35% phosphorus and 30% potassium sulfate. Does not change the acidity of the soil, dissolves well in water.

The use of a mixture based on superphosphate in protected ground is especially useful. 7-8 days before planting seedlings, they dig up the ground and add about 30 g of this component in combination with 30 g of ammonium nitrate and 20 g of potassium sulfate.

Required Items

Cucumbers are demanding on the composition of the soil. The content of nutrients must be balanced, since not only a deficiency, but also an excess of some trace element can lead to crop loss.It is not recommended to plant cucumbers in the same place for several years in a row. In the greenhouse, the soil is quickly depleted, so its annual renewal is recommended.

Fertilizers for cucumbers are prepared independently using folk recipes, or they are bought ready-made. Be sure to take into account the dosage of mineral or organic components.

Mineral components are also contained in the soil itself, but their quantity is not enough for the full development of a vegetable crop. Therefore, periodically you need to add phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, iron, manganese to the soil. In the store you can find complex mineral fertilizers, which consist of several trace elements at once:

• Nitrogen fertilizers are needed at almost all stages of cucumber development. It is especially useful to apply nitrogen at the beginning of the growing season. The lack of this component leads to the fact that the leaves of cucumbers turn pale green, the fruits shorten, thicken and also brighten.
• Phosphorus stimulates the formation of ovaries and numerous fruits. In the presence of its deficiency, the plant slows down in growth, and purple spots are observed on the leaves.
• Potassium is a conductor of nutrients to all parts of the plant, promotes normal development and numerous fruiting. With a lack of potassium, the leaves begin to curl inward, the edges turn yellow and dry. The fruits are pear-shaped.
• With a lack of calcium, the leaves begin to curl, the flowers fall during the flowering period, the fruits form bitter.

Organic formulations are made from natural ingredients. The basis can be compost, bird droppings, manure, humus, wood ash, herbal infusions.

It is impossible to use fertilizers of the same type throughout the growing season. It is recommended to alternate the application of organic fertilizers with mineral components.

Different growing conditions

Growing options and care features for cucumbers that grow in a greenhouse or in the open field are almost the same. The only difference is that in the greenhouse there are more opportunities to maintain the temperature and humidity at the optimum level.

If a vegetable crop grows in a greenhouse or greenhouse, it is imperative to monitor the composition and quality of the soil. The top layer of soil must be removed annually and replaced with a new layer.

In the fall, they begin to carry out its disinfection. For this purpose, lime can be diluted in water, left to infuse for a day, and then processed. A weak solution of potassium permanganate is suitable for spring processing.

• Top dressing of cucumbers, which are supposed to be grown in greenhouse conditions, begins at the seedling stage. Fertilizer is applied when the first pair of leaves appears, then the second pair, and then after another two weeks.
• Foliar spraying with nutrient solutions is recommended a few days before transplanting vegetables to permanent beds.
• The next top dressing falls on the stage of active growth and flowering.
• At least two top dressings are recommended during the fruiting period. Use only those trace elements that do not affect the taste of the fruit.

For cucumbers in the open field, fertilizers are prepared in the same periods. Additional fertilization is necessary in case of a change in the appearance of the bushes, the appearance of diseases or when attacked by pests.

Feeding rules

For cucumbers planted in protected ground or in the open, root and foliar treatment with nutrients is equally useful.

Root top dressing involves the introduction of the necessary nutrients under each root. It is necessary to carry out the procedure in the evening hours, in cloudy weather it is allowed during the day. For a better distribution of the components and to prevent root burns, the soil is pre-watered with plain, warm water. You can feed cucumbers right after the rain.

Foliar top dressing is especially needed for cucumber beds when the weather is cold, rainy and the beds are deprived of sufficient lighting, when the appearance of cucumber lashes changes.

Each of these factors adversely affects the development of the root system. Therefore, top dressing that will be applied to the soil will not be well absorbed by the plant.

Since phosphate fertilizers are poorly soluble in water, and in dry form they are poorly absorbed by plants, gardeners apply it in liquid form. To do this, the granules are poured with boiling water. Properties are not lost, but the composition is easily distributed over all parts of the plant.

The granules dissolve completely in a day. During this time, the solution is periodically stirred. The finished solution is filtered so that there is no sediment and diluted with water again before use.

Instructions for the use of superphosphate suggests a dosage for cucumber planting equal to 20 g per 1 sq. meter. Fertilizer needs to be applied to the hole. The resulting solution should be milky white.

Fertilization time

For cucumbers at various stages of development, superphosphate is needed to a greater or lesser extent. To fertilize cucumbers, you must strictly observe the proportions of dilution of various components.

When sowing seeds, it is useful to make a mixture of superphosphate and potassium nitrate, which are taken 10 g each. Copper sulfate 0.2 g is added. It is allowed to add granular superphosphate (per 1 sq. M. 5 g) to the prepared beds, if used in powder form, then mixed with humus.

When planting cucumbers in the ground, it is advisable to use organic matter, slurry from manure or an infusion of chicken manure is ideal. Instead of organic components, mineral fertilizer can be used. In a large bucket of water, dilute 10 g of superphosphate, potassium s alt and ammonium nitrate.

The very first fertilization begins when the first pair of true leaves unfold on the sprout. Feeding is especially necessary for cucumbers when the bushes look weak and grow poorly. Nitrogen is considered the most important component, liquid manure or chicken manure is well perceived.

Especially popular for cucumbers is the composition of urea and superphosphate. 30 g of urea and 60 g of superphosphate are added to a bucket of water. Fertilizer should be applied under each root during watering.

The second fertilization procedure coincides with the beginning of flowering cucumbers. Additional components stimulate the appearance of a large number of flowers, increase the number of ovaries and prevent falling flowers. You can make a complex fertilizer by diluting 45 g of superphosphate, 32 g of ammonium nitrate and 23 g of potassium nitrate in a bucket of clean water.

It is useful to sprinkle the beds with a composition of superphosphate and dry wood ash. You can simply spray the plants with a solution of superphosphate. To do this, dissolve 60 g of superphosphate in 10 liters of water.

The next feeding is carried out at the stage of active fruit formation.During this period, the plant needs a large amount of nutrients, especially phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen. But it is best to use organic components instead of mineral fertilizers during this period.

Some time after the first harvest, the last fertilization is carried out. This is necessary to prolong the period of fruit formation, the formation of new ovaries and the appearance of even and juicy fruits.

So that the leaves of cucumber lashes do not curl and turn yellow, it is recommended to use a solution of superphosphate, ammonium nitrate and potassium s alt. Each component is taken in the same amount and dissolved in water. During watering, make sure that the solution does not get on the leaves of cucumbers.

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