Garden

Why cucumbers in the greenhouse do not grow or grow poorly, than to feed them?

The question of why cucumbers do not grow in a greenhouse worries many summer residents, and you can encounter this trouble at any growing season of the crop - both when sowing seeds and at the stage of fruit formation.

Whatever the reasons underlying this fact, all of them are the result of violations committed while caring for the vegetable. From this article you will find out the most common mistakes that caused cucumbers to stop growing, as well as general preventive measures that can prevent the problem from occurring.

How much and how do cucumbers grow in a greenhouse?

According to gardeners, cucumbers grown in a greenhouse have a more pleasant and rich taste, and also have a huge supply of vitamins useful for the human body. Caring for cucumbers in a greenhouse is a simple and exciting process that even beginner gardeners will cope with.

In the case of varieties with early ripening, the first crop can be obtained already on 30–35 days after planting, and later ripen on 45-50 days. Some hybrids are characterized by a very long fruiting period, which allows them to collect fruits throughout the growing season.

There are also cucumbers of a bouquet type of ripening, that is, capable of forming a large number of fruits in one sinus, which in the future will not require their simultaneous cutting. We recommend reading how to properly and why you need to trim the cucumbers.

Also, to obtain a good crop of cucumbers in greenhouse conditions, one should take into account some of the features inherent in this culture:

Watering cucumbers require abundant, but the soil should not be waterlogged. Both a deficiency and an excess of moisture are detrimental to them, so the best option is to perform this procedure twice a week, and in especially hot weather - every other day. Watering is carried out exclusively by warm, previously defended water. The best time for this is early morning or evening, so that the water has enough time to warm up. Water consumption depends on the phase of the plant - before flowering they spend 6-7 liters, during it - 9-10 liters, and during the formation of cucumbers - 13-17 liters per 1 m².
Given the thermophilicity of cucumbers, the temperature in the greenhouse should be high - +24 ... + 30 ° С. At night, the temperature should remain within +17 ... + 20 ° С. A lower indicator can significantly slow down the growth of plants, which, however, does not affect their development in any way, and too high can weaken them, so it is very important to monitor the temperature in the greenhouse throughout the entire period of fruiting of cucumbers. Lighting the fruits will also require good - at least 13 hours for the entire time they are in the greenhouse.
In order to preserve plants from diseases that provoke air stagnation, daily ventilation is carried out. This is done very carefully to prevent drafts. Dry air in the greenhouse also contributes to the occurrence of most pests, in particular the spider mite, so in the heat it is necessary to pay increased attention to this procedure. In dry weather, they reinforce it by opening the doors in the greenhouse for the whole day and subsequently for the night. On cloudy days, a short ventilation will also benefit plants, since high humidity is no less dangerous factor causing diseases.

Did you know? More than 95% of the cucumber consists of water.

Why cucumbers do not grow in the greenhouse or grow poorly

Before proceeding to the solution of the problem, it is necessary to first understand the cause of its occurrence, which in the future will significantly facilitate and accelerate this process. Read more

How to grow cucumbers in a greenhouse

Improper use of agricultural methods can be expressed in the appearance of cucumbers, namely:

in the slow growth of greenbacks;
in their soreness and fragility;
in the numerous injuries left by diseases and pests - the leaves curl and turn yellow, the stem becomes thin and lifeless, the whole plant becomes stained, etc.

The reasons for the poor or complete lack of growth of seedlings of cucumbers can be a lot, we consider in more detail only the most common of them. The most likely mistakes made when caring for cucumbers, as a result of which they stopped their growth and development, include the following:

Poor seed. The problem of poor fruit development dates back to the moment of choosing seeds for planting in the soil, since it is at this stage that inexperienced gardeners most often neglect the basic requirements and procedures for planting material. Seeds selected for planting must meet the following requirements: be of medium size; have no damage and symptoms of the disease; do not freeze during the entire storage period; to be dry.
In the presence of at least one of the above flaws, the growth of seedlings can significantly slow down, or even stop. The fruits collected from such plants are characterized by dwarf sizes and a slightly pronounced cucumber taste. There are also frequent cases when gardeners use barren hollow seeds that are simply not able to form viable and resistant seedlings, and even more so a good harvest. In case of improper preparation or germination of seeds, the sprouts after planting will be characterized by slow development and will begin to bear fruit much later than the due date. It is on these grounds that we can conclude that the planting material turned out to be of poor quality, so before landing it is very important to verify its suitability and follow the main selection criteria. Learn about the features of growing cucumbers for seeds, as well as when to plant cucumbers for seedlings.
Incorrect landing technology. For almost all beginning gardeners, one very gross error is characteristic - planting cucumbers in a polycarbonate greenhouse at a minimum distance from each other. This is due to their desire to save as much space as possible for planting other crops, but this technique is fraught with a significant shortage of crops. The fact is that each plant, including a cucumber, needs a sufficient amount of space for normal life, and therefore the distance between them should be at least 30 cm.
Moreover, each variety has its own list of compatibility with other plants, which must be carefully studied before planting crops. Detailed information on this is indicated on the packaging with cucumber seeds. Thus, it is possible to find out which types of vegetables will not harm cucumbers by their presence on the same bed.
Lack of heat and light. Cucumbers are a very photophilous culture, which needs constant lighting for a full life. Its deficiency can lead to deformation of seedlings - they will begin to dry out, change color and stretch. Read how to identify and eliminate the causes of cucumber deformation in the greenhouse. Dense plantings can also provoke poor lighting, in which nearby plants cast a shadow on each other and as a result rapidly lag behind in development. Increased demand for heat is due to the tropical origin of cucumbers, which is why their place of growth should be well warmed throughout the day. Especially dangerous is the effect on the culture of drafts and temperature extremes, the duration of which leads to the death of plants.
Lack of or excess moisture . Two fundamentally different, but equally dangerous mistakes that can slow down and then stop the growth of cucumbers.
Both drought and excessively plentiful watering entail the fall of ovaries, and then the death of young plants. It is especially important to ensure that the crop is properly watered the first time after sowing seeds. Soil moisture should be carefully monitored, and the irrigation process normalized to prevent rotting of the root system and numerous related diseases. Read more about proper watering of cucumbers in the greenhouse.
Nutrient deficiency . Poor growth of cucumbers can also be a consequence of the lack of fertilizing, which are so important for culture. Moreover, nutrients are necessary for both adult plants and seedlings. It is possible to determine that cucumbers are in dire need of top dressing by the following signs: the leaves were crushed and turned pale (lack of nitrogen); the sheet plate is directed upward (lack of phosphorus); education on the foliage of a brown border (lack of potassium); change of leaf color to unnaturally bright or dark green color (lack of magnesium).
If the soil is quite poor and does not contain enough humus and minerals, it is recommended to introduce complex mineral fertilizers that stabilize the situation and normalize plant growth.

What to do and how to solve the problem

Having found out the reason for the slow growth of cucumbers, you can safely proceed to its solution. First of all, it is necessary to reconsider the conditions under which the culture grows, and the agrotechnical methods, which turned out to be detrimental to it.

In addition to a shortage or excess of moisture, light and heat, the problem can also lie in untimely renewal or improperly selected soil, as well as in the attack of diseases and pests. Consider each item in more detail.

Soil composition

Gardeners argue that it is loamy soils that are most suitable for growing cucumbers in greenhouse conditions. Acid and heavy soils will cope less with this task, therefore it is not recommended to choose them for this culture.

Cucumbers are also demanding on the level of soil acidity, which should be neutral. In the case of a too low indicator, it is likely that the cucumbers will not take root, and the excessive acidity of the substrate can most negatively affect the development of plants.

Based on these characteristics, the following components may be part of the soil:

turf land;
moss sphagnum;
peat;
grain husk;
humus;
sheet earth.

In addition to natural, inorganic components can also be used, which are also suitable for creating a soil mixture:

river sand, which contributes to better loosening of the soil;
slaked lime, lowering the level of acidity;
Styrofoam;
perlite, providing the necessary breathability;
expanded clay.

As an example, we give the composition of the soil, which in all respects is suitable for the cultivation of cucumbers:

4-5 parts of peat;
as much humus;
3 parts of ordinary fertile land;
1 part of river sand;
sawdust;
1 cup of wood ash.

Optimal conditions

The correct temperature regime in the greenhouse is the key to the full growth and development of any crop, including cucumbers, therefore, throughout the entire growing season, plants should be given due attention to this indicator. Important! Temperature differences are one of the main dangers from which plants should be protected. This can lead to their weakening, illness and as a result of death or loss of crop.

Long before the first seedlings appear, tanks with crops are strictly kept in heat - not less than +24 ... + 27 ° С. After the appearance of the first greenery, the cover must be removed, and the crops should be placed in a well-lit and warm room, the temperature in which is in the range +19 ... + 23 ° С.

As for nighttime indicators, the first few days after the appearance of the embryos, they should range from + 15 ° C to + 18 ° C in order to prevent their stretching, the further rate is from + 17 ° C to + 22 ° C.

Fertilizer application

How to feed cucumbers in a greenhouse is one of the questions that both beginners and experienced gardeners are asked. Good fruiting of plants is by no means least facilitated by top dressing, due to which a healthy and developed root system is formed.

According to the method of feeding, they are divided into root and foliar, which are equally important for the full functioning of cucumbers and their abundant harvest. Let's consider each method in more detail.

Root

When making root dressings, you should focus on a certain schedule in order to get the most out of this procedure and not harm the cucumbers.

There are four of them and each corresponds to a specific vegetative phase of the plant:

The first top dressing is carried out after the appearance of 3-4 real leaves in Zelentsy, since already at this stage the root system of young plants is already quite developed and ready to consume nutrients. Fertilizers must be applied after watering, it is best to do this later in the evening or on a cloudy day. For the first root dressing of cucumbers you will need: 20 g of ammonium nitrate; 15 g of potassium sulfide; 5 g of superphosphate. After diluting these elements in 15 liters of water, a nutrient mixture is formed, which is enough for 20–25 cucumber bushes.
The next top dressing will be required after a few weeks, at a time when the cucumbers are actively blooming and forming ovaries. It will be useful for you to find out why the ovary on cucumbers does not grow or grows poorly. The most suitable fertilizers are chicken droppings and mullein, but for a greater effect, it is also recommended to add 10 g of manganese sulfate, half a glass of ash or 1 tbsp. l nitrofoski. After that, the resulting mixture is diluted in 15 liters of water and consumed according to the following scheme: 4 liters of solution per 1 m².
The third time, top dressing is carried out after 2-3 weeks. To do this, by diluting in 15 liters of water 2 tbsp. l Mullein produces a solution that is subsequently spent for reasons of 8-9 liters per 1 m² of greenhouse.
The fourth and final time of fertilizer is introduced after another week with the same composition and scheme.

Foliar

It is impossible to fully develop cucumbers without foliar top dressing, which is the best suited for use in cloudy and cold weather. The thing is that under adverse weather conditions, nutrients are much worse absorbed by the root system of plants, and therefore spraying leaves will serve as a more effective and efficient method.

This procedure should be carried out in small doses, after waiting for the full adaptation of Zelentsy after planting, thereby increasing their chances of recovery and replenishing the supply of all the components they need.

For this purpose, as a rule, they use complex dressing for cucumbers, optionally adding some individual vitamins or minerals to it. If in doubt about your capabilities, it is best to purchase a ready-made fertilizer.

Pest and Disease Control

Insect pests and various dangerous ailments that arise as a result of adverse conditions and poor-quality care for cucumbers also create many problems when growing crops.

An inexperienced gardener is practically not able to recognize signs of parasites or diseases, since most of them are asymptomatic at first and rapidly turn into a chronic form that cannot be treated. That is why it is important to take care of prevention in advance, which guarantees the safety of the crop and crops from damage and death.

Protection of cucumbers from such misfortunes is carried out using folk remedies, namely decoctions and infusions, which include plant materials - most often these are garlic arrows or leaves.

The use of a solution of pink manganese, green soap, mustard and ash is also effective. As for chemicals, they should be used very carefully and in extreme cases, since eating cucumbers after their use is strictly prohibited for 25-30 days.

How to prevent problems when growing cucumbers

Cucumbers are able to please with a plentiful harvest, a healthy appearance and long fruiting only subject to all the necessary agricultural methods and quality care.

The following recommendations will help improve these indicators, as well as prevent the occurrence of the above problems:

In the case of prolonged rainfall and high humidity, the risk of rot in especially thickened places of weaving of cucumbers increases. You can avoid this by tying the plants to the supports. This is done as follows: a certain number of stakes are driven into the ground so that they are fixed firmly enough, after which a fishing line is pulled between them and cucumbers are tied to the resulting composition. The result is something like a vineyard.
Следующим затруднением, препятствующем нормальному росту и развитию культуры может стать избыток исключительно мужских цветков, вследствие чего не может произойти опыление. В данной ситуации лучшим выходом послужит следующий приём: опытные огородники, часто сталкивающиеся с подобным, рекомендуют на несколько дней прекратить полив растений, дав почве слегка подсохнуть, а затем возобновить водные процедуры с умеренной силой. Такая встряска приведёт в норму формирование и мужских, и женских цветков и снизит риск обилия пустоцвета.
Нередко также усыхание и опадание завязей, причинами которых могут послужить избыток влаги в почве и загущенные посадки, что привело к конкуренции растений за питательные вещества. Избавлению от проблемы эффективно поспособствует прекращение полива на 3-4 дня, в течение которых огурцы активно подкармливают золой или минеральными удобрениями.
Очень важно подойти к процедуре органической подкормки с осторожностью — велика вероятность содержания в ней различных бактерий и колоний вредителей, которые очень устойчивы к условиям окружающей среды и могут существенно снизить урожай.

Important! Своевременное обновление грунта убережёт от большинства заболеваний, способных повредить рассаду и урожай. Добиться здоровых и длительно плодоносящих растений можно только уделяя им должное внимание и уход. Огурцы, выращенные в теплице по всем правилам и с любовью, непременно порадуют своих хозяев вкусным и отменным урожаем, неприхотливостью и многими другими преимуществами.