Contents:
- Ground cucumbers - how to sow?
- Where to plant cucumbers?
- Growing ground cucumbers from seedlings
- Ground cucumber care
- Why do ground cucumbers turn yellow?
Ground cucumbers - how to sow?
Cucumber should be sown or transplanted outside into the ground not earlier than 2 weeks after the last frost date.Cucumbers are extremely susceptible to frost and cold damage, and the soil to germinate must be at least 20 degrees Celsius. You can not plant outside too early - only in the inspection or on the balcony, where the seedlings will be provided with the right temperature. We sow cucumber seeds indoors about 3 weeks before the planned transplant into the ground. If we want to accelerate growth, it is worth warming the pot or container with aluminum foil, which, when heated from sunlight, will allow the soil inside the container to warm up.
Where to plant cucumbers?
Choose a place where it's always full sun. Cucumbers need warmth and lots of light. Ground cucumbers require fertile soil. Mix compost and / or old manure before planting to a depth of 5 cm and press into the soil to a depth of about 15 cm. Make sure the soil is moist and well-drained, not soggy and compacted. The soil should be neutral to slightly acidic with a pH of about 6.5 to 7.0.Use clay soil by adding organic matter. Thick, heavy soil, top up by adding peat, compost or processed manure. For north-facing gardens, light, sandy soils are preferred as they warm up quickly in spring.
Growing ground cucumbers from seedlings
Plant the seeds about 3 cm deep and 30-40 cm apart in a row, depending on the variety (see seed package for details). For those grown on the trellis, plant the plants 30 cm apart. Cucumbers can also be planted in mounds 40 cm apart, with 2 to 3 seeds planted in each mound. When the plants are about 10 cm tall, thin them down to one plant per mound. After planting, mulch the area with straw, torn leaves, or other organic mulch to help contain pests. Keep types of shrubs above the ground to avoid disease. A trellis is a good idea if you want the cucumbers to seat their leaves properly, or if you have limited space.The lattice also protects the fruit against damage by lying on moist soil. Cover the freshly planted cucumber seeds with a net.
Ground cucumber care
The main care requirement for ground cucumbers is water - consistently water them with plenty of water. They need at least 30 liters of water per week (or more if temperatures are high). It's best to put your finger in the soil, and when it dries the first time, be sure to water it. By not watering regularly, cucumbers can become unpleasant and bitter in taste. Water slowly in the morning or early afternoon, avoiding leaves so as not to favor leaf diseases that can ruin the plant. If possible, water the cucumbers with a soaking or drip hose to keep the leaves dry.
When seedlings emerge, start watering frequently for a week after the fruit has formed. When the seedlings reach 8-10 cm in height, increase watering systematically.If you have introduced organic matter into the soil before planting to fertilize the loamy soil, it is enough to add manure now. Use liquid fertilizer from a garden store that is low in nitrogen and high in potassium and phosphorus. Apply one week after flowering and every 3 weeks, directly on the soil around the plants. An interesting way to attract more bees and pollinators is to sprinkle the leaves with sugar water.
Why do ground cucumbers turn yellow?
Yellowing of both fruits and leaves is most often caused by a deficiency of minerals, including magnesium and potassium. It is worth supplementing it by providing organic fertilizers rich in these ingredients. A good way is to fertilize with a solution of magnesium sulphate, which will certainly improve the condition of the plant and the fruit itself.
In the case of yellowing leaves, it may be caused by the interference of a pest - cucurbit downy mildew. In this case, a weekly spraying of powdery mildew preparations is enough to solve the problem.
