Growing cucumbers in pots on the balconyis a great solution for people who like cucumbers and do not have their own garden. This is an ideal method of growing cucumbers for city dwellers. Cucumbers in pots grow and yield just as well as those grown in the open, provided that the conditions are right for them. Seehow to grow cucumbers on the balcony , when to plant cucumbers on the balcony and how to choose the bestcucumber varieties for growing in pots
Cucumbers in a pot on the balcony
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Cucumber varieties for growing in a pot
On the balcony you can try to grow any variety of cucumberHowever, it is best to choose varieties with the symbol F1 in their name. The varieties marked with the F1 symbol are the so-called heterosis (hybrid) varieties, which are characterized by high fertility and resistance to diseases of cucumbers.A particular useful variety of cucumber to grow on the balcony is 'Iznik F1'It is bred specifically for pot growing.
Cucumber varieties that form long stems can be grown on balconies as ornamental annuals. However, if we do not have room for them, it is worth choosingbushy varieties of cucumbersSuch a variety is the cucumber 'Dar', which creates small, weakly growing bushes, reaching a height of about 50-60 cm. When deciding to grow cucumbers on the balcony, it is also worth paying attention to varieties that are extremely resistant to diseases, such as the 'Tanja' salad cucumber, which is famous for its high disease resistance.Such a variety is a guarantee of trouble-free cultivation of cucumbers on the balcony!
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highest quality cucumber seeds for cultivation on the balconyvisit our guide. We have found for our readers the best varieties for amateur garden and pot cultivation.
Which pots for growing cucumbers on the balcony?
For growing cucumbers on the balcony, you can useplastic and clay pots, boxes, and polypropylene bags. The pots should have holes at the bottom to allow excess water to drain off and ventilate the roots.
Containers or pots for growing cucumbers should have a minimum capacity of 10 liters , and ideally even 20 liters. Too small a container will contribute to the rapid loss of water from the substrate, which will translate into large fluctuations in humidity and temperature in the root zone. This, in turn, will have a negative impact on the yield of cucumbers.
The risk of rapid water loss can be reduced by adding TerraCottemto the soil, which improves the soil's properties and increases its water capacity. It contains a hydrogel that absorbs water after watering the plant (less water will flow to the base under the pot), and then releases this water gradually as the soil dries up.TerraCottem should be mixed with the soil in the pot before planting the cucumbers
Sowing seeds and preparing cucumber seedlings
Cucumber seeds, which we plan to grow on the balcony, must be sown between 15 and 30 April . The seeds can be sown immediately into the target containers or prepare a seedling from them.
If we decide to produce seedlings,cucumber seeds are best sown in small peat potsWhen the seedlings have grown and need to be replanted, the peat pot with the plant is simply placed in a larger pot and covered with soil.The peat pot will decompose quickly and the cucumbers will develop freely in the larger pot.This solution is the most beneficial, because cucumbers do not tolerate transplanting badly.About a month after sowing, when the plants have 2-3 correct leaves, ready cucumber seedlings are planted in target pots.If the pot has a capacity of up to 20 liters, only plant one cucumber seedling into it !
Pots with cucumbers, during the period of possible frosts, should be kept in the apartment, placing them in a sunny place. On warm days (minimum 10-15 ° C), you can put them on the balcony, but at night you have to put them back home.Pots with cucumbers can be put on the balcony permanently after May 15
Seedling cucumbers in peat pots
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Growing and caring for cucumbers on the balcony
For the cultivation of cucumbers, sunny or slightly shaded positions should be selected.The best exhibition is south or west.Universal potting soil is perfect for growing cucumbers in pots.If necessary, you can loosen them with coarse sand. As cucumbers growing in pots consume nutrients very quickly, regular and balanced fertilization is essential.To fertilize cucumbers on the balcony, it is best to use natural fertilizers , such as Target or biohumus organic fertilizer for vegetables. Thanks to this, the fruit will not accumulate substances harmful to our he alth.
The biggest challenge in growing cucumbers in pots is wateringBlooming and fruiting cucumbers, additionally growing in full sun, quickly use up the water supply in the substrate. The drying of the substrate causes the taste of the obtained fruit to deteriorate and makes the cucumbers bitter (fortunately there are varieties resistant to this, eg Hela F1) or the cucumbers do not bear fruit at all.Cucumbers growing in pots, especially on hot days, may require watering several times a day !
This should be remembered especially when we leave home for a few hours, e.g. to work. In this situation, it makes sense to think about drip irrigation devices or water dispensers. You can make them yourself at home, using, for example, plastic drink bottles, or you can buy them in a garden store.
An additional protection against the rapid loss of water from the substrate is mulching the cucumbersMulching the substrate in the container should be done when the cucumbers produce 2-4 leaves or when planting cucumber seedlings. For mulching the cucumbers, straw or coconut fiber can be used.
Guiding the cucumber vertically
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Climbing cucumber varieties on the balcony are best grown vertically against supportssuch as balcony railings, trellises, racks or cords. Cucumber shoots do not climb up on their own, so you need to help them by tying them to the support.Growing cucumbers on strings and other supports is very advantageous, because they take up less space on the balcony, are better lit, they get sick less often, and they create a balcony cover in the form of a decorative screen.
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
