What to do if cucumber seedlings are extended?

17.06.2015 Cucumbers

If you are concerned about the question: the seedlings of cucumbers are extended - what to do with this, and how to fix the situation - we will give you some simple tips, and your cucumbers will return to normal. So, in order to properly plant seedlings, you need to know some nuances - they are simple and straightforward, but they need to be taken into account when buying seeds and preparing for planting both for seedlings and immediately in open ground. See also - planting cucumbers in 5 liter bottles.

What seeds for seedlings to choose

Three types of seeds are on sale - be sure to pay attention to this.

The most common ones - they need to be sorted, calibrated, treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, you can first germinate and plant them in already warm soil. If the weather is cool - it is better to shelter at night. Watered with warm water, it is mandatory - under the bush, not allowing the leaves to be watered, cucumbers do not like this. If you have to spray on the leaves - do it not late in the evening - water droplets should not remain on the leaves at night, you can destroy the bushes.

The second type - processed seeds, prepared already for planting, they do not need to be calibrated, just planted in holes, watered, and that’s all. They usually already have a thin film of coating that will protect the seeds from fungi and microbes. These seeds are usually more expensive, but the result of germination and growth without disease is much higher.

The third option is granular seeds. They are also covered with a nutrient layer, which helps seeds to survive in an unstable environment, and protect themselves from diseases by nourishing them with a protective useful layer. Such seeds are even more reliable for planting.

Seedling planting

Many cucumbers are planted for seedlings, and then, when they get stronger, they are planted in the ground - this is a more stable option for planting cucumbers, especially in cold climates, when young plants can wait for frost, or there is a danger that the seeds will not sprout, and time will be lost. Seeds need to be planted correctly and soil selected (it is better to take the one in which seedlings are supposed to be planted later, and the one where the cucumbers did not grow last year).

Calculate as follows - 25-40 days before the expected date of planting in the soil, plant seeds in glasses for seedlings. By the time of landing in the ground, just the seedlings will rise and get stronger, and open spaces will not be afraid of it.

To avoid stretching seedlings, you need to ensure that after the appearance of cotyledon leaves there is not too much light in the form of direct rays. To water with warm water, to spray - only on cloudy days or in a place where direct rays do not reach. Make sure that there is no excessive heat and too much humidity - this also leads to elongation of the seedlings, it becomes flimsy, pale and weak, gets sick with a black leg - the plant disappears. If you notice blackening at the base, discard the plant and the ground beneath it so that other plants do not get sick. See also - cucumbers in a polycarbonate greenhouse planting and care.

If the seedlings still stretched out, what measures should be taken?

The first is to lower the temperature to about 15 degrees, but - since light is required - then we light up the lamps. You can set the mirrors on the windows so that they reflect the sun's rays on seedlings, or simply place the glasses with cucumbers away from each other. If the leaves are already large - this will help, because they can simply obscure each other.

Elongated seedlings can be saved by planting in the ground.To do this, you need a well-heated layer of earth, not waterlogged, plants to cotyledons immerse (very carefully) in the ground, sprinkle with loose earth. If you had to plant seedlings already, and the air is still cold, cover the ground surrounding your sprouts with a dark perforated film. She will let air through, and will not let the cucumbers freeze, and excess moisture will go away. The plant will give extra strong roots and harden. If the plants are already weak, do not let them bloom - remove the first buds until the plant grows stronger and forms a strong bush. In greenhouses, it is better to water the plants in the morning with warm water so that the humidity is right and there is no moisture on the leaves at night.

To fertilize cucumbers in order to grow a clean crop without using any chemistry, weeds can be used with benefit. Put the juiciest ones (without seeds!) In a barrel, fill with water, cover with a lid, and mix daily. In a couple of weeks you will have an excellent cocktail for fertilizing not only cucumbers, but also other crops. Dilute the fermented infusion of herbs 1:10 and water under the bushes. For spraying, dilute 2 times more with water. Cucumbers will be on glory, a successful harvest!