Cucumbers at home. Indoor cucumbers: how to grow juicy and crunchy fruits on a windowsill

To get cucumbers on the windowsill in winter, you need to have good soil, seeds of hybrids and equip the possibility of sufficient lighting, not only natural, but also with the help of phytolamps. After a month and a half after proper care, cucumbers can give a good harvest.

Growing cucumbers at home

At one time, we cannot enjoy cucumbers for long, since their season ends quickly, especially if the summer was dry. Therefore, many who like to consume this vegetable fresh are trying to get cucumbers on the windowsill in winter. The lifespan of cucumbers grown in this way is about two months after the first harvest - this is quite enough to enjoy the vegetable to its fullest.

It is known that cucumber propagates only by seeds, since it cannot be obtained by cuttings. They absolutely cannot stand dry air and lack of moisture - this is worth remembering when growing cucumbers on the balcony. As soon as such homemade cucumbers bloom, the ground should always be moderately moist. You will need to put saucers of water under the pots to help prevent the earth from drying out. Also, indoor cucumbers, in addition to watering, require spraying, at least twice a day. And when flowering begins, the bush needs to be shaken once a day for better pollination.

When growing cucumbers on the window, do not forget about pinching, which is done after the appearance of 3-5 leaves - this will add splendor and density to the plant. Pinching the shoots not only halves the length, but also makes the bush twice as lush - that is, instead of one lash, two short ones are obtained. To the point of pinching, the ovary is removed, and only the one that is above the pinching point is left.

In order for the cucumbers on the windowsill to delight you with their harvest as long as possible, it is better to pick the fruits as they ripen and do not wait until all the cucumbers become large - this contributes to less depletion of the bush and prevents the loss of excess juices from the plant.

Cucumbers on the windowsill - what do you need?

Initially, you need to start choosing seeds - these should be self-pollinated hybrids, from which it is better to choose early-maturing varieties. Give preference to bush varieties if you are going to grow cucumbers in an apartment. In general, you need to prepare:

special seeds;
biohumus and coconut substrate;
3-4 liter pots, depending on the number of seeds;
sprayer for daily plant refreshment;
a lamp to create additional light.

So how to grow cucumbers on the windowsill and where to start? Prepare a good substrate from vermicompost and coconut fibers: mix one part of vermicompost with two parts of coconut fiber. The containers for filling can be standard three-liter pots. You can plant seeds both immediately in permanent containers and using a pick, then transplanting the plants into large pots. Everyone chooses individually how to cultivate cucumbers on the windowsill, but with the help of a pick, stronger and more tenacious plants can be transplanted into pots, thus providing themselves with a reliable harvest.

The seeds of hybrid cucumbers must be well prepared for planting, for which they are dipped in a solution of potassium permanganate at room temperature for a couple of hours, and then removed. It is worth noting that those seeds that have sunk to the bottom are good, and those that have surfaced are best thrown away, since their germination rate is low. Let the seeds drain, and later you can plant them (only in dry form).

When planting with a pick, they are initially planted in small cups with a capacity of 100 ml, filled with a special earthen mixture. You need to lay out 5 seeds in a glass, and then, having tamped the ground, water. After a week or two, you can observe seedlings, which are necessarily thinned out, leaving two of the most powerful plants. After a week, the final thinning is carried out, and one strong sprout remains in the glass.

A few secrets of a good harvest

When transplanting plants into large pots with a capacity of 3-4 liters, the earth is not poured to the edges by about 4 cm. The transplant is done 3 or 4 weeks after germination. The seedling in the glass is turned over onto the palm, gently passing it between the fingers. A sprout with a lump of soil is inserted into a prepared permanent pot, sprinkled with soil on top until the cotyledon leaves.

In large pots, dived sprouts require constant watering. In the first month of life, cucumbers at home are watered constantly, but in moderation. At the initial stage, it is important not to overflow the seedlings, as they can start to hurt. In winter, there is little sun and heat, therefore, not much moisture is required for plants. From the end of March, more moisture is required if the cucumbers are still able to bear fruit.
The cucumber also needs a support, which can be in the form of a net or any other support.
The following procedure would also be useful: once a day, rotate the pot with seedlings 180 degrees around its axis so that the plants receive light and heat not only from one side.
And for the long life of the entire bush, once every two weeks, you can carry out top dressing: add a teaspoon of agrolife to the top layer of the earth, or add fresh vermicompost once a month to the pot.
Cucumbers require a proper amount of light - at least 12 hours, which can be provided using artificial lighting.

If you are thinking about how to grow cucumbers at home in winter without picking, then plant the seeds in large pots, without adding soil 5 cm to the edge. After spreading the seeds, add a layer of 1.5 cm of soil, and add the remaining soil after about a month - this will replace the dive.

Correct pollination of hybrid cucumbers

How to grow cucumbers at home, because there is no one to carry out pollination, unless, of course, you breed flying insects at home? Without proper pollination, the ovaries will simply fall off. Try on the role of a bee!

In order for the fruits to set for sure, you need to separate the female and male flowers. Females have a pistil, consisting of an ovary and stigma, while males do not have a pistil.

It is advisable to carry out pollination in the morning, when the pollen is sticky - pick the male flower by cutting off the corolla, and put it into the female one so that the pollen gets on the stigma. This is how bees pollinate plants. But it is better to use self-pollinated varieties, they do not need pollination at all.

Having grown cucumbers correctly, you can collect up to 15 medium-sized fruits from a bush. At the same time, they will have a real taste, not comparable to store ones. The windows or balcony on which the plants are located should be warm, and it is desirable that they face south or southeast.

Protect homemade cucumbers from drafts and enjoy their crispy fruits!

Can cucumbers be grown on the windowsill all year round? Alas, you will have to take a break, but only if you don't want to bother with fluorescent or helium lighting. The last days of February, when daylight hours begin to gradually increase - it's time to plant cucumbers.

A cucumber is a fairly shade-tolerant plant, but there will still not be enough light for it on the windowsill, especially in the spring-autumn period. Therefore, you need to grow cucumbers only on the southern or southeastern windows. The plant does not like drafts, make sure that there are no cracks in the window frames.

It makes sense to grow cucumbers on the windowsill only if the temperature in the apartment does not drop below 20 degrees. This thermophilic plant stops growing at temperatures below 16 degrees.

The cucumber loves high air humidity, in winter it will not be very easy to provide it with such conditions, you will have to cover the home heating batteries with wet towels. Simple spraying of the leaves will not help in this case.

If you are able to organize suitable conditions for the plant, then you can easily grow cucumbers at home on the windowsill. From one bush, on average, it will be possible to collect from 10 to 15 good medium-sized cucumbers.

Varieties and seed preparation

In order to grow cucumbers on the windowsill, parthenocarpic hybrids or. Unless, of course, you want to pollinate them yourself. If the variety is incorrectly selected, the non-pollinated cucumber ovaries will turn yellow and fall off. Recommended varieties: F1 Window-balcony, F1 Gift of the East, F1 Ekaterina, F1 Marathon, F1 Faust and many others.

If you are going to grow cucumbers for the first time, then it is best to purchase seeds of shade-tolerant varieties that are not afraid of temperature changes.

To germinate the seeds, you need a cloth or cotton pads. We moisten them and place them on a saucer, spread the cucumber seeds on top. Do not allow the fabric to dry out. After just a couple of days, the seeds will hatch. That's it, they can be planted in pre-prepared soil about a centimeter deep.

What is the best way to grow cucumbers on the windowsill

Cucumbers are quite freedom-loving, so the pot for growing them must be large enough. One plant will need a five-liter vessel. It can be a simple flower pot, even better - a homemade box in which several bushes will fit perfectly at once. The most economical way is to take five-liter water bottles and cut off the top of them along with the neck. Alternatively - double plastic bags. Just do not forget that no matter what container you choose, it is imperative to make holes in its bottom to drain excess water.

In what soil should cucumbers be grown on the windowsill

It will be easier for novice gardeners to purchase ready-made soil in the store. For those who have a desire to cook it on their own, you can offer several options:

Mix 4 parts of garden soil, 1 part of humus and 1 part of peat. For 5 liters of the mixture add 100 grams of ash, a teaspoon of magnesium sulfate and a tablespoon of "full" fertilizer.

Mix 2 parts of garden soil, humus, peat and one part of sawdust. For 5 liters of soil add 100 grams of ash, a teaspoon of magnesium sulfate and a tablespoon of "full" fertilizer.

Mix vermicompost and garden soil in equal proportions, add 5 tablespoons of wood ash for every 5 liters of soil.

In principle, it is possible to grow cucumbers on a windowsill in any soil, no one will be left without a crop, just in a properly selected land, the harvest, which is quite natural, will be much higher. Well, you still have to fertilize unprepared soil.

How to plant cucumbers on a windowsill

In addition to soil and containers for planting, you will need twine for future support for the cucumbers and glass or plastic caps to cover the seedlings.

We fill the pot with soil 3-4 cm below the edges. We spread the germinated (if not, then dry or wet) seeds in the amount of 3 pieces at a distance of about two cm from each other. Sprinkle them with earth.

Water the seedlings well, let the water absorb.

To create a greenhouse effect, cover the seedlings with a plastic or glass container. We put the pots in the warmest place in the apartment. Most often this is the top of the kitchen cabinets. After the sprouts appear, the "greenhouses" are removed, and the pots are permanently placed on the southern or southeastern window sills.

When real leaves are formed, choose the most powerful and beautiful plant, remove the rest.

How to grow cucumbers on a windowsill

Prepare a support for the cucumbers in advance. It can be either a twine or a thick nylon thread, or a long peg, to which cucumber lashes will need to be tied. In the case of the peg, all mustaches that appear on the cucumber must be removed.

After the appearance of 5-6 internodes, the cucumber must be pinched. Lateral shoots are also pinched over the second leaf.

Growing cucumbers on a windowsill without feeding is a waste of time. Once every two weeks, and when cucumbers appear and once every 10 days, it is necessary to feed. 1 tsp can be added to the topsoil. "Agrolife" or pour a cap "Rosta" diluted in two liters of water. You can just add fresh vermicompost once a month.

No, that will allow you to get a harvest of vegetables even in winter. However, in order to harvest a full-fledged crop, you should prefer the seeds of varieties bred for cultivation in an apartment. .

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Features of growing cucumbers on the windowsill

When grown at home, cucumbers will not have those natural conditions that affect the rapid emergence and ripening of fruits.

Factors affecting sowing and emergence:

Lighting. In winter, you will have to abandon the idea of planting cucumbers if there are problems with installing fluorescent or helium lighting. Favorable days for planting seeds are the first days of March. At this time, there is more light, which will have a beneficial effect on seedlings.
Temperature. Place young shoots as far away from drafts as possible. Drafts have a detrimental effect on seedling efficiency. In this regard, constant monitoring of the temperature regime is needed. The best option is 17-18 degrees.
Watering. Should be carried out as the earth dries up. The plant does not like overly moist soil. If this rule is neglected, the soil can become infected with diseases, which will lead to the death of the shoots.
Top dressing and introduction of fertilizers into the soil. At every stage of growth, stimulation of growth is necessary for a rich harvest.
Timely pinching and garter.
Seed preference. To get a full harvest of this vegetable in an apartment, you need a careful choice of variety.

When forming strong bushes of grown cucumbers, the necessary moment is the maximum free space. This is necessary for the organization of high-quality lighting. Distance from other plants is a good location.

In the video filmed by the HitSadTV channel, the expert gives very useful advice on how to grow cucumbers on the windowsill.

The best varieties for growing at home

Before planting cucumbers on the windowsill, it is recommended to study the characteristics of the varieties of cucumbers. The breeders have specially selected varieties with the possibility of indoor breeding. Most of them are hybrids. The peculiarity of these species is the ability to form fruits regardless of the environment. Given the limited space in which they will grow, they were created with the possibility of self-pollination. In scientific terminology, hybrid cucumber species were called parthenocarpic.

To plant cucumbers in winter, they most often use the following varieties bred for cultivation in an apartment:

Balcony. The hybrid was first bred in 2007. Perfectly adapted for indoor cultivation. Planted in indoor and outdoor ground. Undemanding to the area of habitation, a variety with early ripening, the average period is considered to be 39–41 days from the first shoots. High productivity. The length of the lashes is small, the branching is common. The variety is self-pollinated.
Buyan. This hydride requires an abundant supply of light and is demanding on the temperature regime. It is distinguished by its duration of fruiting, the compact size of the branches. It has an average of 5 ovaries per knot. The better the conditions of detention, the more fruits will be obtained from the bush.
Ant. Differs in early maturity. Bred for sowing in open ground. Suitable for canning. With the correct technology of care, the amount of the crop will be 10–12 kg. He does not need help in pollination.
Marathon. This is a variety of hybrids that needs third-party pollination. Thanks to this process, it has a high fruiting rate of more than 25 kg per square meter. The harvest begins to appear on the 85th day from the first shoots. Popular among gardeners due to its resistance to diseases.
Olympiad. Marketable yield in a winter greenhouse is 23.2 and 32.8 kg / sq. m. Resistant to the cucumber mosaic microbe. Advantages of the hybrid: the highest yield and marketability of products, good taste of zelents.

Sowing cucumbers on the windowsill

When sowing for the first time, you must adhere to proven technology. It is necessary to take into account all the factors affecting the yield and the time of full ripening of the fruits.

Seed preparation for sowing

For a quick passage through the stage of preparing seeds for sowing, purchase ready-made seeds in a specialized store. They can be immediately taken into work, without any additional manipulations. If ordinary seeds or seeds collected by hand were chosen, they must go through the necessary procedures for germination.

Germination procedures consist of the following stages:

Disinfection. It is carried out using potassium permanganate or hydrogen peroxide. If there is no time to create a solution on your own, a ready-made solution is sold in specialized stores. Using them according to the instructions, it is easy to replace your solution. After soaking, the seeds are washed with water.
Growth stimulation. There are two options here. You can buy a ready-made composition, or you can make it at home from aloe juice. The recipe for the solution is simple, 20 ml of juice is diluted in 100 ml of water and the seeds are left in it for 4 hours. It makes it possible to identify strong specimens at an early stage of germination.

Sowing dates

In winter, we grow cucumbers in 3 stages:

December sowing. Sprouts make their way by the first day of February.
Sowing in January. Harvesting is possible by the end of February, beginning of March.
February. When sowing seeds this winter month, the first cucumber shoots will appear by the end of March.

If we plant cucumbers at a certain time of the year, then you can regulate the appearance of the crop on the table. To have fresh cucumbers by May 1, seeds for seedlings must be sown in the second half of February. But in practice, January and February are considered the most favorable time for sowing. When sowing in December, there is not the necessary amount of lighting for the healthy development of cucumbers. During this period, they will need additional light. It can also be planted in September-October, but it is almost impossible to achieve a strong harvest.

Selection of a place for growing cucumbers at home

The locations of the seed containers should be correctly positioned on the south windows in order to get maximum light. Early seedlings are equally susceptible to light and heat. You also need to take into account the possibility of installing additional lighting, since in winter daylight hours do not last long.

Soil selection

Beginners can go the easy way and buy a ready-made mixture for growing cucumbers. For this purpose, lands with high fertility, loose, with good water and air permeability are suitable. Slightly acidic soils may work, but yields will decrease. The ideal option would be a peat soil mixture. Such material has a low level of acidity and already contains many additives.

You can make an earthen mixture with your own hands.

It is prepared from:

peat;
humus;
fine-grained river sand.

The proportions are 3: 3: 1. The sand, if necessary, is replaced with coconut flakes. It has a neutral pH of 7.0, as well as promotes moisture retention, increases air permeability. To prepare the soil mixture, pour coconut flakes with water according to the instructions. Coconut shavings can be replaced with ripe hardwood sawdust. It is recommended to disinfect the prepared soil mixture.

Disinfection is usually carried out in several ways:

In the oven. This is done by calcining. The oven heats up to + 120 ° C and heats up for 30 minutes.
Using liquid solutions. A weak solution of potassium permanganate or a special chemical agent can be used. Many gardeners advise pouring boiling water over the ground, but they do not give a complete guarantee of complete cleansing of pests.
Freezing. It is considered a more effective way of disinfection than calcination. Since the high temperature of the procedure kills not only harmful organisms, but also the beneficial properties of fertilizers. The prepared soil is placed in the cold for about a week, then returned to the house. After the ground warms up, it must be placed in the cold again. And this is repeated 3 times.

Selection of capacity

It is necessary to choose a container for growing cucumbers in winter, taking into account their needs at this time. The vessel should hold 5 to 7 liters of soil. It also needs to be tall for easy growth and root formation. Accordingly, the more convenient the container, the stronger the lash of plants. Small boxes and plastic buckets will come in handy under the container. The main thing is with a depth of at least 15 cm.

Basically, it is recommended to place each cucumber in a separate container. An ordinary plastic cup, a plastic bottle with a volume of about 1 liter will do. At the initial stage of the growth of cucumbers, a peat cup is suitable, when the plant grows in size, it can be immediately planted in a larger container.

Sowing rules

Let us analyze the sequence of sowing seeds that have sprouted:

Small depressions are made in the ground for 2-3 centimeters. The seeds are arranged with the root downward.
Sprinkle with a small layer of earth.
Cover the vessel with foil and send it to a warm place.

Sowing from a pack, without preliminary soaking, can be done in the same way. The difference is in the number of seeds suitable for sowing. Several seeds are planted in a container at a time. After the first leaves that appear, be sure to add two centimeters of soil. For less injury to seedlings, cucumbers are sown in the container in which they are planned to be grown. You can sow cucumbers already germinated or dry.

Growing cucumbers at home

Cucumbers planted on a windowsill in winter are more demanding to care for than ground ones.

These activities are carried out on an ongoing basis:

high-quality watering;
fertilization;
garter;
pinching bushes.

Watering cucumbers

Each stage of ripening of cucumbers on the windowsill is characterized by its own level of watering. In the early period, while the seedlings are green and are in the stage of intensive growth, watering should be carried out systematically, without stagnant water. At the time of the formation of flowers and ripening of fruits, the bush requires a greater amount of moisture, at this time watering should not be skipped. Its intensity is important here. By constantly spraying the leaves with a spray bottle, you can increase the humidity level. At the same time, green plants will be provided with additional nutrition from the outside. Watering cucumbers should only be in a tray.

Fertilization

If fertilizers were initially applied to the soil, then the first leaves will appear the best period for new dressings. To increase the duration of the growth of the bush and achieve a rich harvest, it is worth feeding the cucumbers every 2-3 weeks.

The following options are possible:

renew the old vermicompost in the container once a month;
add watering with a solution of "Growth" means - 1 cap for 2 liters of water;
a little Agrolife for the top layer, 1 tsp is enough;
as the buds are tied, feed the plant with wood ash, dissolve 1 glass in 10 liters of water.

Top dressing should be different, otherwise there will be no benefit from it. It is recommended to apply organic fertilizers after mineral fertilizers.

In winter, these can be leftovers from indoor plants:

dry twigs;
leaves;
potato peel.

They are suitable for herbal decoction. Ash infusion is also suitable. You can buy it in flower shops. The infusion is cooked according to the instructions on the pack. The concentrated solution is diluted with water.

The optimal temperature regime for growing cucumbers at home

The following rules should be observed:

plants are initially at temperatures from 20 ° C;
for more intensive growth use 23-25 ° C;
when the first shoots appear, the temperature is not sharply lowered;
lowering the temperature is done after germination of the leaves.

It is much cooler in winter than in summer or spring. To protect plants from cold weather, auxiliary lighting and heating are installed. Otherwise, the harvest is not worth waiting for. In order to avoid hypothermia of the earth in the boxes, the boxes are set for a while to warm up in a warm place, for example, on a battery. To insulate the container, you can wrap it up with a material that retains heat.

Cucumber lighting

The highlighting of cucumbers is as follows:

On cloudy days and in spring, you need to compensate for the lack of lighting with a daylight device. Organized with mirrors, foil.
In winter, plants must be supported with an additional source of heat.

Cucumbers need at least 13-15 hours of daylight to grow. If the harvest was in December, then additional light is required at least 16 hours. In January-February, 12 hours of heat is required for the plant buds to develop properly.

Diseases of cucumbers in the apartment

Cucumbers on the windowsill are the least susceptible to disease in winter. In apartments, the air is rather dry, so the pathogenic atmosphere does not develop. There is only one threat in this cold time in the form of a black leg. It can infect cucumbers at every stage of growth. But in most cases, seedlings and young bushes are exposed to the disease.

There are several environmental factors that can cause diseases of cucumbers on the windowsill:

non-observance of air humidity and temperature regimes;
watering with very cold water;
lack of nutrition for cucumbers.

Cucumber pests

Indoors, sciarids are active in spring and late autumn. These flies appear when vegetables are stored in the house. As insects, they are not a threat. Their larvae are dangerous, which destroy plants by eating the roots. Their actions fall in October and mid-spring. Flies appear with an increase in humidity, which is inevitable when growing cucumbers on a windowsill, since the saturation of irrigation cannot be reduced.

When pests appear, it is worth using drugs:

Fly eater;
Zemlin;
Aktara;
Bazudin.

Aktara - 45 rubles Bazudin - 28 rubles

In order to grow a crop of cucumbers in pots, on the windowsill in the apartment, you must have a high-quality earthen substrate, a light windowsill (the presence of sunlight for at least 3-4 hours a day) and the presence of self-pollinating seeds (hybrids), it will also be necessary to supplement the lighting with fluorescent lamps ( phytolamps) in winter.

Cucumbers, with good care, give a crop already in a month and a half after germination.

Cucumbers (among vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes) are leaving before anyone else. Potted cucumbers have a lifespan of up to two months from the date of the first harvest.

cucumber on the windowsill, 7 weeks from planting

The growing season for cucumbers is the smallest, literally after 4-5 weeks from the moment of planting it is already possible to harvest, but after two to three months from the beginning of fruiting, the plant will have to be changed. The cucumber is not propagated by cuttings, like pepper and tomato, it is only sown with seeds.

cucumber on the windowsill

Cucumbers cannot stand a lack of moisture and dry air. From the moment of flowering, the soil in pots with cucumbers should always be moist. And the pots themselves should stand in containers (saucers) with water in order to avoid drying out of the soil, which is fraught with crumbling of the ovary.

from the moment of flowering, you will need a deep container of water to prevent drying out

You need to spray cucumbers 2-3 times a day, at least in the morning and evening.

During flowering, the bush needs to be shaken a little (once a day) for better pollination (this applies to all hybrid crops).

two-month-old cucumber bush on the windowsill, front view (left), rear view (right)

Cucumber in a pot must be pinched after 3-5 leaves, to give the bush splendor and density.

pinching cucumbers

By pinching the shoot, we reduce the length of the shoots by 2 times and make the bush 2 times lush (thicker), since instead of one long lash we get two short ones.

the result of pinching, instead of two shoots we got four

Remove the ovary up to the pinching point (and on it), leaving the ovary just above the pinching point.

extra ovary

It is better to harvest the crop as the fruits ripen (do not wait until all the fruits on the bush become large), so as not to pull excess juices from the plant and not to deplete the bush.

remove large fruits as they ripen

Seed selection. Seeds of cucumbers for growing on the windowsill should be self-pollinated hybrids. Of the self-pollinated hybrids, preference is given to early-maturing varieties. It is good if these are bush varieties.

High quality substrate prepared from coconut fiber and vermicompost. To do this, mix 1 part of vermicompost with 2 parts of coconut fiber.

biohumus and cocoa fiber

As containers for growing cucumbers on the windowsill, take the usual three to four liter flower pots.

cucumber shoots

You can plant cucumbers immediately in large (permanent) containers, or through a pick - first into small cups, and then transplant them into large pots.

cucumber shoots in a large container

The second method is more troublesome, but it makes it possible to choose and plant the most powerful and strong seedlings from the grown seedlings already in large pots.

two-week seedlings (from seedlings) cucumbers in small containers

two-week seedlings (from seedlings) cucumbers in large containers

The seeds must be prepared for planting. They are immersed in a warm solution of potassium permanganate (not pink or dark red) for 2-3 hours. Then they take out (if there are enough seeds, then only those seeds that have sunk to the bottom during this time are taken out, and those that have surfaced are thrown away, since the germination of such seeds is very low), onto a cotton pad (or a piece of cotton cloth) , let it drain. Treated seeds (green, red) are not soaked, but planted dry.

seed preparation and planting

Seeds are planted in small cups with a volume of 100 ml (when planting with a pick). The cups are filled with an earthen mixture, lightly tamped, while not adding 2 cm to the edges.Place the seeds on top and cover them with a substrate, crushing them so that the height of the earthen layer above the seeds is 1-1.5 cm, watered.

Place 4-5 seeds in each cup. 1-2 weeks after germination, the seedlings are thinned out, leaving 2 pieces of the most powerful and beautiful in each cup. A week later, a second thinning is carried out, leaving one of the strongest.

winter supplementary lighting of seedlings

When planting immediately in large pots (with a capacity of 3-4 liters), without picking, pour the earthen mixture, tamping slightly, not enough to fill 4-5 cm to the brim. 1.5 cm. The remaining depth is filled up in about a month. This procedure will replace the pick. Seedlings also break through in several stages, until one or two of the 4-5 pieces remain - the most powerful ones.

preparation for a pick

Approximately 3-4 weeks after germination, small seedlings are transplanted (dived) into large pots. They take a seedling in a glass, turn it upside down (the top of the glass will be on the palm, and the seedling itself is passed between the fingers), gently pull the glass up.

pick

A seedling with a lump of soil in the shape of a cup is carefully inserted into a prepared large pot with a pre-poured soil mixture and the soil mixture is poured into the remaining empty space around the perimeter of the large pot. Sprinkle the seedling on top with soil until the cotyledonous leaves.

picking cucumbers

When planting seeds directly into large pots, the picking procedure is replaced by pouring the earthen substrate into the pot to a height of 2-3 cm.

cucumber seedling after picking

Dive seedlings are watered abundantly already in large pots.

We water cucumbers in different ways throughout the year. In the first month of life, seedlings should be watered regularly, but in moderation. At this stage, it is important not to overflow the seedlings, as there will be a threat of various diseases (such as black leg).

four week cucumber bush

In winter, you do not have to water them often, since there is little sun and heat. In winter, they adhere to the rule "it is better not to top up than to pour."

six week cucumber bush

From the end of March, moisture consumption will increase, and the sun will do its job with warmth. In the summer, especially if by this time fruits have set on the bushes, it is important not to let the soil dry out in pots. Since the ovary and fruits on the bushes sharply increase the consumption of moisture, then in the hot summer they adhere to the rule "it is better to pour than not to top up." Lack of moisture will lead to shedding of the ovary.

The cucumber needs a support (support, trellis, mesh). The higher the support, the better (from 0.7-1.0 meters).

kind of support for cucumbers

Any support is suitable, as long as it is stable and strong.

another support for cucumbers

Seedlings and adult plants on the windowsill must be rotated 180 degrees around their axis once a day. Plants that receive light only from the window side tend to bend towards the light. Therefore, rotate them so that they are not crooked, asymmetrical and ugly.

So that the bush lasts as long as possible, the cucumbers are fed once every 2-3 weeks (a teaspoon of agrolife in the top layer of the earth, or watering with Rostom - 1 cap per 2 liters of water, or adding fresh vermicompost to the pot once a month).

There is not a single person who does not like such a dish as a cucumber-based salad. It is especially pleasant if the cultivation of zelents was carried out step by step on the windowsill or on the balcony with your own hands. There is a category of gardeners that is not limited to the cultivation of tasty and healthy fruits in summer cottages, balcony cucumber - the pride of any specialist.

Cucumbers on the windowsill

It may seem impossible for many novice gardeners to grow cucumbers on the windowsill, but this is quite real. Of course, you have to work hard to get the harvest, but for those who like to show their talent in agricultural technology, this process is a real pleasure. In addition, such an activity can become a family hobby.
There are no restrictions on the timing of disembarkation. But planting is one thing, and looking after - following a step-by-step plan of events, especially in winter - is quite another. The conditions for success are the installation of a lamp with daylight near an impromptu bed from November to February, proper watering, attention to flowering, pinching and garter. Insufficient illumination negatively affects the growing season.

Due to the absence of time limits, it is possible to plant and harvest fruits at any time of the year.

The best varieties to grow on a windowsill

It's easy to get confused in the abundance of varieties

The main rule of how to grow greens in a room is the correct choice of seeds. Which variety to use for planting? If you take the first variety that comes to hand for cultivation, the development of seedlings will be slowed down, which, most likely, will lead to the death of the seedling.
The following varieties are suitable for cultivating cucumbers on the windowsill.

Balcony

An unpretentious early ripening variety with a fruit ripening period of 40-42 days from the moment of germination. The yield per square meter is 8-11 kg. To successfully grow this variety and get a large harvest, the main thing is to water it correctly according to the instructions.

Buyan

This variety does not require pollination and has a long fruiting period. Zelentsy ripen 44-48 days after the first shoots appear. The average yield is 3.5-5 kg per m2.

Ant

The characteristic quality of the variety is ultra early ripening, the fruits appear 37-38 days after the mass germination of seeds. Pollination is not required for the plant. 10-12 kg can be removed from 1 m2 with proper care.

Marathon

A hybrid requiring pollination is distinguished by a high yield (over 25 kg per 1 m2). Ideal for window growing due to its compact lash size and high disease resistance.

Olympiad

The plant, although it has a long lash, adapts well to the home environment. Fruits ripen 47-49 days after seed germination on the soil surface. When grown in a greenhouse in compliance with technology, up to 45 kg are removed from 1 m2, at home it is also noted high yield - over 24 kg per 1 m2.

Basic rules for growing

Cover with a lid to protect the seedlings

The key to obtaining a good harvest of cucumbers will be the inviolable fulfillment of the basic rules of agricultural technology:

Plant only varieties suitable for window cultivation.
Conduct disinfection of soil and seeds.
Observe the temperature regime typical for each stage.
Eliminate drafts.
Control the degree of moisture in the soil and air, as well as the level of lighting.
Timely transplant and garter, introduce fertilizers and top dressing
To manually pollinate flowers of those varieties that require it.
Loosen the soil periodically to provide access to the roots of oxygen.

When to plant cucumbers at home?

Seedlings sprout and gain strength in pots

More often, the sowing of seeds for seedlings is done step by step in March. A month later, the matured seedlings are transferred to separate pots. This decision is due to the appropriate time of the year, when there will simply not be a shortage of good lighting.

What is the most suitable time for planting according to the technology?

You can start sowing in January, this is also practiced quite often. There are no strict restrictions on the timing of planting on the street; when determining the period, one should be guided by the opportunity to create favorable conditions for the growing season of the plant.

The right soil for growing early varieties in a pot

For growing cucumbers, loose fertile soil is used. A ready-made universal substrate or a self-prepared mixture of equal parts is suitable: fertile soil, humus, sand, ash, rotten sawdust. Why shouldn't you do this at home? For aesthetic reasons, don't fill your home with these scents.
To disinfect the substrate, it is necessary to warm it up in the oven. With the help of this procedure, it will be possible to get rid of various larvae and spores, which can subsequently become infected with young shoots.

Preparing seeds for planting

The preparation process for sowing on the balcony does not differ significantly from the usual procedures that are used when growing crops in the open field or in a greenhouse. In addition to disinfection, carried out in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, you need to sort out the highest quality seeds. A feature of home cultivation is the pre-germination of seeds. This must be done in order to determine the exact number of bushes that fit in the box. In the cold season, there is nowhere to transplant adult seedlings, and it is sacrilegious to throw out the developing shoots. Forcing all windows with cucumbers is not a way out, therefore it is better to sow exclusively sprouted specimens.

To accelerate germination of seedlings, it is recommended to treat the seed with a growth stimulator before sowing.

How to plant and transplant at home

Sowing is conveniently done in wooden boxes or separate pots. You can also use plastic cups, it is important that there is a hole on the bottom to release excess moisture. After germination, the seeds are buried in moist soil by 1.5 cm. Until the emergence of shoots on the surface of the soil, the container should be covered with glass or plastic wrap to create a greenhouse effect. The temperature regime at this stage is at least 25 °. After 2-3 days, it will be possible to observe how little green dots make their way through the soil. After the shoots appear, you need to remove the shelter and reduce the room temperature to 20 °.
It is necessary to transplant mature seedlings with 3-4 leaves in more capacious pots, where up to 5 liters of soil are placed. Also, some owners use boxes where 3-4 bushes are planted per 1 m2.

Shoots are transferred to a new place carefully along with the soil, so that the weak root system is not damaged.

Care for the first shoots and seedlings in the apartment

Caring for seedlings is distinguished by trepidation, it is at this stage that it is important to help the shoots get stronger, which will play a positive role in further development.

Lighting in spring and summer

Cucumbers need a lot of light, therefore, it is better to choose a window sill or loggia for a garden bed on the south or southeast side. On cloudy days and in spring, you need to compensate for the lack of lighting by installing fluorescent lamps. To prevent the plant from drying out in the summer from the sun's rays in the apartment, the glass is tinted with thin tulle. Light shading will protect the whip from ultraviolet radiation.

Additional lighting can be created using mirrors, foil and other reflectors that will redirect sunlight onto the bushes.

Watering indoor cucumbers

Seedlings are moistened by spraying. For this, it is better to use a spray bottle. It should be filled only with settled heated water.

Top dressing of seedlings

After sowing, the seedlings are kept in a warmed place with a temperature of at least 23 ° for 25-28 days. During this time, it is necessary to introduce several dressings: the first time 15 days after germination and another 10 days later. It is recommended to use complex fertilizers as a nutritional composition.

Garter of grown lashes

Garter is a prerequisite for plant development

The growing lash needs help - to tie it up.

For the garter, a trellis net is used, which is easier to wrap in a semicircle. After immersing it in the ground and fixing it, you should run the stem on the formed wall. Then he himself will wrap around the net. You can correct it, but do it carefully so as not to damage the plant. Excess antennae are removed.
The garter is also organized with a cord, which is fixed on a specially made frame made of slats. The sequence of the process is as follows:

a cord is attached to the top of the frame ( from natural fibers);
the end of the cord goes down to the root zone of the bush, turns (not tight!) several times around the stem and
returns to the top rail;
both ends of the cord are tied together.

When and how to pinch?

To increase the yield, it is necessary to form a cucumber bush... Often, the plant lays male shoots on the stem, the so-called barren flowers. To prevent their formation, it is necessary to remove the lateral shoots from the lower part after tying the lash. Next, 6-8 leaves are passed along the stem and pinched (cut off the edge). This procedure provokes the formation of lateral branches on which greens are well tied.

Watering and feeding

Only warm water is used for irrigation, the cold liquid inhibits root development and reduces the formation of ovaries in the sinuses. You need to irrigate the bushes once a week. In summer, the intensity of hydration, if necessary, is increased up to 2-3 times a week. You can also spray the whips throughout the day using warm, clean water.
You need to introduce fertilizer into the soil regularly, about 1 time in 10 days. The first time this should be done 2 weeks after sowing. For these purposes, ready-made mixtures of minerals or organic-based solutions are used:

mullein and water (1:10);
bird droppings and water (1:15);
infusion on onion peel, etc.

How to pollinate correctly

How to manually pollinate cucumbers

When choosing pollinated varieties, artificial pollination must be ensured, in open ground conditions, this function is performed by bees.
Before doing it, you need to learn how to distinguish barren flowers from female flowers. The female inflorescence is formed on a green seal that looks like a mini-cucumber. The pollination process involves transferring pollen from a male flower to a fertile one. To do this, they pluck the barren flower and open the stamens as much as possible, removing all the petals. All that remains is to touch the stamens of the female flower, repeating the procedure several times (to be sure). This should be done carefully so as not to damage the delicate inflorescence.
How to successfully grow cucumbers on a windowsill? The secret lies in the systematic care of the plants, which will certainly be rewarded with a generous harvest.