Higher profits and more profitable indoor cucumber production can be expected by those vegetable growers who have done everything right from start to finish. This implies the proper formation of banks, but also the protection and sustenance of this culture with adequate preparations and at the right time. This is the only way manufacturers can have a quality product that they will later offer to the market.
The use of intensive technology in the production of cucumbers should aim to obtain higher yields and a better quality product, which results in better profits.
During the basic treatment, apply up to 1000 kg/ha of complex fertilizer SQM Qrop Complex 12-10-18 or 12-6-24 (without chlorine and sulfur) and as an alternative to barnyard manure, chicken organic pelleted manure – Biofert Green in a dose of up to 2000 kg/ha. If the soil has a lower pH value and no carbonates (there is no foaming reaction of sulfuric acid), 500-700 kg/ha of the pH Plus product should be added to it – otherwise, 200-300 kg/ha.
Formation of banks: Protection and feeding of cucumber before planting
The formation of banks, i.e. beds, is mandatory on more water-resistant and heavy types of soil.
Before the formation of banks, or during that operation, the soil insecticide Force 1.5 G (7-8 kg/ha) is applied, with a very long repulsive effect on harmful insects, which protects the plants from the entry of plant pathogens from the soil.
A slightly smaller amount of BioFert Green (up to 1500 kg/ha) can be added directly to the banks compared to the treatment of the entire area.
Due to more light, clean air and easier manipulation, the distance between banks in greenhouses should be at least 1.7m. Thus, only 4 banks can fit in an 8m-wide building.
A density of 2.2-2.5 billion/m 2 is suggested for early planting dates (and late summer) as well as for more vegetative (lush) cucumber hybrids, while in later terms and for more generative hybrids, significantly higher densities of up to 3.5 billion/m 2 are applied. On the mentioned 4 banks in the 8m wide greenhouse, the plants are planted at about 20 cm in a row, and then when they grow, they are separated into two wires above each bank in a “V” shape, according to the principle – one plant on the left, one on the right…
Since cucumber grows very quickly and suddenly after rooting it needs a larger amount of calcium than other fruitful vegetables, Fitofert Ca-Nit can be added to the banks in an amount of up to 200 kg/ha. The fertigation system must be adapted to the type of soil (with a larger distance between the drippers on heavier soils and a denser arrangement of emitters on lighter soils).
A well-nourished seedling should have no more than three true leaves and must not have any flowers or fruits on it. If it is a container seedling, those plants should be planted with cotyledons and only one true leaf.
Cucumber feeding during planting
The optimal date for planting should be adapted to the type of facilities and technology, but it is certainly a universal recommendation – sow later, plant earlier. During planting itself, 2-2.5 g/plant are applied through the drip system. formulations Fitofert Energy Root 5-55-10 , or Fitofert Crystal 10-40-10 in the amount of 3-5g/plant. Along with the second crystal, Fitofert BioFlex L (a powerful biostimulator that supports plant development in the initial stages of development) is applied in the amount of 5l/ha once.
As a preventive measure against attacks, apply the systemic insecticide Amos or Actary at a dose of 1 kg/ha by watering. Tereki (200g/ha) is an insecticide with a wider spectrum of action, which also acts on thrips. If a nemato-insecticide is necessary, which works on all harmful insects, apply Vidate (10l/ha) . With the last two products, it is necessary to regulate the pH to 5-5.5 using the pH Green product.
If the plants are planted with flowers and fruits, they must be removed until the unburdened plant forms large and healthy leaves, which can bear fruit (up to the 7th leaf in bad weather).
Cucumber feeding after planting
Initially, after planting, the plants should be kept without irrigation for a long period of time for better rooting. In that period, foliar feeding treatments should be carried out every 7 days (later in the afternoon);
Humistart 0.5% + Magni-Cal B 0.3% in sunny weather
Humistart 0.5% + Bioflex L 0.2% on cloudy days
Occasionally include systemic copper;
- foliar Talocuper in a concentration of 0.2% , which, in addition to preventing phytopathogens, regulates plant turgor (cell pressure) and
- fertigation Amino Copper 8 (5l/ha).
At the time of fruit setting, use the biostimulant product Quatro in a concentration of 0.4% (strong PK formula 25-20, all essential microelements, very low EC of 0.1MS/cm 2 . This SAR (SystemicAcquiredResistance) product induces systemic tolerance of cultivated plants to phytopathogens.
Preventive protection and feeding of cucumber
A complete proposal of protective measures and compatible foliar supplements can be found in the special edition of Agrosvet, the expert magazine of Agromarket’s Professional Service, number 101 from January 2020. The above measures are of a preventive and indicative nature.
Foliar treatments in the initial stages of development should be carried out with 200-300l/ha of water, while when the plants are in full habit, more than 1000l/ha should be used.
At the time of intensive plant growth , FF Kristal Melon 14-7-28, Balance 20-10-20 and Active 15-5-33 are used as the main formulations, necessarily with Ca-Nit in the beginning, usually in a ratio of 2:1, and later less. Two new formulations suitable for cucumber from the Energy product line are Complete A 14-7-15+14CaO+ME for earlier and Complete B 13-8-24+5CaO , for later stages of development and fruiting. The only thing missing from these new formulations is magnesium, which can be replaced with the product Magni-Cal B initially, and later with Mg-Max .
Proper use of water-soluble nutrients
For the proper use of water-soluble nutrients, it is necessary to apply a lower concentration of crystals in sunny and warm weather, and a higher concentration in cloudy and colder weather, and the average is g/1l (0.1%).
The most common deficiencies in plants are primarily related to calcium (unevenness on the leaves), and less often to potassium (crooked fruits), or magnesium (lenticular lighter chlorotic spots framed by leaf veins), etc.
The lighter color of the leaf rim up to 1 cm, almost to a yellowish shade, is an indicator of the vitality and rapid growth of the plants, which are strong tendrils (whiskers), as well as the green color of the cotyledons, at least at the beginning of production.
On lighter soil and with less organic matter (sandy and light), it is recommended monthly through the FF HUMIFLEX or HUMISUPER PLUS system in the amount of 20l/ha.
When it is very sunny, the cucumber should be watered twice a day if necessary, constantly with a nutrient solution, in order to avoid (abortive) rejection of fruits and reduction of the crop.