How to fertilize cucumbers? What kind of fertilizer is good?

At present, cucumber cultivation is very common in our country. Although the cultivation technology of cucumber is not complicated, field management during the planting process is equally critical. In cucumber cultivation , fertilization is an indispensable link, so it is necessary to have an in-depth understanding of the fertilization needs and rules of cucumbers. Let’s learn how to fertilize cucumbers. What kind of fertilizer is good?

Cucumber, as a widely grown vegetable, has a long growth cycle , a large demand for nutrients, and consumes nutrients quickly. According to experience, base fertilizer should account for 30% to 50% of the fertilizer applied during the entire growth cycle. It is recommended to apply 4,000 to 5,000 kilograms per mu and apply some phosphorus and potassium fertilizers in combination.

After cucumbers are planted, their vegetative growth and reproductive growth proceed in parallel, and the demand for fertilizer gradually increases. When there is sufficient base fertilizer, multiple topdressing is needed to adjust the soil environment and ensure plant growth and fruit development.

From before transplanting to flowering, the nutrients absorbed by the cucumber plants only account for 10% of the entire growth cycle. Therefore, in the seedling growth stage after transplanting, urea should be applied at a rate of 8 to 15 kilograms per mu or 30%-40% manure and urine water should be applied to promote seedling growth.

When the first cucumber is formed and the plant transitions from vegetative growth to reproductive growth, urea should be applied at the rate of 20-35 kilograms per mu. If potassium fertilizer has not been applied before, commercial potassium fertilizer or wood ash should be added as topdressing this time.

After entering the fruit-bearing period, cucumbers enter a critical stage of yield formation, and the frequency of topdressing needs to be increased. It is recommended to apply nitrogen fertilizer once every 15 days, with an amount of 8-15 kilograms each time. If phosphorus and potassium fertilizers have not been applied before, they should be supplemented appropriately at this time.

Foliar fertilizer can be quickly absorbed and utilized, increasing the rate of photosynthesis. It can be mixed with pesticides to prevent diseases and pests, extend the harvest period, and increase yield and quality. Commonly used foliar fertilizers include potassium dihydrogen phosphate, urea, ammonium sulfate and wood ash.

During the fertilization process, some vegetable farmers have misunderstandings and lack basic knowledge of fertilization, resulting in a decrease in cucumber yield and quality. The following four mistakes should be avoided when applying fertilizer:

1. Neglecting trace elements: Trace elements such as calcium, iron, zinc, and manganese are essential for improving cucumber yield and quality. For example, magnesium deficiency can cause the leaf edges to wither and lose their green color, while copper deficiency can cause the plant to grow clumpingly, the leaf veins to lose their green color, and brown spots to appear.

2. Only apply base fertilizer: In order to save trouble, some producers only apply base fertilizer and do not apply top dressing, hoping to meet the nutrient needs of the entire growth cycle through a one-time fertilization. This practice will result in the inability to fully utilize the nitrogen fertilizer in the early stage, causing nutrient loss and waste; the movement distance of phosphorus fertilizer is limited, and it is easy to react with the soil to form sediment and be fixed by the soil.

3. Uncomposted farmyard manure: When applying farmyard manure, you should avoid the misconception that "the smellier the manure, the higher the fertilizer efficiency." Uncomposted fertilizer will release harmful gases. For example, ammonia produced by fermented chicken manure will damage the stems and leaves of cucumbers. At the same time, uncomposted manure contains pathogens and harmful substances that may contaminate the soil.

4. Excessive use of chemical fertilizers: Some growers have been applying excessive amounts of chemical fertilizers for a long time without using organic fertilizers , which leads to soil compaction and salinization, affecting the development of cucumber roots.

In general, cucumbers have the potential for high yield and high quality, and reasonable and efficient fertilization is the key to improving yield and quality. Producers should determine fertilization strategies based on the fertilizer requirements, growth stage, growth potential and yield expectations of cucumbers, and identify the key nodes and precautions for fertilization in order to achieve considerable economic benefits.