Growing cucumbers on a windowsill in winter. Varieties, planting, care. The best varieties of cucumbers for growing on a windowsill in winter. Varieties of cucumbers for a windowsill in winter

Long gone are the days when the townspeople who did not have summer cottages were jealous of those who had them. Today, even a resident of a high-rise can afford to feast on fresh herbs and vegetables, using windows, balconies and loggias to grow them.

Any non-lazy city dweller can please his family with fresh crispy greens by making the right choice of a variety of cucumbers for growing on a windowsill. The same applies to tomatoes, strawberries and peppers - modern breeders have specially created types of vegetables that can be grown in pots and get decent yields.

Characteristics of "home" cucumbers

To enjoy your own harvest of zelents, you should familiarize yourself in advance with what varieties of cucumbers exist for growing on the windowsill. They must have a different set of qualities than those that are sown in greenhouses or in the open field:

• Firstly, these should be self-pollinated hybrids, so as not to waste time on manual pollination.
• Secondly, it is desirable that the plant be shade-loving, since not every window is suitable for it. In order not to additionally illuminate with lamps in winter, it is better to look in advance for varieties of cucumbers for growing on the windowsill, which easily tolerate a lack of light.

• Thirdly, it is preferable to purchase a frost-resistant variety, especially for planting on a balcony or loggia, where there is no additional heating.

If earlier, for growing on the windowsill, houses consisted of only one type - "room Rytov", today there are dozens of them. It is important to assess the conditions in which the vegetable will grow, and, based on them, to purchase the most suitable one, since the manufacturers indicate all the characteristics on the packaging.

Cucumbers for the windowsill

For many home gardeners, a high yield is a top priority. In fact, it is more important that the plant grows strong and healthy in the conditions of a balcony or window, then the collection of fruits will become a pleasant experience. To date, the following are recognized for growing on the windowsill:

• "Prestige f1" is a parthenocarpic species that bears fruit for a very long period. The first greens can be harvested within 40 days after seed germination. Cucumbers are 6-8 cm long and have excellent taste.
• Masha f1 is a very early ripening species that bears fruit on the 35-40th day. Also from the category "varieties of cucumbers for growing on the windowsill". Caring for him allows you to achieve the formation of up to 7 greens on one brush. Fruits are dark green with excellent taste.
• "Ant f1" is one of the most productive types of cucumbers. It is also parthenocarpic, ripens in bundles, in each of which up to 7 fruits are formed.
• "Balkonny" is a versatile variety that yields on the 41st day after seed germination. Relatively hardy, which makes it the best contender for growing on a glazed balcony. Productivity - up to 10 kg / m 2.

When buying varieties of cucumbers for growing on the windowsill, you should definitely check that this property is indicated on the package. Also, all its qualities should be spelled out there - from yield and ripening terms to conditions for their ripening.

Selection of containers

Cucumbers love space, even when they grow in the garden, so you should take care of the container for them in advance. When choosing a container, it should be borne in mind that the optimal volume for one plant is 5 liters. These can be single ceramic pots or a one-piece long plastic container.

Some "home gardeners" adapt plastic five-liter water bottles, after cutting off their neck. You can also use heavy-duty plastic bags if you don't have another container on hand.

Some nuances should be taken into account when choosing a suitable container for any kind of cucumber for growing on a windowsill. The peculiarities of this plant are that it does not tolerate both dryness of the earth and stagnant water, therefore, there must be holes in the container for its drain.

If you fit the boxes for the "garden", then they must first be covered with dense cellophane, making holes at the bottom. Any of the listed containers will work fine to grow and harvest a good harvest of cucumbers.

Soil preparation

For those who do not want to waste time preparing potting mix, ready-made, which is sold in specialized stores, is suitable. For those who want to personally participate in the process from start to finish, experienced gardeners recommend creating soil with their own hands. This will require:

• 1 part of garden or turf land;
• compost - 1 part;
• sand - 1/5 part;
• sawdust - 1/5;
• wood ash - 1/5.

To prevent the soil from harming the plants, it should be calcined, for which you can use a conventional oven. Ready and mixed soil is poured into a baking sheet with a layer of up to 5 cm and put for 20-30 minutes in an oven preheated to 100-110 degrees.

After calcining, the soil must be fertilized, for which it is enough to add mineral fertilizers for pumpkin seeds in a couple of matchboxes. Cucumber supplements are available for purchase. The prepared soil is packed in five-liter containers and thoroughly watered a day before sowing the seeds. Whatever varieties of cucumbers are used for growing on the windowsill, the preparation of the soil is the same.

Seat selection

An important role in a good harvest is played by where exactly the cucumbers will grow. This plant loves sunlight and warmth, so either it will be windows or a balcony on the south side, or a window sill with phyto- or fluorescent lamps insulated and equipped with phyto- or fluorescent lamps from the other side.

It must be remembered that the usual variety of cucumbers needs up to 12 hours of light for the seedlings to grow evenly. This is especially true for the period from November to the end of January. If seeds specially bred as shade-loving are used, then this period can be shortened.

It is very important that the plant is not exposed to drafts when ventilated. It is necessary that the frame does not allow cold air to pass through. Some gardeners, even with high-quality glazing, use additional insulation or stretch plastic wrap between the plant and the window frame. It transmits sunlight well enough, but at the same time saves from the cold.

Every grower has little tricks to help the plant grow strong and healthy (like using mirrors or foil to reflect sunlight and increase lighting). It is also advisable not to put the pot directly on the windowsill, but it is better to put a layer of foam plastic or just wooden blocks under it. This is an additional measure to protect the cucumbers from the cold.

Seed preparation

To avoid further problems with the growth of seeds, it is better to prevent them. For this, a weak solution of potassium permanganate is used, in which the planting material is kept for a couple of hours. By the way, this is also a test of their quality - only those that have sunk to the bottom during a given time should be planted. Seeds floating on the surface will either not sprout at all, or will not yield a crop.

After potassium permanganate, the seeds must be left for a couple of days in a humid environment for germination. To do this, a gauze or natural fabric moistened with water is suitable, which must be sprayed as it dries.

When the seeds "hatch", they can be planted in cups prepared for this. Some gardeners prefer to sow directly into pots, which saves them time, but it is important to cover such a container with foil until the first leaves appear on the seedlings.

Whatever the varieties of cucumbers for growing on the windowsill, in the first week before sprouting, they need to provide a temperature of +22 ... + 24 degrees. After they rise, they can be transferred to a cooler place, where the air warms up to +18, but good lighting is provided.

Seedling care

In order to collect from 10 to 25 green leaves from each plant every day, it should be provided with appropriate care. For this:

• watering should be carried out daily, but care must be taken that the water does not stagnate;

• you need to provide the plant with appropriate moisture, for which it is enough to spray it from a spray bottle 1-2 times a day;
• if the plant is under artificial light, then watering can be done in the morning and evening.

To save time, some gardeners put trays of gravel under the seedling pots, where they pour water. This contributes to the constant moisture of the soil and air. In summer, the soil should be constantly wet, and in winter, watering can be reduced, but air humidity should be monitored at any time of the year.

Top dressing

To be healthy varieties of cucumbers for growing on the windowsill and picking fruits became a real holiday, they need to be fed with high quality. To do this, 2 weeks after the emergence of seedlings, it is required to make and add the first mineral solution:

• add 2 tsp for 3 liters of water. mineral fertilizer for cucumbers or pumpkin crops, water at the rate of 1-2 cups per 1 plant during the growth period and 3-4 - during fruiting.
• to extend the life of the plant, it is recommended to water it once every 2-3 weeks with a solution of 1 cap of "Growth" for 2 liters of water.

A good help is adding fresh vermicompost every 3-4 weeks.

Vine formation

In order for the stem of the plant to grow strong and bear fruit well, the first pinching of the top is carried out when 4-5 leaves appear. This will "provoke" the side branches to grow. When they give their shoots, the pinching is carried out over the third or fifth leaf. The mustache must also be removed, making sure that decay does not appear in their place.

When the main vine begins to rise, it should be tied up, for which you can insert sticks 1 m in length directly into the container with the plant or stretch the fishing line along the window. The liana needs to be pinned over the 11th or 12th sheet. When fruiting begins, you need to make sure that the greens do not overripe. The more often the fruits are plucked, the higher the yield.

Sowing cucumbers in winter

The main distinguishing feature of any kind of cucumber for growing in winter on a windowsill is the need for additional lighting. It is better if special phytolamps are used for this. The rest of the care conditions are simple:

• moderate watering;
• high air humidity, for which it is better to use containers with water or spray the plants several times a day;
• timely formation of the bush;
• daily harvest during fruiting.

Cucumbers need feeding in winter no less than at other times of the year. The size of the harvest directly depends on this. If the plant is "malnourished", then it will tell it by slow growth and yellowed greens.

Sowing seeds can be carried out in any month, but at the same time take into account the temperature and illumination of the selected place. Since cucumbers can give a harvest in 4-5 weeks, their planting depends only on the preferences of the owner. For example, this can be done 5-6 weeks before the New Year holidays to delight guests with a fresh cucumber salad.

Sowing cucumbers in summer

If in winter it is important that there is additional lighting, then varieties of cucumbers for growing on a windowsill in summer do not need this. On the contrary, you can slightly shade the plants with a net if the south window is chosen. The main requirements for a good harvest during this period:

• frequent watering;
• regular spraying with water;
• timely harvest.

In general, growing cucumbers at any time of the year is not a burdensome task that brings joy to the harvest.

At the very beginning of spring, as soon as it becomes brighter outside the windows, tireless gardeners start growing on their windowsills. Agree, it's nice to grow a fresh fragrant cucumber, tomato or even pepper on a window or balcony. But more often than not, you can see powerful cucumber whips on our windows.

Cucumbers on the windowsill. Photo: "Gavrish"

What to consider when setting up a home garden

You need wooden boxes or plastic bags with soil. You can, of course, use both flower pots and plastic planting boxes. Main condition- the presence of drainage, holes for water drainage and a good soil mixture, harvested since autumn.

Approximate soil composition for indoor use the following:

• 60-70% peat
• 20-30% manure
• 6-10% sod soil
• 2-3% phosphorus fertilizers
• 1% fluff lime

This composition, of course, can be different or replaced with purchased soil for seedlings.

Cucumber "F1 Monsieur Olivier salad". Photo: "Gavrish"

Delicate smooth-fruited cucumbers are deservedly considered the best for salads and fresh slices. Many summer residents, especially the elderly, prefer just such hybrids for summer consumption. Fragrant, with a thin skin and small seed chambers, greens ripen in 40-43 days. In each knot, 2-4 cucumbers are stably tied.

Cucumber "F1 Moscow salad". Photo: "Gavrish"

Fruits are not as long as in the previous group of varieties - about 15-18 cm, cylindrical. smooth, glossy, dark green, weighing 130-160 g. They work well not only in open ground under film shelters, but also on the windowsill, on the balcony, in indoor culture.

3. Self-pollinated gherkins for universal use

"" - the best option for lovers of salted and pickled pickles and gherkins. Parthenocarpic hybrid, with a bouquet type of fruiting. Smooth cucumbers fit perfectly into the jar, they never taste bitter. Hybrid early maturing, female flowering type, in one bosom forms from 2 to 8 ovaries. Reliable, withstands adverse conditions.

The list of universal self-pollinated hybrids can be continued, but it is better to leave the choice with the gardeners themselves. Good luck!

Irina Vladimirovna Lipilina, candidate of agricultural sciences, agronomist,
group of companies "Gavrish"

If you have a great desire to grow cucumbers on your own, but you do not have your own summer cottage or even a small backyard area, do not despair. This is not yet a reason to give up your ventures. Modern breeders are well aware of this common problem and have come up with a variety of indoor cucumber varieties that yield excellent yields.

Even on the windowsill, you can cultivate this vegetable crop yourself. The main thing is to choose the right variety.

It should also be borne in mind that such plants are non-pollinated and self-pollinated.

The second option is simpler and easier to grow. Popular self-pollinated varieties of cucumbers for the windowsill are presented in several varieties.

These include hybrids:

1. Danila;
2. Cheetah;
3. Emelya;
4. Buyan.

The varieties Mashenka, Karapuz, Balalaika, Legend, Lada, Claudia, Ant, Korolek, Stella, Prestige, Klinsky, Tournament belong to the same category. An attractive feature that distinguishes self-pollinated cucumbers on the windowsill is that they do not need to be manually pollinated, which is often the case for gardeners at home. These hybrid forms are also quite unpretentious and are not afraid of a small amount of sunlight.

Among all the variety of such varieties, the April F1 cucumber on the windowsill has proven itself perfectly, which also belongs to the category of self-pollinated vegetable crops. This plant rightly belongs to the category of early maturing varieties. Also, a hybrid variety is considered a salad. However, its fruits are tasty not only fresh. They are great for pickling, pickling and preparing a variety of culinary delights.

Positive reviews about the April F1 cucumber on the windowsill exist for another reason. The fruits of this vegetable crop are medium lumpy, ribbed, cylindrical in shape. They are quite large. Their mass varies from 160 to 300 g. The length of zelents ranges from 15 to 25 cm. They have a thin and delicate skin, and the pulp is juicy, crispy, sweetish. There are no voids or even a hint of bitterness in it. At the same time, a hybrid variety that can be grown at home is very productive. You will need to harvest 2-3 times a week.

There are other self-pollinated ones that are popular for the windowsill, which even a novice gardener can successfully cultivate. These varieties include the varieties of the City Cucumber, Balagan, Hummingbird, Balkonny, Machaon and Calendar. All these options are balcony type. It is recommended to grow them in hanging pots. The volume of the baskets must be at least 5 liters.

Non-pollinated varieties of indoor cucumbers

No less popular and productive are non-pollinated indoor cucumbers, which, subject to certain rules of agricultural technology, will allow you to get tasty and juicy fruits.

The category of such vegetable crops includes:

• Pallas' cat;
• Relay race;
• Taiga;
• Kamchatka;
• Marathon;
• Olympics.

It should be noted right away that non-pollinated varieties should be understood as those that cannot pollinate on their own. To carry out such a procedure, the gardener will have to manually pluck the barren flowers that have just blossomed. This is the male flower, from which it is then recommended to cut the leaves. Then, with the stamen, you need to delicately and carefully touch the female varieties of flowers, which have also just opened.

By means of one barren flower, gardeners will be able to pollinate about a couple of female "individuals". Experienced gardeners recommend sowing pollination-oriented hybrids to get more male flowers to grow. These include the Hercules, Ermine and Gladiator versions.

Indoor cucumbers for growing in winter

Not only in the spring-summer season, you can get a bountiful harvest at home, it is worth mentioning the best varieties of cucumbers on the windowsill in winter, which are distinguished by their productivity and high yields. It's pretty easy to grow them. The agricultural technology of such vegetable crops is considered standard; it involves the systematic implementation of watering, loosening the soil, and applying top dressing.

So, what kind of cucumbers to plant on the windowsill, including in the winter? These varieties include the hybrid Ant variety. This vegetable crop does not require pollination, which attracts many gardeners. Even a novice gardener can handle the cultivation of cucumbers F1 Ant. As a result of simple manipulations, you can get compact fruits, the length of which does not exceed 11 cm. Fresh vegetables are very juicy, tasty, sweet and crunchy. Okroshka or salad with them will turn out to be very appetizing.

Universal varieties of cucumbers for window sills

What other cucumbers can be grown on the windowsill in winter and summer? A universal variety is the Miracle on the F1 window. It is a hybrid variety that belongs to the category of early maturing vegetable crops. From the moment of emergence of seedlings to harvest, it takes only 40 days. Another advantage of this homemade variety of cucumbers is their intense fruiting. Also greens of this variety attract with their rich taste and juiciness.

When naming varieties of cucumbers for growing on a windowsill, one cannot ignore the hybrid form of the Prestige variety. This indoor vegetable crop is distinguished by long-term fruiting. Having decided to plant such a variety at home, you can enjoy fresh and tasty cucumbers for a very long time. It is a parthenocarpic variety. It produces small fruits, the length of which usually does not exceed 12 cm.

With the onset of winter cold, you want not only warmth and sun, but also summer, fragrant vegetables and fruits. You can go to the store and buy them there. But everyone knows that the taste of the same cucumbers is completely different, and there is no need to talk about the benefits of such vegetables.

But there is one way out of this situation. You can try growing cucumbers on the windowsill at home in winter. This process is simple and exciting.

Features when growing

Anyone can plant and grow cucumbers at home. This requires only desire, no special preparation is required. But you need to consider some points:

If you follow these simple rules, you can get an excellent harvest of your winter cucumbers.

Suitable varieties

Many gardeners are thinking about what kind of cucumber can be grown on the windowsill in winter at home. There are many such varieties:

Here are some cucumbers that can be grown on a windowsill in winter. There are other good varieties of cucumber. But when choosing, you need to pay attention to the fact that this type of seed is self-pollinated.

Selection of soil and capacity

It is best to grow cucumbers at home in large boxes or pots. In any container, it is necessary to make holes through which excess water will come out during watering. And on the bottom of the container, you need to pour drainage about 3 centimeters.

12 October, 2016
Specialization: philological education. Work experience as a builder - 20 years. Of these, the last 15 years led the brigade as a foreman. I know everything about construction - from design and zero cycle to interior design. Hobbies: Vocals, psychology, quailing.

Greetings, my dear readers!

In urban settings, we eat only those vegetables that we buy in the market and in the store. However, those who have a persistent desire to treat themselves and their homemade fresh products "just from the garden", and in the megalopolis, will find the opportunity to grow cucumbers on the window with their own hands.

They can also be dropped off on the loggia / balcony. At the same time, materially, you will receive a good harvest of vegetables, and spiritually - the joy of interacting with living plants.

Term number 1: optimal conditions for the success of the enterprise

For your attempt at gardening to be successful, you must take into account those special conditions that develop on the balcony.

Location of the "vegetable garden"

Not any loggia or balcony is suitable for growing cucumbers.

1. The most important condition for this agriculture to develop, grow and bear fruit without problems is a constant temperature regime. During the day - over +18 degrees, at night - more than +15 degrees.
2. Cucumbers cannot stand drafts. With a high degree of probability, you will not harvest a more or less decent crop on a balcony that is not protected from the wind.
3. This southern culture is very fond of light. Even by equipping an additional one, you are unlikely to achieve acceptable fruiting, in the case when the loggia (balcony) is located on the north or west side of the building.

Based on the foregoing, cucumbers should be grown with their own hands on a necessarily glazed balcony. In addition, it should be well lit by the rays of the sun and located on the south, southeast or east side of the house.

If you can make the most of the sunlight and heat on the loggia, you can safely start choosing seeds.

What varieties are suitable

Loggia and balcony are very limited.

1. Based on this, hybrid cucumbers with a compact habit: short internodes and small leaves are optimal for growing on them.
2. The branching of plants does not matter: it can be strong or weak.
3. It is best to choose non-bush, that is, tall varieties of vegetables.
4. With low soil and air humidity, as well as insufficient illumination, shade-tolerant and drought-resistant cucumbers, having a powerful root system, grow better than others.

There are now many varieties of seeds on the market that are specifically designed for balcony germination.

When choosing seeds, carefully read their label. It should be written there that the variety is hybrid, shade-tolerant, has small fruits, does not need pollination and can be grown in a balcony.

So, at the moment, agricultural breeders have bred a group of special varieties of cucumbers, they bear the general name "Balkonny". It includes the following hybrids:

• F-1 "City Gherkin";
• F-1 "Balcony";
• F-1 Berendey;
• F-1 Machaon;
• F-1 Calendar;
• F-1 "Balagan";
• F-1 "Courage";
• F-1 "Hummingbird", etc.

In addition to these analogues, there are other varieties of cucumbers for the balcony, well adapted to closed ground, not capricious and stable. For indoor planting, it is best to choose parthenocarpic hybrids (which do not require pollination), For example: "Barnaulets", "Balkonnoe miracle", "Dragonfly", "Matrix", "Parus", "Dubrovsky".

Analogs "Zozulya", "Cucaracha" and "April" can bear fruit without pollination by bees. However, nothing terrible will happen if insects take part in their fertilization.

1. If you prefer pollinated window and balcony varieties of cucumbers, choose the Ladoga, Olympiada, Fregat, and Gribovsky hybrids. Please note that you will have to attend to artificial pollination when they bloom.
2. For male flowers, plant the Ermine or Hercules varieties. They have combined colors. Due to this, they can be used as pollinators and independent hybrids.
3. For fertilization, the instruction prescribes to cut off the male color (with stamens) and attach it to the female counterpart (with a pestle). In this case, the pollen from the stamens will fall into the pistil. If you do not, then the female color will not form an ovary, but will simply disappear.

I would like to separately mention for you the mysterious labeling of the "F-1" varieties. It means that these are the seeds of hybrid cucumbers. To grow such a crop, agricultural technicians cross 2 different varieties of vegetables.

The seeds collected in the end are hybrids in the first generation. This is what the “F-1” marking (letter “F” is an abbreviation for the Italian word “filli”, that is, “children”, and the number “1” means the first generation).

I want to warn you right away that the main disadvantage of such hybrid cucumbers is the fact that it is useless to collect seeds from them. They are not viable and simply will not germinate.

What to grow

Planting of cucumber seeds is carried out from the second half of April to the beginning of May. If you do this earlier, then the buds will appear prematurely - before the cucumbers can be placed on the balcony. There will be a risk of the ovaries falling off. In addition, due to insufficient light, the lianas will grow too actively.

For growing cucumbers, you can use a variety of containers: plastic containers for flowers, pots, flowerpots and even double bags made of polyethylene (tucking the edges at the bottom). The best option if the containers will have a double bottom. In the upper of them there will be drainage holes for the drain of excess water, and the lower one will play the role of a sump.

I warn you that cucumbers love water, therefore, they should be watered in abundance. In the course of the growth of the lashes, their roots will reach through the holes in the upper bottom into the lower bottom. From there, on hot days, they will actively "drink" water.

At the same time, the soil will not be waterlogged. This is important because the roots of cucumbers do not tolerate excess soil water, it interferes with their breathing.

Soil composition

Fill seed containers with soil before planting. Do this without reaching about 5 cm to their top. During the growing season, the soil will settle, and you will add it to the desired level.

The volume of soil per plant should be at least 5 liters. Otherwise, it will dry out during fruiting.

1. Any well-structured and loose soil is suitable for cucumbers, but not dense clay or podzolic-soddy soil. Compost, lowland or high-moor peat, as well as various soil-peat mixtures are also suitable.
2. The acidity of the substrate should be 6.6-6.8 pH (from its aqueous extract). This indicator can be found using the acidity determinant (pH meter). You can buy it at a hardware store.
3. In the case when the soil is acidic, it should be limed. To do this, add dolomite flour, lime or finely ground chalk to it. The norms for the consumption of dolomite powder per 10 liters of peat: if it is low-lying, then 10 grams, transitional - 15-20, high-moor - 20-30.
4. Soil substrates, which contain only a fraction of peat or it is absent altogether, have different levels of acidity.

• When the acidity of the aqueous extract is 6.2-6.5 pH per 10 liters of soil, 5-10 grams of dolomite powder must be added. The rate of adding lime and chalk is 3-7 grams.

The best option for a novice balcony gardener is to use a ready-made soil substrate. Such soil is sold in stores already filled with fertilizers and limed. The price of such a substrate is low. Moisture-retaining additives (eg agro-technical gel) can be added to it.

Term number 2: cultivation techniques

When growing cucumbers at home, carefully follow all agrotechnical requirements. There should be no trifles here.

Seed preparation

1. If the seeds you purchased have a colored shell, then they can not be treated against harmful microorganisms.
2. Otherwise, they should be disinfected in order to prevent various diseases. Dip the seeds for 15-20 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate (1 g of potassium permanganate per 100 ml of water). Then rinse them with running water.

The photo shows germinated seeds.

1. Then you can start germinating the seeds. Wrap them in cheesecloth and keep it slightly damp. After two days, the seeds will hatch.

I want to warn you about one of my curious agrotechnical experiments: germinated seeds were placed in 5 seedling cups, and not germinated in 5 other containers. The result of the experiment was that in the cups with non-sprouted seeds, the sprouts hatch a day later than with sprouted seeds.

And one more important circumstance that I realized: do not neglect sprouting when preparing cucumber seeds. You can run into a dissimilar "embryo" (for example, an F-1 hybrid) and then you will be wasting your time. I did just that - out of five seeds, two were not viable.

How to grow seedlings

Prepared seeds can be planted in a flower container. Make holes along its middle line (2 cm deep and 40 cm increments). For insurance, you can plant two seeds in each hole.

Cover the sowing with plastic wrap and put it in a well-lit place. The best option is if it is a warm windowsill.

The best volume of seedling containers is 200-300 milliliters. If it is larger, the clod of soil will crumble when the cucumbers are transplanted to a permanent place. In other words, the roots will not be able to braid the soil tightly. With smaller dimensions, the soil will dry out quickly.

1. Therefore, it is convenient to plant seeds for seedlings in disposable cups. Growing in plastic bottles with cut necks is also popular.
2. As I already wrote, the soil substrate can be bought at the store or prepared on your own. For example, mixing wood dust, peat, humus and earth in equal proportions.
3. Fill the soil with fertilizer: add a glass of ash (200 g) to its bucket (10 l), two teaspoons of nitrophosphate and a teaspoon of urea.
4. Before planting seeds, disinfect the containers: rinse with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or hold over steam.
5. Punch holes in the bottoms of the cups so that the water does not stagnate in them. Then fill them with substrate and plant seeds in each container to a depth of 1.5-2 cm.

The optimum temperature regime for germinating cucumber seeds is + 24 / + 26˚.

1. When the weather is stable and warm in spring, on open balconies / loggias, you can apply both the seedless method (direct sowing of germinated or dry seeds into permanent containers) and seedling.
2. If the weather is cold and unstable, seedlings should be planted.
3. In the middle zone of the Russian Federation, cucumber seedlings are planted on open loggias / balconies from about May 10, if they are glazed, from the end of April. Planting should be completed before the second decade of June.
4. The best home seedlings are those with two or three true leaves and a not yet elongated hypocotyl (the area of ​​the stem from the ground level to the cotyledons). Older plants will take less root.

When sprouts hatch in the containers, they should be provided with sufficient lighting. From their appearance to the formation of two or three true leaves in ordinary varieties of cucumbers, it takes from 10 to 20 days.

Growing seedlings of the varietal group of hybrids "Balkonny" has its own characteristics.

1. In ordinary cucumbers, the seedlings begin to outgrow and lay on their side in the phase of 5-6 true leaves (then the first tendril is formed).
2. Balcony hybrids have small leaves and a sturdy stem. Thanks to this, "adolescents" stand upright and at the age of 6-8 true leaves.

• Therefore, you can plant in a permanent place and more mature cucumbers of the varietal group "Balkonny" without deteriorating their survival rate. So you will contribute to a stronger run of seedlings in development and speed up the onset of fruiting.
• So, keep in mind - if there is a prolonged cool weather, then the age of the hybrid seedlings can be safely brought to 6 real leaves (this is 25-30 days).

About temperature

1. When germinating seeds, the ambient temperature should be + 24-26 degrees.
2. When sprouts appear, maintain the air temperature: + 20-24 degrees during the day, 18-19 at night, and the soil temperature + 20-24. A hotter ambient temperature will lead to excessive stretching of the seedlings.
3. After 4-5 days, you can increase the air temperature during the day in sunny weather up to + 24-26 degrees, if it is cloudy - up to + 20-24 degrees. Bring it to + 19-21 degrees at night.
4. The temperature of the seedling soil should not be less than + 18-20 degrees. Otherwise, the cucumbers will grow slowly and be weak. Another reason why seedlings do not grow is that the leaves of neighboring shoots should not shade each other.

It is quite difficult to regulate the temperature regime on the balcony. As a result, it will be easier for you to move the shoots from it to the room and vice versa. This will help you get the temperature you want. For example, choosing the most illuminated area during the day.

We feed and water the sprouts

In addition to the main fertilization of the seedling substrate, the sprouts should be fed. This is done 2 times.

1. The first feeding is done a couple of weeks after the sprouts appear (the phase of two true leaves).
2. The second is carried out after another seven days (the age of three true sheets).

About how to feed the seedlings of cucumbers on the window.

1. For this you can take any complex mineral fertilizer dissolved in water (concentration 2-3 g per 1 liter of water).
2. A nutrient mixture can be prepared by stirring about a tablespoon of urea in 6 liters of water.
3. They feed the seedlings under the roots with it until the seedling container is completely moistened (about one glass of the nutrient solution).

Cucumbers love water very much. Watering their sprouts should be every day. In this case, the water must be settled and have room temperature. When the seedlings are additionally illuminated, they should be watered 2 times a day.

Term number 3: transfer to a permanent place

The signal for transplanting sprouts to a permanent place is the formation of 3-6 (depending on the variety) true leaves.

1. Containers for growing vegetables should have a volume of 5-8 liters. You can use 5-liter cropped plastic water jugs, flower containers and crates, ceramic pots and vases, or plastic bags. The containers should be equipped with holes for moisture drainage.
2. Pour drainage from small expanded clay, brick chips or crushed stone on the bottoms of the container.
3. Fill the containers with the same potting soil you used for the seedlings. Do it not to the top. Leave 4-5 cm from the top of the container free. When the roots become bare during the growth of cucumbers, you can fill up the soil.
4. Immediately before planting seedlings, disinfect the substrate by watering it with a solution of potassium permanganate.
5. Remove the seedlings from the cups together with the soil clod and plant them in "adult" pots.

Plant care

Now how to care for growing cucumbers. This task mainly consists in watering them in a timely manner. Your wards should not experience a lack of water.

1. It is not only the soil that should be moistened, but the air as well.
2. To this end, place a container with water (bucket, basin) on the loggia / balcony and top up it regularly.
3. In the evening, give the plants a “shower” - spray them with water from a spray bottle.
4. In addition, add moisture to the lower pan. It will be drunk from there by the roots that have sprouted through the drainage holes.
5. With high humidity, you can water cucumbers two to three times a week. In dry climates, daily.
6. Water must be used at room temperature and previously settled.

In case of excessively hot weather outside (more than + 30˚), protect the cucumber leaves from direct sunlight, otherwise they will burn.

At nights in August it is already cool for southern plants. Wrap containers with burlap in the evening. This will help relieve hypothermia from the roots.

And finally - in the process of growing cucumber vines, change the points of their tying.

Tying whips

Before growing cucumbers, keep in mind that they are, in fact, a vine. Based on this, her lashes should be tied up:

1. Each liana, in the process of its growth, is twisted around a vertically stretched twine, fixed on top to a stationary support (trellis). It is usually a rigid, horizontally stretched wire.
2. Stationary supports are stretched along the wall or along the sides of the loggia / balcony. In small rooms, the trellis wire is placed at the level of the arm raised up - this is 2.1-2.2 meters.

When containers with growing cucumbers are placed not on the balcony floor, but on supports (for example, on pedestals), the distance from the soil level to the trellis is reduced. This will negatively affect your harvest as the number of stem nodes will be less.

1. Proceeding from this, when the lianas lianas in the process of growth "crawl" very close to the support wire, carry out the reception of agricultural technicians "lowering the twine". Untie all the strings from the trellis, lower them from the pedestals to the floor of the room, lengthen the twines and again tie them to the supporting wire.

1. You may have difficulties with the arrangement of stationary balcony trellises. Then you can use a different growing technique, providing mobile supports for cucumber vines. Then fix a vertically located rigid support in each container. The vines of cucumbers will curl along it.
2. The third method of growing cucumber lashes on a loggia / balcony is to use pots. That is, in baskets or pots suspended from the ceiling.

Pinching vines

Most of the hybrid cucumbers of the varietal type "Balkonny" have abundant branching and do not grow much in length. Therefore, they are ampelous plants. That is, you can not pinch them or pinch only the growing tips of the shoots. Fruit set with this method remains high.

1. But when the lashes are excessively hitting in growth, at the age of 10-12 leaves they should be pinched.
2. Form, if possible, the vines of the cucumbers into one whip (stem). To this end, regularly break off the antennae on them.
3. When to pinch. The main lash should be shortened when it reaches the full height that the balcony conditions allow. For example, it will reach the trellis.
4. The shoots on the sides must be cut off so that the excess volume of green mass does not take away the vitality from the vine. They will be needed for the formation and ripening of fruits.
5. Tear off other shoots or cut off above the ovary. Leave one sheet at the same time.

Top dressing of adult plants

Growing cucumbers in a window requires regular feeding. This is especially necessary for plants when they begin to bear fruit. Feed the cucumbers with mineral fertilizers every 7-10 days.

1. Start feeding the cucumbers after 2 weeks, as the sprouts appear. For them, use the following nutrient solution: for 10 liters of pure water, 15 g of potassium, 5 g of ammonium nitrate, 3 g of superphosphate and 5 g of magnesium. Water the plants with fertilizer so that it does not fall on the leaves.
2. For adult plants, use a different fertilizer: take an aqueous solution of mullein (proportion 1:10) and stir 15 g of potassium sulfate and 20 g of superphosphate in it.
3. Cucumbers also love natural nutrition: infusion of tea or egg shells, wood ash.

About pests and their destruction

Not only we love fresh cucumbers. Prepare to be attacked by various insect pests. Having identified the enemy, start fighting with him. In this case, it is better not to use chemicals.

Here are the most common cucumber lovers and how to deal with them.

1. Aphid. To get rid of it, tobacco broth will help. Gut 20 cigarettes and fill them with one liter of water, put on fire. Bring the product to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Then add another 1 liter of water to the composition. When it cools down, fill it with a spray bottle and spray it over the cucumber leaves.
2. Whitefly. It can be destroyed by the same tobacco broth, however, stronger (30 cigarettes per 1 liter of water). You can collect the pest from leaves and a vacuum cleaner operating at low power.
3. Spider mite. Garlic tincture will help to destroy it. Chop a head of garlic in 1 liter of water. Insist the mixture for 1.5-2 hours. Then strain the tincture and dissolve 15 g of laundry soap in it. Next, fill the composition into a spray bottle and spray the affected plants with it.

What to do in winter

Growing cucumbers in the winter on the loggia / balcony is also possible. However, keep in mind some points here.

Heating dries up the air, which is harmful to plants. Based on this, you will have to additionally humidify the air in winter.

1. Place trays filled with gravel under the vines and moisten it periodically.
2. Use a humidifier.
3. Place wet gauze on the radiator and moisten it regularly.

In the winter season, cucumbers can only be grown on the loggia / balcony if they are glazed, heated and well insulated. A water heating radiator or an installed electric heater will help to ensure a constant temperature of + 24-26˚ there. Do not forget to insulate the balcony windows for the winter, and tighten the vents with plastic.

Indoors, cucumbers often lack natural light, especially during the winter months. This can be seen from the fact that their leaves turn yellow.

1. Therefore, when the seedlings hatch, so that they do not weaken, it should be additionally illuminated from 8 am to 4 pm.
2. The best solution is to use special phyto-lamps for this. However, ordinary luminescent counterparts can also be used.
3. Hang the lamps over the seedlings at a distance of about 15 cm. Having transplanted the sprouts to a permanent place, move the lamps as they grow, keeping the sounded distance.
4. Starting from March, 4 hours of additional illumination will be enough for cucumbers.

About the cycle of cucumbers in nature

The fruiting period for balcony hybrids lasts about 3 months. When it's over, cut the lianas and dig up the roots of the plants.

Shake the remaining soil out of the containers into plastic bags. You can apply this soil next year as a base, supplementing it with the same volume of new substrate.

Do not throw away the cucumber containers, twine and trellis. All this will come in handy in the coming season.

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