Harvesting cucumbers is possible in several ways of growing, which mainly depend on climatic conditions and the availability of cultivation area. Do not be upset if there is no plot of land or the region of residence is too cold. Try to grow cucumbers in buckets. We will talk about how to do this in the article below.
What varieties of cucumbers are suitable for growing in buckets?
When choosing a variety of cucumbers for growing them in a confined space, choose those whose root system does not branch much during growth, takes up little space. Otherwise, the plants will not have enough nutrients due to inhibition and stopping root growth. Therefore, pay attention to bush and short-stem varieties of cucumbers ("Bush Gift", "Mikrosh", "Bush").
It is advisable to plant parthenocarpic or self-pollinated cucumbers in buckets ("Actor", "Hermes F1", "Abbot"). This gives them the opportunity to not depend on pollinating insects and weather conditions. The formation of ovaries in the parthenocarpic species takes place without pollination, and self-pollinated varieties do not need help with this process.
For cultivation in this way, select seeds of varieties and hybrids sold in factory packaging. This ensures that the seed material is valid for the given variety species and has undergone preplant planting.
When planting your seeds, pay attention to the fact that those that are stored for at least 2 years will be most productive.
Advantages and disadvantages
Obtaining a crop of cucumbers, growing them in buckets, has its positive and negative sides. The advantages of the method include:
- the possibility of cultivation in the apartment in the absence of a plot of land;
- independence of location and the ability to transfer containers with cucumbers;
- individual care for each plant of culture;
- independence from predecessors, lack of significance of crop rotation;
- early bearing;
- environmentally friendly cucumbers due to minimizing the need for chemicals;
- Convenience in agricultural technology and harvesting.
The disadvantages of this method can only be attributed to the fact that the number of roots of cucumbers when grown in buckets cannot be large. This means that the crop will not be able to fully satisfy the needs for eating fresh vegetables and preserving them. With a large number of plants, this method becomes labor-intensive and disadvantageous.
Growing Features
To use the method of cultivating cucumbers in buckets, you should know about its features in order to be able to avoid mistakes, or to correct them at an early stage.
Bucket selection and preparation
For this method of cultivation, any containers whose volume is more than 5 liters are suitable. Give preference to containers of derene. The plastic buckets must be improved before planting: make several drainage holes in the sides and bottom. Options for landing tanks can be:
- old buckets;
- cropped cans;
- plastic containers;
- barrels;
- large cellophane bags;
- old car tires, etc.
For planting cucumbers, give preference to buckets with a diameter wide enough so as not to accidentally damage the plant during agricultural activities. Be sure to identify the drainage layer of expanded clay or river stones at the bottom of the tank.
Soil preparation
Buy the planting mixture for cucumbers in the store, or cook it yourself. The ideal option for this vegetable crop is the soil obtained by mixing in equal proportions of the following components:
- sand;
- humus;
- manure;
- turf.
Remember that self-prepared soil needs to be disinfected. To do this, send it to the oven for 20 minutes at a temperature of 200 ° C. Such measures are necessary to prevent fungal infections of cucumbers, the source of which can be any of the ingredients of the soil mixture.
To saturate the purchased planting land with trace elements and nutrients, apply any complex fertilizer. Dilute 10 g of top dressing in 10 l of water and pour soil at the rate of 1 l of food for each 10-liter capacity.
Sowing cucumbers
Having decided on the capacity, having prepared the soil and buying the seeds of cucumbers, you can start planting. If planting material is from personal stocks, it is recommended to carry out its pre-sowing treatment and disinfection.
Prepare a weak pink solution of potassium permanganate and lower the seeds into it, wrapping them in a layer of gauze, for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse them with clean running water.
The action of manganese will destroy fungal spores, if any, which will prevent the emergence of diseases during the growing season of cucumbers.
Before direct planting, calibration and seed germination is recommended. Select the largest specimens, place them in a saucer on a cotton fabric or gauze. Top with warm water so that it covers the seeds. Cover with a layer of matter, and make sure that it does not dry out. Leave until sprouts appear. After carefully rinse and dry a little, so that it is convenient to use when planting.
Stick to the following landing algorithm:
- In each bucket exposed from the east or south side, plant 3-5 seeds of cucumbers, deepening them 3 cm into the ground.
- If all come up, they can be seated with a pick.
- After sowing, moderate watering.
- To maintain the moisture level in the ground, you can install a plastic bottle filled with water in a bucket by making small holes in it.
After emergence, establish supports for vines. It can be arcs of wire or taut ropes, fixed on a central support. The choice of the supporting structure completely depends on the capabilities and imagination of the gardener.
Caring for cucumbers in buckets
Agricultural technology and the care of cucumbers cultivated in buckets is somewhat different from other methods of cultivation. For example, bushes do not need to be formed using the method of pinching, because with the right choice of seeds, the lashes do not grow long. Weeding is excluded, because weed seeds are destroyed with proper soil preparation. All this facilitates the care of the vegetable crop as it grows and the fruit ripens.
Caring for cucumbers in buckets consists in ensuring the following conditions:
- A sufficient amount of light to the culture will ensure the location of the buckets on the sunny side. If necessary, use lamps, especially at the seedling growth stage.
- Do not allow the soil to dry in containers. Watering in limited containers requires more frequent, because moisture evaporates and is consumed faster than under normal growing conditions. Water for irrigation should be warm.
- Sprinkle. Cucumbers really like this procedure and respond positively to it.
- Loosening the earth will increase aeration, preventing fungal diseases and saturating plants with oxygen. Pour additional soil around the stem, if necessary, or spud it with available soil so that the roots are not exposed.
- When forming the ovaries, feed the cucumbers with an ash infusion. To prepare it, dissolve 100 g of wood ash for every liter of water. Leave the composition for a day, and then spend root dressing of the culture.
Cucumber Harvest
The collection of cucumbers is carried out as necessary. The frequency of removal of ripe fruits depends on what size cucumbers are needed and on the yield of the variety. Harvested early in the morning or evening after sunset.
When harvesting, be careful, because leaving the fruit on the lashes leads to overriding and yellowing of the cucumbers, which reduces the amount of formation of new ovaries.
Check for greens daily, and collect at least once every 2-3 days. At the same time, try not to twist the vines so as not to injure them. Remove deformed fruits immediately, so that the crop does not waste power and nutrition on the useless growth of such a crop. Remove the cucumbers, leaving the stalk on the plant.
Reviews gardeners
Natalia, 47 years old, housewife, Adygea.I live in the south, but in an apartment. The first time I tried to grow cucumbers in this way last year. But out of ignorance, she made a number of mistakes: the containers were insufficient in volume, and the variety was selected incorrectly. As a result, the crop is small, but there are a lot of hassle. I did not refuse the method. This year I’m doing everything according to the rules!
Egor, 34 years old, builder, Omsk.For the first time, cucumbers were planted in buckets for an experiment with children. Hybrid "Cellar" was grown on the insulated balcony. We were pleasantly surprised by the effectiveness of this method. Children now take part in planting every year and wait for the harvest.
Julia, 41 years old, manager, Moscow Region.I'm generally a fan of flowers and vegetation. It so happened that we have no free beds on the site. Planting cucumbers in buckets came to the rescue. Cucumbers have time to ripen, giving a decent harvest for the season. A great alternative to purchased fruits, which brings pleasure during growing and satisfaction after harvesting.
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Cultivation of cucumbers in buckets does not differ in the complexity of the work, on the contrary it gives an advantage where it is impossible to harvest in another way. The main thing is to take into account the needs of the culture, to properly prepare and organize the cultivation process itself. Cucumbers obtained "in a bucket" delight with their taste characteristics and aroma.