Bottled cucumbers - convenient and profitable
All gardeners have heard how to plant and grow cucumbers. However, there are always those who approach the process creatively. The reasons are different: I want fresh vegetables, but there is no summer cottage, or the climate is not very favorable for growing, etc. So a new method appeared - planting cucumbers in plastic bottles, which turned out to be convenient and effective for many vegetable growers.
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Method advantages
Plastic bottles have already been adapted for different needs. The method of growing seedlings in them is widespread. Such containers are convenient, lightweight and practically free.
Planting cucumbers in plastic bottles allows you to grow a vegetable on the balcony in an apartment. Successful experiments on the cultivation of vegetables on the balcony are already known, but previously boxes or buckets were used for them. Such a container does not look very presentable and requires a lot of space for placement. And the plastic one is more compact, perfectly transmits the sun's rays, the plants in it feel very comfortable.
The seedlings produced in bottles can be planted both in the country in the open ground and in the greenhouse. Moreover, the plants are placed there along with the bottle.
If you have an open ground, you get a mini-plate that will promote faster growth of cucumbers, which will allow them to ripen even during a not too long summer. Or, in the case of early varieties, enjoy the crispy vegetable in June.
The plastic rim of the bottle will help:
- protect the plant from the bear, in the fight against which summer residents often lose;
- save water when watering. In this case, water flows directly to the roots without spreading over the surface;
- rid the seedlings of weeds, they will not interfere with the normal growth of cucumbers and the development of their root system, and also will not "take away" minerals useful for development from the vegetable.
In the case of greenhouse planting, you change the planting soil annually, excluding the formation of pathogens in it, so the plants will be healthy and strong, which is the basis for an excellent harvest.
Preparing the landing site
You can develop your own recipe for preparing soil for planting, based on personal experience. Its main condition is porosity and looseness, so that it has good air permeability. If you are a novice gardener, you can use ready-made soil that is sold in the store and is designed for growing seedlings or vegetables.
The most common recipe for self-preparation consists of 4 components taken in equal parts:
- ordinary soil that can be dug up in the garden;
- rotted foliage from any tree other than oak and willow;
- peat;
- drainage mixture. You can adapt sunflower husks, egg shells or sphagnum moss for it.
Birch ash will not interfere in the soil. Be sure to fill it, if there is such an opportunity, then a rich harvest is guaranteed to you.
Bottle use options
The next step is to deal with the preparation of plastic containers. Bottles are suitable for this with a capacity of 5 or 2 liters. Plants in five liter will feel more comfortable. In such a bottle, you can plant several seeds or seedlings, while in a 2-liter bottle no more than one.
Bottles are prepared simply - just cut off the top (1/3).You will have a plastic pot and a lid for it. In the bottom, you need to organize holes to ensure the outflow of excess moisture if you accidentally overdo it with watering. Fill the resulting containers with prepared soil, shake a little. Make sure that the soil border is below the cut edge by a few centimeters. Now you can plant germinated seeds or previously prepared seedlings, several pieces in each bottle. When planting in five-liter containers, the maximum number of plants is 5 pieces.
The resulting pots of cucumbers can be placed on the balcony in a place prepared for this or transported to a summer cottage for digging into the soil. The container is buried in the ground for about 2/3, it is worth covering the top with the lids remaining from the pruning in order to create greenhouse conditions for seedlings for growth and to protect them from low temperatures at night. When the cucumbers are strong, the cover is removed.
For planting in the ground, it is recommended to make more holes in the bottle or remove the bottom altogether, leaving only the side rim.
Plastic bottles are also good for seedling production. To do this, the container is not cut across, but along, removing one wall of the bottle. Fill the container with soil and sow germinated seeds. By the way, this method of breeding seedlings is effective for any crops. In such plastic plantations, it is convenient to grow greenery on the balcony - it will always be at hand and fresh.
The original bottle can be used by cutting it in half. For this, it is better to take a 2-liter one. Soil is poured into the "funnel" - a part of a bottle with a lid - and germinated seeds are placed there, and water is poured into the "glass" and a funnel is placed there. The level of the poured water should reach the neck; the plug, of course, is removed. You get an individual autowatering system for each pot you make yourself. It is convenient, beautiful and compact.
Cucumber care
Cucumbers are delicate plants, they love warmth, but they do not tolerate direct sunlight well, therefore, if a vegetable is grown on the balcony, then it is worth providing it with a comfortable place to grow.
Caring for cucumbers planted in a bottle is almost identical to the usual one.
Water the plants only with water heated to room temperature. 2 weeks after the emergence of seedlings, the plants begin to feed using a weak fertilizer solution. It is recommended to start with 15 g of potassium and 5 g of ammonium nitrate, 30 g of superphosphate, 5 magnesium sulfate, diluted in a bucket of water. Water the seedlings carefully, being careful not to hurt the leaves. After 10 days, you can feed with manure, which is diluted with water in proportions of 1:20.
When grown in a greenhouse or on a balcony, you need to take care of the formation of cucumber lashes. The operation is performed when the real 3rd sheet appears. It is carefully cut, being careful not to damage the stem. A lateral lash will begin to develop from the axillary bud of the second leaf in 5 days. The second pinching is done later over the 5th or 6th sheet, the third - after another 2 new sheets.
Try to keep the plants out of the draft to avoid powdery mildew.
Watch the color of the leaves. If yellow spots begin to appear on them, this may be an indicator of a spider mite disease. Treat the plant immediately, otherwise the leaves will dry out. For this purpose, you can use cooked infusions of garlic (5 chopped slices, pour boiling water and insist for about 6 hours) or onion peels (a 0.5 liter jar with peels is poured with hot water, insisted and diluted 1: 2). The infusions are filtered and sprayed with them on the underside of the cucumber leaves, where the pest is located.
Timely activities and vegetable care will guarantee you an excellent harvest.
Video "Vegetables on the balcony, or growing cucumbers in a bottle"
The video shows the technology of planting cucumber seeds in a plastic bottle and gives advice on planting care.