We grow cucumbers at home: agricultural technology, varieties

Man has long been tied to the earth. Even those who do not have a vegetable garden, without knowing it, associate themselves with the land. Look at the windowsills of modern apartments: for some it is a pleasure to plant violets, others like decorative palms, and still others combine business with pleasure and prefer growing cucumbers at home. There are many advantages to this preference, but the most important thing is the benefits that this plant brings. Without leaving home, you can make a salad, and most importantly - the confidence that the vegetable is not stuffed with chemicals.

How to decorate your windowsill with useful plants, and what kind of care to provide them in order to be able to harvest cucumbers is what we will consider in this article.

Varieties for growing in the house

Before proceeding with any steps for planting a vegetable, you need to choose a suitable variety. There are many varieties of cucumbers, each type is designed for certain growing conditions. This culture can be planted in open ground (vegetable garden, summer cottage, flowerbed under the window), can grow in a greenhouse, or maybe at home.

What varieties and hybrids are suitable for growing cucumbers at home?

First of all, it should be noted that the most suitable varieties for growing in an apartment are parthenocarpic (self-pollinating). Cucumber fruits can be of different sizes, and this also depends on the species.

Consider those who have acquired the universal love and trust of "home gardeners".

1. "Komnatny Rytova" is the most popular variety for indoor conditions. Its advantage is its ability to withstand lack of light, dry air and resist disease. The main condition for successfully growing this variety is to correctly form the crown, and then in winter a salad of fresh cucumbers will not become a delicacy.
2. "Regatta". This variety can be grown on a windowsill, on a closed balcony, verandas. Indoors, it gives a good harvest (30-40 fruits per bush) of high palatability. Disease resistant. Its main advantage is that it belongs to the category of early maturing.
3. "Photon" is another variety of cucumbers for home cultivation. Begins fruiting already 50 days after planting, therefore it belongs to the early maturing. With proper care, it will delight 40-45 fruits from one bush. Resistant to some diseases.
4. "Window-balcony F1". The name speaks for itself. Designed for growing in an apartment. Of the characteristics: self-pollinated, mid-season, suitable for fresh consumption.
5. Voyage F1 is one of the fastest ripening indoor hybrids, which begins to bear fruit 40 days after planting. Sufficiently resistant to the most common diseases, able to withstand adverse conditions.
6. "Toddler F1" is a godsend for lovers of gherkins. Shade tolerates well. Its main advantage is the duration of fruiting, which continues in winter. The fruits are very tasty, constantly growing.
7. "Well done F1" is a super early ripening hybrid that bears fruit already on the 35th day. Resistant to temperature extremes, adverse conditions. The fruit tastes great. This variety is also considered one of the best home-grown cucumbers.

Growing recommendations

Many inexperienced amateur gardeners have an interest in how to grow cucumbers at home.In fact, it is no more difficult than planting a flower, the main thing is to provide the plant with the necessary conditions for development, growth and fruiting. Of course, there are some guidelines:

• the first and most important condition for growing any cucumber is that there should be no drafts;
• if the vegetable grows on the balcony, then the latter must be insulated;
• it is necessary to limit the access of various insects to the plant by glazing the balcony or upholstering it with film;
• provide a sufficient amount of light, if there is a lack of natural light, lamps should be installed;
• avoid direct sunlight;
• if the cultivation of the culture takes place in the room, then it is recommended to close the vents with mosquito nets;
• the best place for cucumbers at home is a windowsill on the south, east or southeast side;
• the volume of the container for one bush should be at least 8-10 liters.

Technology

When starting to grow cucumbers in an apartment, the question always arises, where to start. First of all, after choosing a place and variety, you need to decide on the timing of planting. If there is confidence that the plant will be provided with the required amount of light, then sowing can be done at any time. If there is no additional illumination, then - at the end of February.

It is best to plant 2 times a year: late July - early August in summer and late January - early February in winter (in this case, the crop can be harvested by March 8 on a festive table). When the timing is determined, it is necessary to prepare the ground.

The soil

There are several different opinions on this issue. Some argue that it is better to choose a ready-made one from the store. Others argue that it is enough to mix garden soil with rotted manure or humus. Still others are advised to make a substrate from vermicompost and coconut fiber in a 1: 2 ratio.

We will share a "recipe" for a proven soil on which you can grow a good harvest. It is known that growth, development and fruiting depend largely on the quality and composition of the land.

For the soil you need:

• land (garden, garden, forest - any) - 1 bucket;
• fine sand - a third of a bucket;
• small sawdust - half a bucket;
• dry leaves (with the exception of needles) - half a bucket;
• peat mixture - half a bucket;
• wood ash - 2 glasses;
• chalk - 2 glasses;
• crushed bird droppings - 1 glass.

Mix all the ingredients.

The next step is to prepare the container. Whatever you choose: a flower pot, a bucket, a plastic bottle - holes must be made at the bottom. Broken red brick is laid out at the bottom of the container to a level of about 5 cm, then covered with prepared soil and watering is carried out.

Thus, the "bed" for growing cucumbers in the room is ready. You can proceed to preparing the seeds.

Seeds

The quality of the seed preparation affects the yield. Regardless of the variety of cucumbers that has been chosen, it is imperative to perform the following procedure:

• for 20 minutes, soak the seeds in a solution of potassium permanganate (0.5 g of potassium permanganate per 250 ml of water) - this is how disinfection occurs;
• to increase the ovaries, the seeds are placed for 2 hours in a solution of boric acid (1 g per 250 ml of water);
• for 3 hours, the seeds are placed in a solution of wood ash (1 tablespoon per 250 ml of water);
• on a cotton pad, drain the water from the seeds.

Preparation is over, you can proceed to planting homemade cucumbers.

Planting process

1. To grow one bush, a container with a volume of at least 8 liters is used, therefore, one seed is planted in one prepared bucket or pot with soil to a depth of about 2 cm.
2. It is necessary to irrigate with warm, settled water, the temperature of the liquid should be at least + 22C.
3. Cover with plastic wrap until cucumbers emerge.

After the planting is completed, it remains to wait for the seedlings to appear and start caring for the plant.

When the sprouts hatch, the container must be rearranged to the lightest place in the apartment.To concentrate light on the sprout, you can place a foil in a semicircle. Do not forget to avoid direct sunlight.

Watering in the summer is done daily with warm water, in winter - as the soil dries up (once every 2 days, but it is better - a little every day). Irrigate the land exclusively with settled water.

When growing a vegetable, you can feed it with a frequency of once every 2 weeks, while alternating mineral and organic fertilizers.

After 5 full-fledged leaves appear, it is necessary to make the crown formation by pinching the side flowers and processes, thus giving strength to the stem.

At first, you need to direct the plant along the rope, then it will stretch up by itself. When the stem grows to its maximum height, the top must also be pinched.

Homemade cucumbers grown with your own hands on the windowsill of your own apartment are always tastier than those bought at the nearest supermarket. Moreover, it is safe to give them to young children without any fear. Cucumber is not watery, very sweet, fragrant, fresh - it will never cease to be a favorite vegetable and a wonderful natural decoration for any festive table.

Video "Growing cucumbers at home"

How to grow cucumbers on a balcony or windowsill - choosing seeds, preparing containers and soil, planting, growing and caring for.