Cucumber is one of the most favorite vegetables, but it is not always possible to really get a lot of fruit from the bush. Many people plant, water, wait, but the harvest is scanty or completely lost by mid-summer. The reason is not the weather, but the care. Here are three proven techniques that will make your bush perform at its best.
The first is the formation of a bush into one stem. Remove all side shoots to a height of 30–40 cm from the ground. This directs the plant’s forces not to the foliage, but to the ovaries. You can leave a couple of stepsons higher up, but no more, otherwise the bush will drown in greenery.
The second is regular harvesting. Cucumbers need to be picked every 1-2 days, even if they are still small. The longer the fruit hangs, the more it inhibits the formation of new ovaries.
Third, water the roots with warm water in the evening. Cold water from a hose causes stress, and spraying leaves causes powdery mildew. It is better to pour directly under the root so that the soil is wet to a depth of 15–20 cm. Cucumbers love moisture, but only in the roots, not on the leaves.
Plant cucumbers after the threat of frost has passed. They cannot tolerate even slight cold snaps. Choose a sunny place, but with light shade during the hottest hours, so that the sun does not burn the ovaries. Mulch the soil with straw or grass. This will retain moisture and protect the roots from overheating.
When everything is done correctly, the bush produces a harvest not for a week or two, but until frost.
