It is no coincidence that cucumbers are considered a rather demanding crop. It's all about the characteristics of the plant. Almost the entire fruit consists of water, so the bush constantly draws moisture from the soil. In this case, the roots are close to the surface: the main part is located at a depth of about 25–30 centimeters. Once the top layer of soil dries out or becomes too wet, the plant reacts quickly.
Therefore, it is important to water the crop correctly. And here’s how, the author of the blog “The ABC of a Gardener” (12+) told us.
Watering with warm water only
Once the author learned from his own experience how important water temperature is. In the intense heat, when the thermometer rose above 35 degrees, they decided to water the beds with water directly from the well. She turned out to be very cold. Within a few days, the leaves on some of the bushes began to curl, and growth stopped.
After this, the cucumbers are watered only with water that has had time to settle and warm up to at least 20 degrees. In summer, barrels are usually filled in the morning, and by evening the water becomes a comfortable temperature.
Observe watering times
It is best to water cucumbers in the morning or evening. Morning watering is carried out before 9–10 o’clock, evening watering after 18:00. During the day, under the scorching sun, water quickly evaporates and does not have time to reach the roots, and drops on the leaves can cause burns.
Consider the age of the plant
Bye the bushes did not bloom, they are watered approximately once every 5–7 days, spending 3–5 liters of water per plant. Despite the rare watering, it is this regime that helps the roots go deeper in search of moisture. If you frequently moisten the soil in small portions, the root system will become weak and shallow.
“As soon as flowers appeared and ovaries began to growI switch to watering once every 3-4 days, the volume is the same. The bush begins to waste water differently: now it goes into the fruits,” shares the summer resident.
During active fruiting bushes require even more water. Watering is done every 2–3 days, pouring 5–8 liters under the plant. If the crop is harvested regularly, cucumbers practically do not rest and need constant moisture.
For seeds sown directly into the ground, the first two weeks are especially important. While the sprouts are weak, the top layer of soil should not be allowed to dry out. Watering is carried out more often, but in small portions – only the top 5–7 centimeters of the soil are moistened.
Consider heat and conditions
When the temperature rises above 30 degrees, the watering scheme has to be changed. The volume of water is usually left the same, but the intervals between waterings are reduced. If in normal weather the beds were watered once every three days, then in hot weather this is done every other day or even daily.
In the greenhouse the conditions are more complicated: there is no rain, the air heats up more, and the soil dries out faster. Therefore, they usually add 1-2 more waterings per week to the main schedule and regularly check the soil moisture with their hands.
If cucumbers grow in open ground and there was good rain, the planned watering can be skipped. It is enough to check the ground at a depth of 3–4 centimeters: if it is wet there, additional water is not needed.
Read also how to fertilize tulips after they have bloomed.
