Transplanting cucumbers from cups to a permanent place is always stressful for the plants. To help them adapt and lay the foundation for the harvest, proper fertilizing is indispensable.
It is important to understand what, when and in what quantity to apply. Experienced agronomist Ksenia Davydova spoke about the four stages of fertilizing cucumbers.
What is stage feeding of cucumbers?
Stage feeding – this is the application of fertilizers at strictly defined phases of cucumber development: after transplantation, after a week, after 2-3 weeks and during the flowering period.
Each stage solves its own problem and cannot be skipped or replaced with a universal mixture.
What to feed cucumbers by phases
- Immediately after transplant – soft start for roots. Infusion of mullein or bird droppings (1:10 or 1:20) or complex fertilizer with equal NPK (20:20:20). Water carefully, do not overwater – young roots are easy to burn.
- After 7–10 days, when the stems come to life – nitrogen for the growth of leaves and vines. Ammonium nitrate or urea (matchbox to a bucket of water). For natural farming – an infusion of grass (cut grass in a barrel for 5-7 days, diluted 1:5) or a weak solution of bird droppings.
- After 2–3 weeks, when lush bushes appeared – phosphorus and potassium for ovaries. Potassium sulfate + superphosphate (pour boiling water over the superphosphate one day before watering). Or a complex fertilizer for pumpkin plants in the fruiting phase. Apply along damp soil into a circular groove 5 cm from the stem.
- During flowering and fruit formation — microelements and biostimulants. Boric acid (on the tip of a knife in a bucket of water) for pollination and density of ovaries. Add foliar fertilizers – they work 10 times faster than root fertilizers, especially in cold summers.
How to feed cucumbers
All fertilizing will be useless without regular watering with warm water. A cucumber is 95% water; minerals cannot be absorbed in dry soil.
Immediately after planting, water the holes with a weak solution of organic matter or complex fertilizer. Don't overdo your concentration. After a week, assess the condition: if the stems begin to grow, feed with nitrogen.
After another 10-14 days, switch to phosphorus and potassium. Apply after rain or regular watering, strictly on damp soil. Add boric acid and humates to the flowering and ovary phase. Be sure to apply one or two foliar feedings to the leaves in the evening. Mulch the beds with mowed grass – this will retain moisture and reduce the number of waterings.
Conclusion
Cucumbers require different nutrition at each stage: after transplanting – a soft start, a week later – nitrogen for the greens, then phosphorus and potassium for the ovaries, and during flowering – microelements. Follow the steps, do not over-fertilize and water only with warm water. Then the harvest will be abundant and crispy.
Personal experience
I used to feed cucumbers with the same mullein infusion all season. There was a sea of greenery, and the cucumbers—the cat cried. Last year I applied a staged scheme. I added spraying with boric acid during flowering. Result: cucumbers set even in the heat, I collected them in buckets until October. And the grass mulch saved it from drying out. I recommend it to all summer residents.
