With perfect care, cucumbers grow faster than tomatoes. Provided they get enough warmth, water and the right nutrients. What minerals do cucumber plants need extra amounts of during flowering? When, with what and how often should you fertilize and provide additional care for cucumbers?

Cucumbers fertilize when planting

Anyone who grows cucumbers and appreciates fresh organic cucumbers from their own garden places high demands on the soil, climate and nutrient supply. Young cucumber plants also dream of loose, humus-rich soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7 and stable manure. A proven recipe for a cucumber substrate here at cucumber plant. A basic distinction is made between two variants when fertilizing cucumbers:

  • Basic fertilization with stable manure
    1 kg per square meter (plus nitrogen, phosphate and potassium).
  • Basic fertilization without stable manure
    30 grams of compound fertilizer per square meter (plus horn shavings (32.93€) and horn meal).

Feed cucumbers as they grow

Cucumber plants are heavy feeders and need a lot of feed in the form of fertilizer so that they can develop plenty of healthy fruit by the time they are harvested. Foliar fertilization with self-made nettle manure supports the cucumbers with minerals during their growth period and protects them from dangerous pests. Simply spray the cucumber leaves all over with nettle manure. Nettle manure is easy and free to make yourself. That's how it's done:

  • Cut 1 kg nettles into small pieces
  • Add 10 liters of water
  • Leave for 2 to 3 weeks

Place the nettle manure in a sunny spot in the garden and stir daily. After 2 to 3 weeks, pour the mixture through a sieve. Dilute the manure with water in a ratio of 1:10 and water and spray cucumber plants once a week.

Cucumbers fertilize during flowering

During the flowering period, cucumber plants need magnesium and trace elements. In addition, loosen the soil and work in some rock flour (€14.13). After a short time you should see the positive effect of lush fruiting.

Fertilize less is more

If you give too much fertilizer before fruiting, you will get bushy plants with lush leaves but little fruit. If no long-term fertilizer is used, liquid fertilizer is added every 2 weeks when watering the cucumbers. Fertilize once a week when the cucumber plants bloom and start to bear fruit.

Cucumber plants are sensitive to salt. They require little nitrogen and chlorine. Therefore avoid fertilizers with a high proportion of nitrogen or chlorine. Blaukorn is particularly suitable for cucumbers in tubs. But beware! The artificial fertilizer is difficult to dose and increases the salt content in the soil, which can burn the roots. Not every soil needs additional fertilization. If it is composted and nutritious, too much fertilizer will quickly do harm. Since cucumbers are a food, it is better to give organic fertilizer.

tips and tricks

Costs nothing and has a double effect: use the full moon with the waning phase of the moon in the following constellations for:
Root development in Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn
Leaf development in Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces, Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn
Flowering in Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn
Fruit development in Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn

Category:

Vegetable garden