Thursday, June 1, 2017

10 Tips For Growing Cucumber Plants

Cucumbers have always been listed on the mankind’s favorite list since the beginning of time, and there is a reason for that. Cucumbers are extremely beneficial to us in so many ways that you can’t consider them anything less than a blessing. They keep you hydrated, fight off cancer, cure sunburn, provide essential vitamins and minerals, reduce eye bags, aid in weight loss, freshens mouth odor, stabilize blood pressure, good for diabetes and so much more.

Not only this but you can also consume them in a variety of ways e.g. salads, pickles, cucumber juice, soups and side dishes, cucumber facial mask, and gels, etc. In light of these two extremely convincing reason, there’s only one question left to answer, and that is “where do you get the good and organic cucumbers from?” and with these 10 key tips, we are about to tell you, the answer to that can be your home.

  • Sunlight is vital for the healthy growth of the cucumber plants. For that, you need to choose a planting site for them that is direct contact with full, unhindered sunlight under normal climate conditions. For regions with a hot climate, however, a planting spot under afternoon shade will be the best spot. It will ensure healthy growth while not burning and drying the plant either.
  • It is very important to space your cucumber plants appropriately. The optimum distance between the plants is 3′ while the rows should be 4′ to 5′ apart.
  • Compost and aged manure is food for healthy growth. Adding suitable amounts of compost and aged manure to the soil provides essential nutrients that are necessary to be abundantly present in the soil where a cucumber plant is to be grown. The first addition of compost and manure is during planting stage. The second phase of addition starts when vines from the plants have grown, and the first layer of flowers has developed.



  • The color of the leaves must be carefully observed. The growth of yellow leaves is a clear signal that the plant might need more nitrogen for healthy growth. You can use a good fertilizer to provide nitrogen to the soil.
  • Trellising is beneficial if you are interested in quick harvesting and want a fast and healthy fruit growth. Trellising is an open lattice structure designed and fixed to support growing vines as well provides a better air flow. A suitable design size would be 1 to 1.5 feet diameter.
  • For a healthy growth, you need to ensure that the soil is slightly moist at all times. Nothing kills a cucumber plant more quickly than water deprivation. The plant requires 1 to 2 inches of water per week. This can be achieved by watering the plants deeply once or twice a week. However, for sandy soil, you might have to water more frequently to maintain the required water level.



 

  • Cucumber plants are an easy target for beetles. These beetles and other insects will attack the plants and spread wilts. This is immensely dangerous for your plants. To prevent this, you need to cover your plants with row covers. That will keep the beetles away. However, once the flowers sprout you have to remove the row covers for pollination. More ways to protect your plants from pests is by keeping the area clean and using insecticides if need be. You must remember to throw away the dead plants instead of mixing them in the compost because that can be harmful.
  • Maintain the right pH level is vital for your plant. Cucumber plant grows in weakly acidic to neutral soil hence the pH level of the soil should be maintained between 6.0 and 7.0.
  • One key tip to remember when it comes to cucumber growth is that the more you pick, the longer will the plant produce. Don’t shy away from picking the fruit in fear of running out of supply.
  • The best way to harvest cucumbers is by using a knife or shears. You must grasp the fruit and carefully cut the stem such that ¼ part of it is not separated from the fruit.



With these proven tips you are fully equipped to grow your very own unadulterated cucumber plantation and enjoy the benefits. All you need to do is keep an eye on your plants, give them what they need and wait for the fruit and yeah, of course, sow the seeds! Happy Planting!