Such a universal remedy as ash for cucumbers, will become a good friend and helper in the greenhouse. After all, plant ashes are not only a wonderful natural fertilizer, but also a good remedy for combating diseases of vegetable crops.
Why is ash better?
Greenhouse cucumbers need feeding, they especially love nitrogenous compounds. The fastest and easiest way to fertilize the soil in a greenhouse is to add mineral fertilizers of chemical origin. But this option is not harmless: chemical microelements accumulate in the soil, which kills microorganisms that fluff up the soil, thereby providing the plants with the necessary root respiration. The thoughtless use of unnatural substances can have a detrimental effect on the taste of vegetables. In addition, such chemicals cannot be used during flowering and fruiting of cucumbers, otherwise the fruits will be poisoned.
It is better to use natural fertilizers. Organics will not cause any harm to cucumbers, the earth, or humans. It can be safely used even at the moment of flowering and fruiting of the vegetable. Natural components completely improve the soil within 3 years. Natural fertilizing attracts earthworms and various beneficial microorganisms that process the remains of dead organic matter, making the soil more fertile and loose.
Ash, a product of burning plant residues, occupies a special place among natural fertilizers. It is a natural and harmless source of the following minerals:
- potassium;
- phosphorus;
- magnesium;
- zinc;
- calcium;
- copper;
- sulfur.
Due to the high potassium content in its composition, plant ash is recognized as a good natural potassium mineral fertilizer. And potassium has a beneficial effect on the growth and proper formation of the cucumber stem.
Top dressing is made from various types of vegetation that are on hand. The source material will affect the quality of the fertilizer:
- Wood ash contains a lot of phosphorus.
- Peat ash is rich in calcium.
- The product of burning grass is the richest source of potassium.
But, despite such a rich chemical composition, the ash does not contain any nitrogen, which cucumbers love so much. Therefore, when fertilizing these vegetables ash It is better to compact the beds with legumes. Thanks to the unique nodules on their roots, they are able to saturate the soil with nitrogen.
Ash as fertilizer
Plant ash is a good and completely harmless natural mineral fertilizer. It won't do any harm. You can use ash as a fertilizer at all stages of the life of a cucumber: you can soak seeds in an ash solution for planting; they feed her seedlings; it has a beneficial effect on the formation of the stem of a growing crop; it is harmless at the flowering and fruiting stages of the vegetable.
To feed cucumbers, ash is used in the form of mash. To do this, dilute 1 glass of ash in 10 liters of water. The resulting volume is used at 2 m² area for planting cucumbers. The mash is poured under the root of the vegetables. Use it no more than once a week.
As a fertilizer, ash can be applied under the roots of cucumbers and in dry sifted form. But in this case, it needs to be watered from above so that it is absorbed deep into the soil and does not dissipate on the surface. You should also use this feeding option no more than once a week.
But, despite all its positive properties, ash cannot be mixed with other types of fertilizer, otherwise it may enter into an unexpected chemical reaction. Therefore, to fully fertilize vegetables, fertilizers should not be mixed, but alternated after a certain period of time.
Ash as medicine
Thanks to its unique chemical composition, ash can effectively combat soil acidification.
In an acidic environment, microflora develops poorly, which accumulates the accumulation of useful substances in the soil. Therefore, the soil becomes poorer, and the plants turn out sluggish and weak. The use of ash will help combat the formation of hard crusts of insoluble salts on the soil, which prevent plant roots from breathing.
Also, the product of plant combustion perfectly destroys mold fungi on the ground, which often arise due to the greenhouse effect. This fungus is especially harmful to young, immature seedlings. Mold does not tolerate alkaline environments. Therefore, to combat it, the soil is sprinkled with ash or mulched with a mixture of sifted ash and crushed charcoal.
The product of burnt-out plant residues can be used as a safe medicine for plants against various pests: spotting, aphids, flea beetles. To do this, plant ashes are mixed with water, but for greater effectiveness it is better to use a decoction of fragrant or bitter herbs, the taste and smell of which parasites do not like.You can use infusions and decoctions of: St. John's wort, cloves, cinnamon, mint, dill, wormwood, bird cherry, tomato leaves, parsley, garlic, anise, sour lemon.
A healing aerosol is prepared from 1 cup of ash and 10 liters of warm liquid (temperature should not be less than 20 °C). The infusion is filtered and sprayed onto affected areas or healthy plants to prevent the appearance of diseases and parasites. You can spray in the morning and evening.
