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For the Zozulya cucumber variety, growing in a greenhouse is not only a good way to get a high yield. By properly organizing a greenhouse, gardeners will be able to harvest fruits both in winter and summer.
Advantages of growing cucumbers in a greenhouse
Garden crops growing in open ground are exposed to many negative factors:
- temperature changes;
- lack of heat;
- weather conditions;
- parasite damage;
- diseases.
A properly constructed greenhouse and proper plant care will save cucumbers from all these troubles. A closed space will protect against sudden changes in temperature, which will affect the speed of fruit ripening. It will also help preserve the heat accumulated during the day, which affects plant growth and productivity. The roof will protect the seedlings from rain and hail. And a solid transparent wall in the greenhouse will block the path of parasites and pathogenic bacteria to the leaves and stems.
Therefore, every owner who grows cucumbers in their dacha or personal plot builds a greenhouse.
Features of the Zozulya variety
Cucumbers with such an unusual name were bred by crossing two varieties.As a result, the hybrid acquired qualities that made it a welcome guest in many gardens and farmsteads.
These qualities include:
- early ripeness;
- high productivity;
- partial parthenocarpy;
- high taste qualities.
Zozulya cucumbers can be collected as early as 46-48 days from the moment the seeds produce their first shoots. The yield reaches 10-12 kilograms per square meter. And thanks to the partial parthenocarpy given during selection of the variety, the plant can do without the participation of insects in pollinating flowers. Therefore, Zozulya cucumbers grow excellently in a closed greenhouse.
The creators of the variety gave it resistance to some diseases, such as:
- olive spot;
- cucumber mosaic;
- root rot;
- ascochyta blight
As a result of the selection, gardeners received large, tasty fruits with characteristic longitudinal white stripes for their table. The qualities of Zozulya cucumbers allow them to be used both for cooking and for pickling and pickling for the winter.
Construction of a greenhouse for growing cucumbers
As you know, there are differences between greenhouses and greenhouses. Cucumbers are characterized by their “tall growth”, so the facility for their cultivation is made with a high roof.
Another design feature is the presence of horizontal beams for tying up plants.
The greenhouse is positioned so that one of its sides is oriented to the south. Traditionally, a greenhouse is made of metal or wood. The first type of material is chosen if glass or transparent plastic is used for the coating. Also, steel structures are used in the construction of capital buildings designed for many years of operation.
Wood is less durable, although with appropriate treatment it can last for decades. It is easier to process, costs less, and in such a greenhouse, if necessary, you can quickly carry out repairs or reconstruction.
The height of the supports is chosen so that you can walk freely inside. Support posts are placed at a distance of about 1 meter. If the roof is gable, then the angle of inclination is at least 30 degrees. This will ensure high-quality drainage of rainwater outside and condensation inside.
If the greenhouse is long, it is recommended to install roof supports every 2 - 2.5 meters. They must support the ridge bar. Cross bars are made between the side walls at the same distance.
Growing Zozulya cucumbers in a greenhouse
This plant variety is characterized by the fact that its seeds do not need to be soaked during germination. They are sown directly into the soil in the greenhouse itself.
To do this, two main planting methods are used:
- dung;
- compost.
In the first case, fresh manure is poured onto the ground in a greenhouse in a strip 1 meter wide and at least 15 cm high. Soil about 25 cm thick is poured on top of the leveled manure and watered thoroughly.
Planting seeds of the Zozulya variety is carried out at the rate of 3 - 3.5 plants per 1 square meter of area. If the gardener doubts the quality of the seed material, two seeds can be planted in one hole.
To provide the seeds with a stable temperature and high humidity, it is recommended to cover the beds with film without pressing the edges. This will provide air access to the soil and will help remove excess moisture. After all, during the process of rotting, manure releases heat, which promotes the formation of condensation.Therefore, you should regularly ventilate the beds.
Manure, by the way, releases carbon dioxide, which is necessary for the formation of female flowers on the stems.
The construction of a compost bed in a greenhouse is done according to the principle described above. But special process accelerators should be added to the mixture. The temperature generated by compost is lower than that of manure. Therefore, the thickness of the layer of soil poured on top should not be more than 20 cm.
Otherwise, the process of planting Zozulya cucumber seeds is similar to that described above.
Tips for growing seedlings
To obtain high-quality plants, the temperature regime in the greenhouse must be maintained. From planting to the appearance of the first shoots, the air heats up to +28 degrees Celsius. After the leaves hatch, the temperature drops to +22 degrees.
The weather and time of day should be taken into account:
- on a sunny day in the greenhouse there should be a maximum of +23 degrees;
- on cloudy days maximum +20 degrees;
- at night up to + 17 degrees.
It is better to water Zozulya cucumbers by sprinkling. This saturates the soil and air with moisture, so the plant receives water evenly. The water temperature should not be lower than +20 degrees. The signal for watering is the slightly drooping leaves of the plants.
It is better to feed cucumbers in the afternoon, towards evening. Both biological additives and special chemical compounds are suitable for this.
