Content
- 1 Features of using potassium humate for cucumbers
- 2 Pros and cons of feeding
- 3 When to feed cucumbers with potassium humate
- 4 How often to feed cucumbers with potassium humate
- 5 Instructions for use of Potassium Humate for cucumbers
- 6 Proportions of liquid potassium humate for cucumbers
- 7 Precautions when working with potassium humate
- 8 Conclusion
- 9 Reviews on the use of liquid potassium humate for cucumbers
Using liquid potassium humate for cucumbers, gardeners and farmers achieve increased yields. It promotes the formation of beautiful fruits adapted for long-term storage. Many vegetable growers highly appreciated the help provided by potassium humate in growing cucumbers in open beds and in a greenhouse.
Features of using potassium humate for cucumbers
Cucumbers and other crops benefit from organic fertilizers only after they have completely decomposed. Potassium humate is the end result of the breakdown of natural substances, so it instantly saturates plants with minerals. In growing cucumbers, he found the following application:
- Soaking seeds before planting.
- Application into the soil under young shoots and mature bushes.
- Foliar feeding with a weak solution.
Foliar feeding is of particular importance for cucumbers.Farmers have discovered that the fertilizer also supplies the roots of weeds with nutrients. If you treat the leaves and stems of cucumbers after weeding, only the cultivated crop will receive stimulation.
The drug is quickly absorbed by the roots and leaves of cucumbers
Pros and cons of feeding
It is worth noting the extreme efficiency of this organic fertilizer. The drug increases the effectiveness of other mineral supplements and reduces their consumption.
The use of potassium humate when growing cucumbers gives the following positive effects:
- Increased yield.
- Commercial appearance of the fruit.
- High taste qualities.
- Reduced nitrate concentration.
- Disease resistance.
- Increased frost and drought resistance.
- Acceleration of growth and maturation.
- Accumulation of nutrients.
- Development of microorganisms in soil.
A negative consequence of adding a concentrate obtained from brown coal and sapropel (lake sediments) may be the release of heavy metals and other toxic substances into the soil. No less dangerous is the use of waste from the alcohol, pulp and paper industries as raw materials. Experienced agronomists prefer not the cheapest, but safe and effective humate from lowland peat.
When to feed cucumbers with potassium humate
Potassium humate is unique in that it provides the minerals necessary for crops at all stages of their development. Soaking cucumber seeds in a solution awakens them to sprout. Watering young plants stimulates the formation of strong roots and the growth of the above-ground parts.Potassium humate for cucumbers during the fruiting period plays an equally important role, as it increases the quantity, quality and taste of the crop.
The first application of the solution is usually carried out when there are 3-5 leaves. The remaining 3-5 feedings are evenly distributed throughout the growing season. When planning them, the treatment of cucumbers from diseases and pests is taken into account. Combination with other types of organic matter is allowed.
How often to feed cucumbers with potassium humate
According to professional agronomists, the effect of potassium humate lasts for about a month. Based on this, it is easy to create a fertilization schedule. Starting from the formation of three leaves on the bush, fertilizing is applied every 3-4 weeks.
You should not feed cucumbers with the product more often than recommended. Otherwise, it will turn from a stimulant into a retardant (inhibits the growth of roots and stems). When growing cucumbers in soils rich in organic matter, only 2-3 approaches are sufficient.
Instructions for use of Potassium Humate for cucumbers
Potassium humate is produced in two forms: powder and liquid. The drug in the solid state is easier to transport and store, but most gardeners prefer the liquid form of the substance because of the ease of preparing the solution.
It is used as an organic fertilizer. Combination with other fertilizers enhances its effectiveness. Gardeners often prepare a mixture for spraying cucumbers from potassium humate and boric acid. Fertilizer is applied into moist soil or through a fine-drop sprayer. The second method is preferable during cold spells or, if necessary, to quickly revive the bushes.
Foliar feeding of cucumbers is recommended when the ambient temperature drops
How to use liquid potassium humate for cucumbers in a greenhouse
In a greenhouse, cucumbers are usually grown using the seedling method. The first fertilizing is done when young shoots are planted in the garden. This way they take root faster and absorb nutrients from the soil. No other fertilizers are added at this point.
Greenhouse soil that is fertilized with organic matter usually contains an abundant supply of nutrients. In view of this, it is enough to introduce potassium humate only three times: when planting seedlings, during flowering and during fruit set. In poor lighting and low temperatures in the greenhouse, it is better to use the foliar feeding method. In this case, it is important to reduce the concentration of the solution so as not to harm the culture.
How to use liquid potassium humate for cucumbers in open ground
When grown outdoors, cucumbers are usually fertilized more often. This also applies to feeding with humate.
Experienced gardeners apply a solution prepared from liquid potassium humate under the following conditions:
- formation of 3-5 sheets;
- budding;
- flowering period;
- beginning of fruiting;
- end of the first wave of fruit set.
The composition is introduced under the root of cucumbers or sprayed on the leaves. The second method is most effective during the cold period, when processes in the root system slow down. They try to process both leaves and stems.
Proportions of liquid potassium humate for cucumbers
The liquid concentrate is very convenient to use: the dark brown substance is diluted in water, after which the composition is completely ready for use.
For each type of cucumber processing, there are separate proportions of the mixture:
- Soaking seeds: 1/3 tsp. diluted in 1 liter of water.
- Watering solution: 1 tbsp. l. pour into 10 liters of water.
- Spray solution: 1 tsp. mixed with 10 liters of water.
The result should be a light brown liquid. The danger of exceeding the recommended concentration lies not only in slowing down the development of bushes, but also in the accumulation of harmful substances in the fruits.
Exceeding the dose of potassium humate can lead to the accumulation of poisons in cucumbers
Precautions when working with potassium humate
Potassium humate is a low-hazard substance. When working with it, the possibility of acute poisoning is completely excluded. However, you should avoid getting it on your body. The following recommendations will protect you from the unpleasant consequences of contact with a concentrated substance:
- Store in a place protected from children and animals.
- In case of accidental ingestion, immediately induce vomiting.
- Wear gloves when applying the solution.
- In case of contact with skin, wash off with soapy water.
- Remove from mucous membranes with plenty of water.
- Dispose of empty containers with household waste.
In undiluted form, potassium humate can be stored for 5 years. The shelf life of the finished solution does not exceed 1 month. Securely sealed containers with fertilizer are stored in the refrigerator.
Conclusion
Liquid potassium humate for cucumbers is used by most experienced summer residents and farmers. The result is a bountiful harvest of high quality, which does not take long to arrive. The stimulating solution increases the immunity of plants and their endurance. Cucumbers become tastier and healthier.
