Content
- 1 Why do cucumbers need superphosphate?
- 2 Signs of phosphorus deficiency in cucumbers
- 3 Types of superphosphate
- 4 How to dilute and use superphosphate for cucumbers
- 5 Feeding time
- 6 Features of fertilizing
- 7 Superphosphate for cucumbers during fruiting period
- 8 Precautionary measures
- 9 Conclusion
- 10 Reviews on the use of superphosphate for cucumbers
Superphosphate fertilizer for cucumbers is applied throughout the entire growing season. Phosphorus ensures normal growth, strengthens shoots, which has a good effect on yield. Superphosphate also deoxidizes the soil, making cucumbers tastier. To apply the fertilizer, you need to prepare a concentrated solution based on granules, then dilute it with water and start watering.
Why do cucumbers need superphosphate?
Cucumbers, like other crops, require a constant supply of phosphorus. This is a vital microelement that ensures normal metabolism in plant tissues. Thereby:
- powerful roots are formed;
- shoots are strengthened;
- productivity increases;
- resistance to diseases and insects increases;
- tissues are saturated not only with phosphorus, but also with other microelements;
- the fruits grow quickly and become more tasty.
Signs of phosphorus deficiency in cucumbers
Phosphorus deficiency has an extremely adverse effect on plant development. Signs of element deficiency can be determined visually:
- a sharp slowdown in growth;
- shoots become weak;
- the leaves along the edges acquire a bluish-green or red-violet, even purple tint (first the lower ones, then the upper ones);
- the petioles also change color to eggplant.
A characteristic sign of phosphorus deficiency is a reddish border on the leaf blades.
Types of superphosphate
To feed cucumbers and other plants, different types of superphosphate are used, differing in chemical composition and release form. There are simple, double, ammoniated and granular compositions.
Simple
This type of cucumber fertilizer is also called monophosphate (contains from 16% to 20% P2O5 in water-soluble form). The fertilizer also contains other components: sulfur - up to 10% and nitrogen - up to 8%. This type of superphosphate is widely used. It is enriched with phosphorus and is affordable.
Double
Double superphosphate is one of the most popular fertilizers for cucumbers. Unlike simple, it contains 2-2.5 times more phosphorus (P2O5 up to 45%), which is where its name comes from. The fertilizer for cucumbers also contains magnesium and calcium. The substance effectively saturates the soil and is practically not washed out of it. This is especially important during the fruiting period, when cucumbers consume phosphorus in large quantities.
Granulated
Chemically, it is the same simple superphosphate. However, the technology for producing granular fertilizer is different. It is obtained by diluting monophosphate and then forming granules. The mass fraction of phosphorus is about 30%, and calcium in the form of limestone is also present in the fertilizer.
Top dressing is used for pre-planting soil cultivation and fertilization of cucumbers at all stages of growth. Moreover, it is better to apply it by watering at the root, and not by foliar method. In this case, the mixture should be concentrated - 20 tablespoons of granules per 3 liters of hot water.
Granulated superphosphate is an effective means for the growth of cucumbers
Ammoniated
This is a complex fertilizer that contains several components at once:
- calcium – more than 50%;
- sulfur – 18%;
- phosphorus – 17%;
- nitrogen – 3%.
Fertilizing is used not only for growth and productivity, but also to ensure the acid-base balance of the soil. Often soils become acidic, so they should be neutralized. In this regard, ammonia, which is also present in superphosphate, helps well. To improve the neutralization effect, it is also recommended to use slaked lime, phosphate rock, humus or chalk.
How to dilute and use superphosphate for cucumbers
In gardening practice, superphosphate is most often used in the form of granules. If you use it in powder form, the solution will be cloudy, with a precipitate in the form of gypsum (calcium sulfate), which is more difficult to work with. The standard dosage for feeding cucumbers is 20 g per 1 m2.
To prepare the solution, proceed as follows:
- Weigh 350 g of superphosphate (on a scale).
- Prepare 3 liters of boiling water.
- Add the granules and mix everything thoroughly for 15 minutes until they disperse almost completely.
- The resulting concentrate can be stored for several days. Before using it, you need to take 100 ml (half a glass) and dilute it in 10 liters of water.
- Water the cucumbers at the rate of 1 liter per plant (based on this, you can determine the total volume of the working solution).
Since a huge amount of the composition is not needed for the garden, it is recommended to prepare and dissolve 30 g of granules in 300 ml of hot water (a large glass). This amount is enough to prepare a ready-made solution in a volume of 30 liters, i.e. for watering 30 cucumber bushes.
When digging, add 45-50 g per 1 m2. If the soil is dug up in the spring, the amount is reduced to 40 g per 1 m2.
A tablespoon contains about 15 g of superphosphate
Feeding time
Fertilizing is applied in several stages:
- Before planting seeds or seedlings, the soil is dug up (in spring or autumn) and both phosphates and other fertilizers are applied. For example, to treat 1 m², you can take copper sulfate (0.2 g), superphosphate and potassium nitrate (5 g each).
- Seedlings are fed after a pair of leaves appear or immediately after picking. At this moment, not only phosphates are added, but also nitrogen in the form of saltpeter, urea or chicken droppings, liquid manure.
- Further feeding is given a few days after transplantation. From now on, you can make them weekly.
- The next application is planned for the beginning of flowering. To treat one square meter, it is recommended to mix 45 g of superphosphate, 32 g of ammonium nitrate and 23 g of potassium nitrate.
- Then the fertilizer is applied already at the fruiting stage. This can be done using the root and foliar methods by treating the plants leaf by leaf. At the same time, the beds can be sprinkled with dry wood ash.
Features of fertilizing
Superphosphate can be used for cucumbers both in open ground and in a greenhouse. The concentrations and timing of application are the same, however, there are several differences.
In the greenhouse
In the greenhouse, cucumbers are fed with superphosphate at least four times a season with an interval of one week. It is recommended to use complex formulations, preferably organic. You can prepare them yourself or purchase ready-made preparations, for example, “Komlex-BIO” or “Pospeta”.
In the open ground
When growing cucumbers in open ground, superphosphates are also applied several times:
- after transplanting seedlings;
- after two weeks;
- during the main fruiting period (twice).
In this case, a complex composition is also used, but it can be either organic or mineral. For example, to treat one square meter of plantings, you can make the following mixture:
- superphosphate – 45 g;
- any saltpeter - 25 g;
- potassium salt – 15 g.
After a week's break, add mullein 1:10 or chicken manure 1:20.
Superphosphate for cucumbers during fruiting period
Superphosphate is used at all stages of cucumber development, since plants really need phosphorus. Experienced summer residents advise applying fertilizer several times a week. This is especially important during fruiting, since at this stage cucumbers require a large amount of nutrients, including nitrogen and potassium.
Superphosphate is especially important to use during the formation of cucumber fruits
Therefore, in the fruiting phase, it is better to use a complex composition consisting of such components (per 10 l);
- double superphosphate – 20 g;
- potassium nitrate – 25 g;
- urea – 50 g.
Each bush is watered with 1 liter of this mixture at least once a week. You can also carry out foliar feeding of cucumbers. In this case, the urea content is reduced to 10 g per 10 liters.
Some summer residents recommend giving superphosphate to cucumbers during fruiting on a daily basis.But in this case, fertilizing should consist only of phosphates, since frequent use of other components (for example, nitrogen) will harm the plants and soil.
Precautionary measures
Phosphate fertilizers are not dangerous for humans, plants and animals. However, certain safety precautions should be observed during operation.
- When working with the concentrated solution, you must wear gloves.
- During preparation of the solution and carrying out treatments, access to children should be excluded.
- If the solution gets on the skin, just wash it off with soap. In case of contact with eyes, wash them with not too strong pressure of running water.
- Repeated combination of superphosphate with urea leads to rapid acidification of the soil. Therefore, it is not recommended to use such combinations too often.
- Foliar application is done in the late evening or early morning, preferably in dry and windless weather.
Processing of seedlings in a greenhouse can be carried out in any weather
Conclusion
Superphosphate fertilizer for cucumbers is extremely necessary. Without it, plants become weaker, bloom worse, and fruit set decreases. As a result, yields also decrease. Therefore, it is recommended to use fertilizer for cucumbers at least once a week.
Reviews on the use of superphosphate for cucumbers
