Content
- 1 Why do cucumbers need succinic acid?
- 2 Features of preparing the solution
- 3 Methods of use and dosage of succinic acid for cucumbers
- 4 Features of using succinic acid for cucumbers in a greenhouse
- 5 When is it better not to use succinic acid?
- 6 Security measures
- 7 Storage conditions for the solution
- 8 Common mistakes
- 9 Conclusion
- 10 Reviews on the use of succinic acid for feeding cucumbers
Watering cucumbers with succinic acid increases seed germination and helps seedlings adapt to temperature changes, diseases and pests. The drug works as a natural growth stimulant. It is applied by processing and watering (foliar and root methods).
Why do cucumbers need succinic acid?
Succinic acid is one of the popular drugs that can be easily purchased at any pharmacy. It is used to treat cucumbers - seeds, seedlings and adult plants. The solution is used as foliar and root feeding. Regular processing helps solve several problems at once:
- improvement of soil composition, especially on alkaline soil with a pH greater than 7.0;
- protection of tissues from toxic substances;
- increasing the efficiency of cellular respiration;
- significant increase in seed germination;
- increasing adaptation when growing cucumbers in a greenhouse or in open ground;
- increased immunity to pests and diseases;
- rapid ripening of cucumbers;
- blocking the accumulation of nitrates and other harmful substances in fruits;
- accelerated growth of roots and shoots.
Succinic acid is used to fertilize cucumbers at the fruiting stage. It is a stimulant of natural origin. The drug is affordable and easily diluted in water. At the same time, it is better to purchase powder than tablets. Although both forms dissolve well in hot liquid. It is more convenient to measure the required amount with tablets.
Features of preparing the solution
When preparing a solution of succinic acid for feeding cucumbers, you need to take into account the dosage of the drug per bucket of water. It depends on the purpose of using the drug:
- to treat cucumber seeds, use a solution with a concentration of 0.2%;
- for spraying seedlings before transplanting into the ground – 0.5%;
- for better flowering – 1%;
- For treatment of diseases, the maximum dose is 2.5%.
In pharmacies the drug is sold in the form of tablets weighing 0.25 g and 0.5 g, and in stores for summer residents - in the form of loose powder
The content of the active substance is usually 0.1 g (100 mg), the rest is starch and other auxiliary components. Therefore, when diluting a solution of succinic acid for processing cucumbers, you need to focus specifically on the indicator of 0.1 g.
The table shows the recommended quantities of the drug for a standard 10 liter bucket of water.
Solution concentration | Active ingredient, g | Number of tablets, pcs. |
0,02% | 2 | 20 |
0,5% | 5 | 50 |
1,0% | 10 | 100 |
2,5% | 25 | 250 |
The substance is not toxic, so a slight increase in concentration will not lead to adverse effects.
When diluting succinic acid for processing cucumbers, follow these instructions:
- Measure out the required amount of the drug - it is most convenient to count in tablets.
- A concentrated mother liquor is obtained. To do this, take hot water in an amount of no more than 1 liter and place the tablets.
- Mix thoroughly and allow to dissolve completely.
- Bring to a total volume of 10 liters and mix again.
- Pour through a funnel into a sprayer and begin spraying cucumbers in a greenhouse or in open ground.
Methods of use and dosage of succinic acid for cucumbers
Succinic acid is used for processing and watering cucumbers at all stages of cultivation. Treatment increases germination and improves plant adaptation to adverse weather conditions. This leads to increased productivity.
Seed treatment
To treat cucumber seeds, use a weak solution with a concentration of 0.2%
Since this requires preparing small volumes of liquid, calculations are based on 1 liter. It is enough to take two tablets and dilute them in a small amount of hot water, stir, and then bring to a total volume of 1 liter.
Next, take the dry seeds and soak them in the resulting liquid for 12-24 hours. Immediately after this, they are planted as seedlings or directly into the ground.
Processing of seedlings
The seedlings are treated with a more concentrated liquid - 0.5%, i.e. you should take 50 tablets per 10 liters. The cooking rules are exactly the same. Then proceed like this:
- After picking, grown seedlings are sprayed once with a sprayer.
- On the day of transplantation into the ground or into the greenhouse, the seedlings are watered, i.e.Fertilize using the root method. This will help increase adaptation to unfavorable temperatures, which is especially important for regions with short summers (Siberia, the Urals).
Watering fruiting cucumbers
Succinic acid for cucumbers is also used for watering at the fruiting stage. In this case, use a standard solution with a concentration of 0.2%. Fertilizing is applied by the root method, watering the plants with warm, settled water.
Spraying
To treat and prevent diseases, cucumbers can be sprayed with concentrated liquid - 2.5%. Treatment is carried out foliarly in the early morning or late evening.
Features of using succinic acid for cucumbers in a greenhouse
When working in a greenhouse, spraying is done according to the same scheme. But in this case, you can not focus on the weather and carry out the treatment even on a rainy or cloudy day.
However, it is worth considering that both foliar and root fertilizing are applied with a large amount of water. Therefore, the greenhouse must be ventilated regularly, especially in hot weather. After abundant watering, it is recommended to loosen the soil so that it does not become compacted.
After treatment, the greenhouse must be ventilated
When is it better not to use succinic acid?
If it is known in advance that the soil in the area is acidified, its pH is less than 6.0, succinic acid is used with caution. If the soil is too acidic (pH less than 5.5), you should avoid using the drug.
In the case of perennial plants, it is worth keeping in mind that treatments are carried out only in the spring and in the first half of summer. The acid serves as a natural growth stimulator. Therefore, its use in August and autumn is excluded.
Security measures
Succinic acid itself is safe for humans and plants.But a concentrated solution can cause burns to the mucous membranes of the eyes. Therefore, when working, you need to take certain precautions:
- place containers on a flat surface;
- work only with gloves;
- exclude the admission of children.
Processing cucumbers with a weak solution can be carried out without gloves, masks or other protective equipment. There is no need to be afraid that the solution will get on your hands.
Storage conditions for the solution
It is advisable to use the prepared composition for processing cucumbers immediately. If for some reason this cannot be done, it can be left for storage, but for no more than three days. The solution can be kept at room temperature, without exposing the container to direct sunlight.
Common mistakes
Spraying cucumbers with succinic acid is quite simple. But novice gardeners can make some mistakes. Basic recommendations:
- First you need to get a concentrated solution. If you simply put the required number of tablets in a large volume (10 liter bucket), it will be difficult to stir. In addition, the water cools quickly in the bucket, and the acid may not dissolve completely, which will make the effect worse.
- If the drug is regularly used to spray cucumbers, the soil will inevitably become acidified. Therefore, once every 1-2 years, when digging, you need to add slaked lime or dolomite flour in the amount of 150-200 g per 1 m2. If this is not done, the yield will also decrease and the taste of the cucumbers will deteriorate.
- When grown in open ground, spraying should be carried out early in the morning or late evening, and the weather should be dry and windless. Otherwise, precipitation will quickly wash the drug off the leaves, and the expected effect will not occur.
- It is not recommended to use succinic acid to combat diseases. The solution must be concentrated, and this involves the use of a large number of tablets, which will lead to acidification of the soil. It is better to use folk remedies or special insecticides.
- Cucumbers need to be watered with warm water. Therefore, when obtaining a solution, you need to work only with liquid at room temperature. If you are not sure, you can check with a thermometer at the first stage.
To avoid burning the cucumber leaves, processing should be carried out at sunset.
Conclusion
Watering cucumbers with succinic acid helps the seedlings quickly gain strength when transplanted into a greenhouse or an open garden bed. The growth of green mass and roots is faster, making it possible to harvest cucumbers earlier. However, when using the drug, dosages should be taken into account so as not to harm plants and soil.
Reviews on the use of succinic acid for feeding cucumbers
