How to use potassium fertilizer for cucumbers
The question of which potassium fertilizer to use for cucumbers should be decided taking into account climatic conditions, soil composition, as well as the type of crop grown on the site before the cucumbers.
The need for some micronutrients is compared with the need for vegetation and plants:
when seedlings are transplanted to garden beds or greenhouse conditions, the amount of nitrogen needed to grow the seedlings should be increased. If there is enough nitrogen in the soil, the vines and leaves will be alive, green and spotless. With nitrogen deficiency, shrubs become weak and colorless and grow poorly;
phosphorus is needed by the root system, which in turn provides the cucumbers with the potassium they need;
Potassium fertilizers for cucumbers are applied from the time of emergence of buds. This substance affects the number of ovaries and the taste characteristics of vegetables.
Cucumbers need more nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus than other elements. This is the main complex, in which case growth, development and fruiting slow down. If the soil is depleted, the vine can not produce leaves and ovaries, it crumbles and dries. To get a good harvest, before the greens appear, you need to fertilize properly, as well as add copper, magnesium, sulfur and other trace elements. Magnesium deficiency is characterized by yellowing spots and slow growth. Sulfur deficiency is characterized by thin and brittle stems. To protect against diseases and saturation of the plant with copper, they are sprayed with copper sulfate.
When tillage is good
It is not enough to fertilize the soil with phosphorus in the fall and add nitrogen in the spring. If the cucumber leaves dry out and turn blue, the young buds become curly and deformed, and the shape of the greens changes – the plant lacks potassium. With its deficiency, first the old leaves fall off, then the young, and then – the flowers. There is enough time to feel these signs and give timely fertilizer with potassium for cucumbers.
If the soil is not fertilized with urea in the spring, the leaves will not grow, even if potassium is added. If phosphorus is not added for digging in the fall, the root system will not grow even when urea is added. Given the above, it is worth buying and timely feeding of complex fertilizers in the fall and spring.
The best option is to prepare the ground in the fall, because:
by spring potassium is still in the soil and converts into an easily digestible form;
manure is crushed during the winter and does not burn sensitive roots;
the chlorine in some minerals takes time to evaporate until spring, so only the beneficial elements remain on the ground.
Choosing the best food options
It is enough to choose potassium fertilizers for cucumbers, but all options can be divided into 2 groups – organic and mineral supplements.
Potassium sulfate has become the most popular among farmers. It is made of shepita (mineral) and dissolves well in water. This is similar to white grains used in the preparation of a solution or buried in the ground. Potassium sulfate is used in black soils, lime and peat soils, sandy and loamy soils. Potassium sulfate is not used to lick salt, they contain sufficient amounts of natural elements. In acidic soils, lime is first sprinkled, and after 2 weeks, potassium sulfate.
Experienced gardeners use potassium for cucumbers according to the scheme:
in autumn the composition is distributed in the heavy clay soil dug to the pit of the shovel. 30 g of potassium was used for 1 square. m;
In the spring potassium is used in light soils (sandy and loamy). The composition is added to the hole for seedlings, watered abundantly;
potassium is used at any time in peat soils.
Root feeding is diluted with dry matter or in water (2–3 tbsp. L. To 10 l). Irrigation is preferred for light soils.
Take 2 tablespoons per 10 liters of water to process the leaves. l. potassium sulfate. In loamy soils it is recommended to spray the leaves. Processing is carried out in the evening or early morning.
Organic ingredients for lovers of organic vegetables
In the role of natural fertilizers are used bird droppings or manure, wood ash and nettle. Mullen is used to make compost to feed the bushes. They dig a hole where plants, manure, soil, food waste are placed. The heating of the compost takes about 9 months. If it is not possible to deal with a compost pit, you can dig and sprinkle manure on the site in the fall.
The most popular among folk recipes are:
nettle infusion. Cut the nettles until the seeds are formed. Cut the stalks, place in a large bowl, add the crackers, yeast and stale bread. The mixture should fill the container ¾. Add water, but not to the brim, because the solution is still fermented. After 5 days the concentrate is ready – it is filtered, diluted 1:10 with water, cucumbers watered once every 7 days;
infusion of herbs. Chamomile, wormwood, stepchildren are cut from tomatoes, yarrow and filled with 1/8 of the dish. Add 10 liters of water, 1 tsp. humate. After 5 days, filter, add wood ash and use for root feeding. You can’t use a field garden for infusion – it releases toxins. In addition, porridge that produces alcohol during fermentation is not suitable.
Effective products of agrochemical complex
When choosing a potassium fertilizer for cucumbers in the greenhouse and garden, you can safely use the products of the agrochemical industry. Potassium sulfate and potassium nitrate work well. The latter contains nitrogen, so it is advisable to use it for landscaping in the spring.
Monopotium phosphate is mixed in a bucket of water in an amount of 15 g.This volume is enough to irrigate 3-5 bushes. Overdose is harmful, so you need to dose accurately according to the instructions.
Kalimagnesia contains 30% potassium, 10% sulfur, 17% magnesium and 3% chlorine. Due to the last component it is used for digging, in the fall. Dosage – 20 g per 1 square. m Chlorine finds time to evaporate until spring.
It is not difficult to get a rich harvest if you follow the advice of experienced farmers and sprinkle fertilizers in a timely and accurate dose.
