Residents of high-rise buildings they do not always have the opportunity to grow vegetables in their personal garden. But they found a solution – planting food on a windowsill or balcony. Particularly popular are tomatoes, cucumbers, lemons. They also require quality care and the necessary conditions for germination. Feeding cucumbers on the windowsill is one of the main activities in the cultivation of this vegetable.
Fertilizer before planting
The first feeding is carried out before planting seedlings. Its purpose is to enrich the soil with useful and nutritious minerals.
Mixtures for fertilizing the soil:
- humus;
- sawdust;
- leaves;
- peat.
An effective remedy is a combination of 30 grams of nitrophosphate, 200 grams of ash, 15 grams of ash. This is enough for 10 kg of land. The mixture activates the growth of seedlings. Remember that for 1 bush of cucumbers you need at least 5 kg of soil.At the initial stage, it is better that each bush is in a separate container.
Fertilizer during seedlings
Cucumbers are an early, precocious crop. They require timely top dressing. After fertilizing the soil, the sprouts are transplanted into containers. This is the seedling method.
The composition of the fertilizer depends on the stage of growth of cucumbers on the windowsill. Plants that have not yet begun to bloom are fed with nutrient solutions. Nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus – their main components. At the fruiting stage, potassium, magnesium and nitrogen mixtures are used.
The main rule is that a month after the appearance of the first seedlings, feeding is carried out three times. Its goal is to activate leaf growth and flower formation.
Stages of feeding cucumbers on the windowsill:
- 14 days after seed germination. You will need carbamide and superphosphate in an amount of 10 grams. Dissolve them in 3 l of warm water. 60 g of solution is enough for one plant.
- 10 days after the first feeding. Make a solution based on any organic components (manure, urea). If there are several components, take them in equal quantities of 25 g. You need 100 g of fertilizer for 1 bush.
- Do it 10 days after the previous feeding. Take 30 grams of wood ash and 10 grams of nitrophosphate. Mix with 3 l of water. Enough 150-200 g of liquid.
Between stage 2 and 3, it is advisable to feed the soil with peat.This is necessary to prevent acidification and improve soil quality. The micronutrients present in the solution are responsible for this.
Yeast top dressing
Unicellular yeast. They consist of B and D vitamins, carbohydrates, minerals (magnesium, potassium, zinc). They accelerate the growth of the root system. Positive effect on the development of bushes.
You can feed with dry or wet yeast. Features of 2 methods:
- Yeast solution from a “live” mixture. It will take 1 kg of fresh yeast and 5 liters of warm water. Mix thoroughly and set at least a day in a warm place. The temperature in the room should not be lower than 25 degrees. For greater efficiency, the container with the mixture can be wrapped with a blanket. Before applying the solution for cucumbers on the windowsill, keep a proportion of 1:10. That is 1 liter of fertilizer and 10 liters of liquid. For 1 bush you need 1 liter of fertilizing.
- A mixture of dry yeast. In a 3-liter jar, dilute 100 g of baker’s yeast. Water should be exactly 2.5 liters. Pre-dilute yeast in a warm liquid. Add half a glass of sugar (about 150 g) to the jar. The jar is placed in a warm place. It is important to stir the solution regularly. After the fermentation process is completed, dilute 1 cup of fertilizer in 10 l of water. For one plant, 1 liter of solution is enough.
Yeast will protect plants from diseases
Yeast is not only applied under the root. With liquid mixtures, you can spray the leaves and stem. Such preventive measures will protect cucumbers from pests and diseases. The foliage will be green for a long time, and the fruits will be healthy and of high quality.
Foliar top dressing
Used at the stage of ovary formation. Necessary due to lack of nutrients, which negatively affects the development of the fruit. Subsequently, the plant dries out, yields are reduced.
Boric solution
Cucumbers lack the chemical element of boron. Make boric solution. He will need 1 gram of boric acid and 1 liter of water.
Spray the plant with a small amount of liquid. Repeat the procedure every 7-10 days.
Manganese solution
10-15 crystals of potassium permanganate are enough. Soak them in 3 liters of warm water. It is better to spray with a drip method.
The task of this fertilizer is to fix the effect of boron solution. This will increase the taste and activate metabolic processes.
Ash solution
The product is harmless to fruits and plants. According to gardeners, it’s quite effective when growing cucumbers at home.
We need 100 g of funds. Insist it in 1 liter of water.An important clarification – before feeding a vegetable crop, water it. For 1 bush, 1 cup (220-250 ml) of the solution is enough.
Azofoska
This is a multicomponent remedy. Contains nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus. It contains 50% of nutrients and 16% of mineral elements.
The frequency of fertilizer is 10-15 days. Dilute 10 g of azofoska in 3 l of heated water. 200 ml of liquid is enough to feed the plant.
Types of fertilizers
The developers have created different types of fertilizing. They allow you to eliminate various diseases of cucumbers. There are mineral and organic products. Both are quite effective, especially in the complex.
Organic products
They are inexpensive, there is a huge assortment on the market. No harmful additives, all components are natural, of natural origin. But before use, they should be checked for infections.
Banana peel
Tincture on a banana peel promotes rapid growth
Contains a lot of potassium. It contributes to the rapid growth of the plant.
Algorithm:
- Before use, the peel must be slightly dried. To do this, use an oven or battery.
- Fine detail. It is best to cut to a powdery appearance.
- Add to the soil.
You can make a tincture on a banana peel.It should stand for at least 2 days.
Egg shells
The composition contains many trace elements: copper, fluorine, iron, zinc, sulfur, manganese, phosphorus, silicon. In total, there are at least 27 pieces. Using eggshells, increase the vegetation of cucumbers.
The shell from under 4 eggs needs to be detailed and pour 3 liters of warm water for several days. She will begin to emit an unpleasant odor. This is hydrogen sulfide, which is an excellent stimulator for the growth of vegetable crops. Store in a dark room. Leave the lid of the jar slightly ajar.
Darkened water is the main sign of the readiness of the infusion. Water the soil and spray the leaves daily.
Coffee grounds
Coffee beans make the soil waterproof. After coffee tincture, the soil is easy to loosen.
The main requirement is to use only roasted grains. Otherwise, they will have a negative effect on seedlings. It must be dry. The solution can be used to fertilize roots and leaves.
Onion peel
It has a double effect – it gives nutrients to the whole plant and makes it resistant to diseases. Unwanted pests will not appear.
It is prepared elementarily – add 20 g of husk to 5 l of boiled water. Leave to infuse for 4-5 days. You need to feed after straining.
Potato peelings
Contain starch, potassium, vitamin C, glucose, fats. They are easily accessible and stored for a long time at home.
For cooking, potato peelings are boiled.Filter and get a potato broth. They can fertilize the roots or spray the whole plant.
Sugar
You can fertilize the soil with ordinary sugar. For 1 bush you need 1 teaspoon. Sprinkle it on the surface of the soil and fill it with heated water.
For watering, you can take sweet water. Sugar is rich in glucose, which is often not enough for cucumbers that grow near the window.
Mineral fertilizers
They are necessary to improve the condition of the soil. Stimulate the growth of bushes. Rarely used at home – in cases where organic fertilizers are not enough.
For the first feeding, use 5 grams of ammophos. The next step requires an ammonia-superphosphate solution, 30 grams of each substance. You can also add potassium nitrate in an amount of 5 grams per 250 ml of water.
Each substance is enough for 4-5 bushes. Tip-the less mineral fertilizers, the better. They contain chemicals. In large quantities, make the fruits harmful to
Conclusion
Growing cucumbers and their f1 hybrids on the window is a common practice for residents of high-rise buildings, but top dressing is important in this matter, because minerals and vitamins are not enough Buying them at the store is not necessary Banana peel, coffee grounds, eggshells can be fertilized with improvised means.
Experts advise limiting the amount of mineral fertilizers. They will not be very effective and may have a negative impact. Perform root and foliar dressing, depending on the condition of the cucumber bushes and get delicious fruits!
