FOLIAR FEEDING OF CUCUMBERS

Cucumbers are a staple crop for many vegetable growers, and their proper fertilization plays a crucial role in ensuring their health, vigorous growth, and abundant yields. In this article, we delve into the essential methods and principles of cucumber fertilization, empowering you to achieve bountiful harvests!

Key Nutrients for Cucumber Nutrition

Cucumbers exhibit a high nutrient uptake rate. Extensive research indicates that to produce 1 kg of cucumber yield, these crops require 1.4 kg of nitrogen (N); 0.4 kg of phosphorus (P2O5); 2.2 kg of potassium (K); and 0.2 kg of magnesium (Mg).

Essential Nutrients for Cucumber Growth and Development:

• Nitrogen: Crucial for foliage formation, promoting intense and increased growth.
• Phosphorus: Enhances root system development and accelerates fruit and seed maturation.
• Potassium: Increases the number of fruit set and improves fruit flavor.
• Magnesium: Enhances fruit color and boosts photosynthesis efficiency.
• Calcium: Elevates product quality and improves transportability.

Micronutrients: Essential Elements for Vital Plant Processes

Micronutrients are chemical substances essential for the proper functioning of vital processes in living organisms. They are present in plants in very small quantities (typically less than 0.001%), but despite their minimal content, they are of paramount importance for plant growth and development.

Micronutrient Correction Methods:

1. Foliar Fertilization: During the growing season, foliar fertilization is employed to adjust micronutrient levels in the soil.
2. Seed Treatment: Before planting, seeds are treated with the necessary micronutrients.
3. Soil Application: Complex fertilizers containing essential micronutrients are incorporated into the soil.

Benefits of Micronutrient Foliar Application and Spraying:

• Treatment and prevention of plant growth and development issues caused by micronutrient deficiencies.
• ?Treatment and prevention of bacterial and fungal plant diseases.
• ?Enhancement of crop quality.
• Stimulation of flowering and fruit set.

Micronutrient Interactions:

Micronutrients influence the uptake of macronutrients by plants. For instance, iron, manganese, and zinc deficiencies hinder nitrogen uptake, while molybdenum and cobalt facilitate its assimilation. Phosphorus absorption is enhanced by copper, zinc, calcium, and molybdenum but is reduced by magnesium and iron. Potassium uptake is diminished by copper, nickel, zinc, molybdenum, iron, and boron but is augmented by chlorine.

Balanced Fertilization for Optimal Growth:

Each of these nutrients plays a significant role in different stages of cucumber development. Deficiencies or excesses can lead to plant deterioration and yield reductions.

?Nutrient Excess and Its Impact on Cucumber Growth:

An overabundance of nutrients and salts in the soil can lead to stunted plant growth, characterized by dark green shoots and leaves, shortened internodes, small and tough leaf blades, misshapen and thin dark green fruits, and brown roots.

Preventing Nutrient Excess:

To prevent excessive nutrient accumulation, it is crucial to avoid overfertilization, increase irrigation volume, and utilize less concentrated fertilizer solutions.

Nutrient Deficiency and Its Symptoms:

A general deficiency of nutrients manifests in poorly developed lateral shoots, pale yellow leaves, and yellow, tasteless fruits. This can result from impaired nutrient uptake from the soil, loss of leaves and root systems, low soil temperature, poor soil ventilation, excessive watering, nutrient leaching, and insufficient organic matter in the soil.

Preventing Nutrient Deficiency:

To combat nutrient deficiencies, adhere to optimal fertilizer application rates, considering the soil’s nutrient content and plant development stages. Employ foliar feeding, enhance root system efficiency, and promote root growth. Before transplanting seedlings, conduct a soil agrochemical analysis to identify nutrient deficiencies that hinder normal plant growth and development.

Nutrient Deficiency by Soil Type:

Depending on the soil type, specific nutrient deficiencies may arise:

• Sod-podzolic soils: Often lack nitrogen and phosphorus.
• Light sandy and loamy sandy soils: Exhibit potassium, boron, and copper deficiencies.
• Peat, alkaline, and calcareous soils: Typically deficient in manganese.
• Raised and lowland peat bogs: Possess low copper content

Tissue Diagnosis for Precise Nutrient Deficiency Identification:

If you are unable to pinpoint the cause of plant decline during the growing season, it is advisable to seek laboratory assistance for tissue diagnosis. This precise analysis will reveal the exact nutrient deficiencies affecting your cucumber plants.

Expert Tip: Frequent Small Doses for Optimal Growth:

Cucumbers exhibit rapid growth, development, and extended fruiting periods. Therefore, optimal fertilization involves applying small doses with each watering, gradually increasing the quantity as the plant progresses through its growth stages.

Recommended Fertilizers for Cucumbers:

Opt for water-soluble fertilizers that can be incorporated into irrigation practices. Wonder LLC offers a comprehensive range of fertilizers tailored to optimize cucumber growth and development at all stages.

1. ?Nitrogen fertilizers: Urea and ammonium sulfate, which minimize nitrate accumulation. The top choice is Wonder Leaf Violet , which contains a high level of nitrogen.
2. Phosphorus fertilizers: For optimal phosphorus feeding, we recommend fertilizers such as Wonder Leaf Mono P 30, which contains 30% phosphorus, and Wonder Leaf Blue , which has an increased phosphorus content.
3. Potassium fertilizers: For potassium nutrition, you can use the liquid form of chlorine-free potassium in Wonder Leaf Mono K30 or the complex fertilizer with a high potassium content in Wonder Leaf Red.
4. Calcium-containing fertilizers: We offer two solutions for your crops: the liquid fertilizer Wonder Leaf Mono Ca 14 and the dual-component combination of calcium and boron in Wonder Leaf CaO+B.
5. Complex mineral fertilizers , which are the most popular: Wonder LLC offers complex mineral fertilizers such as Wonder Leaf Grass, Wonder Leaf Blossom, Wonder Leaf Veg&Fruit, Wonder Leaf Wonder Micro, and more.
6. ?Organic, organo-mineral, and bio-fertilizers: Examples include Wonder Humic Force, Wonder Humic NPK , Wonder Leaf Orange , Wonder Leaf Green , and Wonder Leaf Amino 43.
7. Fertilizers with microelements? : Microelements stimulate plant growth and accelerate development; they enhance plants’ resistance to adverse environmental conditions. Wonder offers the Wonder Leaf Mono line, which includes all necessary elements to meet any farmer’s needs.? ? ? ?

Conclusion: The Significance of Proper Fertilization:

Cucumber fertilization is a cornerstone of successful cultivation. Balanced plant nutrition contributes to enhanced yields, improved crop quality, and increased resistance to diseases and pests.

Wonder’s foliar fertilizers provide cucumbers with the necessary macro- and micronutrients crucial for healthy growth and development. Considering the importance of fertilization for a bountiful harvest, carefully select the right fertilizers and apply them judiciously throughout the growing season!