Hydroponic Growing - Nutrient Management in Seedless Cucumber

Growing parthenocarpy cucumbers in a greenhouse offers several advantages, especially when using soilless hydroponic systems. Parthenocarpy cucumbers, known for their ability to develop fruit without pollination, thrive in controlled environments where nutrient management can be precisely optimized. By providing the right nutrients at each growth stage, you can ensure robust growth and high yields. This blog post outlines the recommended nutrient doses for parthenocarpy cucumbers at the seedling, vegetative, fruit setting, and harvesting stages, tailored for hydroponic growing systems.

Seedling Stage (0-3 weeks)

• Nitrogen (N): 50-70 ppm
• Phosphorus (P): 20-30 ppm
• Potassium (K): 50-70 ppm
• Calcium (Ca): 40-50 ppm
• Magnesium (Mg): 20-30 ppm
• Micronutrients: Standard seedling nutrient mix
• pH Level: 5.5-6.5
• EC Level: 1.5-2.5 mS/cm

Vegetative Stage (4-6 weeks)

• Nitrogen (N): 100-150 ppm
• Phosphorus (P): 30-50 ppm
• Potassium (K): 150-200 ppm
• Calcium (Ca): 100-150 ppm
• Magnesium (Mg): 40-60 ppm
• Micronutrients: Balanced supply including Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Mo
• pH Level: 5.5-6.5
• EC Level: 1.5-2.5 mS/cm

?Fruit Setting Stage (7-10 weeks)

• Nitrogen (N): 120-180 ppm
• Phosphorus (P): 40-60 ppm
• Potassium (K): 200-250 ppm
• Calcium (Ca): 150-200 ppm
• Magnesium (Mg): 50-70 ppm
• Micronutrients: Maintain balanced levels, with a focus on B and Zn
• pH Level: 5.5-6.5
• EC Level: 1.5-2.5 mS/cm

Harvesting Stage (11+ weeks)

• Nitrogen (N): 100-150 ppm
• Phosphorus (P): 30-50 ppm
• Potassium (K): 200-250 ppm
• Calcium (Ca): 150-200 ppm
• Magnesium (Mg): 50-70 ppm
• Micronutrients: Continue balanced supply to maintain fruit quality
• pH Level: 5.5-6.5
• EC Level: 1.5-2.5 mS/cm

Integrating the Fertilizer Recipe Designing Tool

For precise nutrient management, the Fertilizer Recipe Designing Tool is an invaluable resource. This tool allows you to input specific parameters such as the growth stage, desired nutrient levels, and environmental conditions. It then calculates the exact amounts of each nutrient required, ensuring your cucumbers receive the optimal mix for healthy growth and high yields.

Reference

https://www.pprii.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMXWupKxFgkXrP3FVTTogZg

Visualizing the Nutrient Management Plan

To better understand the nutrient management plan for parthenocarpy cucumbers, the following bar chart illustrates the recommended nutrient doses at each growth stage:

Conclusion

Proper nutrient management is crucial for the successful cultivation of parthenocarpy cucumbers in a soilless hydroponic system within a greenhouse. By following the recommended doses for each growth stage, and using the Fertilizer Recipe Designing Tool, growers can ensure healthy plant development and high-quality fruit production. Regular monitoring and adjustments based on plant response and environmental conditions will further enhance the effectiveness of the nutrient management plan.

Feel free to share your experiences or ask questions in the comments below. Happy growing!