Cucumber seedlings at home: when to sow, how long they sprout, features of care after germination Russian farmer

Vegetable growing » Cucumbers

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Kira Stoletova

Many summer residents like to grow vegetables by propagating seedlings. It all starts with the process of planting seeds. And many people are concerned about questions: how many days do cucumber seeds take to germinate, how to increase germination, and the reasons for their failure to germinate.

Cucumber seed germination time

Why don't the seeds germinate?

There are many cases when seeds are planted, but germination never occurs. This indicates a violation of agrotechnological practices during cultivation. There may be several reasons:

Temperature. If the thermometer reading is below 12°C, then the seeds slow down their development. The hatched material begins to rot in the cold soil.
Planting depth. Planting at a greater depth will increase the germination time of cucumbers. If it is shallow, the seeds do not have time to shed their seed coat.
Wet and heavy soil. A cucumber, when sown in such soil, may not sprout. Oxygen does not enter the soil well if the humidity is high. In heavy soil, a crust forms that is difficult for sprouts to break through.
Dry soil. Insufficient watering or hot weather prevents rapid germination. Germination slows down, and if the soil is not moistened, they may not sprout at all.
Seed preparation. Incorrect or excessive processing of planting material before sowing leads to late results. Soaked and hatched seeds must be immediately planted in the soil without preliminary drying.
Material storage. Must be stored in a cool, dry place. If such conditions are violated, namely, with an increase in humidity, the seeds deteriorate ahead of schedule.
Poor seed material. The seeds have already been previously infected. The fruits from which they were collected were often sick and yielded a small harvest. Hybrid varieties produce bad seeds, the harvest is tasteless, and the fruits are deformed.

When agrotechnological practices are violated, fungal diseases develop. Such infections damage the seeds and embryos. Sprout fly larvae are attracted to swollen seeds and sprouts. Penetrating inside, they eat them away.

When the ground is closed, the cucumber mosquito eats the roots. The first shoots attract mice, insects and cats. Caps and non-woven material will help protect the sprouts from pests.

Cucumber seed germination rate

The culture came to us from the tropical zones of Africa and Asia, and therefore is a heat-loving plant.

Planting in an open area will require sufficient warming of the soil and the absence of upcoming frosts. Compared to greenhouse conditions, sowing in unprotected soil occurs three weeks later.

Cucumber shoots are observed by the end of the first week of planting - after 4–6 days.
When sown in heavy soil, the time for sprouts to hatch is extended by 3–4 days.

Germination phase

The quality of planting material has a great influence on germination, so before planting, bad seeds - empty, damaged or stained - are discarded.

This is facilitated by various factors, for example:

mechanical damage to the seed shell;
drying out;
damage by pathogenic microorganisms;
early growth.

Sufficient watering, the required temperature, and ventilation of the area will help the seed to hatch.

Beginning of the growing season

Proper development of the seed at this stage largely depends on the level of soil moisture.

The beginning of the plant's growing season is characterized by the seed being saturated with moisture to a certain amount.
Then the swollen grain opens the skin, there is an increase in enzyme activity and a large consumption of oxygen.

However, for the processes to proceed, it is necessary to create the following humidity conditions:

at least 40% must be contained in the ground after planting the seeds;
no less than 80% - when the grains swell.

The air temperature at this time should be approximately +25° C. When it decreases, the seed material may become moldy after swelling, which affects the impossibility of further vegetation.

Seed development

At this stage, leaves form in the embryo, the seed coat opens and the seedling begins to grow.

The process is accompanied by various chemical reactions that break down starch, oxidize fat-like substances and other organic compounds. At the same time, the formation of proteins and aminocarboxylic acids occurs. As a result, an embryonic root develops, which will absorb nutrients from the soil.

How long will it take for the seeds to germinate?

Many people are concerned about the question: how many days do cucumber seeds take to germinate? The main factor for determining timing is soil temperature.

Germination of cucumber seeds begins at a soil temperature of 12-13°C. The optimal conditions for germinating cucumbers is a soil temperature of 20-25°C above zero, then the first shoots will appear after 4-6 days.

How many days will cucumber seeds germinate if the temperature is 18°C? The first shoots will appear in 10 days.

How long does it take for cucumber seeds to germinate if the weather gets worse? In this case, shoots will appear after 1.5-2 weeks.

If after 14 days the first shoots have not appeared, you can re-sow.

Poor germination is achieved by planting material that has overwintered outside. Fresh seeds do not germinate well, and if they are 4-5 years old, they may not germinate at all. For good germination, take 2-year-old seeds.

Transplanting seedlings to a permanent place

Dark green, squat bushes are selected for planting. If there are five or more leaves, then the seedlings are overgrown and require deepening.

The root system should be white, formed, and occupy the entire volume of the seedling cup. The ideal seedlings for planting in the soil have 3-4 leaves, and for greenhouses - 5-6 leaves.

Cucumber seedlings are planted in open ground at a daytime temperature of +21-23°C. At night it should not fall below 18°C.

Cucumbers do not grow well in the same place. Good predecessors for them are potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, greens, and legumes.

The soil chosen is neutral acidity, light, fertile, with good air and moisture permeability. It is desirable that the soil contains humus.

Cucumber beds are located on the sunny side, protected from northern winds.

Transferring seedlings from pots

Cucumber seedlings experience a lot of stress when transplanted. It is most convenient to transfer seedlings grown in peat pots to a permanent place. They are simply buried without disturbing the plants. The bottom and walls of paper or thin plastic cups are cut, completely removing the soil clod.

If necessary, remove the plant from dense containers:

Stop watering cucumber seedlings 3-4 days before transplanting. The soil should dry out and stick to the roots.
Using a scoop, press down the soil around the perimeter of the pot.
Smoothly pull the bush by the “ears” along with the ground.
Move the plant into the prepared hole.
Fill up to the cotyledon leaves. The soil is compacted.
Mulch the soil around the stem.

Growing cucumbers in seedlings is convenient and profitable. Caring for seedlings is not difficult, and the guarantee of a rich harvest increases.

How to stimulate germination

To increase the germination of seeds, it is recommended to prepare them correctly, following the main steps: storage, selection, soaking and hardening. Next, the finished planting material is planted in a sunny place, in soil that is moistened and enriched with minerals and nutrients. In regions with cold spring or changeable weather, it is recommended to plant seedlings on a windowsill or in a greenhouse.

Selection and sorting

When calibrating visually, you can discard thin, dark, empty seeds. Then the grains are selected and disinfected using ordinary salt. Cucumbers are placed in a saline solution (1 teaspoon of salt per 250 ml of water), the floating seeds are collected and not used. Afterwards, the material is washed under running water and dried.

Soaking of seeds is carried out in a solution to which biologically active substances are added: “Zircon”, “Ivin”, “Epin-Extra”. The procedure lasts about 8-16 hours. At this time, sprouts should appear from the grains.

Warming up the seeds

The procedure improves germination, kills pathogenic bacteria and fungi, stimulates better growth of cucumbers and prepares germinated seedlings for the dry season. To do this, you need to keep the material at 40°C for several days. You can quickly dry and warm the seeds in the oven or under an incandescent lamp.

Soak

After warming up, the seeds need to be kept in cool water for several minutes. Then the cucumbers undergo a second stage of disinfection using potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide or boric acid. Chemicals should not be used on material that has a damaged skin.

Soaking is carried out in any shallow container (saucer, plate, bowl). The seeds are laid out between layers of gauze. Next, the material is filled with a special liquid for a day. The dishes are placed in a warm place without drafts and covered with glass or a plastic bag. It is necessary to periodically check the cucumbers and change the water if it becomes cloudy.

Hardening

Hardening will strengthen the immunity of future seedlings to diseases and sudden changes in temperature. To do this, the dishes with grains are sent to the refrigerator (3-6°C) for half a day, and then to a warm place (20-22°C). The procedure takes three days.

Correct sowing and agricultural technology

Before planting in open ground, cucumbers are germinated in damp gauze. After the sprouts appear, they are sent to dug up and fertilized soil. The holes should be at a distance of 20-30 cm, and the beds should be made every 40 cm. A week after the emergence of seedlings, the ground is cleared of weeds, loosened and excess seedlings are removed. You must leave up to 3 roots in one hole.

Important! For quick germination, you can remove the top layer of soil, add a thick layer of manure, and fill it with warm water. In such conditions, the seeds will not freeze or become moldy.. https://www.youtube.com/embed/4sGcoW9YX8I

The reason for the lack of sprouting of seedlings may be poor-quality cucumber grains, a violation of the temperature regime, or improper preparation of planting material. Therefore, gardeners are advised to adhere to the cultivation requirements. If, when calibrating the seeds, more than 50% turned out to be of poor quality, it is better not to sow a plant from this batch.

Previous CucumbersWilting of cucumbers in greenhouses and open ground: what to treat and how to treat Next CucumbersCucumbers grow poorly and die: how to revive cucumbers in the garden

Preparing for germination

Before the procedure, planting material is carefully prepared.

Calibration

Select grains from healthy plants that are not affected by diseases. If these are not available, you will have to purchase them at a garden store.

When selecting, the following nuances are taken into account:

the background should be green;
the grains must be from the female type of plant, as they will give a good harvest;
The planting material must be completely dry, dense and complete before planting.

To prepare a saline solution, pour 3-5 g of salt into 100 ml of water, then drop the seeds into it. Those that float up are empty, they are thrown away.

Sterilization

Plant diseases are transmitted along with planting material, so the sterilization stage is important. They refuse it only if they use purchased seeds.

Homemade seeds are sterilized in this way:

Take a 1% solution of potassium permanganate and immerse the grains in it.
The water in the solution should be warm – +20-26°C.
Keep the seeds in the solution for 15-20 minutes, then wash them under running water.

There is a second method of sterilization - heating. Planting material is immersed in warm water (+50°C) and the grains are kept for 20-30 minutes. This time is enough to get rid of viruses or fungi remaining on the seeds.

Hardening

It is necessary if the seeds are planted directly in open ground. The air temperature will be low, so it will be difficult for the plant to adapt to weather conditions. If you plant seeds in the hot season, hardening will not be required.

Procedure:

The container is placed in the refrigerator at a temperature of 4-6°C for 12 hours so that the planting material adapts to the conditions. You can do this at night.
Similar manipulations are carried out for 2-3 days until the seeds germinate.

Bubbling

Allows you to accelerate the emergence of seedlings. The essence of bubbling is to saturate the planting material with oxygen, which has a positive effect on overall germination.

To do this, you will need an aquarium compressor and a container of 0.5-0.7 liters, or a regular glass jar.

Procedure:

Fill the container 1/4 full with water.
Dip a small amount of grains into the water so that they float freely in the jar.
Lower the compressor tip to the bottom of the container and turn it on.
This processing of grains lasts for 18 hours.
After bubbling, dry the planting material.

The process increases germination rate to 100% and guarantees rapid seed germination - in 3-7 days.

How to increase germination

There are several techniques that help reduce germination time:

stimulation;
soak;
sowing.

For better germination, pots or glasses are covered with plastic wrap. This is done to reduce the supply of oxygen. When there is a lack of air, cucumbers germinate better. After the first shoots appear, the film is removed.

You only need to water with warm water. Cold water promotes the development of various infections and diseases in plants. Watering is best done in good weather.

Another condition for a good result of sowing cucumbers is disinfected soil. Many people forget that there are various larvae and bacteria in the soil. Before planting, it is necessary to treat with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or boiling water.

It is almost impossible to achieve 100% germination of cucumbers. Growth stimulants increase results by 30-35%. The main thing is to eliminate all mistakes and germinate the seeds, observing the necessary conditions.

Stimulation

Stimulation will increase seed germination

Seed stimulation is used to increase the number of germinated seeds and germination. With this method, various growth stimulants are used. They are a supplement based on bacteria, fungi and plant elements. This mixture strengthens the root system and improves growth. It is recommended for use when growing expensive varieties or hybrids.

The supplement must be used strictly according to the instructions and in the correct dosage. It is better to purchase expensive and popular options for stimulants. If used incorrectly, stimulants can have the opposite effect - slowing down and stopping growth.

Stimulants are used at the initial stage. After the seeds are taken out of the package. Stimulation is an alternative to simple soaking. With this method of processing, planting material is immersed in water with growth stimulants for 10-12 hours.

For stimulation, you can use folk remedies. Valerian infusion and aloe juice are biostimulants for growth.

Soak

Soaking is used in two ways:

You will need fabric. First you need to wet it, put the seeds on top and cover with a damp cloth. After this, they are placed in a plastic bag. In this way, access to oxygen is blocked and the temperature increases.
You'll need a jar. Manipulations are carried out as in the first method, only a glass jar is used instead of a bag. It is covered with a nylon lid and placed in a dark place.

When soaking, it is necessary to monitor storage conditions so that the soaked material does not rot or become covered with fungus. Water temperature and its quality play an important role. It is best to use rain or settled water. It does not contain chlorine and other impurities. The use of distilled water is strictly prohibited. For fast and high-quality germination, the temperature should be 25°C. It will take 12 hours.

Sowing

When sowing, methods to improve germination are to prevent infection and disease. Treatment with various immunomodulators improves immunity in plants. Subsequently, they are more resistant to diseases.

Treatment once a month with trichodermine will save plants from root rot. Treatment with urea is necessary for young cucumbers. 1 tsp urea is diluted in a bucket of warm water. After this, it is applied by foliar method.

Conditions for growing cucumbers

In a polycarbonate greenhouse

To ensure a guaranteed harvest, polycarbonate-coated structures are used - this is due to the material’s ability to retain heat and transmit the entire spectrum of solar radiation

The design of the greenhouse includes windows for ventilation, which is important for growing. In a greenhouse it is easy to create the microclimate necessary for plants. Seeds can be planted for seedlings in mid-April; seedlings can be planted a month later, on May 15

Important! Planting should not be frequent; it is recommended to plant from 2 to 4 plants per 1 square meter to provide enough air and light. How to germinate cucumber seeds

How to germinate cucumber seeds

Cultivation of a southern heat-loving crop requires the creation of certain conditions:

Temperature;
Humidity;
Lighting;
Nutrition.

For germinating cucumber seeds, the acceptable level of soil moisture is 60%, air humidity 80% at a temperature of 25 to 28 degrees. When growing and forming fruits, a sufficient temperature level is from 17 to 28 degrees. The humidity level can be maintained by placing a bucket of water in the greenhouse or periodically spraying the structure with water. At a temperature of about 30 degrees, it is necessary to ventilate the greenhouse and open the windows.

Important! Cucumbers need light soil, containing up to 40% organic matter, such as humus, compost, and peat. To obtain maximum yield, it is necessary to ensure:

To obtain maximum yield, it is necessary to ensure:

Formation of shoots;
Variety selection;
Garter;
Watering and fertilizing.

On the windowsill

Cultivation on a windowsill or balcony allows you to admire flowers and herbs and have vegetables for salads and snacks.

To grow on a windowsill you need:

Select a variety of self-pollinating (parthenocarpic) hybrids;
Sow in waves: after the first batch - a month later, after a month and a half - the second and so on up to four times;
It is recommended to plant the first planting in September in order to get the first harvest in November;
The temperature should be 21-24 degrees during the day, 18-19 degrees at night; if necessary, the plants can be heated, for example, with incandescent lamps;

Cucumbers on the windowsill

It is necessary to maintain a humidity regime with a sufficient amount of water, but without excess, it leads to diseases.

A ready-made mixture from the store works well as soil, but you can prepare it yourself: for 2 parts of garden soil, take one part of river sand and one part of humus, add a little sawdust. The composition must be disinfected with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, heated for 30-40 minutes at 120 degrees or spilled with very hot water.

Note! The germination of cucumbers (how many days they will germinate) depends on the quality of the seeds. Purchased planting material can be treated with stimulants, pickled and ready for germination; it will sprout quickly

Homemade preparations are treated with potassium permanganate or 3% hydrogen peroxide, soaked, germinated or immediately placed in the ground.

Sowing is done in holes up to 2 centimeters, soil is poured on top, watered and covered with film. After soaking, the seeds are planted in the same way, but two grains are placed in a hole. When 5-6 leaves appear, a garter and supports for the plants are necessary, and pinching is also necessary to limit growth.

Vegetables on the windowsill need fertilizing; it is better to do it with a mixture purchased in a store, which indicates the frequency of use of the mixture and the proportions.

In the open ground

For cultivation in open ground, you should choose suitable varieties. It must be remembered that hybrids are more resistant to disease, but planting material will have to be purchased every year. Yields can be achieved if the variety is chosen correctly, taking into account climatic conditions and the purposes of growing vegetables.

Germinating seeds in the ground

Important! Seeds are sown in the beds in the last 10 days of May, although planting can be done until mid-July. A well-lit area is suitable for this.

Squash and pumpkin crops should not grow in this place in front of the cucumbers.

The bed is prepared in the fall, dug up, organic matter, 6-8 kilograms of manure, compost and potash fertilizers are added, 6-7 grams per square. It is better to grow seedlings in peat cups; buy soil or prepare it by mixing equal parts of humus, soil, peat with the addition of sawdust and wood ash. Planting is done with the sprouted end up 1.5-2 centimeters, covered with paper. After germination, the seedlings are kept indoors for 3-4 weeks at 22-28 degrees, before planting they are hardened and planted in the ground.

How to quickly germinate cucumbers

Let's look at the most effective ways to help germinate cucumber seeds in a short time.

Stimulation

Modern technologies in the agricultural sector allow seed material to quickly swell and germinate. Growth stimulants help with this. What are these drugs, and what effect do they have on cucumber seeds?

Growth stimulants are used as soon as the seed is taken out of the packaging envelope. In this case, the seeds are not soaked in the usual way, but are immersed in a special solution containing stimulants.

Such drugs have a strictly defined purpose:

for pecking;
for seedling growth;
for fruiting.

It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that such drugs can also inhibit the development and growth of the crop, having a negative effect on the plant. Therefore, stimulants are used with extreme care, carefully monitoring compliance with the specified norm. Some experienced gardeners prefer natural stimulants to ready-made preparations.

These include:

Some experienced gardeners prefer natural stimulants to ready-made preparations. These include:

These are natural biostimulants of growth and will not harm the germinated seeds.

Ready-made preparations are used in this way:

Prepare the solution following the instructions on the package.
Seeds are placed in the prepared solution.
The planting material is kept for up to 10-12 hours.

After the procedure, it is necessary to check the effectiveness of the stimulator.

Soak

The most common and “ancient” methods of germination include soaking. Let's look at two ways to prepare cucumber seeds for seedlings.

In the first case, damp natural fabric is used. Seeds are placed in it. Planting material must be protected from light, so one part of the damp cloth is used to cover the seeds. The wrapped seeds are placed in a plastic bag - preventing oxygen from entering and raising the temperature. For the second method, use a glass jar

Cucumber seeds are placed inside a damp natural cloth and then carefully placed in a jar. The jar is tightly closed with a silicone lid and placed in a dark place.

In both of these cases, the planting material will germinate within a few days. During this period, they especially monitor the optimal conditions for seed pecking and try to prevent the seeds from becoming covered with fungus.

In order for the seeds to hatch, you only need to take water at least 25˚C.

Sowing

It was already noted above that after sowing it is necessary to cover the beds with cellophane film, which helps create a semblance of greenhouse conditions and increases the temperature of the substrate. Sometimes, even if the preparatory work was carried out correctly, cucumbers do not sprout. Why is this happening?

Seeds that fall into the soil find themselves in an unfavorable environment. This is especially dangerous for cucumber seeds that will be grown without seedlings. To protect planting material from rotting and disease, the beds should be prepared. They are treated with a special drug that destroys pathogenic flora.

To increase the immunity of young plants and provide them with resistance to diseases, special immunomodulators are used.

If you exclude errors when preparing seeds and germinating them, you can find out in advance how many days cucumber seeds will germinate after sowing. However, the timing of the appearance of the first shoots may be influenced by factors beyond human control.

It is important to monitor the planting calendar and weather conditions

See more details here:

Without exaggeration, cucumber can be called the favorite crop of vegetable growers. There is hardly an eccentric among gardeners who will refuse to eat freshly picked crispy greens. Cucumbers are easy to care for and bear fruit abundantly, so they can be grown either in seedlings or without seedlings in open ground, under a film cover, in a polycarbonate greenhouse, and even on a windowsill. Perhaps the most difficult test in this fascinating business is the agonizing wait for seedlings. How long does it take for cucumber seeds to germinate and is it possible to speed up this process?

Seedling care

Seedlings are one of the popular and convenient ways to plant cucumbers. Using this method, it is possible to ensure the survival of more seeds, since during the most dangerous early period for growth and development they find themselves in conditions suitable for life.

However, seedlings also need to be looked after. First of all, you need to decide what seeds will be planted - dry or already germinated. There is no significant difference between planting sprouted cucumber seeds or dry or swollen ones. Some manufacturers sell dry seeds ready for planting, coated with special fertilizers, and they should be planted just like that, without additional processing. Otherwise, it is advisable to at least simply disinfect the seed with potassium permanganate, and germination is left to the discretion of the gardener.

Important! The roots of cucumbers in the early stages are thin and fragile, they are easily damaged, so they try not to pick cucumbers. It is more convenient to grow seedlings immediately in separate small cups, so that later you do not have to plant the vegetables in different containers.

The containers are filled with earth (you can prepare the soil yourself, or you can buy a special substrate) approximately two-thirds, the grain is placed inside and covered with a 1.5-2 cm layer of earth. Then carefully water it from a spray bottle (or just a thin stream from a bottle) with settled water.

Thus, the basic rules for growing seedlings look like this:

The seeds can be of any kind, but it is still advisable to treat them with potassium permanganate before planting.
It is more convenient to use separate containers - cups, jars, pots - than one large box, since replanting cucumbers is difficult.
After planting, you need to cover the containers with any suitable object - a bag, glass, or a light board.
After the first shoots appear, the plant is removed from under the covering.
It is necessary to ensure that the seedlings do not dry out and water them regularly.

Seedlings are planted in open ground a month after sowing.

What determines the germination of cucumbers?

Cucumbers are very demanding of heat, light and moisture.

Lighting

Cucumbers need bright sunlight. Therefore, they are planted in an open place, protected from cold northern winds.

Important. If you raise a bed intended for cucumbers by 20-30 cm, the soil temperature on it will increase by about 2 ºС, which will increase the growth of cucumbers

The soil

The soil should be light and nutritious. Cucumbers do not germinate well in heavy soil; it is difficult for them to break through such soil and they may not germinate at all.

Composition of soil for seedlings:

1 part humus;
1 part peat;
1/4 cup superphosphate;
2 cups of ash.

If your site has heavy soil, you can make furrows 1-2 cm deep, water them and sow cucumbers, and cover them with light soil on top.

Boarding time

Seeds for seedlings are sown 25-30 days before the intended planting in the ground.

Cucumbers are sown in open ground in late May - mid-June. If you are going to grow cucumbers in a greenhouse or under film, then sowing can be done in early May.

Germination time depends on air temperature and soil heating. The warmer it is, the faster the first shoots will appear.

Treatment before sowing

Treating seeds before sowing increases the germination of cucumbers, increases the plant's resistance to adverse weather conditions, various diseases and pest attacks.

Methods for pre-sowing treatment of cucumber seeds:

Calibration When preparing seeds yourself or buying them from hand, it is necessary to select good seeds and remove empty, diseased or damaged ones. Choose seeds that are large, smooth, and have a uniform shell color. You can also soak the seeds in a weak salt solution. After 5-10 minutes, all floating grains are removed, the rest are washed with clean water and dried.

Disinfection. Special preparations are used to disinfect seeds. The seeds are pickled in the solution for 1-2 hours and then dried. You can also use a weak solution of potassium permanganate, in which the seeds are soaked for 20-30 minutes, after which the grains are washed and dried.
Warming up. For 3 days, the seeds are heated at a temperature of +40ºС. They do this in the sun or using heating devices.
Soak. A very popular processing method among gardeners. Place a cloth at the bottom of the container, place the seeds on it and fill it with water so that it does not completely cover the grains. Leave for 1-2 days until the shell cracks, adding water if necessary.

If you purchased encrusted, plasma or precision seeds, they do not require pre-treatment. Manufacturers have already calibrated the grains and carried out a complex of disinfection procedures. Therefore, seeds covered with a colored shell can be immediately planted in the ground.

Climate

Cucumbers are very sensitive to cold and sudden temperature changes.

Approximate timing of sowing cucumber seeds for seedlings, depending on the region of Russia:

in the southern regions they sow starting from the second ten days of March;
in the central zone, sowing is carried out no earlier than mid-April, because They can be planted in open ground starting from the second half of May;
in Siberia and the Urals, night frosts can destroy plants, so they sow seedlings in early May, and plant them in the ground in the 1st-2nd decade of June.

To sow in open ground, you should wait for a stable daily temperature of +10-15 ºС.

Soil moisture

In order for cucumber seeds to germinate quickly and amicably, the bed must be well moistened before sowing.

If there is enough humidity, the seeds will germinate within 4-5 days. In dry soil, sprouts may appear after more than 10 days or may not appear at all.

If the soil on your site contains a lot of clay and is excessively moist, then you should water the bed with seeds moderately and make sure that there is no excess moisture. Stagnation of water can lead to diseases and death of plants.

Fertilizers

Experienced gardeners recommend preparing the soil for sowing cucumbers in the fall. To do this, prepare a mixture of 4 buckets of manure, 4 glasses of wood ash and 100 g of nitrophoska. In the fall, the mixture is spread on the garden bed. In the spring, they dig up and add 15 cm of black soil.

Spring fertilizing is carried out no later than a week before sowing. In place of the bed, dig a ditch 40 cm deep, fill it with rotted manure and add a 16 cm layer of black soil. Next, the soil is leveled, sides are made and covered with film.

Crop rotation

To reduce the likelihood of disease in cucumbers and protect them from pest attacks in one place, they are grown no more than once every 5 years. Cucumbers grow well after corn, tomatoes, peas and early potatoes.

Sowing

Puccini cucumbers

Soaking, germination and stimulation are elements of preparation for sowing. But you need to prepare not only cucumbers for planting, but also the soil itself.

Several significant stages can be distinguished.

Choosing the right sowing time. It depends on where and in what condition the cucumbers are planned to be planted. If the seedlings are kept at home, in the warmth and under the rays of the sun (otherwise the cucumbers may not sprout), then they should start around mid-April - the seedlings ripen in about four to five weeks. If you plan to plant cucumbers directly in open ground, then you should plant them closer to the end of May, beginning of June, when there will definitely be no sudden temperature changes.
Preparation for sowing, which includes choosing a site, preparing film (if an analogue of a greenhouse is created), preparations for cultivating the land, as well as fertilizers.
Soil cultivation. In the spring, before sowing, the soil is dug up, humus is added, and the soil is also disinfected and fed. Cucumbers are fed with mineral fertilizers, such as superphosphate (amount - 40 g per square meter of bed), potassium salt (25 grams per 1 m, if wood ash has not been used before), ammonium nitrate (15 g per meter) and specialized mineral fertilizers. After fertilizing, you can also additionally disinfect the soil with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
Immediately before planting, the beds are additionally heated by pouring a small amount of hot water into each hole.

Accelerate seed germination

Fast-germinating seeds do not need additional stimulation. For example: tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, beans - I never germinate in advance. I sow dry in beds or for seedlings, a few days and the first shoots are already there.

Speed up seed germination Ways to speed up germination

But there are such “long-thinking” seeds that you want to push them so that they germinate faster. For example, peppers and eggplants - if you don’t help them - they can lie in the ground for 2 weeks and then not sprout.

We have to sow again, but time goes by, spring is coming - we start to get nervous - the seedlings will be late, the harvest will be late.

Or carrots, parsley, dill, nigella - they take a long time to germinate, and in the spring you have to come up with various tricks to retain moisture in the ground and prevent the soil from cracking before the shoots appear. There's a lot of hassle when someone covers it, waters it, covers it again.

Therefore, such difficult-to-grow people need to be helped. And you will have less trouble for yourself.

Ways to speed up germination

I think everyone knows about the wet napkin in which the seeds are wrapped. Place the container with wet seeds in the refrigerator for several days (
they go through hardening and the stage of spring colds, as it were
). Then they are transferred to the room, into the warmth and... spring has come!.. the seeds are in a hurry to germinate. I do this with the seeds of peppers, eggplants and annual flowers before sowing them for seedlings.
There is a special method for dill, parsley and carrots. The essential oils contained in the seeds do not allow moisture to quickly penetrate inside the seed, so they sprout dry after 20-25 days. To speed up germination, they are washed in warm water and then soaked for a day to swell. You can add 1 tbsp to the water. a spoonful of wood ash (per 1 liter). Or some kind of universal fertilizer; now there are good biological products.
An interesting method specifically for carrots, parsley, and dill. Dry seeds are poured into a cloth bag (
You can also borrow a sock from your husband!
) and bury it in the garden in damp, unheated soil to the depth of a spade bayonet. This is done about two weeks before sowing (
Don't lose the treasure!
). To do this, stick a stick in place of the bag. Before sowing, the seeds are taken out, laid out on paper, dried until scattered and sown. Seeds prepared in this way germinate in 4-5 days.
Another method that was told by my readers from the Vologda region. I think it will work for all seeds.

I’ll add on my own that it’s better to do this at night and sow it the next day. If I'm wrong, please clarify this point.

I wish you 100% viable seeds.

Read other interesting articles:

Pumpkin varieties with photos and descriptions
Broccoli cabbage - growing and care
Planting radishes in spring - tips for a large harvest
How to grow strawberries from seeds
How to Grow Root Celery

Video: We sow CUCUMBERS for seedlings in peat-humus tablets. Shoots on the third day!

Usually, cucumbers are planted either directly as seeds in a soil mixture or as seedlings, and the sowing time and conditions vary slightly, which affects both the germination time and when the cucumbers sprout. Let's consider the conditions for planting cucumbers for seedlings

First of all, it is important to note that cucumber seedlings are grown either at home or in greenhouses - the latter are used most often - which allows the seeds in the soil substrate to develop somewhat faster than those that were planted in open soil or in a greenhouse immediately after jumping seedling stage

Planting cucumbers in open ground soil provides completely different rules of the game. If the conditions were met correctly, then the cucumbers will sprout after sowing on the 7th day. Sometimes, if suitable complex conditions arise, cucumbers can sprout green sprouts on the third, fourth or fifth day. It is believed that this is quite early for the cucumbers to grow, but the phenomenon itself does not have a negative character; rather, it is even very good, because your crops will be the first among many vegetable crops and crops of competitors.

How to quickly germinate cucumbers

Since it is in the early stages that this vegetable is especially vulnerable (a sprout that survives the first weeks is most likely to develop safely and bear a harvest), cucumbers are subjected to additional processing to speed up the ripening process. Seeds that have undergone special pre-sowing preparation can be either planted in beds, planted as seedlings on a windowsill, or left to warm up under special lamps.

Seeds on the ground

How many days does it take for tomato seeds to germinate?

Accelerating the growth of cucumbers takes place in several stages - from seed treatment to sowing, but you need to remember that the methods work most effectively when combined.

Before you start germination, you need to select high-quality seeds. This is done like this: first, undamaged large seeds without spots are selected, then they are placed in a saline solution (3 grams of salt per 100 ml of water) and mixed. After 10-15 minutes, those that float are removed (they are of poor quality), and those remaining at the bottom are dried and prepared for planting.

Advice! If there was a majority of those that surfaced, it is better not to use this batch at all.

As a rule, domestic seeds or those whose origin is unclear are subjected to such selection. Store-bought ones are tested during production. However, if you plan to plant a large number of cucumbers, you can check one of the packages, and if they turn out to be of high quality, calmly plant the vegetables.

Stimulation

This method is an improved seed soaking. The seeds are placed in water in which enhancer drugs (or folk remedies replacing them - aloe juice or tincture of valerian root) are previously diluted, and then left for several hours.

As a stimulant for the germination of cucumbers, you can use such products as Agat 25-K, Ambiol, Sodium Humate and many others. There are a few things to consider before using stimulants:

an incorrectly selected stimulant can harm the plant;
it is necessary to follow the instructions exactly, since otherwise the seeds intended for planting will die.

If the soil is fertile and not contaminated with anything, it is better to do without the use of stimulants, and instead use fertilizers at a later stage.

Soak

How many days do it take for cucumbers to sprout without soaking, and what happens if you do without it? As a rule, this depends on the climate and the condition of the soil. If you plant cucumbers in the conditions most suitable for them, they will sprout without additional actions, but this will take much more time. Without soaking, they will take up to two weeks to hatch, but with soaking, this period can be reduced to a week of waiting.

Soaking provides the cucumber seeds with the right conditions to begin to hatch. For the greatest effect, a kind of greenhouse effect is created - that is, the seeds are placed not just in water and heat, but in a covered container. Before soaking, they are disinfected - for example, with a solution of potassium permanganate.

Action of immersion in water

Technology: a small amount of water is poured into a container, a piece of fabric is placed in the water, on which the seeds are laid, and covered with the free end of the fabric. Alternatively, the seeds are immediately wrapped and then immersed in water.

Important! The water should stand for at least several hours, and also be warm - not lower than 20 degrees. After this, cover the container with a lid (towel, bag, whatever) and put it in a warm, dark place.

After this, cover the container with a lid (towel, bag, whatever) and put it in a warm, dark place.

The soaking process can last from several hours to one or two days. If all the water has been absorbed, you need to carefully add a little more. As a result of soaking, the seed should swell. Immediately after soaking, the seeds must either be sown in a garden bed, transplanted for use as seedlings, or the conditions must be changed and germination proceeded.

Video: how to plant and grow cucumber, first shoots 5 days

Complex conditions were announced. What are they? They help cucumbers to sprout as early as possible by following the rules of care, but with constant adjustments during the growing process. You are working with a living mechanism, which, of course, contains certain stages of development that need to be completed in the appropriate amount of time, but they are still amenable to influence and can be disrupted, accelerated or improved by you

In most cases, when any problem arises with crops, experienced gardeners immediately advise paying attention to the quality of care. It’s worth going over the rules for caring for cucumber seedlings or seedlings again to understand where the possible mistake lies, and it’s even better if you memorize in advance all the possible nuances and consequences if you carry out the care system one way or another

So, to summarize, let us draw your attention to the fact that with proper sowing and high-quality planting material, cucumbers, after planting, sprout according to the protocol in a week or produce earlier sprouts if the growing process was slightly accelerated or actively aimed at germination. In any case, the main goal of planting is not the speed of germination, although this factor cannot be completely ignored, but the result that we will ultimately eat, enjoying the taste of the grown vegetable

So, have a good landing, and know how to set priorities correctly, just like how to properly care for what you put your soul into.

Varieties of balcony cucumbers

For your attention, some varieties of cucumbers that were bred specifically for growing vegetable gardens on balconies or loggias.

This is for example:

Stresa;
Cucaracha;
Biryusa;
Gribovsky;
Barnaulets;
Courage;
Dubrovsky;
Matrix;
Sail;
Balcony miracle, etc.

I would like to dwell in some detail on this variety: cucumber - a balcony miracle

This is a fairly new variety of seeds, but it has already earned special attention from lovers of gardening on the balcony. This variety is self-pollinating, early ripening

It has a small tuberculate fruit, bright green in color, about 7 cm in length. Its taste is without bitterness.

This variety is self-pollinating and early ripening. It has a small tuberculate fruit, bright green in color, about 7 cm in length. Its taste is without bitterness.

Sprout germination phase

The germination of a cucumber sprout is the most delicate phase, because with a high probability this may not happen for one reason or another. In order to understand the reasons, it is worth familiarizing yourself in more detail with what a cucumber seed is and how it ripens.

A cucumber seed is a slightly elongated white formation, inside of which there is an embryo that is reliably protected by the seed coat. This shell protects the seed from negative factors:

Mechanical damage
Drying out
Early germination
Damage by certain microorganisms

In order for a shoot to appear in open ground or a greenhouse, conditions are needed that will force the peel to open. For this to happen, it is necessary to ensure sufficient watering, create the desired temperature and good ventilation. As for lighting, cucumber seeds germinate equally well both in light and without it.

Germinating seeds in plastic containers

To quickly and easily germinate cucumber seeds you will need:

dishes with a lid: a lunch container or a plastic container for cakes;
highly absorbent material: gauze, cotton cloth, even cotton pads are suitable for removing makeup;
warm water.

The container for germination is selected so that it is easy to close and open, does not allow air to pass through and cannot break if dropped.

Cucumber seeds

Two pieces of cloth (or two disks) are soaked in water, the seeds are laid out on one so that they do not touch, and the second is covered on top. The resulting “pie” is leveled at the bottom of the container and closed tightly. Precisely tightly, because at this stage the main thing is to maintain high humidity inside the container. If hatched seeds encounter a lack of moisture, the embryos in them will inevitably die.

The container with soaked seeds is stored in a warm place, but not in the sun. The box is ventilated several times a day: opened for a few minutes. You can wave your hand over it a little to create a flow of air.

During airing, check the moisture content of the fabric and, if necessary, spray it with a hand sprayer with warm water. It is not recommended to pour water from a glass or watering can: this can flood the seeds, depriving them of air.

At what temperature do cucumbers grow?

Cucumbers grow normally if the air temperature is in the range from 14 to 42°C. However, extreme numbers are critical, and it is not advisable to focus on them. The optimal temperature is considered to be 25-30°C during the day, 15-18°C at night.

For seedlings, the following parameter values are maintained:

at night – 16-18°C;
during the day – 18-20°C.

A lower temperature is needed so that the seedlings do not stretch out and grow strong and squat.

A week before planting, set a temperature of 17-18°C during the day and night to harden the plants.

Temperature conditions for planting seedlings

Summer residents often plant cucumber seedlings when they form three true leaves. However, the main criterion determining the planting time remains a stable temperature:

air – 18-20°C;
soil – 16-18°C.

The minimum permissible soil temperature is 13°C.

Temperature regime of the greenhouse

Given the increased humidity inside the structure, day and night temperatures are equalized, otherwise an ideal environment will be created for the development of fungal infections. The recommended range for changing the parameter is 23-28°C.

In extreme heat, cucumbers in the greenhouse must be ventilated. If the weather turns bad and there is a long cold spell ahead, unheated structures are equipped with portable heaters, the power of which will allow maintaining the required level of heat.

Temperature conditions for open ground

If for greenhouse plants it is enough to simply maintain the desired thermal regime, in open ground this process becomes more complicated.

What temperature can cucumbers withstand?

The optimal temperature when cucumbers develop normally, bloom, and set fruit is 25-30°C during daylight hours. The maximum temperature that plants can withstand is 42°C. Under such conditions, cultivars need supportive measures, because already at 35°C the pollen becomes sterile, the ovaries dry out and fall off, and the spider mite becomes active. In addition, elevated temperatures accelerate the aging of canes due to a decrease in the absorptive capacity of the root system.

To help cucumbers, during abnormal heat, additional irrigation is carried out, covering areas close to the beds. During this period, sprinkling is allowed, which helps reduce surface overheating of the plant. In addition, an additional portion of water slightly cools the soil. If possible, the trellises are covered with light, light agrofibre.

At other times, summer residents are more concerned about the possibility of cooling their plantings, in particular due to northern winds. It is difficult to provide stable heat to open beds, but there are several tricks that allow you to maintain comfortable conditions to some extent:

planting along the walls of buildings on the leeward but sunny side;
placing cucumber trellises between rows of plants with tall stems (crop crops): corn, sunflowers, climbing beans, tall tomatoes. Such “walls” help raise the temperature by several degrees and create additional shade, but in the south this method is not used to avoid overheating of the cucumbers.

Sorting cucumber seeds

Following some techniques helps novice gardeners understand how to quickly germinate cucumber seeds:

Choose planting material that is even in size and uniform in color;
Dip the selected cucumber seeds into a pre-prepared solution (30 g of table salt dissolves in 1 liter of water). Empty seeds unsuitable for planting will float. The remaining genetic material is washed in clean warm water;
It is necessary to soak cucumber seeds in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. This technique allows you to kill pathogenic fungi and bacteria located on their surface.

What to do with sprouted seeds

At high humidity and a temperature of at least 24 degrees, cucumber seeds germinate very quickly - within 2-3 days. When the roots reach 3-4 mm in length, there is a danger of them becoming entangled in the fibers of the fabric or disc. By this time, it is necessary to prepare individual pots for the further development of seedlings or beds directly on the ground.

Germinating cucumber seeds

Under each seed, make a hole about 3 cm deep, place the seed horizontally in it, sprinkle it with soil and moisten it with a spray bottle or a small watering can, making sure that the stream of water does not erode the soil above the seed.

Since cucumber seedlings have an extremely negative attitude towards damage to the root system, it must be transplanted from a seedling pot to a permanent place with extreme caution. For this reason, disposable cups with walls that decompose in the soil are best suited for planting seeds: peat, newspapers, toilet paper rolls.

In regions with a long growing season, experienced gardeners advise monthly replacing some of the old bushes with young ones, for which periodically return to the procedures for pre-sowing treatment and germination of cucumber seeds.

Seeds on the ground

Soak

Pre-sowing seed treatment

If all conditions are met, high-quality cucumber seeds germinate in due time without additional processing. However, over material whose germination is in doubt, you will have to “conjure” a little:

At the first stage of the preparatory work, the seed material is sorted: the seeds are poured onto paper and sorted by hand, discarding damaged and shriveled specimens. The selected material is immersed in a solution of table salt (50 g / 200 ml) for 30 minutes. During this simple procedure, full-bodied seeds will sink to the bottom, and “dummies” will float to the surface. After “bathing” in the solution, the seeds must be washed, since salt is harmful to the germination and development of embryos.
The next step is soaking. Dissolve 1 tbsp in 1 liter of water at room temperature. a spoonful of sifted wood ash and 1 teaspoon of nitrophoska. The resulting “cocktail” is poured over the seeds and left in a warm place for 10–12 hours.
Seeds soaked in a nutrient solution are immersed in hot (50–60°) water for 5–6 hours. You can also warm up the seed near a heating radiator (30 days) or in the sun (20 days).
Seeds ready for sowing are pickled in a solution of potassium permanganate or a biofungicide preparation (Fitosporin, Planriz).

To soak seeds, gardeners also widely use biogrowth stimulants: “Baikal-M”, “Agat-25K”, “Bigus”, “Ambiol”. Among the folk remedies that have proven themselves well:

Nettle infusion. A half-liter jar is half filled with chopped young leaves of the burning plant, poured with warm water and left for a week.
Boric acid solution (20 mg of the drug per 1 liter of water).
Yeast infusion. Powdered yeast (25 g) is dissolved in warm water and left for 2-3 days.
Baking soda solution (1 teaspoon per 1 liter of water).
Potato juice. A large peeled tuber is frozen, grated on a coarse grater, and the juice is squeezed out of the resulting mass through gauze.

In any of the listed solutions, cucumber seeds are soaked for a day.

Methods for germinating cucumbers

Often inexperienced gardeners wonder how to germinate cucumbers. There are several common and fairly simple methods.

On a paper napkin

To germinate cucumber grains in this way, you need to place a napkin at the bottom of any container (for example, a food container with a lid). Using a spray bottle, spray it with water (water can be replaced with a solution of a growth stimulator if you are not sure of the freshness of the seeds).

Now place dry cucumber seeds on a moistened napkin. The container must be tightly covered with a lid and then put in a warm place (for example, it can be placed under the sink or above the oven).

On a damp cloth

The most popular way to germinate cucumber seeds is to use fabric. To do this you need:

Wrap the grains in a damp piece of cloth to prevent sunlight and other light from reaching them.
Place the wrapped seeds in a plastic bag. It is important here to ensure that the cloth does not come into contact with the surface of the bag.

Note! It is not recommended to replace fabric made from natural fibers with a bandage or cotton wool, as this poses a danger to the hatching sprouts: as they sprout, they will become entangled in the fibers, and when the grains are removed, all the sprouts will break.

Here it is also important to pay attention to the quality of the water. It is best to choose soft water: it can be melt or rain, but not distilled. If it is not possible to find such water, then you can take well-settled water. Its temperature should be at least +25 °C.

In the peat

A peat tablet is compressed peat that looks like an oval washer. This tablet has small holes on the surface into which you need to place the seeds. However, before you start using it, the peat product should be placed in a container of water and held for 10 minutes.

When the size of the tablet becomes 2-3 times larger than the original, then you can begin to place the grains in the existing holes, and sprinkle peat on top of each seed.

You can also use special peat pots to germinate cucumber seeds. They should be filled with soil mixture (it should consist of soil, mineral and organic fertilizers). After that, you need to make small depressions in the soil, and plant a cucumber seed in each of them.

In a rolled-up cigarette

This method of seed germination is considered quite new. With its help you can get strong seedlings.

Good to know! This method can be used not only for cucumbers, but also for other vegetable crops.

Procedure to complete:

Spread plastic wrap on a flat surface, place paper on top and pour water over it.
Place the seeds so that there is a distance of approximately 4-6 cm between each grain.
Roll the paper-plastic strip into a roll and wait until the cucumber seed begins to germinate.

In coconut substrate

Coconut substrate is a natural material of natural origin. It is a completely sterile material that does not harm plants due to the absence of pathogens, pests and diseases, as well as pathogenic flora.

The substrate is sold in briquettes. They look like fairly dense bricks that should be soaked before use. After this procedure, they will be airy, quite loose, air- and water-permeable.

In the instructions you should read information about the volume to which the briquette swells. After this, you need to measure out as much coconut substrate as will be needed for a certain number of seeds. But sawing off or cutting off the required piece of briquette is a rather difficult task.

Important! If the number of germinated seeds is small, then there is no need to take large briquettes.

Sowing sequence:

In order for the coconut substrate to become the desired soft shape as quickly as possible, it should be soaked in fairly hot water, you can even use boiling water.
Then you need to place the briquette in a basin or bucket and fill it with the required amount of water. After 10 minutes, the hard brick will turn into a crumbly mixture.
Now the containers should be filled with a soft substrate (it is better to immediately take a large container so as not to replant the seedlings in the future and once again not to injure the root system before transplanting into the ground).
With the pointed tip down, place the seed in the coconut substrate. There is no need to water, since there is enough moisture in the substrate itself. But the container should be covered with a bag or cling film to create the necessary microclimate for the appearance of the first shoots.

After the procedure, all containers with seeds should be removed to a warm, dark place. When the first green shoots are noticed, the containers should be exposed to light.

Anticipating the question “how many days does it take for cucumber seeds to hatch,” we will immediately give the answer: cucumbers will hatch within a week after planting and unfold the cotyledon leaves.

All not

To germinate cucumber seeds in hay, you should:

Pour boiling water over the hay and, while it is still hot, place it in a container that is best suited for the procedure.
Spread the seeds, keeping a 2 cm interval between them.
Cover them with a thin layer of hay.
Cover the container with cling film or a bag.
Place the container in a warm place where the air temperature is within +25 °C.

How many days will it take to expect the first shoots?

Above we wrote about what day cucumber seeds germinate if the temperature was high enough when planting. However, it is worth considering options when the temperature during planting is not high, but the time frame for sowing seeds is already “tight”.

Everyone knows that cucumber is a heat-loving crop; therefore, neither special varieties/hybrids nor additional preparation of the material will “harden” the seeds so that they germinate in unheated soil. It is for this reason that most of the seeds may disappear.

For example, the temperature stayed around 10 °C, and after a few days it rose to 18 °C. It would seem that the temperature is high, it’s time to sow. However, the fact that the soil cannot warm up in a few days was not taken into account, so you will immerse the seed in the soil, the temperature of which will, at best, be 12-14 ° C. In such conditions, you will have to wait a very long time for seedlings, and if the cold starts again, the seeds will simply die (if they were not previously prepared for sowing).

It is worth remembering that the minimum soil temperature must be 13 ° C for the material to begin to germinate at least somehow.

The quality of the substrate will also affect germination. If the soil is rich in humus and microelements, then even at a temperature of 18 ° C, you will see the first greenery within a week and a half. But if the soil is poor, then abnormal heat will not help the seedlings.

The maximum germination time is two weeks. After this period, you can safely re-sow, since the planted material will most likely no longer germinate.

Factors affecting germination

Conventionally, factors can be divided into internal - related to seeds, and external, that is, climatic, as well as sowing conditions. All factors are approximately equal.

The germination of cucumbers can be affected by the following:

Age of seeds. Although cucumber seeds can successfully germinate even when quite old - at 7-8 years old - over time, their germination percentage decreases. The older the seed, the less likely it is to produce a harvest, however, a seed that is only a year old will also not produce good seedlings, so the optimal age for them is 2-3 years.
Conditions in which the seeds were located. To live, they need oxygen, as well as a low temperature - about 10-12 degrees, although they germinate at a much higher temperature. They must not be allowed to become damp, because then they will die, just like at high temperatures and lack of moisture. If there is high humidity and heat in the room, the seeds left for storage may germinate at the wrong time and, accordingly, spoil.
Seed integrity and size. Heavy, undamaged seeds germinate best. The heavier they are, the greater the chance of sprouts appearing.
Boarding time. It is better to plant cucumbers when it is finally warmer and the earth is completely warmed up, since they need high temperature and humidity to ripen. After planting, it is better to cover the soil with a special film to create a greenhouse inside.
Land quality. Infected or depleted soil will not be able to provide a good harvest, so before sowing, either add a new layer of soil or treat it with special means.
Early pre-sowing seed treatment ensures a higher yield.

Cucumber growth

How long does it take for cucumbers to sprout?

Now let's look at the period that cucumbers need to germinate. There are several ways to sow seeds: dry sowing, planting soaked and sprouted grains. When dry sowing on open beds, seedlings appear in 7–10 days under favorable climatic conditions. If after two weeks the sprouts have not emerged, then you will have to plant cucumbers again.

Germinated seeds germinate quickly: in open ground and in greenhouses in 3–5 days, at home in seedling cups in 2–4 days. Some vegetable growers do not germinate the seeds, but only soak them and immediately plant them in the ground. This method is used if sowing dates are missed. In this case, seedlings can be expected in 3–7 days.

Soaking and germination accelerate the appearance of sprouts, while the germination of seeds in general increases.

Landing rules

Before sowing, you need to prepare the place and containers in which the seeds will be planted. For growing seedlings, it is recommended to choose pots or glasses with a volume of 400 ml and a height of 120 mm.

Selecting a location

It is better to place the seed containers on window sills or loggias. In this case, the germinated seeds will receive a sufficient amount of heat and light. If the weather is cloudy or there is not enough light on the windowsills, install additional lighting.

Soil preparation

It is also necessary to prepare the soil in which the cucumber seeds will be planted. You can use special ready-made mixtures. Some summer residents themselves prepare the land for sowing. Mix turf soil with humus and sawdust. For fertilizer, add 1 tsp per 10 liters of soil. urea, superphosphate and potassium sulfate. If there is ordinary ash, then it will also be useful.

The soil should be light, well aerated and loose. When planting in heavy soil, a furrow 1.5 cm deep is made, the material is planted, and the top is covered with sifted and loose soil.

Disembarkation time

Choose the right time to sow

The time for planting seeds depends on the location and planting conditions, so the timing will fluctuate. Hatched seeds can be sown in the soil after May 25th.

Landing location	Landing conditions
Greenhouse	You can sow 2-3 weeks earlier.
Open ground	After checking the equipment, the seeds are sown directly into the ground.
Window sill or loggia	Grow for 5 weeks. The air temperature should be 18° and no frost.

To determine the timing of sowing, you can use natural clues. There is a folk wisdom that says that if a field is covered with yellow dandelions or viburnum blooms, then it’s time to sow.

Before planting, water the soil and give it time to warm up. After that, 1 germinated seed is planted in the soil to a depth of 2 cm. At first, the temperature should be 27°C. Then it is gradually reduced to 20°, and at night to 15 degrees. Such manipulations must be done for 4 days. Planting in unheated soil will lead to rotting of the seeds and lack of seedlings.

Why is it necessary to germinate planting material?

To achieve this goal, you should germinate cucumber seeds before planting. The procedure allows you to achieve certain results:

find out how high quality the planting material is;
guarantee of obtaining friendly and uniform sprouts;
prevent diseases of seedlings;
You can get vitamin products in a short period of time.

Seed shelf life

The shelf life of seeds is different for each plant, be it a cultivated or wild plant. But while “wild” seeds can be stored for decades, cultivated plant seeds lose their ability to germinate quite quickly.

Seed storage will be successful if for these purposes you select ripe seeds, without impurities and with a moisture content of no more than 15%. Store vegetable seeds in paper or fabric bags (but not cellophane) in a cool, dry place. The seed storage temperature should ideally be about 2-3 degrees.

Seeds rich in essential oils will have a longer shelf life. Pumpkin seeds also store well because their seeds contain a lot of fatty oils. But onions and garlic quickly lose their ability to germinate.

Seed storage will also depend on the size, hardness of the protective skin of the seed, its moisture capacity, etc.

The shelf life of seeds is the period after which the seeds begin to gradually lose their viability. “Out of date” seeds can also be sown, but you need to increase the seed consumption rate by one and a half to two times.

How long do seeds of different garden crops last?

Culture	How many years do seeds last?
Salad	6-8
Pumpkin	6-8
Watermelon	6-7
Zucchini	5-6
White cabbage	5-6
Sorrel	4-5
Tomato	4-5
Black radish	4-5
Eggplant	4-5
Melons	3-4
Cucumber	3-4
Radish	3-4
Green peas	2-3
Carrot	2-3
Dill	2-3
Black onion	2-3
Parsley	2-3
Onion sets	1-2
Spring garlic	1-2
Winter garlic	1

Let's start sowing

In each glass you need to place 1 germinated seed at a 2-centimeter depth. After which, until the cucumbers sprout, the temperature is maintained close to 27 0. And after that they reduce the daytime temperature to 20 0, and the night temperature to 15 0 for 4 full days.

A preliminary culling of the crops is done, and after that the 20-day-old seedlings can be planted either in a greenhouse or in open ground. For open ground - early June. If home growing is planned, then the process of additional lighting takes first place.

In open ground or a greenhouse, you need to make holes equal in size to the dimensions of a glass with cucumber seedlings. Between holes - no more than 200 mm.

After which all the wells are spilled with a weak potassium permanganate solution - half a gram per bucket. For each well you need to prepare 1 liter. similar solution. One day before planting, the glasses with cucumber sprouts should be thoroughly drained. This must be done to better extract the clod of earth with the sprout.

If the stem is stretched out, you should cover it with traditional peat or wet sawdust.

In the middle zone of the country, cucumbers begin to be planted in open ground, without shelter, not before May 25, right up to the beginning of June. In this case, dry cucumber seeds are used.

Swollen seeds can be planted in the first ten days of the first summer month. At this time, the soil temperature should not be less than 15 0 at the depth of the seedling cup (120 mm).

Sow cucumber seeds to a depth of about 3 cm, as in the case of seedlings. The distance between seeds must be maintained within 100 mm. The timing of germination of plantings is very dependent on the ambient temperature;

in hot, sunny weather and temperatures close to 25 0, sprouts will appear in 3 days;
when the temperature drops to 20 0, the sprouts will slow down their development and will not appear until after seven days;
if the cold snap continues, you will need to look for ready-made seedlings on the market.

Reviews from gardeners

Olga, Ekaterinburg

They sprout within a week. Perhaps they didn’t water it on time, the seed (root) has dried out and you can’t wait. I plant them sprouted and dry, but after watering them abundantly, I cover them with cake lids. Light and moisture are retained, and this is important for us, because... We only come on weekends.

Source: www.u-mama.ru

Boris, Tver

We plant cucumbers immediately in the ground for three. We start to get the harvest later, but the plants are healthier and there are more cucumbers.

Source: www.vashsad.ua

How many seeds do you need per ten square meters?

Of course, these data are approximate, because each specific case will have its own quality, humidity, soil temperature, seed germination rate, etc.

So, how many seeds do you need for 10 “squares”?

Culture	Seed consumption rate, g
Garlic (heads)	15-25
Radish	15-20
Radish	10-15
Black onion	8-19
Pumpkin	5-6
Sorrel	4-5
Dill	4-5
Zucchini	4-5
Salad	3-5
Tomatoes	3-4
cucumbers	3-4
Watermelons	3-4
Parsley	2-3
Pepper	2-3
Melon	2-3
White cabbage	2-3
Eggplant	1,5-2
Carrot	2-3

Improper seed preparation

Another reason for poor germination of cucumbers is improper preparation of seeds. Preliminary preparation of seed does not always have a beneficial effect on its germination. Often, the simultaneous use of different methods of pre-sowing preparation leads to the fact that the seeds take a very long time to germinate. For example, after soaking cucumbers in a manganese solution, their germination rate deteriorated several times. A too concentrated manganese solution can completely ruin cucumber seeds.

Some vegetable growers, after soaking the seeds in a liquid of biologically active elements or plain water, immediately begin to dry them. Drying is not recommended, as this will slow down germination in the future. Cucumbers should be planted in the ground immediately after soaking.

Soak seeds correctly

Prepare the soaking area

You can spread the seeds in toilet paper . But you should choose a dense option that will not spread in a humid environment.

Cotton pads are often used, as in the photo . This is a very convenient solution that is perfect for such purposes.

Another option is a bandage, gauze or cotton cloth. The seeds are laid out on one layer and covered with a second layer on top.

Provide optimal conditions
Moisten the material in which the seeds lie well. And place it in a closed space, it can be a plastic container, a plastic bag. You can also place the seeds in a glass jar with a lid.

Place in a warm place . Ventilate every day and add moisture if the material is dry. If you need to plant urgently, you should soak it for at least 12 hours so that the shell softens and it is easier for the sprouts to break through

Sowing seeds on time
Check the seeds daily for sprouts.. You need to wait until almost all the seeds hatch.

Be careful . The sprouts are quite fragile and can be easily damaged

Carry out hardening
Even when planting in a greenhouse, it is better to harden the seeds; they will be more resistant to adverse conditions. The container is placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.

You need to stand for 12-16 hours . Then the seeds are taken out and left indoors for 3-4 hours for gentle heating. After this they can be planted

At what depth should cucumbers be planted and when will they germinate?

Cucumbers are grown both by seedlings and without seedlings.

The seedling method allows you to get a harvest of cucumbers 2 weeks earlier when planted directly in the garden bed. They begin to sow seedlings in the 20th of April.

Prepare containers or pots.
Place about 2 cm of sawdust at the bottom of the pot.
Pour 5-7 cm of nutrient soil, leaving an edge of about 2 cm on top.
The distance between plants should be 8-10 cm.
Plant one seed in each pot.
Sprinkle with soil 2 cm.
Water and place in a warm, well-lit place.

On day 4-5, cucumber shoots appear. After 20-25 days, when the daytime air temperature rises above +22 ºС, and the night temperature is about +17 ºС, the seedlings can be planted in the beds.

Important! It is better to plant in open ground in the evening.

Sowing without seedlings directly into a greenhouse or garden bed is carried out from May 17 to May 21, when the air temperature warms up to +15 ºС.

You can sow dry seeds or sprouted, slightly sprouted seeds. Seeds that have sprouted more than 0.5 cm when soaked will not be able to grow into a strong plant, so they are removed.

Make grooves about 2 cm deep.
The distance between the holes is 35-40 cm.
The furrows should be watered.
Place the seeds in them, wide side down.
The distance between seeds is 15-20 cm.
Cover with soil.
Water carefully.

Important! Insufficiently warmed soil can destroy plants, so early sowing is done with dry seeds.

If the seeds are sown too often, then when 2-3 true leaves are formed, the seedlings are thinned out by carefully pinching the stem of the plant. Excess seedlings are not removed by the roots, so as not to damage the weak root system of neighboring plants.

Under good conditions, seedlings will appear in 4-5 days. If the soil is heavy or the seeds were sown deeper than 2 cm, seedlings will appear no earlier than 6-8 days.