Growing cucumbers requires a balance of soil and air temperatures, as well as controlling humidity levels. This vegetable culture loves a lot of light and heat, so the proper watering of cucumbers is the most important step in the care. This is especially true for growing vegetables in greenhouses. Most of the gardeners and gardeners, due to the peculiarities of our country's climate, use polycarbonate greenhouses, therefore, to obtain a rich harvest, it is necessary to study the basic rules and peculiarities of cucumber irrigation.
Conditions for growing cucumbers
In the first place cucumber seedlings should provide the necessary amount of light. Twelve hours a day can significantly increase the yield. In addition, in such conditions, the rate of development of cucumber bushes also increases.
Watering is also an important part of caring for tomatoes and peppers in a greenhouse, strawberry. On the open ground need onions, cabbage, carrots, garlic and grapes.
Like any light-loving vegetable, cucumber does not want to grow when it is darkened. The lack of light can lead to the weakening of plants, accelerate their aging, reduce immunity to diseases. The development of the vegetable depends on how often you water the cucumbers in the greenhouse after planting.
Also important is the observance of the correct temperature in the greenhouse. On average, it should be + 22 ... +26 ° С. At temperatures below +14.5 ° C and above +42 ° C, the development of the plant will stop. If the temperature is kept below +12 ° C for a long time, the roots can not take moisture from the soil, and cucumbers stop growing.
Important! Avoid sudden changes in temperature. Do not leave the door in the greenhouse completely open during ventilation.For cucumbers, the correctly chosen soil is vital, because, having a shallow root system, the plant gives a good harvest in a short time. First of all, the soil for planting cucumbers should be well permeable and absorb liquid, and also have a high fertility rate. The most suitable option for seedlings of cucumbers is considered to be sod, field soil or humus.
How to water cucumbers so that they do not get bitter?
Even the most reverent care of cucumbers during their growth does not guarantee that during the tasting of the harvest you will not feel the bitter taste of the vegetable. Nevertheless, experienced growers use a number of tricks that help reduce the concentration of bitter substances in cucumbers.
To cucumbers are not bitter, above all, moisten the soil on timeDo not allow drying out. Use only warm water, watch the temperature in the greenhouse, it should be within + 23 ... +24 degrees.
The regularity of watering cucumbers in a greenhouse made of polycarbonate should be increased in particularly hot weather. Based on how often the temperature changes, the decision is made about the need for watering.
Cucumbers are very sensitive to weather changes. If at least four days in a row will be hot, the number of bitter cucumbers in the garden will increase significantly. The lack of moisture in the soil will also lead to a deterioration in the taste of vegetables. Consider that cucumbers planted on clay or sandy soil will definitely be bitter than usual. 
Did you know? Cucurbitacin gives a bitter taste to cucumbers. It does not harm the human body, moreover, contributes to the resorption of malignant tumors and improves the condition of internal organs. In some countries, cucumbers are grown very bitter for medicinal purposes.
Why is temperature required?
Observance of the correct temperature regime will provide cucumbers with comfortable conditions for quick and successful ripening. Consider that it is best to grow cucumbers in heated greenhouses.
During the day, the temperature should be maintained at +20 ° C and approximately + 17 ... +18 ° C at night. This regime must be maintained until the fruiting period begins.
Further, the vegetables will need even more heat, and if by that time it will not be hot enough outside, you should continue to heat them yourself. If it is overcast outside, it means that the temperature in the greenhouse should vary from +21 to +23 ° С, and in sunny weather - + 24 ... +28 ° С. At night, the plants can be heated less intensively; it’s enough to support + 18 ... + 20 ° С inside the greenhouse.
Basic rules for watering in the greenhouse
There are many ways and methods of moistening cucumber beds, which each gardener chooses for himself. However, a prerequisite is to comply with the basic rules, which we consider below.
Water requirements
- Extremely warm water is suitable for irrigation - + 20… +25 ° C. When heated, do not bring it to a boil.
- Keep the purity, in the composition should not be harmful salts and fluorine.
- Hard water needs to be softened by adding a little wood ash at the rate of 5 tsp. 10 liters of water. Stiffness will affect how many times a week water cucumbers in the greenhouse.
Growing cucumbers involves regular feeding, pinching, pinching, removing weeds and garter to the trellis or trellis grid.
Watering technique
For watering you can use a hose, a watering can or a bucket. In all cases you need to ensure that the stream of water fell exclusively on the ground:
- If your choice fell on the hose, then adjust the weak and gentle pressure of the water. For more control of the jet, use special nozzles that disperse and reduce it.
- Watering is better to use for additional sprinkling of cucumbers on particularly sunny days in the proportion of 4-5 liters per 1m2. This procedure allows you to quickly reduce the temperature in the greenhouse and moisten the air well.
- Watering from a normal bucket is also effective, but takes more time. This method allows you to more accurately pour water through the grooves, keeping the roots and stems of the plant intact.
Important! Strong water pressure from the hose will lead to soil erosion. As a result, it will strip the roots, damage the leaves, flowers and stems of the plant.
Watering
For all the time growing cucumber bushes require a different approach to the care and watering. So, let's see how the frequency and volume of irrigation of cucumbers varies depending on the stage of development.
After landing
In order to determine how often cucumbers should be watered in a greenhouse after planting, consider the need of a plant for moisture at different periods of growth. In order for the seedlings to take root well in the new place, immediately after disembarking, it should be watered abundantly. After that, the intensity of irrigation should be reduced to once every few days, 3-5 liters per 1 square. m. This mode should be observed until the beginning of flowering.
During flowering
Watering is carried out every 3-4 days (if it is hot, you need to water every day). If the air temperature rises above 25 degrees, irrigate the cucumbers. This procedure is carried out daily, thereby reducing the temperature of the leaves and flowers, do not fade the ovary.
During fruiting
Often the time of year and the month of cultivation determine how often water cucumbers in the greenhouse during fruiting. The table below describes the norms and schedule for watering cucumbers in different seasons.
| Month | Watering mode | Amount of water, l |
| January February | 1 time in 3-5 days | 3-5 |
| March | 1 time in 3-4 days | 3-8 |
| April May | 1 time in 2-3 days | 5-10 |
| June July | 1 time in 2 days or daily | 7-12 |
In the heat and in rainy weather
Cold and damp weather reduces the need for watering cucumbers, during this period it is better to track the level of soil moisture and air. Together with the fall in temperature, the soil itself cools and re-humidified, which contributes to root rotting and wilting of the plant.
If it is overcast in the street, but it is warm, cucumbers can be watered. in the morning or late in the evening. The success of growing vegetables in a polycarbonate greenhouse depends on what time you water cucumbers. Water from the beds can flow into the tracks, so to avoid mudflows, overlay them with a film along the borders.
Most gardeners are puzzled by the question of how to properly water cucumbers in a greenhouse in the heat. Hot weather is bad for the growth of cucumbers. In order to achieve a cooling temperature, it is recommended to apply refreshing or venting. This means that, in addition to the main abundant irrigation, it is necessary to treat water bushes, paths, shelves and walls of the greenhouse at the rate of 1-1.5 l / sq. m
Important! Cucumbers do not like drafts! You can ventilate the room if the air inside is hotter than + 28 ... +30 °C, while it is not necessary to open all the transom, one is enough. Do not allow sudden changes in humidity and temperature parameters.The regularity and intensity of irrigation should be gradually increased to 6-15 liters per 1 square. m, every 2-4 days. Be sure to take into account the characteristics of the soil and weather conditions.
Growing cucumbers and drip irrigation
Automatic drip systems are the most popular method of irrigation in both industrial and home greenhouses, where more than 50 plants are grown. Drip method has several advantages:
- saving time;
- system durability;
- perfect balance of moisture in the ground;
- ease of installation and low cost;
- weather resistance;
- the soil does not erode,
- roots do not bare;
- automated system operation;
- suitable for large sites;
- use warm water, which is a prerequisite for the proper irrigation of cucumbers in a greenhouse made of polycarbonate.
In order for the roots to develop locally, without growing to dry areas, need to build the right water supply system. In greenhouse conditions, it should flow into the soil around the rhizome of cucumbers. This moment is important for obtaining a good harvest in the greenhouse. Thanks to this watering system, each individual plant receives exactly the amount of moisture it needs.Did you know? Many gardeners treat the beds with cucumbers with a solution of milk (2 liters of milk per 10 liters of water) or whey (1-2 liters of whey per 10 liters of water). The effect of the procedure is that the milky solution envelops cucumber stems, leaves and flowers with a protein-carbohydrate film, which keeps the plants from penetration of fungal microorganisms into them.Drip irrigation of cucumbers in the greenhouse provides for a slow flow of water through the pipes, so during this time it manages to heat up. The necessary humidity and warm air create conditions similar to the subtropical climate. Thus, you can get a crop of cucumbers all year round.
When choosing a method of watering cucumbers in a greenhouse, you can experiment with various schemes. All existing systems have their advantages and disadvantages: drip irrigation, moistening through soil grooves and sprinkling. By trial and error method, combining these techniques, you are guaranteed to get an ideal irrigation system for your conditions, which means a rich harvest of delicious cucumbers.
