How to make a pick of cucumbers?

All gardeners know that the proper cultivation of a crop begins with proper planting and caring for seedlings.Speaking about this first step in the life of cucumbers, it is impossible not to mention such a procedure as diving.

Picking cucumbers is a procedure that is carried out at home at a very early stage of plant development, when it is in the form of seedlings. Its essence lies in the fact that the plants are transplanted from small containers into larger ones. Usually, the movement goes from a common pot to several sprouts in separate ones. The time of the cucumber picks comes as soon as the first leaves appear on the seedlings, although there are exceptions.

In fact, there is no consensus whether it is right to dive cucumbers or not. This culture has very fragile roots that can be quickly damaged by careless handling, so not everyone is at risk of additional procedures. Adherents of this theory immediately sow the seeds in separate plastic cups or peat pots, the size of which will allow the plant to develop harmoniously after the emergence of seedlings. Others, on the contrary, believe that seating in individual pots is better able to develop the root system.

In some cases, a dive is a must.

If initially the seeds were planted in a common box due to some circumstances. If you do not make a picking, the roots of the neighboring cucumbers will intertwine, and, as a result, the seedlings will die.

If the number of shoots exceeded the plan. The picking will eliminate those samples, the germination of which can cause problems, that is, the sick and the weak. The most powerful and healthy will be transplanted into individual containers, and only then they will feel lighter in the open field or greenhouse.

Not to do without transplantation, if the soil in which the seedlings were planted, was exposed to fungal disease. When at least one sprout falls ill, it must immediately be removed, and healthy cucumbers should be transplanted into healthy soil for protection and prevention.

Dive, if necessary, can stop the development of seedlings, if suddenly there is a threat of its overgrowing.

If the bushes are too thick and they lack sunlight, then the seedlings become too long and sluggish. In this case, the picking is necessary - in this way, it will be possible to deepen an excessively long root almost to the cotyledonary leaves, to slow down the growth of the above-ground stalk and contribute to the appearance of lateral roots.

There is a sense in diving when many seeds are initially used. There is no certainty that they will all ascend, but at the same time there is no time to germinate them all. In this case, the seeds are sown dry in a common container, and then, when they sprout, the most resistant and healthy settle in individual pots.

A dive is usually done about a week after the emergence of shoots. This time is called the opening phase of cotyledon leaves or the appearance of the first two true leaves. At this point, the root system is not yet so developed as to be damaged, and seedlings without problems will be able to take root in the new month. A couple of hours before the start of the planting procedure, you need to pour high-quality water with heated water, which will allow you to remove the plants with much less difficulty. In some containers, the soil should already be filled up the day before or even a little earlier. He should have enough time to settle down and soak in liquid.

The soil in which the seedlings, ready store soil or a mixture of turf, peat, humus and sawdust are planted is chosen as the soil. Do not forget about the necessary drainage holes. Cucumber seedlings comes with a clod of earth. It is not very convenient to do this with empty hands, so it is better to use tweezers, a tablespoon, a spatula or another object suitable for this purpose.

In the new tanks in advance to dig a groove in which the room will fit. After moving, a small piece is pinned off at the main root (about one third), which should stimulate the development of lateral root processes. In the new pot, the cucumbers deepen almost to the cotyledon leaves, lightly covered with earth, and the surface is compacted. The plant is pressed at the base with the fingers in order to create a closer contact with the ground at the roots. However, it is worth being attentive, because if the leaves touch the ground, there will be a chance of rotting. The seedlings are watered with heated water along the stem - the soil will “tighten” the stalk and the roots will be able to finish. It is also covered with a dense light material that is able to protect the seedlings from the wind and provide the necessary soil temperature.

For several days, pickled cucumbers should be kept at a temperature of 18 to 20 degrees Celsius and at high humidity for better rooting. Landings need to be protected from the wind and provide the necessary lighting. Cucumbers need from 7 to 10 hours of light per day. If this is done through the use of special illuminators, then the lamps will have to be placed between 5 and 10 centimeters from the seedlings themselves. Ideal conditions can be achieved and the greenhouse, and indoors.

Watering is a heated liquid, the temperature of which reaches 20 degrees Celsius. Water can be boiled, thawed or settled. Landing should be irrigated as needed, as soon as the top layer of soil dries out - the ground should always be slightly damp. Usually watering has to be done a couple of times a week. Somewhere in a couple of days after the procedure, it is allowed to carry out mineral dressing. A good solution would be to use a mixture of superphosphate, potassium sulfate and ammonium nitrate, diluted in water. Top dressing is carried out in the morning, in parallel with irrigation. Before moving to a permanent place of residence, it is recommended to feed cucumbers about three times, the latter being carried out a couple of days before disembarking.

Sometimes the pick is combined with the landing in open ground. In this case, the prerequisite is to maintain a temperature of 16 degrees of heat, both during the day and at night. Otherwise, all plants will die. If the plants were diving into the greenhouse, then the temperature in it should reach somewhere around 21 degrees during the day and 18 degrees at night. The humidity level should vary from 70 to 75%. When the weather is comfortable, the window opens first for an hour, then for two, then even more. This is how cucumbers will be hardened, and as a result they will be able to stay in an open greenhouse for a whole day or more. The soil is periodically irrigated. The ideal is considered to be drip irrigation, allowing you to direct the liquid straight to the root system. In general, if the roots are deepened by 4 centimeters, then it will take about 4 liters of water per square meter of bed. Two days after the pick, mineral fertilizers, urea and superphosphate can be applied. Feeding can be done once every ten days.

Reviews of diving cucumbers rather ambiguous. Some gardeners indicate that an incorrect procedure leads to inhibition of plant development. Note the danger of fracture of the stalk at the time of deepening.

To learn how to properly pick cucumbers, see the following video.