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Spring cucumber management technology
Cucumber is one of the most popular vegetables among people due to its high nutritional value and refreshing taste. It is rich in sugars, free amino acids, vitamins, cucurbitacin, as well as minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and iron. Among these components, cucurbitacin has been found to have anti-cancer properties. In addition to that, cucumber helps with heat dissipation, diuresis, detoxification, and can also relieve sore throat and abdominal pain caused by internal heat.
In terms of yield, cucumber production typically reaches 5,000 to 8,000 kilograms per mu, with an income of around 3,000 yuan per mu. The cultivation process involves several key steps: selecting seedlings, preparing the soil, fertilizing, planting, setting up trellises, managing water and fertilizer, and controlling pests.
1. **Variety Selection**: For spring greenhouse cultivation, varieties such as Jinchun 4, Jinyou 4, Tianjin Green 6, Zhongnong 6, or Xiangyuan 3 are recommended. For open-field planting, it's better to choose varieties like Jinchun 2, Jinza 2, or Xiangchun 3. Choosing the right variety ensures better growth and higher yields.
2. **Sowing Seedlings**: Open-field planting usually starts from mid-March to late April, using electric or cold beds for seedling cultivation. Greenhouse seedlings are sown between mid-January and mid-February, using electric heating. Each mu requires about 150 grams of seeds. Before sowing, seeds should be soaked in warm water for 15 minutes, then washed and dried. Germination occurs within 4 to 5 days at a soil temperature of around 28°C. It’s advisable to grow seedlings in a nursery. Once the cotyledons unfold, transplant them into the seedbed with spacing of 10x10 cm. Maintain daytime temperatures between 18–28°C and nighttime temperatures above 12°C. At the 1-leaf-1-heart stage, apply a 10% manure solution. At the 2-leaf-1-heart stage, spray a 0.1–0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution, followed by a 20% slurry. About 6–7 days before transplanting, harden off the seedlings to strengthen them.
3. **Soil Preparation and Fertilization**: Avoid continuous cropping and choose land that is easy to access and has good irrigation and drainage. Apply 100 kg of lime per mu, mix with 2,000–3,000 kg of organic manure and 60 kg of compound fertilizer. Spray a 600-times diluted solution of enemy liquid to prevent diseases. Cover the field with plastic film to keep it warm.
4. **Planting**: Ground cover and open-field planting usually take place from early to late April, while greenhouse planting begins before mid-March. Plant approximately 3,500 plants per mu and water immediately after planting.
5. **Cultivation Management**:
(1) **Facility Adjustment**: In March, temperature fluctuations and occasional hail can damage young plants. Ensure proper insulation and protect seedlings. In April, temperatures rise quickly, but cold air and hail may still occur. Open facilities early in the morning and close them late at night to maintain strong seedlings. When local temperatures stabilize above 10°C, remove the protective covers.
(2) **Trellising**: When vines reach 0.3 meters, start training them to climb. Introduce the vines gradually, detaching them every 2–3 days. After a sunny afternoon, guide the vines along horizontal bars. To increase early fruit set, use a 1:50 dilution of cucumber extract to spray the flowers or stems.
(3) **Fertilizer and Water Management**: Spring cucumbers grow quickly and produce many fruits, so consistent watering and fertilization are essential. During the vegetative stage, apply three top-dressings of 20% manure solution. During the harvest period, apply a 3% concentrated fruit fertilizer after each harvest. Use 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate for foliar feeding once or twice to delay leaf aging.
(4) **Pest and Disease Control**: Before the five-leaf stage, use 80% trichlorfon to control yellow vine disease. After transplanting, dip roots in a 600-fold solution of watermelon scorpion to prevent soil-borne diseases like blight. Spray wettable powder 400 times on leaves 3–4 times to effectively control downy mildew.
(5) **Harvesting**: Greenhouse-grown cucumbers are typically harvested from late April to early May, while open-field and ground-cover cucumbers are ready from mid-May to late May. Harvest frequency varies: initially every 2–3 days, then every 1–2 days in the middle and late stages.
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