Contents
How lucky are those apartment owners who, in addition to it, also have a loggia. Or, in extreme cases, a glazed balcony with insulation around the perimeter. This is exactly the case when a winter garden can be created in an ordinary city apartment.
It remains to choose a variety of cucumbers and add some knowledge from the field of special agricultural technology for growing vegetables on a loggia.
To begin with, let there be ordinary cucumbers of a good variety, whose liana-like greenery will turn an ordinary city apartment with a loggia into a real decorative oasis. Evening illumination of cucumbers growing on the loggia, against the background of the first spring vegetation, will make this oasis fabulous.
Fundamentals of agricultural technology and first knowledge
A warm, glazed loggia is a kind of attached greenhouse. It has its own microclimatic characteristics. At the same time, each variety of cucumbers requires the maintenance of their own climate.
Good soil is the beginning of all beginnings
If the idea of creating a winter garden on a loggia did not come in the middle of winter, but at least in late autumn, then preparing the soil for cucumbers will not be difficult. To do this, you only need:
- soil base;
- special soil additives at the rate of 10 liters: carbamide – ordinary urea 1 teaspoon, without a slide; wood ash 200-gram, ordinary glass; complex fertilizer – in the form of a nitrophoska familiar to gardeners 2 teaspoons, without a slide, spoons;
- the acidity created for cucumbers, the soil should not deviate from the pH values in the range of 6,6 ÷ 6,8 according to the extract from the water. Otherwise, the composition of the new soil for cucumbers will have to be adjusted.
- good results when growing cucumbers on a loggia are given by a moisture-retaining additive in the form of agrogel.
The purchase of a ready-made garden mixture will be somewhat costly, but the idea of uXNUMXbuXNUMXbgrowing cucumbers of a modern variety will not be put off until spring.
Flower pots, plastic containers – as land for cucumbers
The soil prepared for growing cucumbers should be stored on the loggia, preventing it from freezing. At the same time, assuming the planting of cucumbers at the end of February, you should take care of their permanent place of residence. For these purposes, large 2-bottom flower pots are suitable. Their capacity should not be less than 5 liters.
In the future, as the cucumbers of the selected variety grow, the free part of the pot will need to be filled with fertile soil. On the free area of u3bu1,0bthe loggia, you can place cucumbers at the rate of – XNUMX pcs. at XNUMX m2. Cucumbers of the selected variety are best placed on the floor so that in the future they do not have to be lowered from various stands.
The beginning of life or the first seedling
The immeasurable New Year holidays are long gone. Studying the variety of seed bags and flipping through recommendation articles from the very, very great connoisseurs of agricultural cultivation of cucumbers, fill all your free time.
When choosing varieties of cucumbers for a loggia, it is necessary to pay attention to their compliance with the conditions of future growth. The microclimate of the loggia is typical:
- insufficient lighting. The problem is solved by using fitolamps on the loggia. The use of any other lamps will also give good results. The duration of illumination of cucumbers on the loggia should not be less than 12 hours. From cucumbers to lamps should be approximately 200 mm;
- small cultivated area;
- critical temperature changes on the loggia;
- the absence of pollinating insects on the loggia. Parthenocarpic varieties will come in handy. They do not need pollination and they do not form seeds, self-pollinating cucumbers also do not need insects and pollinators.
Varieties of cucumbers for the balcony
Of the well-proven samples, the most popular varieties for the loggia should be distinguished:
F1 parthenocarpic variety of cucumbers “City Cucumber”:
- begins to bear fruit on the 40th day after germination;
- cucumbers up to 10 cm long and weighing about 90 g;
- at the nodes they form up to 9 ovaries of good grade cucumbers.
F1 parthenocarpic variety of cucumbers “Balcony”:
- begins to bear fruit on the 40th day after germination;
- cucumbers up to 12 cm long and weighing about 90 g;
- at the nodes they form up to 9 ovaries of cucumbers;
- cold-resistant
F1 parthenocarpic variety of cucumbers “Balagan”:
- determinant type;
- begins to bear fruit on the 40th day after germination;
- cucumbers up to 10 cm long and weighing about 90 g;
- at the nodes they form 4-6 ovaries of cucumbers;
- shoots are small, weak branching.
Preparing the seeds for planting
When the seeds are selected and the first decisive step has already been taken, it is no longer possible to stop. To continue the started event becomes a matter of honor:
- seeds are pickled in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 12 hours at a temperature of +200C;
- all treated seeds must be laid out on a damp cloth at a temperature not lower than +230C by placing it in the appropriate tray. Moisten the napkin regularly for 2 days. When the first signs of germination appear, prepare pots or cups for planting.
When shoots appear, cups with seedlings must be placed on the windowsill of the brightest window, maintaining the temperature regime: in the afternoon from +230C to + 260C, at night not below +160C. Light cycle – 12 hours with backlighting.
seedling rearing
The first leaves that appear inspire, but do not allow the home grower to relax. Barely noticeable green sprouts are so weak that even a simple draft can destroy them.
During this period of their life, they need special care and attention:
- Watering. With good lighting and intensive growth up to 2 times in 7 days;
- Backlight. 8 am to 8 pm;
- Growing time. Within 26 – 28 days, seedlings can be transplanted;
- Top dressing. The first top dressing after a 2-week period, the second and last top dressing of seedlings – after a week after the first top dressing.
The approximate composition of the top dressing is as follows: 20 parts of double superphosphate, 15 parts of ammonium nitrate, 15 parts of potassium sulfate. When calculated in grams, this is enough for 15 plants.
Time to move to the lobby
After about one month, it is time to transplant the seedlings to their permanent place on the loggia. In the cups prepared by the size of the seedlings, the sprout is carefully lowered, being careful not to damage the roots.
At this time, cucumbers do not require complex care:
- Compliance with the temperature regime:
- Organization of sufficient illumination and duration of illumination;
- Systematic watering. Twice a week at the rate of 2,5 liters of water at normal temperature;
- Regular top dressing at least 1 time in 10 days;
- Installation of tapestries to the entire height of the loggia;
- Systematic pinching and pinching cucumbers. When the height of the cucumbers occupies the entire height of the trellis, it must be pinched, all shoots growing from the side are pinched to a length of up to 45 cm.
Only one month of unremarkable worries, and by spring the loggia takes on a fabulous shape. It is difficult to take your eyes off the unusual spectacle of flowering cucumbers behind the glazing of the loggia. Grateful plants will delight their owners for a long time not only with beauty, but also with a good harvest.