Upwardly stretched seedlings are a fairly common case when growing cucumbers. Overgrown sprouts are obtained if the light or temperature regime has been violated. To prevent the plants from dying, some recommendations must be followed before planting it.
What to do with overgrown seedlings and why they have become long you need to know even before planting seeds. The reason may be the remoteness of the seedling pot from the window, and the wrong temperature in the greenhouse.
How to plant overgrown cucumber seedlings
Overgrown seedlings are manifested in the elongation of shoots even before the appearance of real leaves... For a number of reasons, the hypocotyl stem is pulled upwards.
It so happens that the sprouts can stretch very strongly, up to 10 cm in height. The seedlings are weak, if transplanted incorrectly, thin cucumber sprouts can die.
Observing the recommendations of experienced gardeners, the situation is quite realistic to correct. Until the moment of planting in the beds, thin sprouts can roll along the glass in the form of a spiral and sprinkle with soil to cotyledonous leaves. The stem will take root after 5-7 days. For this period, the seedlings need to be regularly watered and they will stop stretching.
Reception will slightly slow down the plant in growth. However, during this period it will get stronger and stronger.
Proper preparation for transplanting into open ground
If you do not carry out the above option of deepening in cups, it is necessary to plant the overgrown sprouts in a garden bed or transplant them into open ground. It is worth noting the fact that, contrary to the rules, the seedlings are "overgrown" takes root well and gives good yields.
Transplanting cucumbers to a permanent place consists of the following rules:
- You need to remove the cups carefully, you can leave the paper bottom. It is impossible to put the whole cup inside the hole, since the paper will soak for a long time.
- With leaves you need handle carefully, weak seedlings can be easily damaged. If done correctly, the sprouts stored on the surface will quickly take root thanks to the fresh soil.
- The soil must be prepared in advance, enriched with fertilizers and ash. The temperature should be warm and stable and the soil well warmed up. In order for the sprouts to survive less stress, the soil can be pre-watered with warm water.
- Plant better in the morning or evening... Water with exclusively heated water. Cold water from the tap will negatively affect the growth of cucumbers.
If you put water in metal buckets in the sun in advance, it will warm up very quickly.
Is it possible to deepen
The deepening method is considered effective if you lay and plant the sprout sideways or twist it in a spiral along the width of the hole. It is not worth digging in and placing the root too deep.
Disembark to a depth of 5-7 cm... The roots that appear on the stem if you deepen it will begin to grow rapidly. The size of the bushes will gradually begin to recover, lush foliage will appear.
Planting cucumbers in the holes
Wells must be prepared in advance, the soil must be loose and fertile... Inside you can put a remedy for bear, sawdust and ash. Pour the well with warm water, place the cucumber bushes there using the burial method. Sprinkle with soil in such a way that a depression looks like a hole.
If you do not leave the groove, it will be difficult to water and feed. To prevent moisture from evaporating quickly, the hole must be covered with grass or straw on top. Some people use a covering material with holes for this purpose. It is necessary to lay it on top of the soil before the seedlings are planted.
Post-plant care for elongated seedlings
- First of all, you need to ensure that the soil did not dry out... Moisture will promote the growth of new roots, drought is unacceptable.
- Weak elongated shoots can be tied up or put on the net so that they are not rocked by the wind.
- Loosen and feed no earlier than 6-7 days... Loosening the bushes very carefully - this will saturate the soil with oxygen.
Why seedlings are pulled
The overgrowth of cucumbers is more often observed due to the lack of experience among novice gardeners.
Gardeners who have gained experience on their own mistakes share their secrets with others. They identify three main reasons:
- violation of the timing of planting cucumbers for seedlings;
- wrong light mode;
- non-compliance with the temperature regime.
If cucumbers are sown too early, the bushes will outgrow in anticipation of steady heat. Cucumbers are sown depending on climatic conditions after April 20.
Lack of light adversely affects the sprouts and the condition of the leaves, they acquire a pale green tint. Too low temperature slows down plant growth, high - promotes abundant growth. Unsuitable temperature conditions drive the sprout up.
If an ovary has appeared on overgrown cucumbers, it is better to remove the flowers after transplanting. Thus, it will be easier for the bushes to adapt to the new location.
What to do if the seedlings managed to stretch out
Having studied the cause-and-effect relationships of pulling seedlings, you can prevent this process. If the cucumber sprouts are elongated, they can be saved before transplanting to the main site.
The main measures to solve the problem:
- Add to additional lighting, if necessary, use artificial light.
- If the cups are too tight to each other, or the planting is thick, they need to be thinned.
- Helps avoid pulling out sprouts potash fertilizers, ash and special agents that affect the growth of the plant if applied correctly.
- You can use the transplanting method in larger cups. In order not to injure the root, you can build up existing cups with strips of cardboard. Fill the voids with soil to the level of the first leaves.
- Overgrown cucumbers are carefully transported to a land plot and transplanted using the burial method.
- Damaged bushes with a broken stem cannot be saved, the rest of the plants have a chance for a successful transplant.
As a top dressing you cannot use saltpeter, as it provokes the growth of the green part of the plant.
Overgrown cucumber seedlings are not a reason for refusing to plant them in the beds. Correct this situation will allow proper care. Subsequently, in order to avoid pulling upwards, it is necessary to be attentive to the plants at all pores of cultivation.