How to growCucumbers in bottles – convenient and profitable
All gardeners have heard a lot about how to plant and grow cucumbers. However, there are always those who approach the process creatively. The reasons are different: you want fresh vegetables, but you don’t have a summer cottage, or the climate is not very favorable for growing them, etc. This is how a new method appeared – planting cucumbers in plastic bottles, which turned out to be convenient and effective for many vegetable growers.
Advantages of the method
Plastic bottles have already been adapted for different needs. The method of growing seedlings in them is widespread. Such packaging is convenient, lightweight and practically free.
Planting cucumbers in plastic bottles allows you to grow vegetables on your apartment balcony. There are already known successful experiments in cultivating vegetables on the balcony, but previously boxes or buckets were used for them. Such containers do not look very presentable and require a lot of space for placement. And the plastic one is more compact, allows the sun’s rays to pass through perfectly, and the plants feel very comfortable in it.
Seedlings produced in bottles can be planted both at the dacha in open ground and in a greenhouse. Moreover, the plants are placed there along with the bottle.
If you have open ground, you get a mini-greenhouse that will promote faster growth of cucumbers, which will allow them to ripen even during a short summer. Or, in the case of planting early varieties, enjoy the crunchy vegetable as early as June.
How to grow cucumber seedlings
A plastic bottle rim will help:
protect the plant from the mole cricket, in the fight against which summer residents often lose;
save water when watering. In this case, the water goes directly to the roots without spreading over the surface;
rid the seedlings of weeds, they will not interfere with the normal growth of cucumbers and the development of their root system, and will not “take away” minerals useful for development from the vegetable.
In the case of greenhouse planting, you change the planting soil annually, eliminating the formation of pathogenic microorganisms in it, so the plants will be healthy and strong, which is the basis for obtaining an excellent harvest.
Preparing the landing site
You can develop your own recipe for preparing soil for planting, based on personal experience. Its main condition is porosity and looseness so that it has good air permeability. If you are a beginner gardener, you can use ready-made soil, which is sold in the store and is intended for growing seedlings or vegetables.
How to prepare containers for seedlings
The most common recipe for self-cooking consists of 4 components, taken in equal parts:
ordinary soil that can be dug up in the garden;
rotted leaves from any tree except oak and willow;
peat;
drainage mixture. You can use sunflower husks, egg shells or sphagnum moss for it.
Birch ash in the soil will not hurt. Be sure to pour it in, if possible, then you are guaranteed a rich harvest.
Always try to prepare high-quality soil, then growing cucumbers in bottles will go without complications, the seedlings will develop healthy, and the harvest will be on time.
Plastic bottles for the garden
Options for using bottles
The next step is to prepare the plastic containers. Bottles with a capacity of 5 or 2 liters are suitable for this. In five-liter containers, plants will feel more comfortable. You can plant several seeds or seedlings in such a bottle, while in a 2-liter bottle you can plant no more than one.
The preparation of the bottles is simple – just cut off the top part (1/3). You will get a plastic pot and a lid for it. You need to arrange holes in the bottom to ensure the drainage of excess moisture if you accidentally overdo it with watering. Fill the resulting containers with prepared soil and shake a little. Make sure that the soil border is several centimeters below the cut edge. Now you can plant germinated seeds or previously prepared seedlings, several in each bottle. When planting in five-liter containers, the maximum number of plants is 5 pieces.
The resulting pots of cucumbers can be placed on the balcony in a place prepared for this or transported to a summer cottage for burial in the soil. Bury the container about 2/3 into the ground; cover the top with the remaining lids from pruning to create greenhouse conditions for seedlings to grow and protect them from low temperatures at night. When the cucumbers get stronger, remove the cover.
An unusual way to grow vegetables
For planting in the ground, it is recommended to make more holes in the bottle or remove the bottom altogether, leaving only the side rim.
Plastic bottles are also good for producing seedlings. To do this, the container is cut not across, but lengthwise, removing one wall of the bottle. Fill the container with soil and sow the germinated seeds. By the way, this method of propagating seedlings is effective for any crops. In such plastic plantations it is convenient to grow greens on the balcony – they will always be at hand and fresh.
You can use the bottle in an original way by cutting it in half. For this it is better to take a 2-liter one. Soil is poured into the “funnel” – part of the bottle with a lid – and the sprouted seeds are placed there, and water is poured into the “glass” and the funnel is placed there. The level of poured water should reach the neck; the plug is, of course, removed. You get an individual automatic watering system for each pot you make yourself. It is convenient, beautiful and compact.
Planting cucumbers in bottles
Cucumber care
Cucumbers are delicate plants, they love warmth, but do not tolerate direct sunlight well, therefore, if the vegetable is grown on the balcony, then it is worth providing it with a comfortable place to grow.
Caring for cucumbers planted in a bottle is almost identical to usual.
Water the plants only with water heated to room temperature. 2 weeks after emergence, the plants begin to be fed using a weak fertilizer solution. It is recommended to start with 15 g of potassium nitrate and 5 g of ammonium nitrate, 30 g of superphosphate, 5 magnesium sulfate, diluted in a bucket of water. Water the seedlings carefully, being careful not to touch the leaves. After 10 days, you can feed with manure, which is diluted with water in proportions of 1:20.
When growing in a greenhouse or on a balcony, you need to take care of the formation of cucumber vines. The operation is performed when the real 3rd leaf appears. It is carefully cut, trying not to damage the stem. From the axillary bud of the second leaf, after 5 days the lateral lash will begin to develop. The second pinching is done later over the 5th or 6th sheet, the third – after another 2 new sheets.
Try to keep plants out of drafts to avoid powdery mildew.
An unusual way to grow cucumbers
Watch the color of the leaves. If yellow spots begin to appear on them, this may be an indicator of spider mite disease. Treat the plant immediately, otherwise the leaves will dry out. For this purpose, you can use prepared infusions of garlic (pour boiling water over 5 crushed cloves and leave for about 6 hours) or onion peels (a 0.5 liter jar with peels is poured with hot water, infused and diluted 1:2). The infusions are filtered and sprayed on the underside of the cucumber leaves, where the pest is located.
Timely measures and care of the vegetable guarantee you an excellent harvest.
