Cucumber is a cultivated plant. Cucumber plant: main biological features

The cultivated plant cucumber belongs to the Pumpkin family. This crop is grown as an annual crop. In the dictionary of the German linguist J. Vasmer, the name of this plant is translated from Greek as “immature.” Indeed, one of the main features of cucumbers, as opposed to all other crops of this family, is that, unlike pumpkins, melons, watermelons, etc., they are eaten when the seeds have not yet fully ripened.

The range of vegetable crops grown in protected soil includes about 50 fruit, leaf, root, onion and other crops. Cucumber is one of the favorite and popular vegetables. We like its aroma, crispy flesh, and delicate taste.

The fruits of this plant contain many alkaline compounds that neutralize acidity. Cucumbers are very good for improving the functioning of the stomach, kidneys, liver, heart, and removing cholesterol. The easily digestible iodine in cucumber normalizes the functioning of the thyroid gland. Regular consumption of fresh greens reduces the formation of carbohydrates and fats in the body. Have cucumber fasting days and you will become slimmer.

You can find a biological description, basic characteristics and structure of the cucumber plant on this page.

What does a cucumber plant look like: structural characteristics

Cucumber is native to the tropical regions of India; it is a delicate heat- and moisture-loving plant. This is a light-loving crop, short-day plants or neutral to day length.

Cucumber is demanding on soil fertility and structure, is unstable to salinity, and is also very sensitive to high concentrations of soil solution and soil acidity (optimal pH level is 6.2-6.8).

As can be seen in the photo, the root system of the cucumber plant is taprooted, penetrates shallowly into the soil, and has numerous branches:

In this regard, it is important to provide good conditions for the development of roots and very carefully loosen the soil around the plants; It is best to make injections with a pitchfork.

The stem, depending on the variety and crop, varies from 30 to 500 cm or more. Greenhouse hybrids have a strongly growing vine. They vary greatly in their propensity to branch. When describing the cucumber plant, it is worth noting that there are hybrids in which branching begins after pinching the apical bud. In others, branching begins after collecting fruits from the main vine. If there is self-regulation of branching, less time is spent on pinching side shoots. The rarest are hybrids with shortened internodes, which practically do not require pinching.

One of the biological features of the cucumber is that the intensity of branching of the plant has not only a genetic basis, but also depends on external conditions. Shading, low temperatures, and lack of water help reduce branching.

The flowers of the cucumber plant are solitary, usually dioecious. There are male and female flowers on the same plant. Typically, male flowers are collected in inflorescences of 5-7 pieces, appearing first in the lower nodes of the lash, and female flowers are located singly, less often 2-3 in the leaf axil, appearing later.

Look what cucumber flowers look like in these photos:

The manifestation of sex is a varietal trait, but may also depend on external conditions. A decrease in temperature, carbon monoxide, and a decrease in day length to 12 hours help accelerate the formation of female flowers and increase their number.

Features of cucumber cultivation

After reading the photo and description of the cucumber plant, it will not be amiss to know about the peculiarities of cultivating this crop.

Seeds begin to germinate at 12-13 °C, but under these conditions seedlings appear very slowly and rarely. The optimal temperature for seed germination is 25-30 °C, then they sprout 4-6 days after sowing. For normal growth, a temperature of 25-27 ° C is required. At temperatures below 15 °C, plant development is delayed, at 8-10 °C they get sick, and at 3-4 °C they die after 3-4 days. Cucumber does not tolerate frost. When cultivating these plants, remember that young shoots (in the cotyledon phase) are most sensitive to cold. In the phase of one or two true leaves, when intense photosynthesis begins in plants, their resistance to cold increases significantly. The optimal temperature for flowering and fertilization of flowers is 18-21 °C. The best temperature during the fruiting period is 30-32 °C during the day and 20-22 °C at night.

Cucumber loves high soil and air humidity (85-95%) combined with high temperature (like a sauna atmosphere). This is due to the weak development of the root system, its low suction force, the large evaporating surface of plants, high water content of tissues and the intensity of transpiration.

With insufficient soil moisture and low relative air humidity, plants grow poorly, develop slowly, the first, most valuable ovaries fall off, few fruits are produced, they do not reach normal size, and their taste is low. A decrease in air temperature and humidity contributes to the appearance of bitterness in fruits. The cucumber suffers from changes in day and night temperatures, drafts, and watering with cold water. It is enough to pour cold water once so that diseases appear in 10-15 days. Given these characteristics of the cucumber plant, it is extremely important to provide the plants with the correct cultivation conditions.

Biological characteristics

The cucumber is distinguished by a tap-type rooting system, with the root capable of penetrating to a depth of 0.8 to 1.2 m. The main part of the rhizome is branched in the upper, most fertile, layer of soil from 0.1 to 0.4 m, due to which the plant can warm up well at all levels and absorb nutrients. Even though the cucumber root system is well developed, the plant is not able to absorb difficult-to-digest types of nutrients at low temperatures (up to +20). That is why for the successful growth and development of a crop it is necessary to prepare soil rich in useful minerals, as well as strictly observe the temperature regime.

The stem of the cucumber is whip-shaped, creeping with small grooves on each edge, and also covered with hard fluff. In many hybrids and varieties of cucumber, the length of such a lash can be from 0.8 to 2 m, and in greenhouse conditions up to 5 m. During growth, the stem begins to sprout branches of the first and subsequent orders. As for the length of plants, it largely depends on the variety and compliance with all technical growing conditions. Bush and determinate forms of the plant usually grow in length no more than 0.5 - 0.8 m. Small pieces of tops are capable of taking root under appropriate conditions. For earlier ripening and increased yield, it is often practiced to cut off the tops of the tops above the third or fourth leaf. This procedure allows you to quickly sprout side shoots on which female flowers will form.

Cucumber fruits are classified as Watermelon or false berries with seed chambers inside, which are usually from 3 to 5. Cucumber fruits are usually harvested when the fruits are technically ripe. At this time, their surface is usually hard, with pronounced tubercles or completely smooth. Cucumbers come in different shapes - from ovoid to cylindrical and spindle-shaped.

The color of the greens can vary from light green to dark green. At maturity, the testes have a light or brown-brown color with a pronounced mesh.

According to their size, cucumbers are divided into several types - greens (9-12 cm in open ground conditions and 9-30 cm in greenhouses). For pickles this figure is 3-5 cm, and for gherkins - 5-9 cm. As for fruiting, cucumbers can be divided into ultra early (up to 40 days), early (40-45 days), medium (45-50 days ), medium-late (55-60 days) and late (more than 60 days).

Growing technology. Temperature requirements for cucumbers

Like many vegetable crops, the environmental requirements of cucumbers are significantly influenced by their origin. Initially, the birthplace of the culture was Southeast Asia, known for its warm and humid tropical climate. At the same time, over many centuries of cultivation of the crop in other climatic conditions, the plant managed to adapt to different conditions, depending on the variety. Today, there are many hybrids and varieties of crops intended for cultivation in our temperate latitudes.

Cucumber is classified as a heat-loving plant species. Even a slight decrease in temperature to 18 degrees can lead to a significant slowdown in development, and at 0 degrees the plant dies completely. Lowering the temperature to 12 degrees will cause the flowers to close throughout the day. The optimal temperature for pollen germination is considered to be +26 +29 degrees Celsius.

They can germinate at temperature conditions from 12-13 degrees. The optimal temperature for growth and development is considered to be 25-30, and the maximum is 40-45. If all temperature conditions are met, the first seed shoots can be seen within 5-7 days after planting. If the temperature is below the minimum, then after planting in the ground, the seeds may rot within 3 weeks. At temperatures of 12-13 degrees, seedlings may grow slowly and become vulnerable to root rot. This often happens when the crop is planted too early in open ground or film greenhouses.

The optimal temperature conditions for a cucumber depend on the amount of light and the amount of carbon dioxide. In order for plants to grow intensively, it is necessary to maintain temperature conditions within the range of 23-32 degrees. Increasing the temperature to 32 and decreasing to 16 degrees leads to a slowdown in plant growth. At temperatures below 16 degrees, plants can still bloom, but the ovary is not able to form. If the temperature reaches below 3-4 or above 40 degrees, the plant dies. Too sharp a decrease in temperature leads to bitterness in the fruits.

Lighting requirements

The cucumber is not too demanding on intense lighting, since a short daylight hours is enough for it to fully develop. The optimal lighting period for the crop is 12 hours with a light intensity of 15 thousand lux. Lack of light is most detrimental to the plant during the periods of germination, the formation of 3-6 leaves, and flowering. Lack of light leads to stretching, yellowing and falling of the ovary, which can be observed in winter greenhouses. To prevent this, additional lighting must be used.

Too intense lighting and long daylight hours are also not very beneficial for plants, as they lead to early aging. To ensure that the fruits retain their marketable appearance for a long time, cucumbers are sown among other low-growing crops in the field, and the glass in greenhouses is whitened.

The yield of cucumbers is also influenced by the spectral composition of light. For example, blue and violet short-wave radiation leads to rapid formation of fruits and the formation of female flowers.

Maintaining Humidity

For cucumbers, lack of moisture can be disastrous, because ripe fruits contain about 96-98% water. Most of the root system is located in the arable layer of soil, which quickly loses moisture in the summer. To achieve the highest productivity, it is important to monitor the relative air humidity of 90-95% and the soil moisture level of 80-85%.

When humidity decreases, cucumber fruits become sluggish and small, and the growth and development of the crop as a whole slows down significantly. It is most important to maintain the required level of humidity during the so-called critical period - the phase of 2-4 leaves and fruiting. Excess moisture during the growing season can lead to disturbances in gas exchange processes and the development of putrefactive diseases. As a result, the root system gradually dies off, and then the entire plant.

Insufficient humidity levels during flowering can lead to poor pollination of flowers and impaired fruit development. Cucumbers become bitter, especially if the air temperature is higher than normal. Plants are attacked by pests - spider mites, aphids, thrips.

Regular watering and growing in curtains helps regulate soil and air humidity. With the timely receipt of a sufficient amount of moisture, high yields can be achieved in the greenhouse and in the open ground.

Requirements for air-gas regime.

To obtain high yields, it is necessary to strictly observe the conditions of the air-gas environment. The development of the above-ground part of the culture is significantly influenced by the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2), and the underground part is influenced by the saturation of the soil with oxygen. The optimal conditions for the development and formation of the crop are carbon dioxide 0.3-0.6%, when the process of photosynthesis occurs quite intensively, organic mass accumulates and productivity increases. To enrich the air with CO2 in hydroponic greenhouses, carbon dioxide cylinders, scooped chicken manure, or a little dry ice are used.

To achieve optimal development of the root system, it is necessary to regularly loosen the soil during the growing season. Unloosed soil leads to compaction and excessive moisture of the soil, which is why the root system begins to suffocate and the roots die prematurely.

Nutritional requirements.

The main factor for obtaining high yields of cucumbers is proper nutrition with minerals throughout the entire growth period. During the entire growth period, about 28 kg of nitrogen, 42 kg of potassium and 15 kg of phosphorus per 10 tons of product are added to the soil. It is worth knowing that cucumbers require sufficient quantities of easily digestible minerals, since their root system is not capable of intensively absorbing compounds. Plant ladders are most sensitive to the presence of mineral compounds in the soil during the 3-4 leaf phase. The maximum percentage of phosphorus and nitrogen removal is for young cucumbers, and potassium - during the formation of fruits and harvest. Too high a concentration of minerals in the soil leads to a deterioration in development indicators, and some of the minerals are added in the form of fertilizing.

Cucumbers develop best when the soil acidity is pH 6.5-7.0. When adding mineral compounds to cucumbers, you should give preference to those that do not contain chlorine. Cucumbers respond well to organic fertilizer (humus), since during the decomposition process it releases much-needed carbon dioxide.

Heavy and poorly heated soil does not have the best effect on the growth of cucumbers, significantly reducing the yield of the crop. For the same reason, cucumbers should not be grown on sandy soil. The optimal predecessors for the crop are winter wheat, potatoes, legumes and perennial grasses.

Cucumber has become a familiar guest on our table.: what vitamin salad would be complete without thinly sliced ​​green circles in it, and is it possible to imagine winter preparations without them? This inhabitant of the beds seems to be one of the simple and unpretentious friends of the gardener. It is familiar to each of us, but how much do we really know about this green vegetable or maybe fruit? Is a cucumber a berry or a vegetable?

There is much debate about the true identity of the cucumber as one of the plant types. Some call it a vegetable, which is the most common opinion, while others call it a fruit.

Belonging to the genus of annual plants of the Cucurbitaceae family, it is indeed a berry. This confirms the common myth about the unusual origin of the cucumber.

But at the same time it is very justifiably classified as a vegetable crop. In cooking they are classified as vegetables.

No matter how familiar the cucumber may seem to our places, in fact he is a native of hot India at the foot of the Himalayas, being the same tropical plant grown by the Egyptians and Indians.

Nevertheless, he took root in Russia with great success.

Features of growing cucumbers

Cucumber is one of the most ancient vegetable crops, along with eggplants, beets and peas, which is the reason for such a great variety of its varieties and types.

This representative of the plant world presented in the form of an elongated pumpkin. It often has a rich emerald skin color, covered with tubercles or more familiar pimples.

They are intended for plant respiration, and for the gardener they are an indicator of the ripeness of the fruit for pickling.

This crop can be grown both in open ground and in a greenhouse.(greenhouse) by seedling and non-seedling methods.

When planting in open ground, due attention must be paid to the soil. It should be nourished and fertilized.

Gardening experts advise planting cucumbers in a bed that was previously planted with cabbage, which will improve the quality of the harvest.

Planting of the crop usually takes place at the end of April, when severe frosts are already behind, and their collection is from mid-August to the end of September.

The greenhouse growing method usually guarantees a harvest that is richer in quantity and quality. Such fruits are juicier and more palatable and ripen one to two weeks earlier than their “non-greenhouse” relatives.

The most delicious and crunchy ones are the unripe ones.. Don't wait until it reaches its maximum size.

Ripe and overripe fruits will have a watery taste and lack the freshness that is required of them.

Beneficial properties for the body

It is a well-known fact that cucumber consists almost entirely of water, namely 95%.

This makes it an excellent source of liquid, drinks from which can replace any sweet carbonated water on a hot day. The same quality determines its benefits in accelerating metabolism or metabolism, removing waste and toxins from the body.

And also a vegetable has the following beneficial properties:

• is an excellent helper for the cardiovascular system, lowering blood pressure;
• has a slight drainage effect;
• useful in the prevention of kidney, liver and thyroid diseases.

We must not forget about one of the main beneficial qualities of the vegetable: body rejuvenation. There are a great variety of cosmetic creams for the face and hands with the extract of this vegetable, as well as many recipes for masks based on it.

The rest of the composition is taken up by vitamins and minerals, the number of which can pleasantly surprise you with their quantity.

This and vitamin C, familiar to everyone as a source of maintaining immunity. AND B vitamins, maintaining a stable state of the body.

And iodine, magnesium, iron and phosphorus, which are important components of the body.

Dishes made from it are an excellent help for those who pursue the goal of losing weight or simply getting healthier. So, per 100 grams of this vegetable there are only 16 calories.

And, naturally, no cholesterol and that which in large quantities can worsen the condition of the body.

The program “About the Most Important Thing” will tell you about the benefits of vegetables:

Is there any harm?

As noted earlier, cucumber is a simple and familiar product for us, the use of which in reasonable quantities brings only benefits. But Eating it in excess does not bring anything good.

There are a number of contraindications, knowledge of which will help protect against further consequences. There are only a few of them:

• consumption of vegetables is contraindicated in cases of stomach diseases with a high level of acidity;
• You need to pay special attention to vegetables purchased in a supermarket or market. Poor quality fruits have a high risk of containing heavy nitrates.

Benefits for expectant mothers and their children

Being a non-allergenic product, cucumber can be a great addition to the menu of pregnant women.

Dishes made from it will perfectly diversify the diet and improve the health of expectant mothers, speeding up metabolism and having a laxative effect. This will help maintain normal weight.

Children can be taught it from about one year of age., starting to feed with small portions.

Use in cooking: recipes

The most common forms of preparing cucumbers are salting and marinating. We are all very familiar with the long preparations for the winter.

In general these processes are presented in several stages:

• soaking fresh fruits in cold water for 6-8 hours;
• sorting, which allows you to separate good fruits from those that have cracks and dark spots;
• adding spices to taste (bay leaf, parsley, dill, pepper);
• the process of filling and rolling cans.

Salad with cucumber and kiwi and cucumber fresh cocktail:

Some interesting facts about cucumbers:

• cucumber and melon are distant relatives;
• cucumbers were brought to our region in the 16th century;
• a monument to the cucumber was erected in the city of Nizhyn;
• In Europe, cucumbers with spikes are called “Russian”.

Thus, we can say that, having passed through hundreds and thousands of years, the cucumber has remained and remains an excellent source of health, thanks to its rich composition and low calorie content.

And at the same time this crop does not pose any harm if grown correctly and use as intended.

It is very important to look at the simple, because it usually has more benefits. And such an inhabitant of the beds is no exception.

Common cucumber- a vegetable species of plant of the genus Cucumber. Of all the representatives of the genus, only this species is cultivated by people, while the rest are not considered edible or useful. Another name for the species is Cucumber.

The common cucumber is a plant that spreads along the ground. Its stem reaches a length of 1-2 meters, and in the absence of support it stretches directly on the ground in any direction. In this case, a large number of flowers and branches on which the leaves are located extend from the stem. Thanks to this, the bed with cucumbers is a continuous blanket of greenery. The leaves of the plant are located on the upper tier, absorbing the sun's rays, and under them there are interlacings of rough stems on which the fruits grow.

Cucumbers are elongated green fruits. Their sizes are usually 10-20 cm, although different varieties may vary. They consist of approximately 96% water. While the remaining percentage comes from vitamins (mainly B, C, PP), microelements (potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium), as well as chlorophyll, dietary fiber, essential oils and organic acids. Despite the high water content, cucumbers contain a sufficient amount of useful substances to consider the plant a valuable vegetable crop.

Useful properties of cucumbers

This vegetable has the following effects on the human body:

• — Improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system, kidneys, and endocrine system. It has a beneficial effect on blood vessels, strengthening their walls.
• — Removes toxic substances from the body, as well as excess cholesterol.
• — Improves digestion and promotes better absorption of other products in the body.
• — Strengthens the immune system and stabilizes the functioning of the nervous system.

It is important to remember that cucumbers contraindicated people suffering from peptic ulcers and gastritis. Also highly not recommended for people with high stomach acidity.

Cosmetic effect

Among other things, cucumbers have a strong cosmetic effect on the skin: they make it more elastic, tone, cleanse, and rejuvenate. They also help get rid of rashes, acne and age spots. They relieve skin swelling, inflammation, and even remove excess fat (with long-term use).
Cucumber juice is also used to strengthen hair and improve its growth.

Cucumber (Cucumis) is an annual heat-loving herbaceous plant belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. India and China are considered the homeland of the cucumber, where it was known more than 5,000 years ago. In India, today you can find its wild relatives growing in the forest, entwining trees like vines. The cucumber is depicted on the frescoes of Ancient Egypt and in Greek temples, which allows one to judge its rather venerable age. Young unripe fruits, greens, are used in food: fresh, salted and pickled.

Cucumbers consist of: 95% water, 0.7 - 1% protein, 2% sugars, vitamins C, B1, B2, P, provitamin A, enzymes, aromatics and mineral salts.

Cucumber fruits have very valuable taste, dietary and medicinal qualities. Alkaline salts (they make up 75% of the total amount of mineral salts contained in the cucumber fruit) reduce the acidity of gastric juice, and the high potassium content (174 mg per 100 g of raw weight) helps remove water from the body and has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart and kidneys , liver.

The cucumber plant is divided into root, stem (lash), leaves, flowers and fruits.

The root system of the cucumber is taprooted; the roots are extremely sensitive to heat, especially during the period of seed germination and emergence of seedlings.

Cucumber as a crop

The optimal temperature for germination is 22-25°C. At temperatures below 12°C, the plant grows poorly, the roots and root collar become diseased and the plant dies.

The stem (lash) of a cucumber is divided into branching, creeping and, less commonly, bush. Side shoots of the first order extend from the main stem, from them - second, but shorter, etc.

Cucumber leaves on the same plant vary in size and color. The first leaf is formed 5-6 days after germination. In the axils of each leaf, starting from the third and above, tendrils, shoots, flowers and adventitious roots are formed.

Flowers, as noted, are formed in the axils of the leaves. They are cross-pollinated (by insects); parthenocarpic hybrids do not require pollination. Flowering spreads from bottom to top and from the main stem to shoots of the first and then subsequent orders.

After fertilization, the ovary first grows in length and then in thickness. After 5-12 days, depending on the variety and growing conditions, a technically ripe green fruit is formed, suitable for fresh use and for pickling

Read also

Cucumber seeds

About cucumbers for children

Cucumber is a herbaceous, creeping plant. Cucumber flowers are small, bright yellow, have a pleasant aroma and attract bumblebees and bees, which pollinate them. The cucumber fruit is bright green, small, oblong.

Listen to the poem.

Fresh cucumber

Among the emerald leaves

The cucumber hid.

It's not difficult to find him -

Here he is, my dear!

He's brilliant

And prickly,

It's crunchy

And fragrant.

I'll put it in the salad

That will be the aroma!

If you cut a cucumber, you will see juicy pulp with small seeds.

There is a riddle about a cucumber: “Without windows, without doors, the room is full of people.”

The ancient Russian riddle could rightfully be attributed to zucchini or pumpkin. All of these vegetables belong to the pumpkin family, but the cucumber appeared in Europe earlier.

People have been eating cucumbers for more than six thousand years. The homeland of cucumbers is Southeast Asia. Since time immemorial they have been cultivated in India, Indonesia and Burma.

The word "cucumber" comes from from the Greek word “augurus”, which means “unripe”, “immature”. In fact, cucumbers are eaten unripe.

In India, wild cucumbers grow in dense tropical forests; they twine around tree trunks, sometimes rising to the very tops of their heads. Hindus make excellent use of this feature of cucumbers and entwine them around hedges, fences and gazebos. Large green leaves and stems of overgrown plants protect well from the dazzling burning southern sun, create shade and coolness.

Cucumbers appeared in Russia a very long time ago - in the 9th-10th centuries. But they became widespread only in the 17th-18th centuries. From the Slavs, cucumbers came to Germany.

Of all the vegetables, cucumbers are perhaps the least nutritious: they contain 97% water and are low in protein and vitamins. But they serve as a source of minerals.

Cucumbers: photo and description

People love cucumbers for their incomparable aroma and taste, which is created by essential oils and organic acids.

These substances stimulate appetite and improve stomach function. Cucumbers also contain enzymes - substances that improve the absorption of vitamins and microelements.

What dishes are prepared from cucumbers?

Cucumbers are eaten fresh, added to salads and vinaigrettes, pickled and salted. Cucumber juice has a wonderful effect on the skin - it cleanses and protects it.

Cucumbers love warm and humid climates, because the birthplace of this plant is the tropics, where it is always very humid and hot. They grow well in fertile, fertilized soils.

In the middle of summer, the smell of cucumbers and dill is felt in the garden. At this time, housewives collect cucumbers and prepare them for pickling.

Cucumbers were well known to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. In Greece there was even a “cucumber city” - Sikyon. The ancient Romans grew cucumbers and salted them in tubs.

It is best to pickle cucumbers in oak tubs, adding garlic, dill, and cherry leaves to the pickles for taste and aroma. In the old days, barrels of pickled cucumbers were lowered into river pools. The water in the pools was cold and the pickles were well stored.

Listen to the poem.

Pickling cucumbers

We are in the village with Baba Olya

We will pickle the cucumbers for winter.

So that the pickle turns out noble,

Appetizing, aromatic,

So that the cucumbers shine,

Our teeth were crunching,

We put garlic in the tub

And a currant leaf.

Answer the questions

What does a cucumber look like?

Where do cucumbers come from?

What beneficial substances are contained in cucumbers?

What dishes are prepared from cucumbers?

A story about eggplant for children, grades 1 - 2

A story about onions for children

Summer stories for children

A story about potatoes for children, grades 2-3

Stories about animals for schoolchildren. Jack

Tags: stories about vegetables for children, stories for primary schoolchildren, about vegetables for children

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HOW IS A CUCUMBER DIFFERENT FROM A HUMAN?
release from Georg Vartanyan

People often ask me: “If you don’t want to kill anyone, then why don’t you kill the cucumbers? Doesn’t it hurt for them to die too?” A strong argument, isn't it?

To be honest, I thought that people were joking and teasing. But the frequency of the same question is so high that I realized that this is not a joke. PEOPLE REALLY DON'T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CUCUMBER AND A HUMAN. They say, if you can’t eat a person (or any other animal), then why the hell are you killing vegetables and fruits. Hmm... this must be like an advanced disease. 🙂

For completely clinical cases, you will have to conduct a short educational program (elimination of illiteracy). Educational program topic:

WHAT IS CONSCIOUSNESS AND LEVELS OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Consciousness is the ability to be aware and understand what is happening around. Any living creature (plants, insects, fish, birds, animals, etc.) has consciousness. Consciousness has many levels. The consciousness of an amoeba has one level, a tomato bush has another, a fish has a third, a dog has a fourth, a human has a fifth. All these living beings have different levels of consciousness and, depending on the level of consciousness, they stand in the hierarchy of life. A person stands at the highest level of awareness and therefore the forced death of a person is so severely punished by law and condemned by society. The death of a human fetus (an unborn child) does not yet have such a high level of awareness as a full-fledged person, therefore in many countries abortion is not murder, but is equated to a simple medical procedure. And of course, for killing a monkey or a horse, you will not face imprisonment, because their level of consciousness is much lower than that of a person. We will keep silent about the consciousness of a cucumber, because compared to the consciousness of even a rabbit, a cucumber is a complete idiot. 🙂 (although there are people whose level of consciousness is no different from a cucumber)

Now let's think, can a person not eat anyone? Basically. In theory. Well, don’t eat animals, don’t eat live fruits, grains, etc.? Obviously not. Human life is built on the death of other less conscious beings. Even those that do not eat anything, the so-called sun eaters, kill bacteria and insects in the process of their life.

I'm leading to the conclusion that it won't be possible to kill anyone AT ALL. Therefore, if this is NECESSARY, we need to think about how to make these losses minimal. It is clear that first of all we will have to abandon cannibalism (eating people). Thank God, we have overcome this habit almost throughout the entire planet. Then, we will have to refuse to devour animals with a high level of consciousness, for example, whales, dolphins, monkeys, horses, dogs, cats. Thank God there are almost no problems with this either. Almost. Okay, there are problems. 😉

After this, we will be faced with the choice of whether or not to eat domestic animals, poultry, fish, insects, shellfish, etc. Having given up all this, we will find ourselves faced with a reasonable compromise with our conscience: we can eat fruits, fruits and grains that are created by nature itself with a low level of consciousness and as food for higher forms of life. And really, for whom are so many juicy fruits and vegetables created? Why does nature create them specifically to be eaten and then their seeds/seeds to be distributed?

Homo sapiens! Is it really so difficult for you to understand these terribly sophisticated esoteric truths? Are you really such an idiot that you can’t see the difference between a cucumber and a person or a cow? No, I still have a more positive opinion about people. 🙂

We're just used to eating everything we can get our hands on. WHEN IT'S OFF. We got used to not thinking about what the legs and chops are made of.

We got used to not paying attention to crushed animals, birds and little animals. Of course we got used to it. Fuck other people's problems. We have enough problems ourselves. That's right, there are enough problems! And there will be even more until we stop being mindless creatures who eat everything in sight.

I am not asking you to forget your habits today. I urge you not to turn a blind eye to your own idiocy. Don’t be so stupid as to ask the question: “If you don’t want to kill anyone, then why don’t you kill cucumbers? Doesn’t it hurt for them to die too?”

And I never tire of repeating the words of the great Leo Tolstoy: You cannot be sinless. But you can become less and less sinful every year, month and day. In this there is true life and the true good of every person.

By external signs, you can often immediately determine what is missing from such a necessary vegetable crop for Russians as cucumber. The absence of certain microelements in the soil sometimes manifests itself very clearly and definitely.

Cucumbers can have problems not only due to a lack of microelements, but also due to their excess. An excess of one or another microelement also negatively affects the general condition and development of the cucumber.

The appearance of a cucumber is also influenced by imbalances of common elements such as chlorine, manganese and sulfur. When they enter excessively into a cucumber, it begins to slow down its growth, tissues of the crop begin to die, a number of external changes are observed, which sometimes causes the death of the crop.

Due to the absence of confusion of symptoms, the problem of diagnosis and subsequent adoption of measures to restore the cucumber crop is significantly simplified.

Visual diagnostics, as a method, due to its simplicity and accessibility, is widely used by summer residents to determine the fertilizer needs of cucumbers.

Nitrogen for cucumber 1709

One of the most important microelements for this crop.

Excess nitrogen

When the soil is oversaturated with nitrogen, the leaves of the cucumber crop turn dark green. Old and middle leaves bend. The transparent spots between the veins merge into a single whole and acquire a yellowish or gray-brown tint. The fruits become smaller, the concentration of nitrates increases. With excessive doses of nitrogen, plants die in a matter of days.

Lack of nitrogen in cucumbers

Nitrogen deficiency

Rarely encountered, it is expressed by the overall pale and frail appearance of the cucumber. With a lack of nitrogen, the stems become thinner, hard and fibrous. The lower leaves droop, the upper ones turn yellow to a light green shade. The fruits are formed small and in small quantities. Cucumbers develop worse and gain the required mass much more slowly. The tips of the fruits become too clearly pointed.

Solution

In this case, it is necessary to timely fertilize with an aqueous solution of mullein - (1 to 10) one liter per plant. Daily watering may be necessary to reduce nitrogen concentrations in the soil. Every two weeks, before sunset, apply foliar feeding with 2% calcium nitrate.

Magnesium for cucumbers

Excess magnesium

If there is an excess of this microelement, the cucumber's root system dies. The plant does not absorb calcium from the soil well. The leaves begin to darken and curl.

Magnesium deficiency in cucumbers

Magnesium deficiency

If there is a lack of magnesium in the soil, then the cucumber leaves become fragile and look like they are burned. Spots with pale green or yellowish paint appear on the lower leaves. Green color is visible only in places of veins.

Solution

To increase magnesium levels, constant foliar feeding with magnesium nitrate (100 grams/10 liters) is carried out. For fertigation, you can use Nutrivant Drip with magnesium. For crops grown hydroponically, it is recommended to introduce a magnesium solution of 30 mg/liter.

Potassium in cucumbers [K]

Excess potassium

Excess potassium delays the ability of nitrogen and magnesium to enter the cucumber. Growth is slowing down significantly. The internodes lengthen and the leaves turn white. At a later phase, mosaic spots appear on the leaves of the cucumber crop. The leaves begin to wither and fall off. The damage is local in nature, and the tissue undergoes a necrotic process.

Potassium deficiency in cucumbers

Potassium deficiency

A lack of potassium in the soil leads to the formation of a light border on the leaves of the plant. Cucumber leaves darken and take on a dome-shaped shape.
cucumbers are rounded, noticeably tapering at the stem. The shoots quickly wither.

Potassium deficiency in cucumbers

Solution

Water with ash solution - 1 tbsp. ash per 10 liters of water. Watering at the rate of one liter of mixture per plant. Spray the leaves with a 0.5% solution of potassium permanganate and soap.

Copper for cucumbers

Excess copper

When there is an excess of copper, chlorosis occurs on the lower leaves, then brown spots appear and the leaves begin to fall. Sometimes interveinal chlorosis occurs on young leaves.

Copper deficiency

With a lack of copper, the leaves begin to turn pale. The shoots become weak and withering, and the flowers will quickly fall off.

Solution

In the spring, in the place where the cucumbers will grow, it is necessary to add a 1% aqueous solution of copper sulfate (it will also help in the fight against fungal diseases). At the beginning of the growing season, foliar treatment can be carried out with a 0.5% solution of copper sulfate.

Cultivated plant cucumber

Boron in cucumbers [B]

Excess boron

It is characterized by tissue necrosis along the leaf margins and a dome-shaped leaf shape.

Boron deficiency

With boron deficiency, the growth point dies off. The shoots will become weak and prone to wilting, and the flowers will quickly fall off.

Solution

If there is a lack of boron, foliar fertilizing with Kelkat Boron (50 g/100 liters) is required. Fertilize with a boron solution of 0.3 mg/liter.

Calcium in cucumbers

Calcium is one of the most significant elements for the proper growth of cucumber crops.

Excess calcium

In this case, the leaves of the crop become brittle and hard.

Calcium deficiency

With a lack of calcium, narrow light stripes form on the leaves, which expand over time, which leads to increased fragility, wilting of the leaves and their death. Rot occurs on the inflorescences, which can spread to the root system, stem and fruits. Cucumber leaves become dome-shaped, sometimes claw-shaped.

Solution

Foliar feeding with chelated calcium 3%.

Phosphorus [P]

Excess phosphorus

Excess phosphorus causes a general yellowing of the plant. Necrotic spots form and then the leaves fall off. The plant begins to age quickly. Potassium absorption occurs with a delay.

Lack of phosphorus in cucumbers

Phosphorus deficiency

Phosphorus deficiency is marked by dry spots formed on the lower leaves. The cucumber stops growing, the flowers and ovaries fall off.

Solution

For drip irrigation, phosphorus-potassium fertilizer should be used.

Sulfur in cucumbers [S]

You can see the problem on young leaves.

Excess sulfur

With an excess of sulfur, plants are stunted and become coarse. Scale-like growths appear on the leaves. Sometimes the leaves take on a lilac-brown tint.

Sulfur deficiency

The ruggedness of the leaf blade increases, and the color of the plants changes.

Manganese for cucumber

Manganese is required by plants for the synthesis of chlorophyll. It is also directly involved in a number of oxidative processes occurring in the plant.

Excess manganese

Excess manganese appears on acidified soils. This leads to a decrease in chlorophyll concentration, i.e. Interveinal chlorosis will begin, starting with old leaves, with the appearance of brown necrotic spots.

Manganese deficiency

Manganese deficiency results in light, pinpoint spots on the upper leaves.

Solution

We carry out root feeding using a manganese solution (0.3 mg/liter).

Iron for cucumbers

The problem is clearly visible on young cucumber leaves.

Excess iron

The leaves begin to discolor between the veins.

Iron deficiency

With iron deficiency, the top of the cucumber begins to lighten. The tissue along the veins of young leaves is light or whitish green. growth and flowering slow down.

Solution

Root feeding with a 5% solution of ferrous sulfate or foliar feeding with ash extract in a soap solution. There is no need to worry about an excess of iron in the soil.

Zinc for cucumbers

The problem of zinc imbalance has been noted on older leaves.

Excess zinc

The leaf becomes discolored near the green veins.

Zinc deficiency

Asymmetry of leaves against the background of their uneven yellowing.

Solution

Add 1 gram per 10 m2 of zinc sulfate to the soil. The optimal concentration for root feeding is no more than 30 milligrams per 10 liters of water, and for foliar feeding - 0.04%.

Table with photographs of external signs of micronutrient deficiency in cucumbers

Pumpkin family. Despite the fact that cucumbers are not a particularly nutritious product, due to their taste and the content of some unique mineral salts, they occupy an honorable place on the “green” table. Cucumber is an annual dioecious herbaceous plant, many of its varieties are bee-pollinated (in closed ground conditions they have to be pollinated artificially). Unripe fruits (“greens”) are eaten.

Soil requirements. If desired, cucumbers can be grown on any soil with a neutral or slightly acidic (but not acidic!) reaction, as long as it is sufficiently fertile and contains a lot of humus, but heavy soils require slightly different preparation. As a rule, cucumbers grow better on ridges and ridges, not only in areas with high groundwater levels.

Humidity requirements. Very tall. The best harvest of cucumbers is obtained with a combination of high humidity and high temperature.

Light requirements. It is very photophilous and grows best in areas exposed to full sun all day.

Growing temperatures. Relatively thermophilic. Seeds germinate at temperatures not lower than 12 °C, and the cucumber itself grows best within the temperature range of 20-25 °C for soil and up to 30 °C for air.

Geographical restrictions on cultivation by zones and regions. Thanks to the efforts of breeders who managed to increase the cold resistance of this vegetable, and the relatively short growing season, cucumbers have the widest growing area among pumpkin crops and can be cultivated in open ground up to the central regions of Russia. In more northern regions, cucumbers are grown by seedlings or in cultivation facilities. At the same time, cucumbers are grown almost everywhere as a greenhouse crop, often not so much due to climatic conditions as to increase productivity. In areas with a long frost-free period (Southern Ukraine, Crimea), you can get an additional harvest by doing summer sowing in June - early July.

. Varieties

At least 80 varieties are known for open ground and 60 for indoor soil, most of them are clearly zoned, often the zoning is reflected in the name of the variety (Voronezhsky, Muromsky 36, Altai, Altaisky, Klinsky, Alma-Ata, Donskoy 175, Nezhinsky, Stepnoy, Moskovsky dude, Moscow Evenings, Petersburg Express, Severyanin, Amur 1801 and others). In addition, there are many local varieties of folk selection. Varieties are divided according to the method of use (pickling, canning, salad, universal) and ripening time. So, starting from central Russia and a little to the north, early-ripening, or at least mid-ripening varieties are usually grown; Late-ripening varieties ripen successfully only in more southern regions. Note: when growing early cucumbers, it is best to use a mixture of varieties (hybrids). In this case, the fruits will set better. Separately, we can distinguish varieties bred specifically for cultivation in winter greenhouses (but some of them can also grow in open ground).

Varieties for many areas.

April. Salad. Mid-season. Ripening period is 46-48 days, average fruit weight is 156-290 g, yield is 15.6-24.9 kg/sq.m. m. Spring greenhouses. In the first month it needs pollination. VIR 505. Salting. Early ripening. Ripening period is 23-38 days, average fruit weight is 90-100 g. Resistant to cold weather. Open ground and film shelters.

Elegant. Salad. Early ripening. Ripening time up to 49 days, average fruit weight 90, yield 3.1 kg/sq. m. Resistant to bacteriosis. Does not turn yellow for a long time. Open ground. Cascade. Salad. Early ripening, ripening period 35-45 days, average fruit weight up to 150 g. Crystal. Ripening period is 48-50 days, ripening is uniform, average fruit weight is 180-260 g. Bee-pollinated. For film shelters. Libelle. Universal. Late ripening. Ripening time is up to 60 days, the surface of the fruit has small tubercles, the average weight of the fruit is 70-90 g. Open ground. May. Early ripening. Ripening period is 46-50 days, average fruit weight is 180-200 g. Bee-pollinated. For film shelters. MOVIR 1. Salad. Late ripening. Ripening time is up to 65 days, the fruit surface has large tubercles, the average fruit weight is 78-134 g, the yield is 4.4-7.4 kg/sq. m. Open ground and film shelters. Harvest 86. Pickling. Mid-season. Ripening time is up to 50 days, the fruits are large-tubercular, dark green with light stripes, large.

Varieties for the northern regions.

Altai early. Early ripening. Salad. Ripening time is up to 45 days, the fruits do not turn yellow for a long time. Resistant to cold weather. Muromsky 36. Salting. Early ripening. The ripening period is from 32 days, the fruits quickly turn yellow, the yield is 1.5-3.5 kg/sq. m. Resistant to cold weather. Open ground. Vyaznikovsky 37. Salting. Mid-season. Ripening time is 40-55 days, the fruit has a finely tuberculate surface, the average fruit weight is 100-140 g, the yield is 2.0-3.1 kg/sq.m. m. Resistant to bacteriosis and powdery mildew. Open ground. Farmer. Universal. Late ripening. The ripening period is 50-60 days, the fruits are tuberculate, black-pubescent, the average fruit weight is 95-105 g, the yield is 12-14 kg/sq. m. Resistant to cold weather. Open ground and film shelters.

Varieties for the southern regions.

Aquarius. Pickling. Late-ripening, ripening period 58 days, yield 2.2-3.2 kg/sq. m. Resistant to brown and olive spot, fruit rot, but sensitive to a number of other diseases (downy mildew, bacteriosis). Open ground. Delpina. Canned. Early ripening. Ripening period is 40-50 days, average fruit weight is 85-95 g, yield is 3.8 kg/sq. m. Resistant to true and downy mildew, olive spot. Heat resistant. Open ground. Zozulya. Characteristics are the same as April's, but the surface of the fruit has only tubercles, without grooves. Spring greenhouses. In the first month it needs pollination. Nezhinsky local. Salting (recognized as the best variety for pickling and canning). Late ripening. Ripening period is 50-60 days, average fruit weight is 80-90 g. Steppe. Pickling. Mid-season. Ripening time is 40-50 days, the fruit is short, large-tubercular, yield is 1.7-4.1 kg/sq.m. m. Resistant to drought, and among diseases - to downy mildew. For conditions of the steppe and southern regions. Open ground.

Varieties for winter greenhouses. Grenade. Mid-season, long-climbing. The fruits are smooth with small tubercles. Bee pollinated. For winter glazed greenhouses. Dawn. Early ripening, long-climbing. Fruits with tubercles. Bee pollinated. For winter glazed greenhouses. Manul. Mid-season, mid-climbing. Fruits with a slightly elongated base, with tubercles. Bee pollinated. For winter glazed greenhouses. Moscow greenhouse. Mid-season, long-climbing. The fruits are smooth, elongated-cylindrical. Parthenocarpic. For winter glazed greenhouses. Surprise 66. Mid-season, long-climbing. Fruits with numerous tubercles. Bee pollinated. For winter glazed greenhouses.

Advice:
It has a very high content of vitamin C, more than citrus fruits, which makes it a valuable dietary product.