All the secrets of preparing cucumber seeds for sowing as seedlings: how to sort and reject, features of disinfection, germination and hardening. Proper soaking of cucumber seeds before planting Aspirin can be used when soaking cucumber seeds

Great value Pre-sowing seed treatment plays a role in the quality and quantity of the cucumber harvest. Agronomists have developed many techniques and techniques to prepare seed material for the upcoming planting of seedlings or open ground eg soaking, scarification, disinfection and sizing.

Severely dried cucumber seeds slowly absorb moisture, and accordingly, uneven germination will be observed. In this case, the seeds simply need to be “awakened” before planting.

Soaking cucumber seeds before planting

In the process of growing seedlings, the most difficult period is considered to be the period between sowing and the first shoots. It is extremely important to soak properly planting material to shorten this period of time. In addition, it will be possible to cull, since low-quality seed will not hatch or sprouts will appear much later.

Note! After soaking, the seedlings emerge almost simultaneously, which makes caring for the plants easier, since they are at the same stage of development.

How to soak cucumber seeds before planting:

• You will need a small piece of cloth and a plastic bag. The fabric is generously moistened with warm water, after which the planting material is carefully laid out on one side. The free edge is covered with seeds, everything is placed in a bag. The seeds should be kept in a warm place; they usually germinate within a day.
• Instead of a plastic bag, a glass jar is used, which is hermetically sealed with a lid. Planting material is placed in a damp cloth, after which it is placed in a jar. Store in a warm place for 3-4 days, periodically ventilating the container.
• express method. Seeds are placed in a piece of gauze and dipped in high-quality vodka for 10-15 minutes. As soon as the planting material dries well, it must be sown.

Seed preparation

The purchased cucumber planting material must be poured onto a flat surface and carefully inspected. Grains with irregular shape, small or soft ones should be put aside immediately. High-quality seeds should be dense and large. To make sure that all the defective seeds are selected, you can pour good grains into a glass of water; if any of them float, it is not recommended to use it.

Soak in vodka

Experienced agronomists recommend warming the seeds well before planting cucumbers. To do this, they are poured onto a tray and placed on the battery. If the temperature exceeds 35 degrees, you should limit yourself to a week; if it’s about 25 degrees, the warm-up duration is 1 month.

Treatment and disinfection

If the seeds are not treated, pathogenic/disease-causing organisms will not be treated, which increases the risk of crop disease and crop loss.

Note! After warming up, the seeds must be kept in cool water for several minutes, otherwise they will no longer be stored.

Most effective ways processing and disinfection of planting material:

• Heat treatment. Planting material is heated to fight viruses and diseases, all pathogenic microflora die. Cucumbers are heat-loving plants, therefore, heating the seeds will additionally stimulate their germination. At home, only one method of heat treatment is available - pour boiling water over the seed and place it in a thermos, pre-wrapped in gauze.
• Use of potassium permanganate. It is noted that of the existing etching compositions, potassium permanganate has the widest spectrum of action. To prepare the solution, take 1 gram of manganese and dilute it in 100 ml of warm water. The solution will turn almost black. It is not advisable to use weak concentrations of the substance; they are ineffective. All grains must first be separated from each other; stuck together units may not be properly pickled. The seeds are placed in gauze and placed in the solution for 20 minutes. After - washed boiled water room temperature.
• Etching with hydrogen peroxide (2-3%). The solution must first be heated to 40 degrees. Keep the seeds in the solution for no longer than 8 minutes.
• Application boric acid. For disinfection, you will need to first prepare a solution, you will need 0.5 tsp. boric acid and 1 glass of water. The temperature of the liquid should not fall below 25 degrees. The seed is soaked for 2-3 hours. After this, the grains should be rinsed well under running water.

Important! If there is damage on the seed skin, then when treated with chemical compounds, their germination will greatly decrease.

Soaking Instructions

We use gauze

One half of the gauze piece is placed on the container, and the seed material is carefully laid out on top. The seeds are covered with the second half of the material and filled with liquid.

On a note. The optimal temperature of the liquid used is +35 degrees. The volume of liquid depends on the amount of planting material used, the ratio is 1 to 1. If after a while the liquid becomes cloudy or darker, it must be replaced. This procedure must be repeated until the liquid remains clear.

The soaking procedure does not require any special skills; even a novice agronomist can do it. The dishes with soaked seed should be placed in a warm and dark place, the air temperature in the room should not fall below 20 degrees. To create a greenhouse effect, it is recommended to cover the container with glass, but if there is none, you can take an ordinary plastic bag. It will take about a day for the seeds to swell.

What to soak seeds in to make them germinate faster

The first step is to take care of the quality of the water used. It is recommended to give preference to settled, rain or melt water.

To achieve maximum results, agronomists often use biologically active components. Using biostimulants is effective and completely safe. Such compositions not only stimulate the active growth of the plant, but also strengthen it, allowing you to grow healthy, more hardened and strong seedlings.

One of the most common compounds used before planting is Epin. The unique composition of the drug activates the protective functions of seeds against aggressive environmental factors. In addition, it increases the “stress resistance” of planting material in case of viral diseases, fungal infections, soil depletion, lack of sunlight, etc.

Is it possible to check the germination of seeds before planting in the ground?

To check the germination of seeds, it is necessary to create certain conditions for them, since they move from the resting phase to the waking phase.

To check, take about 10 seeds and place them in one layer between porous materials: napkins, gauze or toilet paper. This combination is placed in a container and filled with warm water. It is topped up as needed. A week after germination, they calculate how many plants should be produced. If about 3 seeds have sprouted, it is not advisable to use such planting material.

Seed calibration

Another proven method is calibration. You need to keep the seeds in water with table salt for several hours. The salt concentration should be 3-5%. Viable seed will settle to the bottom of the container, and unsuitable seeds will float to the surface. After checking, the seeds should be washed and dried well.

Note! For such procedures, you must use only warm water.

To check the germination of hybrid cucumber seeds and ordinary varieties Sawdust is also used. Pour boiling water over the sawdust at intervals of 30 minutes until they swell. The resulting material is transferred to a separate container, and cucumber seeds are placed into it at short intervals. The seed material is covered with sawdust and compacted a little. This is very important, otherwise unnecessary roots will form. It is recommended to maintain the optimal room temperature - 25-27 degrees above zero. After a week, you can see how many sprouted from 10 seeds.

Thanks to the above methods, it will be possible to reliably determine the germination of cucumber seeds and select those that will provide the family with a harvest.

Note! If germination is less than half, it is better not to use such planting material; there is a high probability of being left without a harvest.

Cucumbers can be consumed in fresh, add to salads, and also preserve for the winter. The culture is quite capricious, but having mastered the basic rules of planting and care, you will be able to reap a rich harvest. Through trial and error, an agronomist can become a real specialist.

In order for a cucumber seed to germinate and grow into a strong, viable plant, you need to put in some effort. Proper preparation of cucumber seeds for planting is the key to a successful harvest. Practice has proven that these techniques affect both the quantity of greens and their taste.

Rejection of empty seeds

You need to start by selecting empty seeds. Yes, you can often find only 10-12 of them in a bag. But even among such a small quantity there are empty, incomplete seeds, and therefore they need to be sorted.

Selection is still carried out in the tried and tested “old-fashioned” way.

1. Add a tablespoon of salt to a liter of water and mix.
2. Dip cucumber seeds into the solution.
3. We drain the ones that have floated up: they are incomplete and unsuitable for planting.
4. We wash the rest and dry them on a napkin.

It is advisable to carry out calibration immediately. It may happen that the size of the seed material differs for the same variety. This does not mean that small seeds are bad. Just sort them. When planting, we will plant small ones to a depth of 1 cm, and large ones - up to 1.5 cm. If you have a large number of seeds in stock, then use only large ones.

When purchasing planting material, pay attention not so much to the attractive appearance of the package, but to the shelf life of the seeds and their quantity. Use grains that are 2-3 years old; they germinate best.

Rules for preparing seeds for open ground

Before sowing, carry out whole line procedures necessary for a small seed to grow stronger:

• checking the fullness of seeds;
• selection and calibration;
• disinfection, since pathogens may be present on the surface of the seed;
• warming up to obtain quick shoots;
• feeding;
• germination to get seedlings faster;
• hardening for resistance to temperature changes.

We checked for completeness and weight, calibrated the seeds for planting, and continue further development. We carry out the disinfection procedure. To do this, we disinfect our seeds in a dark purple (strong) solution of potassium permanganate. Dip them in the solution for 15-20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

The treated material is heated in two ways. If you prepare seeds for planting in advance, you can keep them next to heating devices for a month at a temperature of +25 to +28°C. In cases where there is no time to delay the procedure, it is enough to warm it up for 2-3 hours at +50–55°C. Thanks to this treatment, the seeds not only germinate quickly and well - many female flowers subsequently form on the plants, and the harvest can be obtained much earlier.

Some gardeners practice an interesting technique: they carry a bag of seeds near their body for about a week, warming them with their warmth. “With this method, the harvest is excellent,” they assure.

Next, it is important to feed the seeds. In gauze bags, cucumber seeds are soaked in a nutrient solution for 12 hours. Use a solution of wood ash or nitrophoska (1 teaspoon per liter of water). Natural stimulants They can also feed the seed, for example, sodium humate or Epin.

It is believed that melt water is a good stimulator of further growth. But here, be guided by the situation: if the area is ecologically clean, then melt water is really useful.

After feeding, the seeds are washed and left in a warm place at a temperature of +25°C until they swell. They will hatch on the second day. There is no need to germinate them much. It is enough for small roots up to 1-2 mm in size to appear.

Let's move on to the hardening procedure: leave the sprouted seeds on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator for a day. It would be enough. That's it - the cucumber seed, having gone through many tests, is ready for sowing.

If you purchased hybrid seeds where the package says “F1” after the variety name, then it is not necessary to do all these manipulations. As a rule, such seeds have already been processed. It is enough to feed them and germinate them by selecting healthy seeds.

Features of preparing seeds for greenhouses

The procedure for preparing a cucumber seed for planting in a greenhouse is not fundamentally different from preparing for planting in open ground. But the greenhouse has a special microclimate where there is crowding of plantings, high humidity, different temperature conditions.

Based on this, let us dwell on several important points.

• Infections and fungal diseases spread faster in a greenhouse than under open air Therefore, one of the most important techniques is disinfection. In a gauze bag, the seeds are immersed for 20 minutes in a strong solution of potassium permanganate or boric acid. It is important to then rinse them in running water and dry them.
• Small seeds can also be treated under a UV lamp for 2-3 minutes. Only after this you need to keep them in a closed bag, without leaving them in the open air.
• Disinfection can be carried out in garlic peels. The husk is poured with hot water for a couple of hours, filtered and the seed is placed in the broth for an hour, washed.
• Warming remains an important procedure so that a large number of female flowers are formed on the plant. We sew a fabric bag, put the seeds in it and hang it on a pipe near the battery for a month. But it is worth remembering that with rapid warming up there is a possibility of overheating.
• Fertilizing won't hurt either. It is better to use a natural substance such as wood ash, which contains a lot useful substances. It is enough to leave the seeds in the solution overnight.
• Germination is carried out with any growing method and speeds up the harvest. Place raw gauze on a plate, pour out the seeds and wait 2-3 days. After this, the seeds are ready for sowing.

When germinating, do not completely fill the seeds with water, because in addition to moisture, they also need air. In water they may deteriorate and not germinate at all.

Preparing cucumber seeds for planting requires additional time and effort. Many people neglect these techniques, sowing dry, untreated seeds in open or closed ground. Of course, even with this approach, the seed will sprout and grow. But when correct processing and the harvest will be larger, and the fruits will be tastier. Try it and see for yourself.

Cucumbers are one of people's most favorite vegetable crops. To get a rich harvest of these crunchy green fruits, owners need to properly prepare the seeds for planting. High-quality preparation of the bed for cucumbers is also of great importance for the growth and development of plants in open ground. What rules do novice gardeners need to know in order to perform these 2 operations well?

With sufficient light, cucumbers can be sown at any time

Selection and warming of seed material

Pre-sowing seed preparation includes the following sequence of operations:

• sorting and selection of quality material;
• warming cucumber seeds;
• pickling or disinfection of material against diseases;
• germination of seeds;
• hardening of germinated material.

How to carry out all these actions?

A high-quality cucumber seed is a guarantee that the plant sprouted from it will develop well and will delight you with a bountiful harvest of fruits.

For sowing, we select only large, full-bodied seeds.

That is why it is so important at the very beginning to select healthy and strong seeds and weed out weak and unadapted material. To do this, take 50 g of table salt and dilute it in 1 liter of water. You need to dip the seeds into the resulting solution and observe their behavior. Those seeds that quickly float to the surface can be thrown away, since their further use is pointless - these are low-quality raw materials. But with the seeds that have sunk to the very bottom, you can safely continue working. It is from this material that cucumbers should be grown. Selected seeds are thoroughly washed with chilled boiled water and dried.

Beginning gardeners need to know that the greater harvest will be given by those seedlings that sprouted from 2-3 year old seeds. It is from them that low but fertile shoots grow. If there are no such seeds in the house, last year’s seeds will do. In order to collect more cucumbers in the summer, you should keep the seed warm and dry throughout the winter months, otherwise the seeds will grow into long vines with many barren flowers. Ideal place batteries will be used for heating central heating or oven. A gauze bag with seeds is hung next to them. The temperature should be no lower than 23°C and no higher than 35°C, otherwise the seeds may steam and dry out.

You can warm up the cucumber seeds immediately before sowing. In this case, it is better to use a thermostat. At a temperature of 50-55°C, the material warms up in it for about 3.5 hours; if the temperature is 60°C, 2 hours will be enough. Thanks to heating, it is possible to increase the germination of one-year-old seeds, ensuring even greater yields of cucumbers in the future.

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Preventive disinfection of cucumber seeds

Cucumbers and tomatoes in the same greenhouse can live perfectly together. Since the conditions for maintaining these crops differ, it is better to place them on different sides, some on the right, others on the left.

To protect plants from viruses and fungi, seeds, which are often breeding grounds for bacteria, must be treated after heating. There is wet and dry disinfection of the material. Wet disinfection is more familiar to gardeners. In this case, potassium permanganate is used, which is diluted with water warm to 30°C in a ratio of 10 g per 1 liter of water. Cucumber seeds are immersed in the resulting one percent solution of potassium permanganate for half an hour. After the etching period has expired, they should be thoroughly rinsed with water. Instead of potassium permanganate, streptomycin can also be used. The solution is prepared in a ratio of 50 units per 1 ml of water. Disinfection time is 24 hours. Afterwards, it is also recommended to rinse the seeds with water.

A good disinfectant if you don’t have potassium permanganate and streptomycin on hand is garlic. One large clove will be enough, which should be grated on a plastic (!) grater, dilute the pulp with 200 ml of chilled boiled water, add another 800 ml of liquid and strain everything through cheesecloth. Cucumber seeds are placed in a gauze bag and immersed in the resulting solution for 30 minutes.

http://youtu.be/AgJH74KOrXI

Dry etching is carried out using special granosan preparations NIUIF-2 or TMTD. The seeds are placed in a glass jar and the powders are added there. Granosan proportion: 3 g per 1 kg of seeds, TMTD proportion: 4 g per 1 kg of material. The jars are tightly closed and shaken for 5 minutes. Since the drugs are poisons, they must be handled very carefully. It is advisable to cover your nose and mouth with a gauze bandage and put safety glasses on your eyes.

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How to germinate seed material correctly?

To increase the germination of cucumbers, it is recommended to germinate the seeds before sowing. Additionally, they are treated with special biogenic and chemical fertilizers - stimulants, the task of which is to accelerate seed germination and shoot development. Boric acid (20 mg per 1 liter of water), zinc sulfate (2 g per 1 liter of water) or baking soda (5 g of powder per 1 liter) are used as stimulants. The seeds are soaked in one of the resulting solutions for 24 hours. The room temperature during this time should not be below 20°C.

After a day, the cucumber seeds should be warm room place evenly on burlap, and cover the top with a thin layer of wet sawdust, which is first scalded with boiling water and washed with water so that no resinous substances remain in them. The cucumber material should remain in this state for 2 days.

A good germination biostimulator is aloe juice. If you have this plant in your house, you can do without purchased acids. The product is prepared 3 weeks before the day of germination. Several aloe leaves (preferably the lower, older ones) need to be cut from the plant, washed, dried and placed in a plastic bag. Place the bag in the refrigerator for 14 days at 7°C, then keep for another 6 days at 2°C. On the day of soaking, juice is squeezed out of the leaves. It is in this juice that the cucumber seeds need to be kept for 6 hours. After this, the material is laid out on a gauze cloth moistened with water, where it swells for 3 days.

To prevent cucumber sprouts from dying due to planting seeds in open ground, where the temperature is clearly below room temperature, the seeds are usually hardened. In order to increase the cold resistance of seeds, they are placed in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and kept at a temperature of -2°C. Hardening completes the preparation of seeds for planting.

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Simple beds for planting cucumbers

Planting seeds in open ground is carried out in beds prepared in advance for them. Selected in the garden right place for future plants. This should be an area where cabbage, potatoes or legumes. If the soil for cucumbers is prepared in the fall, then the following fertilizer is added to it: 3 cups of wood ash, 3 buckets of manure and 70 g of nitrophoska per 1 m² of land. In spring, the soil is dug up to a depth of 25-30 cm. A layer of fertile soil (10 cm) is added on top. Then the surface is leveled and the required number of beds for cucumbers is formed. On their sides there are sides for irrigation. Each finished bed is covered with plastic wrap for several days to allow the soil to warm up.

You can prepare the ground in the spring. To do this, a week before sowing cucumbers, you need to fertilize the soil with manure. Instead, you can use dry leaves, grass, straw or sawdust. Then you need to dig several grooves 35 cm deep and put organic matter there almost to the brim. Then pour hot water over everything, and pour a 15-centimeter layer of fertile soil on top. Then the surface of the beds needs to be leveled and sides for watering should be placed on the sides. The entire beds are covered with film for 4-5 days to warm the soil. After completing all these procedures, you can safely plant well-prepared cucumber seeds in the ground.

Cucumber seeds have good germination; high-quality seed material germination rate is 90%. Properly collected and stored in the right conditions When sown, seeds germinate within 7 years, but viability decreases significantly over time. Seeds that are two to three years old germinate best.

From seeds older than five years, without additional processing, the yield is low. Annual seeds produce a lot of barren flowers when they germinate, which also leads to a decrease in yield. But with proper preparation, even they can produce a good harvest.

What seeds need preparation?

The quality and quantity of the future harvest depends on the proper preparation of cucumber seeds for sowing. For germination and formation of strong and healthy plants some effort is required.

Varietal seeds, purchased in a store or collected independently, must undergo preliminary preparation.

The procedure for preparing seeds for sowing for seedlings, in a greenhouse (greenhouse) or open ground is not fundamentally different. But in greenhouse conditions there is a special microclimate, high humidity, special temperature conditions and crowded plantings.

Infectious and fungal diseases spread faster in a greenhouse than in other conditions, so the most important technique in such conditions is seed preparation, including disinfection.

For hybrid seeds indicated on the packaging as F1, it is not necessary to perform any manipulations to prepare them. They have already been calibrated, heated up, treated with fungicides and stimulants, and have an uncharacteristic color. Such seeds can simply be germinated or directly planted in the ground.

Soil preparation

To sow cucumbers, you can purchase a ready-made soil mixture in the store or make it yourself from:

• 1 part sifted turf or leaf soil,
• 1 part peat
• 1 part humus
• 1 part sifted river sand.

Instead of peat, you can take steamed (spilled with boiling water) sawdust. Per 10 liters of mixture, 100 grams of wood ash and 20 grams of superphosphate are added. The mixture is thoroughly mixed.

How to properly prepare seeds for sowing seedlings

Properly carried out measures for calibration, disinfection, heating, hardening and germination of seeds help to obtain strong seedlings, and then a good harvest of cucumbers.

Calibration

Seed preparation should begin with selection and calibration.

Add a tablespoon of salt per liter of water and stir. The seeds are immersed in the solution for 15-20 minutes. Floated, as well as dark, stained, deformed, damaged seed material is removed.

The remaining seeds are washed under running water and dried on a napkin. After this, calibration is carried out. Small seeds are separated from large ones. When planting, they are planted to a depth of 1 centimeter, and large ones - 1.5-2 centimeters. If there are a large number of seeds, small ones may not be planted.

Disinfection

To protect seeds from diseases such as bacteriosis, root rot, viral mosaic, powdery mildew and tracheomycosis wilt, it is necessary to undergo a disinfection procedure.

The seeds are placed in a gauze or fabric bag and dipped in a strong (purple) solution of potassium permanganate for 20 minutes. After which they are washed with running water.

Small seeds can be disinfected under an ultraviolet lamp for 2-3 minutes.

Instead of potassium permanganate, you can use a solution of wood ash, a hot solution of nitrophoska and copper sulfate, boric acid (a teaspoon per liter of water) or Fitosporin-M solution. Seeds are placed in any of the solutions for 12 hours.

Seed disinfection can also be carried out in garlic peels. To do this, the husk is poured with boiling water for 2 hours and filtered. The seeds are placed in the infusion for an hour, then washed.

To increase immunity, the seeds can also be placed in aloe juice, diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio for 6 hours.

Warming up

To increase the germination of seeds, before planting they are heated in the oven for 3 hours at a temperature of 50-55 degrees.

If you have time, the seeds can be warmed up in advance, a month before sowing. For this purpose, they are laid out next to the heating device at a temperature of 25-29 degrees. This gradual heating dries them evenly, increasing their germination.

Bubbling

Enrichment of cucumber seeds with oxygen (bubbling) is used for seeding material that has reached 6-7 years of age. This procedure increases germination energy and increases the number of seedlings. Young seeds do not require this procedure.

The seed material is placed in a gauze (fabric) bag and sent to a container with a warm solution of a growth stimulator, for example, Zircon, Kornevin, Epin, Cytodef, sodium humate (5 drops of solution per 1 liter of water). Then, using an aquarium compressor, a stream of air is supplied to the seeds. The filter on the compressor is removed. The tube is located under the seed bag. Air bubbles surround the seeds on all sides. They are kept in water for approximately 18-24 hours. If there are a large number of seeds, in the middle of the cycle (after 9-12 hours) the water is replaced with new one.

In the absence of a compressor, the seeds are poured into a container with a growth stimulator for 12 hours and mixed regularly with a wooden spoon. To further saturate the air, the water can be partially replaced with new water every 2-3 hours. It should be warm (20-25 degrees).

After bubbling, the seeds are poured onto a paper napkin to dry.

Germination

The seeds are laid out in a damp cloth and sent to a transparent bag or on a saucer and placed in a bright, warm place for 1-2 days. When the fabric dries, it is sprayed with water. The seeds will swell and begin to germinate. The length of the roots should not exceed 2 millimeters. Otherwise, they may break off when landing.

Sprouted seeds can be planted, but it is better to harden them first.

Hardening

Hardening of seeds increases the resistance of future plants to any unfavorable environmental conditions.

The seeds are hardened in the swollen or hatched state. In a damp gauze bag they are placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator (on the vegetable shelf) for 2 days.

Also, seeds can be hardened for 3-5 days, alternating heat and cold. In this case, the seeds are placed in the refrigerator at night, and warmly for the day.

The bag should not dry out during hardening. To reduce moisture evaporation from the bag, it must be wrapped in polyethylene.

Hardening makes plants stronger, resistant to diseases and temperature fluctuations.

Proper care of cucumber seedlings

To sow seeds, take separate peat pots or cups without a bottom, with a diameter of at least 8 centimeters. Peat pots allow you to plant grown seedlings directly into the ground without removing them and without damaging the roots. They easily grow through the walls, and the peat structure serves as additional fertilizer for them. You can also use peat tablets, which are then planted in separate containers.

The pots are filled with soil mixture and spilled with a warm solution of potassium permanganate. After the moisture has drained, the seeds are placed in the soil to a depth of 1.5-2 centimeters. Then they are watered with warm water and sprinkled with soil. The containers are covered with glass or transparent plastic film.

When to plant cucumbers for seedlings

After the first shoots appear, the seedlings are placed on a well-lit windowsill with south side. The air temperature in the room during the day should be 20 degrees, at night it should not drop below 15 degrees.

Young plants need good lighting for 10-11 hours a day. In the absence or lack of natural light, additional illumination with a phytolamp is required.

Watering plants is carried out with warm water. Before the first leaves appear, the ground is irrigated with a spray bottle. After the first leaves form, the seedlings need to be watered using a syringe or a teaspoon. Water should not fall on the stems and leaves, but should saturate the soil.

Fertilizing cucumber seedlings is carried out after the appearance of one main leaf. Then it is repeated once every 10 days. For a bucket of water, take a liter of mullein, 20 grams of urea or ammonium nitrate.

A few days before planting the plants in the ground, they are fertilized with a solution of ammonium nitrate (5 grams of fertilizer per bucket of water).

Fertilizing should be done in the evening, after watering. The solution should not get on the leaves. If the fertilizer does get on the foliage, it is immediately washed off with water from a spray bottle or watering can.

The period for growing seedlings is 25-30 days. Plants ready for planting have dark green, well-developed leaves, a strong, dense stem and strong roots.

A week before planting seedlings in unprotected soil, seedling hardening begins. Her time in the open air increases gradually.

When planting, the soil should warm up to 15 degrees, and the air to 18ºС.

Grown plants are planted in prepared beds. They are placed in the center or in a checkerboard pattern, on average there are 4-6 seedlings per 1 square meter. The distance between rows should be about 50 centimeters, in a row 30-40 centimeters, when planting in 1 row - 20 centimeters.

After planting, they are thoroughly watered with warm water. If necessary, non-woven material is stretched over the top for acclimatization. When the plants begin to grow, the shelter is removed.

In the future, the plants are provided with proper care, which guarantees a good harvest.

After what to plant cucumbers? What to plant after cucumbers?

Preparing cucumber seeds for planting: video

Pre-sowing preparation of cucumbers: video

Properly prepared seeds and planned care guarantee a good harvest of cucumbers. Not only the health and quality of the fruit depends on these measures, but also the quality of the subsequently collected seeds, which can be collected for subsequent sowing. Many gardeners doubt the need to prepare seeds, but after trying it only once, they do it every year.

Before sowing seeds for seedlings, it is necessary to prepare the soil and select a suitable container.

Seed material also needs stimulating procedures.

Preparing cucumber seeds for sowing as seedlings ensures maximum germination; the seedlings grow strong, healthy, and viable.

Today we will consider the following questions - soil for cucumber seedlings: composition, how to prepare the soil with your own hands? How to prepare cucumber seeds for planting, do they need to be soaked and how to germinate cucumber seeds for seedlings?

Soil preparation

cucumbers love light, nutritious soil. Store-bought mixtures will not work. They contain a lot of peat, which is too acidic.

Ready-made substrates are not nutritious enough, they don't provide normal development root system of cucumbers.

It is better to make the soil for cucumber seedlings yourself. It is worth trying one of the suggested options:

• a mixture of garden or turf soil with humus, peat and rotted sawdust in equal proportions;
• turf soil mixed with rotted compost;
• garden or turf soil mixed with humus, vermicult or perlite;
• peat combined with old sawdust, humus, mullein and washed river sand.

For the mixture, it is better to use the soil into which the grown cucumbers will be transplanted. Light sandy soil is preferred, heavy soil mixed with clay will not work. The substrate must have a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction.

Before mixing, the soil must be sifted and then calcined in the oven or microwave. This treatment, which lasts at least half an hour at a temperature of 90 degrees, kills harmful microorganisms and insect larvae that weaken the seedlings.

Another processing option is steaming. The soil is laid out on a fine mesh net and placed over a container of boiling water. The treatment is carried out for 30-45 minutes, then the soil is cooled. If heat treatment is not possible, the ground can be frozen, this procedure guarantees a good effect.

The sifted soil is laid out in plastic bags or fabric bags, and then placed in freezer or on the balcony (in winter period). The substrate is kept in the cold for several days, then brought indoors and left to thaw.

ADVICE! Mineral supplements will help increase soil nutrition, containing nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus necessary for seedlings.

Wood ash, superphosphate, urea, potassium sulfate or potassium sulfate are added to the substrate. All components are thoroughly mixed. The soil mixture can be prepared in advance. Some should be left for later pouring into cups with seedlings.

Seed preparation

For 100% germination and obtaining strong seedlings Before sowing, the seeds undergo a number of measures.

The preparation process consists of:

• calibration;
• disinfection;
• germination;
• hardening

Seeds collected within the last 10 years are suitable for planting. It is worth considering that germination rate decreases every year, for specimens nine years old it may be less than 50%.

The best quality is demonstrated by material collected 2-3 years before sowing. To control the process, seeds collected independently are placed in bags indicating the harvest date.

First, the seeds are sorted manually; hollow and deformed ones are rejected. During the calibration process, you can sort the seed by size (it depends not only on the quality, but also on the variety). It is believed that larger specimens have better germination and produce viable, promising shoots.

After manual calibration the seed is filled with salted water and mix thoroughly. Benign seeds will sink to the bottom, while unsuitable seeds will float to the surface. High-quality material is removed from the saline solution, washed clean water and dry by spreading it on a napkin or paper towel.

The next stage of preparation is disinfection.

REFERENCE! Sometimes the seed passes necessary processing before sale (there must be a corresponding mark on the bag).

If disinfection has not been carried out, you will have to do it yourself. You should not risk the health of the seedlings and the future harvest.

The seeds are heated at a temperature of 60 degrees for about 3 hours. They must not be overheated. Then they dipped in an aqueous solution of potassium permanganate for 30 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with clean water.

There are also alternative methods disinfection. Seed material can be treat with ultraviolet lamp within 5 minutes. The procedure is carried out immediately before sowing. If it is impossible to plant the seeds immediately, after irradiation they are packaged in a light-proof bag.

It will help to disinfect seeds and at the same time nourish them with valuable microelements soaking in ash infusion(2 tablespoons of ash are infused in 1 liter of warm water for 3 days). The treatment lasts 30 minutes, then they are dried.

The last but very important step is hardening, increasing plant immunity. First, the seeds are germinated in a damp cloth. Then they are moved to the refrigerator for several days.

First, the seeds are placed in a colder zone, then moved to the lower shelves. The seed material should not dry out during hardening; the fabric in which it is wrapped is often moistened with a spray bottle.

How to germinate cucumber seeds for seedlings?

IMPORTANT! Some gardeners prefer to plant dry seeds. Main motivation – sprouted material is very vulnerable, tender young shoots are easily injured, which slows down the growth of seedlings.

However, most hobbyists still soak the seeds in an attempt to speed up the development process of seedlings and ensure the germination of the seed. If the shoots do not hatch, they do not need to be planted in the ground, nor do they take up pots with substrate or scarce space on the windowsill.

How to soak cucumber seeds for seedlings? Soft water is used for soaking: rain, melted or boiled. Do not use hard chlorinated tap water. There is no need to water the seeds; a damp cotton cloth works much better.

Some gardeners use cotton wool, but this method is unsafe. Delicate sprouts can become entangled in long fibers, making it very difficult to remove them without breaking them.

The seeds are wrapped in cotton cloth or matting, generously moistened with warm water, and then placed in a plastic bag. It will prevent moisture from evaporating and provide the necessary warmth. They will germinate in 3 days.

Instead of a bag, you can use a glass jar with a tight lid, creating a greenhouse effect. The jar with seeds is placed in a warm place. Do not place it on heating appliances, trying to speed up the pecking process.

To improve germination before germination, cucumber seeds can be soaked in an aqueous solution of a growth stimulator. Treatment lasts 10-12 hours. The procedure is especially important for expensive and rare varietal seeds, it guarantees almost one hundred percent germination of the seed.

Preparing for sowing can take a lot of time, so you need to start early. Disinfected soil, enriched with nutritional components, can be stored for quite a long time, and the seeds must undergo the necessary procedures immediately before sowing. Important preparatory measures cannot be neglected, because the future harvest depends on them.

Useful materials

Explore other useful articles about growing and caring for cucumber seedlings:

• How to properly grow on a windowsill, balcony and even in the basement?
• Tips for growing in various containers, in particular peat pots and tablets.
• Find out the planting dates depending on the region.
• The reasons why seedlings stretch, the leaves dry out and turn yellow, and what diseases are they susceptible to?
• All the secrets of picking, watering and feeding young seedlings.

Useful video

Find out how to properly soak seeds for a good harvest:

The method of soaking seeds is used by vegetable growers to accelerate germination and increase the germination capacity of the crop. In the case of nightshade plants, peppers and tomatoes, you cannot do without soaking; these species sprout difficultly and take a long time. But do cucumbers need soaking, since even without treatment with water, the seeds of this crop germinate on the third day? How to properly soak cucumber seeds before planting, and whether contact with water will harm the planting material, let’s figure it out together.

Soaking cucumber seeds - benefit or harm?

A viable cucumber seed sown using the dry method germinates on the third day if the temperature is maintained at +25°C. So is it necessary to soak cucumber seeds?

There are two opinions: about harmful influence water before sowing and the undoubted benefits of soaking.

The following arguments are put forward in defense of the theory about the dangers of soaking:

1. Seeds hybrid varieties do not need to be soaked; they have already been prepared by the manufacturer. Soaking will be harmful, as the protective layer will be washed off with water.
2. Cucumbers grown from soaked seeds are less resistant to external factors: drought, prolonged precipitation, temperature changes.

Adherents of soaking cucumber seeds claim that the procedure:

1. Accelerates the germination of seed material.
2. Helps prevent cucumber diseases.
3. Eliminates the consequences of improper storage and helps identify viable seeds.
4. Cucumbers grow more friendly and faster, which facilitates the growth of seedlings.

Each of the theories has a right to exist. And, if you decide to soak cucumber seeds, we will tell you how to do it correctly.

When are cucumber seeds soaked?

Cucumber seeds germinate quickly; in general, preparing planting material takes no more than three days. If the seeds are planted directly in open or greenhouse soil, start soaking three days before. If cucumbers are grown through seedlings, it is taken into account that seedlings are transplanted at the age of 25–30 days, which means that the grains are prepared in 28–33 days.

Seedlings and seeds are planted in the beds when stable temperatures have been established after return frosts. This period for middle latitudes begins approximately in the second and third ten days of May. In the southern regions, planting seeds and cucumber seedlings begins earlier, in the last ten days of April - the first half of May. In the northern regions, the dates shift to the end of May - the first ten days of June.

Cucumbers are sown in heated greenhouses as early as March. In greenhouses, unheated greenhouses and under film - two weeks earlier than in open ground beds.

Preparing cucumber seeds for planting

Preparation of seed material is a step-by-step process and consists of the following procedures:

1. Selection of viable planting material.
2. Disinfection.
3. Treatment with nutrient solutions.
4. Hardening.
5. Germination.

On a note! There is no need to soak the seeds of hybrid cucumbers marked F1, since they have already gone through a full processing cycle during the production process.

Seed selection

Viable seeds are first determined visually and then using a saline solution.

Empty and broken seeds are separated manually, the remaining ones are placed in a solution of 100 g of salt / 1 liter of water for 10 - 20 minutes. The floating grains are discarded, those that have sunk to the bottom are taken out, wrapped in gauze and washed with water at room temperature.

Disinfection

Soaking in disinfectant solutions is carried out to destroy pathogenic microorganisms and fungal spores, which in the future can cause diseases of cucumber seedlings. To prepare an antimicrobial solution use:

• potassium permanganate;
• hydrogen peroxide 3%;
• brilliant green;
• boric acid;
• infusion of garlic with aloe.

A strong solution is prepared from potassium permanganate: 5 g of substance/250 ml. The grains wrapped in cotton cloth or gauze are kept in the prepared solution for no more than 20 minutes, then taken out and washed, so the planting material does not need excess manganese.

Hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 3% is purchased at the pharmacy. There is no need to dilute the product with water; it is used in pure form. The seeds are kept in peroxide for 10 – 12 hours.

Disinfection of seeds in brilliant green is carried out for 10 hours if the product was diluted in a 1:1 ratio. If brilliant green is used in its pure form, 1.5 – 2 hours is enough for disinfection. After greening, the seeds are not washed.

A solution of 1 g of product/5 liters is prepared from boric acid crystals. Soak the seeds for 12 hours. The advantage of this disinfection method is feeding the grains with boron.

To prepare an infusion of garlic with aloe, you will need 3 - 4 cloves of garlic and 5 drops of fresh aloe juice. If there is no aloe, you can only use garlic. The ingredients are poured into a glass of boiling water and left for several hours. room conditions. Next, the garlic infusion is filtered and cucumber seeds are soaked in it for 10 - 12 hours.

On a note! After disinfection, the cucumber seeds are dried and left to warm up near a heat source with a temperature of +50°C for a day.

Treatment with nutrient solutions

At this stage, the grains are soaked to saturate them with various nutrients. To prepare a nutrient solution, you can use any complex mineral fertilizer, for example, nitrophos.

Lovers of natural farming prefer processing it into an infusion of wood ash or sunflower ash. The infusion is prepared from two tablespoons of ash, diluted with a liter of settled water. The product should infuse for 2 days, after which the seed material is soaked in it for 4 hours.

Hardening

Seeds need hardening to prepare vulnerable sprouts for possible temperature changes. Cucumbers are hardened in the vegetable section refrigeration chamber at -2 – +2°C during the day.

Germination

For germination you will need a shallow container into which a solution with biostimulants is poured. Grains wrapped in gauze or any cotton fabric are placed at the bottom. It is necessary to ensure that the seeds and fabric are constantly damp. When the grains swell and hatch, they are immediately sown into the soil.

On a note! Cucumber seeds often germinate at the stage of soaking in a nutrient solution and during hardening. If this happens, do not allow the roots to grow more than 5 mm; immediately plant the grains in the soil mixture.

Landing

The hatched seeds are planted in greenhouses, open ground and for seedlings at home. In room conditions and in heated greenhouses, maintain a temperature of +25°C until the emergence of friendly shoots. Grains are sown in open ground and unheated greenhouses when the soil warms up to +15°C.

Ideally, the soil should be even warmer, since +15°C is the minimum acceptable value. To speed up the warming of the soil and, accordingly, the germination of seeds, they place organic fertilizers, and immediately before planting, the soil is spilled with boiling water. The beds with seedlings are covered with film to create a greenhouse effect. The plantings are ventilated every day and the cover is removed when the first shoots appear.

Successful cultivation of plants largely depends on proper preparation of seeds for sowing. Soaking and germinating cucumber seeds is a simple procedure that does not require any time or money. You will see the result immediately, because your beds will be decorated with friendly, strong shoots of future cucumbers.

Cucumbers are one of the popular vegetables that almost every gardener grows. Owners experience a lot of frustration when the time and effort invested does not bring the expected results. The main factor in the successful cultivation of greens is considered to be the correct preparation of cucumber seeds for planting, including soaking.

Mandatory testing of cucumber seeds for germination, whether they will germinate

Calibrated cucumber seeds

Before sowing, be sure to check the seeds for germination. It is unknown how much life reserve old or low-quality seed has, so you may not be able to see sprouts on the soil surface. To save time and money, it is recommended to test grains for their ability to germinate. This gives hope that the seedlings will be viable. During the soaking process, pay attention to important factors:

• modification of seeds in a humid environment;
• germination intensity;
• the number of suitable grains from the selected number.

The easiest way to check quality is to wrap the sowing material in damp cloth (linen, cotton). Almost all gardeners use this method.

The process looks like this: 10-15 seeds are selected from the total mass of seeds, after which they are laid out on a napkin moistened with warm water, laid out on a saucer. The top should be covered with plastic wrap and the saucer should be placed in a warm place, protected from drafts (temperature range from 20 to 23 degrees). Several times a day you need to check the condition of the seeds so as not to miss when the sprouts begin to hatch. In this case, you should also pay attention to the napkin, If it dries out you will need to moisten it again.. To do this, just spray with warm water from a spray bottle so as not to disturb the grains.

Sprouted cucumber seeds

Seeds that have germinated 60% are considered suitable for sowing (that is, out of 10 grains, 6 copies have formed keys). The faster the process occurs, the more vitality the seed has.

How to soak properly:

• carry out the procedure only after disinfection of the seeds;
• the liquid used should be sufficient; there is no danger in completely immersing the grains;
• when immersing seed in the solution, mix it several times with your hand or spatula;
• after soaking, the seed must be immediately planted in the ground or set aside for germination;
• Processing time depends on the solution used.

Correct methods of home germination for planting in the ground

Seeds are soaked for 15-20 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate

In the process of preparing for sowing, use one of known methods germination. The most popular and effective methods germinate seeds are as follows.

Soak in saline solution for a while

The saline solution is considered universal; it allows you to determine germination and show which specimens will germinate and which will not for almost any crop. The working solution is prepared from 6-10 g of table salt and half a glass of warm water. The process itself involves first filling the bowl with seed material, then filling the container with the prepared liquid. After 6-8 minutes, the floating seeds are collected, as they are found unsuitable for planting. Those who stayed at the bottom all the time have good life potential. This process also allows seed material to be disinfected. After this, you can safely plant the seeds.

After soaking, the grains must be rinsed with clean water and dried under natural conditions at a temperature of at least 20°C.

Soak in biologically active preparations for rapid germination

Soaking seeds in liquid enriched with biologically active preparations is considered multifunctional. The most famous are:

• Zircon;
• Potassium or sodium humate solution;
• Ivin;
• Epin-Extra.

The method of processing seed material with Zircon involves preparing a working solution from 300 ml of water and 2 drops of the drug and takes time. Soaking the grains in it lasts for 8-18 hours, during which time the sprouts should hatch. The product acts in such areas as stimulating germination and strengthening the immune system.

A good result is obtained if treated with Humat material. When using it, take powder (1 gram) and 100 ml of water at room temperature to prepare a stock solution. The product should be stored in a cool place (for example, in the refrigerator on the door). Before use, 1 ml of solution is diluted with 100 ml of water. The seeds are soaked in the resulting liquid for 24 hours.
The drug Ivin has an excellent stimulating and anti-stress effect. For soaking, prepare a solution of 2 drops of the product and 2 liters of water at room temperature. Processing time is 18-24 hours. Which drug to choose depends on you.

Soda solutions will help the sprout hatch faster

Baking soda is useful not only in the kitchen, but also for gardening work. It has an antimicrobial effect and helps prolong the fruiting period. For soaking, prepare a working solution of 1 liter of warm water and 1 teaspoon of soda. The seeds need to sit in this solution for at least a day.
Disputes over the advisability of using soda have been going on for many years. The only thing that is not in doubt is this is the ability to soften the surface of the grains, allowing moisture to freely penetrate inside the seed. To enhance the effect, various recipes have been developed that involve the addition of other biostimulants:

• aloe juice (200 ml water, 5 ml aloe juice, 1/4 tsp soda);
• Tsitovita (5 drops of water, 1/5 teaspoon of soda, 350 ml of water).

Preparing the soda solution

The complex effect ensures rapid seedling formation, resistance to various infections and high yield with proper care.

Soaking in Epin will allow cucumber seeds to germinate faster

The drug Epin has a wide spectrum of action. It is a regulator and adaptogen that can control the balance of substances in the plant. The active components of the product ensure rapid seed germination, strengthen the crop's immunity, and resistance to a humid environment that occurs as a result of heavy rains or flooding.
To germinate cucumber grains, prepare a solution of 100 ml of water and 1-2 drops of the drug. They need to be kept in the biostimulator for at least 18-20 hours at a temperature of 20-23°C, that is, the process is quite long.

Traditional recipes for processing seedling material

Since ancient times, seeds have also been germinated before planting to obtain quick shoots. Many years of proven folk recipes, which are still used today, are passed down from generation to generation. Carrots, pumpkin, beets, radishes, and squash are just some of the plants whose seeds can be soaked in these solutions before planting. Here are some simple and effective options.

Recipe No. 1 - allows you to germinate in 6 hours

Honey dissolved in water is considered an excellent stimulant. To prepare, use a glass of warm water and a teaspoon of the sweet ingredient. The procedure is performed by filling a bowl with honey solution and immersing the seed material in it for 6 hours.

Recipe No. 2 - will bring landing closer

Cucumber seeds germinate well in clean potato juice. To obtain it, you need to select several root vegetables and put them in the freezer to freeze. Once removed from the refrigerator, the potatoes should thaw. You need to squeeze the juice manually, it's not difficult at all. Soaked seeds in juice are left to sit for at least 8 hours.

Recipe No. 3 - soak in ash

Making an ash solution - 1 teaspoon of ash per glass of water

Wood ash has a valuable chemical composition, rich in nutritious minerals and trace elements. This component can also be used to germinate cucumber seeds. First, an infusion is prepared from boiled water (1 liter) and ash (2 tablespoons). The liquid should steep for at least 2 days, after which the grains are immersed in it for 6 hours.

Recipe No. 4 - treat with aloe juice

Soaking seed material in aloe juice not only stimulates growth, but also strengthens the plant's immunity. After such treatment, it will be easier for the young shoot to resist various diseases and pests. To obtain juice from house plant You need to cut off mature leaves from the bottom of the stem. Wrap them in paper (preferably parchment) and put them in the refrigerator for two weeks. After this, the juice is very easily squeezed out by hand. The extracted liquid is diluted with a small amount of water and the seeds are poured into the solution for a day.

To soak cucumber seeds, take settled water. However experienced gardeners noticed that using rain or melt liquid is much more effective.

Aloe juice is easily available - found in almost every home

The preparation process is actually not difficult. When planting cucumbers, you should not be guided only by the information about the expiration date indicated on the packaging. By spending no more than a few minutes, you can verify the quality of the purchased material.

Every gardener, before starting to sow seeds, looks for ways to prepare them to improve the harvest. The key to high yield is the quality of seeds and pre-planting measures. So how to prepare cucumber seeds for planting? And how to select the best seeds?

An important point in selecting cucumber seeds:

• if the shelf life is up to 2 years, mostly plants with a large number of male flowers will grow;
• from seeds that are more than 3 years old, plants with mostly female flowers will be obtained.

Table: Shelf life of seeds of various crops

There is no point in collecting and sowing seeds from F1 hybrids.

When purchasing seeds from manufacturers, read the packaging carefully; it may indicate that pre-sowing preparation is not required! In this case, only soil preparation will be required.

These are, for example, plasma seeds. Please note that they differ in color, and you can also find coated seeds.

Seed storage conditions:

• dry cool place
• temperature 10-12 degrees,
• humidity below 60%.

General preparation steps

Preparing seeds for planting is a multi-step process. Below we will look at its main points.

Sorting and culling

First, you need to select the best and largest seeds; discard those that are deformed or have an unnatural color (for example, with spots).

This stage is especially important when buying seeds from hand or using ones you have prepared yourself.

Then, using a saline solution, you can weed out empty seeds - the so-called fullness test. The solution is prepared as follows: mix 23 teaspoons with 100 milliliters of water.

You need to keep the seeds in water for about 20 minutes, you can stir a couple of times to speed up the process. The seeds that float up can be thrown away - the most fertile ones will be those that remain at the bottom.

Important point! If too many seeds float to the surface, there is a high probability that they were simply stored for a long time and dried out. The seeds do not lose their germination.

After this procedure, the planting material must be washed and dried.

Warming up will help increase germination

This part of the preparation will help to obtain more friendly shoots with a large number of female flowers.

Only varietal cucumbers need to be heated.

There are several options. The simplest (and longest) is leisurely heating on a battery for 20-30 days at a temperature of 25-28ºC.

There are more quick way- calcination for 2-3 hours at 50-60 degrees Celsius. However, you should be careful - in this case there is a chance to “overexpose”.

Disinfection against diseases and pests

The second stage will be disinfection of planting material. This will help destroy pathogens that may be on the seeds (powdery mildew and others).

To do this, you need to soak the seeds for 20-30 minutes in a strong solution of potassium permanganate (1/3 teaspoon per 1 cup of warm water). Afterwards they should be washed with running water and dried.

The solution must be saturated. If, when looking into the bowl, you can see the bottom through the solution, you should add potassium permanganate, but not much.

An alternative method of disinfection is UV irradiation of seeds for 1-5 minutes. Important! After ultraviolet treatment, store the seeds in a dark bag.

Seed dressing

At this stage, you can use industrial preparations, for example Fitosporin-M - they will help in the fight against diseases hidden in the embryo of cucumber seeds.

They are soaked in these products for 1-2 hours, but you should not use them unless absolutely necessary.

Growth stimulants for feeding

To ensure that the planting material is saturated with nutrients, you can use special plant growth stimulants (for example, Epin, Zircon and others) or simply prepare an ash solution:

• 30 g wood ash,
• liter of warm water.

After infusing this water for 24 hours, you can immerse the seeds in it. After a couple of hours, the cucumber seeds should be dried.

Some gardeners believe that melt water is also a stimulant. If you decide to try it, consider the environment.

Soaking, activating germination

To do this, wrap the planting material in a damp cloth or bandage and leave it at a temperature of 20-25ºC for 8 hours.

Be sure to ensure that the material does not dry out or become excessively wet.

This procedure is only suitable when planting cucumbers as seedlings or in the ground in warm weather.

After soaking, the seeds react extremely negatively to cold weather or drying.

Read the labels on the seed packages! They may have already been treated by the manufacturer against infections, then you will see the inscription: “Do not soak!”

Hardening will increase immunity

The seeds should also be hardened and prepared for outdoor growing conditions.

After soaking, place in the refrigerator in the frostiest place. After a few hours, move the package to the warmest place in the refrigerator, for example, in the door for a day.

Cucumbers do not need to be hardened if you plan to plant them in the warm season.

Germinating cucumber seeds

Cucumber seeds with sprouts of 3-5 mm are considered sprouted. Gardeners mainly use this procedure if they doubt the germination of cucumber seeds.

Cucumbers germinate at 20-28 degrees in about 3-4 days. Do not place the container on heating appliances!

The seedlings are long and easily damaged.

Preparing for planting seedlings

The main feature of preparing for seedlings will be preparing the soil. Cucumbers love loose and nutritious soil, so it is better to make a mixture for seedlings yourself - this way you will be confident in the composition and vitamin complex contained in it.

More information about when to plant cucumber seedlings in 2018.

You need to mix in equal proportions:

• garden soil (this will prepare the seedlings for transplanting into the garden).
• sawdust (they will ensure looseness of the soil).
• humus (it will add nutritional value to food).
• river sand (will help the mixture better maintain moisture).

The resulting mixture must be sifted. After sifting, to eliminate harmful microorganisms that can destroy the seedlings, the soil should be calcined.

To improve, you can also steam the soil by placing it in a sieve over boiling water. The last step will be freezing - you need to place the soil in the freezer.

The second feature will be that it is not necessary to feed the seeds, since the prepared mixture is already nutritious and rich in vitamins.

You can also prevent seed germination in a damp cloth. Planting material will sprout directly in the ground.

Cucumber seeds are planted at a depth of 1.5-2 cm.

It is advisable to plant seedlings in peat pots so that later when replanting you do not have to remove the plant. Don't worry - the peat container will rot in the soil and provide additional fertilizing.

Preparing for planting in open ground

Some gardeners believe that it is best to plant seeds in open ground. However, even when sowing directly into the ground outside, it is worth preparing planting material.

Be sure to harden the seeds. To harden, you don’t need to wait until they sprout. Simply wrap them in gauze and put them in the refrigerator, on the shelf closest to the freezer. Then, every day, move it to one shelf further from the freezer.

Useful information: after which you can plant cucumbers, and after which you shouldn’t.

It is also necessary to disinfect the seeds. Before sowing, it is important to water the planting site with a solution of potassium permanganate or Fitosporin to prevent contamination of both the seeds and the soil in which they will grow.

Features of preparation when planting in a greenhouse

As you know, a greenhouse has a special microclimate, high humidity and a greenhouse effect. This increases the likelihood of fungal infections, so preparing future cucumbers has its own characteristics.

Be sure to disinfect the seeds. To prevent seedlings from being damaged by fungus and mold, you need to prepare a manganese bath with boric acid for the seeds. The solution is prepared simply: you need to mix a teaspoon of boric acid with a teaspoon of potassium permanganate and pour in a liter of boiled water. Leave the seeds in this solution for 3 hours and dry.

The solution should be dark purple, but not brown.

It is necessary to germinate the seeds. This will help to preliminarily estimate the percentage of germination and help the crop to germinate better.

Pre-sowing preparation of material usually involves a soaking procedure. This method processing makes it possible to maximize the full potential of the seed, helps the rapid growth of vegetables, including cucumbers. However, there are different opinions regarding the advisability of soaking cucumber seeds before planting.

Harm or benefit?

Good quality cucumber seeds germinate quickly and without additional preparation. To do this, no more than 3 days from the moment of planting at an ambient temperature of +25 degrees is enough.

Soaking can only harm the grains if they have been processed and heated. This procedure will only wash away the protective layer.
If the soaked material sprouts up to 5 mm, this will negatively affect its resistance to changes weather conditions. Frosts or heavy rains will be destructive for it.

Such preparation will be useful for grains with a lack of moisture due to improper storage, as well as for those plants that will be planted at home as seedlings. When preparing cucumber seeds for planting in a greenhouse, observing temperature regime Soaking in the same way will only be beneficial.

Important! It is optimal to store seeds in a cool, dry place at a temperature of +10...+12 degrees and a humidity of no more than 60%.

Soaking accelerates growth and promotes crop development. A positive characteristic of this procedure is also considered to be prevention against diseases that affect vegetables.

Optimal timing

The soaking procedure takes 2-3 days at a temperature of +20...+28 degrees. Before you begin, the first thing you need to do is determine the location for sowing future cucumbers. This will help you choose the right timing for this process. If the plants are planted in a greenhouse, the optimal time for soaking is considered to be the beginning of May.
Seeds are planted in open ground only after late frosts have passed and warm weather has established. As a rule, in the middle zone this period falls in the second half of May. Accordingly, the procedure can be carried out 3 days before disembarkation. When planting seedlings, you also need to take into account its age. Usually this is 25 days after germination, which means you need to prepare the seeds 28 days before planting the sprouts in the ground.

In order not to miss in choosing favorable days for planting cucumbers and choosing the optimal soaking time, you can use the lunar calendar. He will tell you the days that are most suitable for this.

How to soak seeds

Experienced gardeners go to great lengths to get a high yield and quality fruits. Many people are interested in the expediency of the procedure for soaking cucumbers, as well as the answer to the question, how to do it correctly? Let's look at the main stages of this process in more detail.

What?

In order to get the desired result, you need to know how to soak cucumber seeds before planting correctly.

First of all, you need to choose dishes. A glass jar or Plastic container. The bottom must be covered with a cloth (you can use gauze), put the grains on them and add so much water so that it only half covers them. Cover the container with a lid and put it in a warm place for several days.

Important! The fabric should never dry out, otherwise the seeds may die.

Soaking is best done with settled or melted water; rainwater is also suitable, but not chlorinated from the tap. The suitable water temperature for germination should be +26…+28 degrees.
You can soak in special solutions (“Epin”, “Zircon”), which stimulate growth on initial stages. Before planting sprouted cucumber seeds in poor soil, it makes sense to soak them in microelements, since the effect will not be noticeable when planted in fertilized soil.

Many summer residents use sodium humate when soaking. It accelerates the germination of grains, and most importantly, it is completely harmless to people.

How long?

Since seeds can be soaked in several stages, let's look at how long all processes take. When carrying out the disinfection procedure, planting material is dipped into a manganese solution and remains there for 20 minutes to one hour. After this, it is treated with growth stimulants. This takes up to 12 hours. It is at this time that future cucumber fruits receive the necessary nutrition.
Next comes the soaking procedure in water. Seeds wrapped in cloth are half placed in liquid and moved to a warm place for 2-3 days. When a root appears from the seeds, another procedure is carried out - hardening. To do this, planting material is placed in the refrigerator for 12 hours. After this, the seeds are ready to be sown in pots.

Did you know? From one cucumber plant you can harvest up to 125 fruits.

So, the usual soaking period lasts no more than 3 days until the grain shells crack. However, if the procedure includes the stages of disinfection, growth stimulation and hardening, this period can extend up to 4-5 days.

Process Features

Soaking cucumbers has its own characteristics. Before preparing cucumber seeds for planting, they must be sorted and large ones selected. Using calibration, you can weed out bad grains. To do this, fill them with water and look at the result. Poor quality grains will appear on the surface. The remaining grains at the bottom must be dried. It will also be useful to warm up the planting material before soaking. To do this, the seeds are poured into a cloth or placed on a plate and placed in a warm place (a radiator is an option). If the temperature stays around +35 degrees, then in a week they will be ready.

The last, but no less important step in preparing the grains for soaking is their disinfection. The seed should be soaked in a light solution of potassium permanganate for 30 minutes.

Planting germinated seeds

The question of how to germinate cucumber seeds and plant them correctly in the ground is asked by almost every beginning gardener. Cucumbers can be planted in pots immediately after they begin to sprout. This usually happens on the 2-3rd day of soaking.
When replanting, you need to be extremely careful so as not to injure the roots. For this, it is best to choose large containers of about 500 ml. Before planting, the soil in the pots must be watered with manganese solution. The seeds are transferred to containers, covered with film and placed in a warm place to create the effect

Cucumber varieties are grown today in almost all personal plots. Often, despite all efforts and efforts, the owner is unable to obtain good shoots, strong shoots and the harvest promised by the seed manufacturer. Experienced gardeners consider the pre-sowing preparation of planting material to be the main factor in the success of the growing process, so it is important to know how to treat cucumber seeds before planting.

The most important stage in the long process of growing cucumber crops is right choice seeds A mistake made and working with low-quality planting material leads to the impossibility of obtaining a good harvest. You should not try to save money and purchase goods in dubious places.

It is better to purchase proven varieties from a well-known company, modern technologies checks and controls which are a guarantor of seed quality. The choice must be made taking into account the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding the permissible growing region, required temperature conditions and care.

The quality of planting material is indicated by their fullness and weight. It’s easy to check for defects; just dip them in a salty solution prepared from 30 g of salt and 1 liter of water. The seeds are dipped into the liquid for 15 minutes, after which the bad ones will end up at the bottom, and the good ones, suitable for planting, will float to the top.

The seeds that appear on the surface are “dummy”; they are not able to sprout or provide the seedlings with sufficient nutrients for growth. After checking, suitable planting material selected in this way must be washed with ordinary water.

It is important not only to purchase good quality material, but also to preserve it. It is recommended to store it at a temperature of 15-20 C. When collecting it yourself, you need to thoroughly dry the collected material and put it in a paper bag. It is recommended to sign the date of collection on the surface. The shelf life of planting material should not exceed 6 years.

When purchasing ready-made seeds, the permissible storage date must be indicated on the packaging.

Many gardeners practice a method in which they stick seeds onto paper strips. The bottom line is that a paste made from flour or potato starch is applied to a strip of paper 3 cm wide. The grains are placed at an equal distance from each other, which will further ensure uniform germination. The ribbons are given time to dry completely, after which they are rolled into a roll and tied with thread. It is important to store the seeds out of the reach of mice and other rodents.

Preparing the seeds

Before planting, the seeds must be sorted. It is necessary to determine the need for soaking depending on the variety and manufacturer’s recommendations. It is mandatory to carry out:

• disinfection;
• withdrawal from a state of rest;
• growth stimulation.

Equally important when growing cucumbers is choosing the right soil. The soil can be purchased at the store or made independently. For planting, take containers with a volume of 500 ml.

Selection of the best specimens

Before sowing, work is carried out to select high-quality planting material and test for germination. Only empty, damaged seeds are removed from the total mass. A small amount of them is placed on a damp cloth, gauze or saucer and visual inspection is performed after a few days. On average, the first sprouts appear after 2-3 days.

The procedure looks like this:

• remove defective seeds;
• 10 pieces are placed in a humid environment;
• put polyethylene on top of the saucer or, if gauze is used, carefully cover it with a layer of cloth;
• kept for several days at a temperature of 20 to 23 C.

It is important to periodically check the adequacy of moisture. If necessary, add water to the container or spray the fabric with a spray bottle. Seeds that have germinated to a volume of 60% are suitable for sowing, that is, out of 10 taken, at least 6 must germinate.

Is seed treatment necessary before planting?

Before planting, only natural seeds or those that have not been subjected to special processing technology by the manufacturer to improve germination qualities are soaked. If the seeds have an unnatural color or coating, they have definitely been exposed and should not be soaked. Some species have no visual differences in appearance from natural seeds; in this case, you should pay attention to the labels on the packaging. Seeds that have the inscription “processed” on the paper bag do not require additional actions.

These varieties are obtained by crossing 2 different varieties cucumbers Breeders take the best qualities from each of them, so the new plant turns out to be an improved version of both parents. Distinctive feature is that only the seeds of the first generation have such properties, and with their further use from the fruits of an adult plant, they lose their properties.

Hybrid varieties have a better taste without bitterness; the plants are resistant to temperature changes, stress and cucumber diseases. The presence of the “F1” symbol on the packaging means that the plant will be a hybrid. Hybrid seeds are divided into bee-pollinated and those that do not require pollination, which is important to consider when growing cucumbers and choosing a planting location. The latter can be planted either on open beds, as well as in closed ground conditions.

Varietal seeds

On the market today gardening products There is a wide variety of seeds, among which varietal seeds form a separate category. Each of these varieties has a distinctive feature that distinguishes it from other types of plants. They may relate to the shape or taste, yield indicators and other characteristics of the plant. A distinctive feature is that natural seed material can be taken from such varieties. In this case, the plant, when subsequently grown from them, will preserve its varietal qualities.

Encrusted seeds can be immediately identified by their appearance. They are brightly colored and coated with a protective layer of pesticides. This feature allows you to protect the plant from diseases in the future.

Dried seeds

The seeds resemble peas in appearance. Small seeds are subjected to this technology. The main purpose of the shell is to facilitate the sowing process and further ensure the prevention of various types of cucumber diseases.

Preheating

The preliminary preparation of planting material is preceded by a warming procedure, which is carried out immediately after sorting and selecting quality raw materials. This simple procedure will improve the quality of yield and strengthen the plant’s immune system. This can be done on a radiator, in which the seeds are placed on a fabric base and kept on a heating device for 2-3 days.

You can warm up the seeds in an open space using the heat of direct sun rays. An alternative to the sun is to use an ultraviolet lamp, in which the seed is placed under artificial light for a period of 50 to 70 seconds. Irradiation simultaneously disinfects the seeds, and germination rates increase on average by 1.5-2 times.

You can use special ones for warming purposes. warm solutions, in which the goal of disinfection is simultaneously achieved. To do this, cucumber seeds are placed in a solution of potassium permanganate or peroxide, the temperature of which is 40 C. The planting material must be kept in the liquid for 20 minutes.

Disinfection and disinfection

Experts say that they treat planting material against cucumber diseases only in certain cases. The list of acceptable ones includes:

• the material is collected by hand;
• there are doubts about the quality;
• the seeds were purchased and were not subjected to special processing by the manufacturer.

In the latter case, there is no need to perform disinfection and disinfection. Such measures are carried out by the manufacturer when packaging planting material. If you have doubts about the origin and quality of the seed, it is worth turning away and purchasing seeds from the manufacturer.

Thermal methods

Heat treatment is carried out before planning planting in open ground or greenhouse structures. It is recommended to do this with caution; if the temperature is not observed, the seeds will be damaged irrevocably. There are several options for heat treatment.

To carry out the treatment, cucumber grains must be kept at a temperature of 60 C for 2 hours.

You can warm it up in the oven, on the surface of a radiator, or under light. electric lamp. Seeds can be planted in warm soil; in this case, the greenhouse must be warmed up before planting, and sowing work must be carried out only when stable positive ambient temperatures have been reached.

Chemical etching methods

Chemical methods are used most often; their advantage is ease of use and efficiency, since they can subsequently significantly reduce the risk of plant diseases. How to process cucumber seeds:

• prepare a 1% solution of potassium permanganate, for which 1 g of the product is used per 100 ml of water;
• place cucumber seeds in liquid for 20 minutes;
• Rinse the seeds under running water and dry.

When using chemical methods, it should be borne in mind that they are harmful not only to pathogenic, but also to beneficial microflora. In this regard, it is worth following the rules for processing planting material and not exceeding the recommended dosage and retention time in the solution. More aggressive ones may be used for processing purposes. chemicals, for example, "Maxim".

How to soak seeds

Today, gardeners on the question of whether it is necessary to soak cucumber seeds before planting are divided into 2 camps. Some are confident in the need for such a procedure, others consider it unnecessary.

Harm or benefit

When sown dry, high-quality cucumber seeds can sprout on the 3rd day at a temperature of 25 °C, so many opponents do not see any particular benefit in soaking and do not consider such a procedure necessary. They put forward the following types of arguments:

• Manufacturers protect hybrid varieties with a special layer, which dissolves when soaked;
• the appearance of unprotected seedlings reduces the plant’s immune properties, it becomes less resistant to factors external environment in the form of high or low temperatures, lack of moisture or large amounts of precipitation.

Proponents report the following benefits of the soaking procedure:

• acceleration of germination;
• disease prevention;
• reducing the risks of improper storage;
• obtaining more friendly shoots.

Each of the points of view has the right to exist, so whether it is necessary to soak the seeds before planting, everyone has the right to decide for themselves. It is recommended to try two options in order to accept one of the points of view.

Is it possible to soak treated cucumber seeds before planting?

Treatment of seeds of cucumber varieties before planting is justified in the absence of special treatment by the manufacturer. If you soak the planting material, you can eliminate non-viable material and speed up the germination of shoots. Before soaking, the control procedure is mandatory and only full-bodied seeds without defects are selected for the procedure.

For processed material, soaking is not advisable. Manufacturers cover the planting material with a special layer, the active substances of which are aimed at preventing the future occurrence of plant diseases. When immersed in liquid, destruction occurs protective coating, which deprives them of protection. Considering that such processed seeds cost an order of magnitude more, the money is wasted.

Soaking time

Many gardeners are confused when choosing a soaking liquid, trying to find the answer to the question of what is the best way to treat cucumber seeds before planting. There are several possible options, and the holding time of the planting material depends on the chosen method.

Regardless of the chosen method, you must adhere to the following rules:

• the procedure is carried out only after disinfection of planting material;
• the volume of liquid should be sufficient to completely immerse the seeds in the solution;
• During the holding time, it is necessary to stir several times using your hand or spatula.

Soaking time can vary from 20 minutes to 1 hour. Next, the seeds are placed in a growth stimulator for a period of 12 hours. After this, they are placed in a humid environment for 2 or 3 days. Next, they are planted in previously prepared soil.

Saline solution

Salt-based solution is a universal treatment option. This method allows you to determine the degree of germination and demonstrate which cucumber seeds will have germination quality and which will be useless for cultivation. How to prepare the solution correctly:

• 6-10 g table salt;
• 1 glass of warm water.

The bowl is filled with planting material and filled with liquid. After 8 minutes, the seeds that appear on the surface must be collected; they are unsuitable for planting.

Soda solutions

Soda has an antimicrobial effect, and treating seed material before planting with a composition based on it allows you to extend the time of fruit production. The solution is prepared from 1 liter of water and 1 tsp. baking soda. The seed material is kept in liquid for at least 24 hours.

Biologically active drugs

To process cucumber seeds, biological products are often used. The advantages of such methods are safety, cost-effectiveness and simplicity. The ingredients used are not unavailable and are often on hand.

In the ash

At home, it is possible to use wood ash, which has a special chemical composition that has a beneficial effect on plant growth. The infusion is prepared from 1 liter of boiled water and 2 tbsp. l. ash. The liquid is infused for 2 days, after which the seed material is kept in it for 6 hours.

Aloe juice

Soaking in flower juice helps stimulate the growth of cucumbers and helps strengthen the plant's immunity. A solution is prepared from pre-prepared juice. To do this, you need to cut off the lower leaves and keep them in the refrigerator for 2 weeks. After this, the juice is filtered. The resulting liquid must be diluted with a small volume of water and the seeds must be soaked for 24 hours.

Manganese solution

A solution of potassium permanganate is quite often used to treat planting material. A 1% solution is prepared using 10 g of manganese dissolved in 1 liter of water at a temperature of 30 °C. Cucumber seeds are immersed in it for 30 minutes; at the end of the time, they are washed with water.

Extracts from young seedlings

The extract is obtained from sprouted barley or wheat. The increased volume of biological substances when exposed to cucumber planting material stimulates their development and further growth. To prepare the extract, grind the sprouted grain sprouts in a mortar, fill them with water, filter and soak the cucumbers.

"Epin"

The drug has a wide spectrum of action. It has the qualities of a regulator and is able to control the balance of plant substances. Using the product allows sprouts to germinate more quickly and strengthens immune properties garden culture, improves the quality of resistance to impact humid environment occurring during heavy rainfall or during flooding. The solution is prepared from 100 ml of water, 1 or 2 drops of the drug. The seed material is kept in a biostimulator for 20 hours.

Process Features

Working with cucumber planting material is quite time-consuming, but it allows you to improve the quality and volume of the future harvest.

Germination

Methods of home germination for planting allow you to speed up the appearance of the first shoots. After the manipulations have been carried out to select the highest quality seeds, disinfection and growth stimulation, you can begin the germination procedure for planting. The following methods can be used:

• laying out the grains in damp gauze;
• using a container of water in which the seeds are soaked.

The first method is most often used, and the cloth with cucumber seeds is placed in a place with a temperature of 28 to 30 °C. When using the second method, many gardeners worry that the seeds will “suffocate,” which is not justified.

The total holding time for planting material should not be more than 3 days; as a rule, after 18 hours the grains significantly increase in volume and swell. The sprouted sprouts are planted in prepared soil in pots, or cucumber seedlings are prepared in a place where they are constantly grown in a greenhouse.

Increasing plant immunity

One of primary sources and diseases of cucumber in greenhouses are????? Planting infected seeds subsequently leads to the plant becoming infected with fungal, bacterial or viral infections. During the period of emergence of seedlings, such a problem cannot be identified, and it is visually detected 2 or 3 weeks after planting in permanent place growing cucumbers.

To increase immune properties, it is enough to use the following methods:

• to eliminate infections of a superficial nature, use the method of briefly soaking the seed material in a solution of potassium permanganate 0.5%, 15 minutes is enough;
• carry out heat treatment, keeping for 2 hours in the oven or on a radiator at a temperature of no more than 60 ° C.

To increase the protective properties, gardeners often choose chemical preparations such as Alirin-B, Planriz, and Fitosporin. When using them, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, since improper use can negatively affect the ability of the cucumber seed embryo to develop.

Treatment with growth stimulants

Today there is a huge range of drugs to stimulate growth. Their use is aimed at accelerating plant growth and improving fruiting. The most commonly used by gardeners are Ambiol, Epin Extru, and Zircon. Each drug is accompanied by a table according to which the treatment is carried out.

Hardening or stratification

The essence of the method is to treat the seeds with cold. Many scientists question the positive effect of this method, recommending hardening off seedlings rather than planting material. However, many gardeners use this method by placing the treated seeds in the refrigerator for a certain period of time, usually up to 24 hours.

Sparging - oxygen treatment

The bubbling process involves treating planting material with oxygen or air in an aquatic environment. At home, gardeners often use compresses designed for aquariums. To do this, it is necessary to direct a flow of air into the water with the seeds so that they are in a suspended position, and they are constantly mixed.

This process leads to faster swelling of the grains, and due to the removal of inhibitors, plant growth is accelerated, since such substances inhibit the process. For cucumber varieties, the time for treating grains with oxygen is 20 hours.

When planting seedlings, it is important to consider the plant’s ability to grow in a particular soil and the requirement for pollination. There are varieties for greenhouses, for outdoors and universal ones that can be planted both outside and in a greenhouse.

To the greenhouse

Planting material is planted in the greenhouse after processing, while the soil is prepared in advance. It is recommended to treat the future planting site with bleach in the autumn. Immediately before planning planting, the soil is dug well and treated with boiling water of a bright pink solution of potassium permanganate.

Plant the seeds in small furrows with a depth of 1.5-2 cm. Sprinkle the top of the holes with a soil mixture diluted with sawdust.

In open ground

Planting in open ground is carried out after the threat of frost. When using seedlings, work is carried out when the seedlings have 4 to 5 leaves. For most cucumber varieties, this is observed after 20 days from the moment of germination. For planting, make holes, spill them with water and carefully place them root system plants or container when using peat pots. The soil around the shoot is compacted and the watering procedure is carried out.

Delicious, crispy, pickled cucumbers are a pleasant variety in the diet of every family. In winter, they go great with fried or boiled potatoes, are an addition to any main dish and simply decorate the table. The whole secret is how to do the right ambassador. Today we decided to collect all the recommendations of experts that will be very useful for a young housewife. And we’ll start with the question of how long to soak cucumbers before canning.

Choosing vegetables

Before you start preserving, you need to prepare the best cucumbers. The main criteria are color, size and elasticity. Experienced housewives know that the ideal vegetables are those that have black pimples. Jars with such fruits almost never explode.

Never purchase deformed fruits that are overgrown and yellowed. They should be the same, even and small. The optimal length is from 5 to 13 centimeters. All the rest of the illiquid stock can be used to prepare the salad.

Big or small

Depending on how you want to prepare vegetables, you need to choose the size. For conservation, it is better to select medium-sized specimens that do not exceed 13 centimeters. For exotic lovers, tiny pickles, less than 5 cm in length, are suitable. But large specimens are best used for pickling. Overgrowths with signs of yellowing are best left aside altogether. If you think they're good for salad, then use them that way.

Does variety matter?

Can it be used for pickling? early vegetables? This is not recommended. All ultra-early varieties are salad varieties. That is, their skin is thin and delicate. In addition, the earlier a cucumber ripens, the more harmful elements it contains. This problem is partially solved by soaking. However, experienced housewives still recommend waiting until the market has a large selection of seasonal vegetables.

Cleanliness is the key to health

This question directly relates to how long to soak cucumbers before canning. A typical situation on the market: one seller has clean, shiny, attractive vegetables, while another seller has vegetables stained with garden soil. Are you choosing first? You are risking your work. They were washed a long time ago, and then transported in a closed container. As a result, acidification processes could already begin inside. This will lead to cloudiness of the brine, and the jar will simply “explode”. But fruits with traces of fresh soil are goods fresh from the garden. Buy it calmly and prepare it for pickling. Now let's move directly to the topic of our conversation. So, how long should you soak cucumbers before canning?

Elasticity will not hurt

Let's return to our example again. The summer resident brought fresh vegetables to the market. They are tight and elastic, ideal for pickling. However, a hot day quickly changes the situation, and the tail part of the fruit withers. This is noticeable if you press the cucumber with your fingers. It is best to look for fresher fruits, but if there is no choice, then we take these. Then resuscitation is needed. Here the question is very relevant: “How many hours should cucumbers be soaked before canning?” Before you start pickling, you need to set aside as much time as possible for the fruits to sit in cold water. They will restore their elasticity. To do this, every hour and a half the water is drained, after which a new portion is poured in. The fruits seem to “get drunk” with it and become dense. Thus, we have identified the first goal that housewives pursue when placing cucumbers in water. But she's not the only one.

Additional benefits

Speaking about how long cucumbers should be soaked before preservation, it should be noted that everything is individual. Fresh vegetables, just taken from the garden, do not need this; they can simply be washed. But if you bought them in a store, don’t waste your time. The big advantage of soaking is that in water they get rid of nitrates. From 15 to 20% of all harmful substances that got into vegetables during growing are completely gone. To do this, it is advisable to leave them in the water for a day, changing it every hour and a half. However, you shouldn’t go too far either. If you notice that white circles have appeared on the surface of the water, it means that the cucumbers should be immediately removed and washed thoroughly under running water.

Experienced housewives recommend using a soft cloth with a small lint to wash cucumbers. This great option in order to rid the fruits of dirt after soaking. At the same time, the fabric does not spoil the skin and pimples. There is another important point here. When choosing fruits for pickling, press your fingernail onto the peel. If there is damage left on it, then it is a salad vegetable; it will not crunch after pickling. For preparations for the winter, special varieties with thicker skin are needed.

What is the best water for soaking?

Below we will talk more about how and how long you can soak cucumbers before canning. And now I would like to pay attention to what kind of water can be used for this. A spring or well is best. If you do not have such an opportunity, then place a container with tap water in the refrigerator. About 8-10 hours, and it will become somewhat closer to the standard in its properties.

All housewives emphasize that the taste of cucumbers soaked in well water will certainly surprise you. They turn out crispy and tender, elastic and amazingly tasty. What other ways are there to improve regular water? You can use a bottled one, but this is only if the volume of vegetables to be pickled is small. Tap water can be boiled or passed through a filter, and then infused with silver.

If conservation is just ahead

All women have experienced moments in their lives when they have fruits to pickle, but there is no time to deal with them. Perhaps this is also why the question often arises: “How many hours should cucumbers be soaked before canning?” It is not recommended to keep them in water for a long time. If the vegetable is just from the garden, then just wash it. Store-bought cucumbers, dense and elastic, are soaked for 3-4 hours, changing the water once. If they have already been lying down, it may take a whole day.

What if today is only Monday, and you are not going to pickle until Friday? Then you need to worry about keeping the fruits as fresh as possible. A paper bag is ideal for this. Place the cucumbers in it and put it in a cool place, protected from the sun. But the refrigerator does not fit well; they can only stay here for about three days.

Trimming or soaking

Many housewives, when giving advice on how long to soak cucumbers before canning, recommend cutting off the tail. This is due to the opinion that it is this part of the fruit that contains the most nitrates. However, there are several nuances here. Violation of the integrity of the fruit reduces its taste. It usually doesn't turn out as crispy and springy as it could be. Again, if there are nitrates in the tail, then most likely they have penetrated into the rest of the vegetable. Therefore, cutting off the ponytail or not is a purely voluntary matter. You can prick the vegetables with a fork and place them in cold water before salting, the effect will be the same.

Thus, we already know how long to soak cucumbers before canning. Average duration preparatory process is 3-4 hours. This time can be reduced or increased depending on specific situation. Using our recommendations, you will definitely be able to prepare delicious cucumbers for the winter.