The best fertilizer for bitter gourd!

Cucumber is a continuous harvestable vine vegetable. The nutrients absorbed by it vary significantly at each stage: from planting, vine growth, flowering to the peak fruiting period. The focus of nutrient absorption is different at each stage. During the seedling stage, the emphasis is on nourishing the roots and promoting the growth of seedlings. During the vine extension stage, the focus is on promoting flower bud differentiation. After fruit setting, a large amount of potassium fertilizer is needed to expand the fruit. If only one type of fertilizer is used throughout the process, it is easy to disrupt the growth balance and cause only the vines to grow without fruiting. Today, based on daily garden practices, we will explain how to fertilize cucumber at each stage to avoid common misunderstandings.

First, let's talk about the three most common fertilization mistakes when growing cucumbers.

The first mistake is to apply a large amount of nitrogen fertilizer throughout the process. Nitrogen fertilizer can quickly promote leaf and vine growth. If urea is applied continuously during the seedling stage and vine extension stage, cucumbers will supply all the nutrients to the vines, causing the leaves and vines to grow vigorously while the internal ventilation and light penetration deteriorate, making it difficult for flower buds to differentiate, and eventually resulting in excessive growth and empty rows.

The second mistake is to ignore the base fertilizer and apply a large amount of fertilizer only at the later stage. Many people simply turn the soil when preparing the land and plant without adding any base fertilizer. The organic matter in the soil is insufficient, and the soil fertility foundation is weak. When flowering and fruiting, they rush to apply a large amount of fertilizer. At this time, the root system has already formed, and it is difficult to quickly absorb nutrients. This often leads to flower and fruit drop.

The third mistake is to apply concentrated fertilizer all at once after fruiting. When small cucumbers appear, a large amount of fertilizer is piled up at once. The roots of cucumbers are relatively tender, and concentrated fertilizer can easily cause root burn, and the young cucumbers may deform and have a stale taste, shortening the harvest time.

To ensure stable yield of cucumbers, fertilization should follow the principles of heavy base fertilizer, stable seedling fertilizer, controlled vine fertilizer, and heavy fruit fertilizer.

First, for planting, use well-rotted organic fertilizer as the base fertilizer, combined with a small amount of balanced compound fertilizer. Organic fertilizer can improve the soil and release nutrients gradually, continuously providing nutrients for the early growth. In home gardens, when preparing the land, turn over the well-rotted sheep manure and soybean cake fertilizer into the soil layer; for balcony potting, a small amount can be mixed into the potting soil. Adequate base fertilizer ensures that the roots of cucumbers grow deep, and the roots are less likely to decline prematurely in the later stage.

Second, during the seedling stage, apply thin fertilizers to promote seedling growth without promoting vine growth. When the cucumber seedlings survive and grow four or five true leaves, apply a thin liquid fertilizer to supplement balanced nutrients. Here, the dosage must be controlled. Only allow the seedlings to grow vigorously and have developed root systems, and do not add excessive nitrogen fertilizer to avoid early excessive growth.

Third, when the vine starts to extend and climb, reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizer and focus on supplementing phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to promote flower bud differentiation. For home cultivation, use well-rotted soybean cake water for irrigation or spray diluted phosphoric acid potassium on the leaves to guide the plant to shift from long vines to flowering and fruiting. Many families have empty rows of cucumbers at this stage, which is because they are still applying nitrogen fertilizer blindly.

Fourth, during the flowering, fruiting, and peak fruiting stage, focus on potassium fertilizer to protect the fruit from expanding and ripening.

When female flowers appear and small cucumbers grow, use potassium fertilizer as the main source, combined with a small amount of boron fertilizer. Potassium fertilizer can help the fruit expand and reduce deformities; boron element improves pollination efficiency and reduces the probability of flower drop. Cucumbers can be harvested in multiple batches, and after each harvest, apply a thin fertilizer to replenish the nutrients consumed by the plant and promote the formation of new female flowers, extending the harvest period.

In addition to commercial fertilizers, common agricultural materials such as straw and wood ash are also good sources of potassium fertilizer. Mix straw and wood ash with water and let it stand for a while to take the clear liquid and apply it to the plants. Use it once or twice a month to help strengthen the plants and reduce yellow leaf problems.

Finally, remember the three fertilization principles.

First, apply thin and frequent fertilizers throughout the process. Prefer small amounts and multiple applications rather than applying heavy fertilizers at once to prevent root burn;

Second, when the vine is growing vigorously, immediately stop applying nitrogen fertilizer and focus on supplementing phosphorus and potassium fertilizers;

Third, do not apply fertilizers when the soil is waterlogged. First drain the water and then apply fertilizers. Otherwise, the root system will be blocked in absorption, and it is prone to fertilizer damage.