Growing cucumbers on the windowsill in winter. Varieties, planting, care. Growing cucumbers in winter What varieties of cucumbers are best grown on the windowsill

We are used to the fact that fresh cucumbers "straight from the garden" can only be enjoyed in summer, and in winter it remains to be content with only cucumbers bought in stores. But after all, purchased vegetables are far from being as tasty as home-grown ones. with my own hands. But resourceful gardeners have found a way even in the cold season to delight their households with fresh crispy cucumbers “straight from the garden” - they grow them on their windowsills!

Cucumbers on the windowsill in winter: the best varieties

Such different varieties of cucumbers

Vegetables grown right in the apartment no longer seem like a curiosity - more and more summer residents do not want to part with juicy and tasty fruits for the winter, which they are used to during the summer season. Therefore, they begin to resort to various tricks, a kind of "life hacks", such as growing vegetables on the windowsill. Among those cultures that live well in a city apartment, cucumbers can be especially noted.

Cucumbers will not suffer much from a lack sunlight in the apartment

Why cucumbers?

1. First, it is - shade tolerant plants and they will not suffer much from the lack of sunlight in the apartment in winter period.
2. Secondly, cucumbers are very convenient and efficient to maintain: they do not take up much space, but you can choose a variety with a high yield.
3. Thirdly, cucumbers grow and ripen quickly - a bush can be harvested within 4-5 weeks from the moment of sowing.

But not every variety of cucumbers will have to taste living in an apartment: some of them still prefer a greenhouse to a cozy window, and therefore will not be able to fully grow and bear fruit at home. How to choose a variety?

Not every variety of cucumbers will have to taste to live in an apartment

First, let's find out what varieties are:

varieties that are not suitable for homemade preparations, but are excellent in taste when eaten raw. They make delicious and fragrant salads. Very well kept, so often used for sale. Spikes of cucumbers are white.

Attention: if the spikes on the body of the cucumber are white, then this is an excellent salad variety, but such cucumbers are not suitable for canning.

Parthenocarpic	Varieties that do not require pollination. They produce fruits that do not contain seeds.
Self pollinating	Varieties that have both pistils and stamens in the same flower. They pollinate on their own, while their fruits are with seeds.
bee pollinated	Here, too, everything is clear from the name. In order for the ovary to appear, bees are needed to pollinate the flowers of the plant. Alas, insects are indispensable here.
F1 hybrids	"Kids" of the first generation, obtained by crossing two different varieties. They are popular among gardeners, because they are distinguished by a plentiful harvest, good taste of fruits, they tolerate fluctuations in growing conditions well.
Salad
Pickling	Varieties, the best use of which is the preparation of homemade preparations, since the peel of such fruits perfectly absorbs the brine. It is better to preserve them immediately after harvesting, since the keeping quality of such varieties is minimal. Thorns on the body of the fetus - black
Universal	Such cucumbers are suitable for everything: they can be salted, pickled, and eaten raw. Their spikes are black

Also, varieties of cucumbers are divided according to the type of conditions and place of cultivation (for closed or open ground), according to the shape of the stem (liana, bush). They are also classified according to the size of greens (gherkins, pickles and others).

Zelenets is the name of the cucumber fruit.

Cucumber Zelenets F1

Choose a variety

How to choose a variety of cucumbers to create a greenhouse on your windowsill? Everything is very simple:

1. Cucumbers on the windowsill should occupy as much as possible less space so as not to interfere - that is, choose bush varieties, and not those that, growing up, will turn into a giant liana.
2. Choose a variety with a good yield so that it brings more benefits (or rather, fruits) to the gardener.
3. Choose varieties that are unpretentious to growing conditions: in winter, due to central heating, it is very dry in apartments, and cucumbers love humidity. In addition, in the winter season, plants may experience a lack of light.
4. Opt for hybrids - these varieties bear fruit well and are tolerant of negative environmental influences.

The variety must be self-pollinating

The variety must be self-pollinating or parthenocarpic - you won’t breed bees in winter so that they pollinate your plants?

Recommended varieties of cucumbers for growing on the windowsill

The following varieties of this herbaceous plant have already been tested by time, or rather, summer residents.

Window-balconyF1		The name of the hybrid has already said everything about this variety - it was created specifically to settle in your window. Flowers are predominantly female. You can enjoy the first cucumbers already 55 days after the seedlings have sprouted. At the same time, the yield is quite high - up to 15 kg of cucumbers are removed from 1 square meter. Zelentsy are smooth, dark green, shiny, up to 16 cm long. Very tasty fresh. A hybrid that is not afraid of diseases, shade-tolerant, easily tolerates temperature changes and does not lose ovaries
Ekaterina F1		A hybrid variety with a name once worn by a great empress. Mid-early variety (ripening period of about 50 days), bearing fruit for a long time. The bushes are medium in size, give dark green greens up to 23 cm long. The yield is good - about 18 kg of juicy cucumbers can be “removed” from 1 square meter. Low susceptibility to diseases, frost-resistant, shade-tolerant hybrid variety. Used for home canning, but tastes best when consumed fresh.
Gift of the East F1		A hybrid that does not require pollination, mid-season. Weakly climbing plant of medium size, bears fruit abundantly and for a long time, little susceptible to diseases. Gives fragrant, robust fruits of modest size (up to 10 cm long) with a light fluff. The yield is average - from 1 square meter you can collect up to 9 kg of cucumbers, which are well preserved and no less wonderful in taste when eaten raw
Faust F1		Not requiring pollination, early maturing hybrid variety with female flowers. The fruits are medium in size, smooth in the form of a cylinder up to 18 cm long with a bright taste, not bitter. Used for salads
Zozulya F1		A long-known old medium-branching hybrid variety for salad purposes. The yield is good. It begins to bear fruit early - as early as 45 days after the appearance of sprouts. The fruits are decorated with white thorns, large (up to 22 cm long), with a white fluff, well stored. Relatively cold-resistant hybrid variety, not afraid of diseases and cold weather
Hostess F1		Frost-resistant mid-early variety that does not need pollination. Strongly branched plant, not limited by the level of growth. Prickly cucumbers are suitable both for preservation and for eating raw. The size of cucumbers is up to 15 cm, dense, bumpy, dark green fruits
Shchedryk F1		Early maturing vigorous variety of medium climbing level. Fruits with tubercles, not large, up to 12 cm long. The pulp is not bitter, dense, the skin is tender. The hybrid is not afraid of diseases, unpretentious. Greens are used for making salads
Masha F 1		Parthenocarpic hybrid variety. The ripening time of greens is about 45 days. Productive, low susceptibility to diseases. Cucumbers are not bitter, ripen early. They are canned and eaten raw.
Onega F1		Fast maturing (up to 38 days after the appearance of sprouts), self-pollinating hybrid. Weakly branched, indeterminate. Cucumbers are small (up to 82 grams), striped, cylinder-shaped, with a black fluff. Suitable for salting, pickling, salads

Growing cucumbers on the windowsill

Now, in order for cucumbers to please us with their fruits, their seeds need to be planted and grown. Having decided on the variety, we proceed to this responsible event.

1. Let's start by preparing a container for plants and soil. Choose oblong boxes or pots for cucumbers at the rate of at least 5 liters in volume per 1 plant. Make drainage holes in each container.
2. We prepare the soil: for this we mix in equal proportions garden soil, sand, rotten sawdust, ash, humus. Place the prepared soil in the oven and warm it up to destroy insect eggs and infections in it. You can also buy store-bought soil.
3. Fill the pot with soil 24 hours before sowing and water well.
4. Make a depression in the soil (about 1.5 cm), place the seed there. We plant the prepared seeds either germinated or dry, as it is more convenient. Sprinkle with soil.
5. We close the boxes or pots with cellophane film and place them in the room where the air temperature is kept at least +25 degrees. Can be placed above a heating radiator.
6. We are waiting for the first shoots to appear. When the plants hatch, remove the cellophane and put the boxes with seedlings on the windowsill. Now the air temperature should be about 20 degrees.
7. When the plants grow a little, you need to shape them. To do this, when the bushes have 4-5 leaves, you need to start pinching the top so that the side branches-lashes grow (they are left about 2-3 per bush).
8. Then the lashes will have to be pinched (this is done over the 10th leaf). According to this principle, the plant is further formed.
9. Do not forget to tie up the whips so that the whole plant has enough light. Excess mustaches are cut off.

Cucumber care

How to care for cucumbers living on your windowsill so that they give you a bountiful harvest? Everything is simple here:

1. Some varieties of cucumbers are tolerant of some shading, but it is still better to fully provide the plants with life-giving light. Therefore, if you grow cucumbers on a window in winter, then from November to February, in the "darkest" months, additionally highlight the plants.
2. Periodically feed cucumber bushes with organic fertilizers.
3. Cucumbers are often watered with warm settled water - these plants love moisture. If the air in the house is dry, then saucers with water are placed near the plants to moisten and the bushes are periodically sprayed.
4. Cucumbers love warmth, so do not put them in a cold room or a room that is often ventilated.
5. If the cucumbers began to bear fruit, then the crop should be harvested regularly, preferably daily, so that the bush does not waste energy on ripened fruits and forms new ones, delighting you with fresh cucumbers for as long as possible.

Good fertilizer - fermented infusion from banana skins diluted with water.

Video - Planting cucumber seeds

In winter, there are so few tasty and healthy vegetables and fruits. Buying plastic vegetables in the market or in stores is not something you don’t want, it’s not recommended. The original way out is to plant cucumbers in containers in an apartment on a windowsill or balcony. But before you start the process, you should find out the technology of growing at home and the timing of harvesting.

Features of growing on the windowsill

Planting cucumber seeds on the windowsill does not require special training or special care knowledge, so even novice amateur gardeners can handle growing at home.

Important! When planting cucumbers at home, you need to check that there are no drafts anywhere. Such a cold air intake adversely affects young shoots. Be sure to ensure that there is an optimal temperature for the germination of seedlings.

Do not overdo it with watering. Excessive irrigation entails the appearance of fungi in the soil, which affect not one, but all young cucumber sprouts.

In preparation for the rooting of planting material, you need to purchase high-quality cucumber seeds. They must meet the following parameters:

1. The plant is recommended to choose a bushy, you should not take a vine. She will trail along one side, and the bush variety will stand in a lush ball.
2. When choosing a variety pay attention to productivity- careful care and a small harvest can forever discourage the desire to plant cucumbers in winter.
3. The unpretentiousness of the species- if the plant is overly demanding for care, then it has every chance not to survive on the windowsill. The main advantage of cucumber varieties for winter germination at home is the absence of high requirements for light and watering.

Such features of the germination of young cucumber seedlings are optimal for growing in an apartment. Fulfilling not difficult conditions, you can get a quality crop even in winter.

What varieties are suitable for growing in an apartment

Growing in winter time cucumbers are quite common. For these purposes, all possible greenhouses are used. But if the apartment has a heated balcony or a glazed loggia where you can equip a cucumber farm, then why not grow them at home.

Reference! For planting, breeders have developed a large number of different varieties. Usually, they are represented by hybrid species. They do not need help in pollination by bees, they tend to independently form fruits on female peduncles. Such hybrids are called parthenocarpic.

There are the following varieties of cucumbers for home growing on the windowsill in the apartment:

1. Khutorok- the first cucumbers can be plucked already 30 days after the first shoots. This type is considered superfast. The fruits on it reach a length of 10 cm, on which spikes of a black shade are located. They need help with pollination. It is required to pluck a male flower (barren flower) and transfer its pollen to a female one. Only in this case can the ovary occur.
2. Shchedryk- matures 1.5 months after planting. Cucumbers hang in the ovary of 6-8 pieces. They stretch up to 11-12 cm in length, are represented by a rich green color with a dark tint. Growing it on the windowsill, up to 20 fruits can be removed from the bush.
3. crunchy- Relatively fast. Not earlier than after 50 days, the first fruits will appear on it, which can be used for food. Its advantage is that it is completely self-pollinating. Variety - rich in yields. At good care, its fecundity reaches up to 40 pcs. from one bush.

Also among the best varieties of cucumbers for growing on the windowsill are: Courage, Our Masha, Prestige, Room miracle, Miracle on the window.

Thus, you can independently plant cucumbers in the apartment and get a rich harvest in the cold winter months, you just need to choose correct varieties for growing at home.

How to plant and grow in an apartment - features, conditions and step by step instructions

Before you start planting, you need to choose the right place for active growth. Be sure to select for certain varieties of the optimal volume of flowerpots in which you need to fill the soil. The latter plays a large role in the establishment of green vegetable species.

Important is the specific preparation of cucumber seedlings for direct planting. And rooting work must also be carried out according to the instructions, according to which it is required to accurately measure the planting depth. Otherwise, the seedlings will not grow, but will rot in the ground.

What should be the place

A place for placing flowerpots with seedlings of cucumbers needs to be selected only on the south side. Young seedlings are sensitive not only to sunlight, but also to heat.

Important! The best option is a window sill located on the south side, and even better a heated balcony or loggia. Such an arrangement will provide landings with lighting from all 3 sides throughout the daylight hours.

Video: growing cucumbers on the balcony

The winter sun is not long, and sunlight is important for cucumbers. Therefore, it is recommended to highlight seedlings special phytolamps, which will provide continuous lighting for 14-16 hours a day.

The most best temperature for fast and active growth of cucumbers - +20 C. If the temperature in the room exceeds this level, then the humidity of the soil substrate should be constantly monitored.

What container to plant

Cucumbers are unpretentious to the containers in which they will grow. Suitable as deep flowerpots for mass placement of seedlings, and single pots.

Important! It is necessary that no more than 5 pieces of young sprouts be placed per 70 cm. A large number in one flowerpot will not allow you to actively develop and increase mass.

The flowerpot is selected with holes for the release of excess moisture, as well as a fairly wide volume. It must be remembered that the cucumber is a plant with a developed root system. In order for the green vegetable sprout to be comfortable, the container must contain at least 4 liters.

What kind of soil

For the qualitative growth of young cucumber seedlings, it is required that the soil be fertile and loose, well permeable to liquid and air. Such properties are purchased soil for indoor flowers or substrate for growing gourds.

But the best soil for growing indoor cucumbers is a soil substrate made by yourself. Suitable for cooking:

1. Soil from the forest;
2. garden soil;
3. Humus;
4. Ash (wood);
5. river sand;
6. Old, rotted sawdust, dark shade.

Attention! After mixing all the parts, a fertile substrate is obtained. It should be calcined in the oven at a temperature of +200 C for 20-30 minutes. And then shed with a solution of potassium permanganate.

Such preparation measures have a beneficial effect on the elimination of pathogenic bacteria and pests hiding in the ground.

Preparing seeds for planting

The varieties are pre-treated at packaging so that they can be sown directly into the soil without any specific preparation. But then the planting will have to be thickened and the sprouted seeds dive into separate flowerpots.

1. The seeds are placed in weak solution of potassium permanganate lasting for half an hour. Floating empty seeds are removed, they still will not sprout. Then the seeds are rinsed in a warm liquid.
2. Next 3 hours seedlings kept in a liquid temperature of +35 C.
3. Removing moist warm seedlings, place in wet burlap carefully wrapping them and wrapping them with sawdust. In this form, they are laid out in a room where the temperature should be about +30 C.
4. The duration of germination varies within 1-2 days. After the appearance of the first rudiments of roots, the seeds are immediately planted in the soil prepared in advance.

Before planting, it is worth pulling out the planting material from the moisture and dry it. This process has a beneficial effect on the active growth of future seedlings.

Direct fit

Just before planting indoor cucumbers, the soil in containers is spilled with liquid. The procedure is necessary for subsidence of the earth. If you plant seeds in dry, airy soil, then when watering, the seeds are buried more significantly than required.

Pre-prepared cucumber seeds are placed to a depth of 1.5 cm. Top with well-moistened soil.

Important! The container is covered with glass or tightened with a film. This is necessary to create greenhouse conditions for rapid germination of young shoots. The temperature for germination is +25 C.

After the appearance of the first timid sprouts, the film is immediately removed. This is required so that it does not create condensate, which provokes the occurrence of fungal diseases. Further temperature drops to +20 C, but at the same time, exposure to the sunny side increases.

Video: how to grow cucumbers on the windowsill at home

How to care after planting and before harvesting - tips

Watering newly planted plants are carried out sparingly, without flooding the roots. It is best for young borers to supply liquid through a syringe deep into the soil. It will not provoke washing out of the roots. Irrigation is carried out only with boiled water, settled for several hours.

Attention!top dressing should only be entered organic composition. An infusion on the peel of bananas (fermented) has an excellent effect on planting. It is diluted 10 times and fertilized at least 1 time in 2 weeks.

After the appearance of 4 or 5 leaves, the top point of growth should be broken off. It is necessary for the plant to release lateral shoots. Of these, no more than 3 lashes are left. They are allowed to grow up to 10 full-fledged leaves, after which they pinch again. Thus, a lush bush is formed.

It is imperative to carry out whip garter. Each lash must be carefully directed and tied to the trellis. The fruits should not be thickened, this will allow them to develop well and receive enough sunlight.

Diseases and pests

In order for the shrub to bear fruit well and not get sick, the plant should be constantly monitored and properly looked after. Otherwise, the following diseases may appear on the leaves of cucumbers:

1. powdery mildew – fungal disease, manifested by white bloom on leaf plates;
2. Anthracnose- the causative agent is a fungus. Both leaves and fruits suffer from it;
3. root rot- manifested by the wilting of the entire shrub. The roots, constantly flooded with liquid, suffer from the disease;
4. white rot- a white coating appears on the fruits, foliage and stem.

Important! If you do not take action, then the diseases grow with unprecedented force, completely affecting the plants. The fight is carried out by spraying with chemical insecticides.

The main thing is to monitor any reactions of the plant. If you carefully monitor the condition of the pet, then you can avoid a strong growth of diseases by eliminating everything at the beginning of the formation.

Sowing and harvesting dates

The timing of seedlings depends on each variety separately. In most cases, all plantings appear within 1-2 days after rooting. The duration of growth is determined by the types of cucumbers. Some are able to give the first harvest in 1 month. Others take up to 45-50 days to mature.

Attention! For harvesting, you need to focus on the volume of cucumbers. If the size of the fruit reaches 10 cm, then it can already be plucked. If you do not provoke the overgrowth of vegetables, then the plant can bloom again, giving another crop.

Many varieties grown during the winter months are suitable not only for eating live, but also for pickling. But you should not count on harvests from the windowsill in order to successfully make seams during the winter 🙂

Thus, do not miss the opportunity to plant cucumber seedlings in your window and get fresh vegetables in the middle of winter. During germination, you need to provide good care and an abundance of light. Then you can collect a sufficient number of cucumbers from the bush right at home. Even novice gardeners can grow cucumbers at home on the windowsill.

Long gone are the days when townspeople who did not have summer cottages envied those who had them. Today, even a high-rise resident can afford to enjoy fresh herbs and vegetables, using windows, balconies and loggias to grow them.

Today, any lazy city dweller can please his family with fresh crispy greens by making right choice varieties of cucumbers for growing on the windowsill. The same applies to tomatoes, strawberries, and peppers - modern breeders have specially created types of vegetables that can be grown in pots and get decent yields.

Characteristics of "home" cucumbers

To all year round enjoy your own harvest of greens, you should familiarize yourself in advance with what varieties of cucumbers exist for growing on the windowsill. They must have a different set of qualities than those sown in greenhouses or in the open field:

• Firstly, these should be self-pollinating hybrids so as not to waste time on manual pollination.
• Secondly, it is desirable that the plant be shade-loving, since not every window suits it. In order not to highlight additional lamps in the winter, it is better to look in advance for varieties of cucumbers for growing on the windowsill, which easily tolerate the lack of light.

• Thirdly, it is preferable to purchase a frost-resistant variety, especially for planting on a balcony or loggia, where there is no additional heating.

If earlier the varieties of cucumbers for growing on the windowsill of the house consisted of only one species - “room Rytov”, today there are dozens of them. It is important to assess the conditions under which the vegetable will grow, and, based on them, purchase the most suitable one, since manufacturers indicate all the characteristics on the packaging.

Cucumbers for the windowsill

For many "home gardeners" the primary goal is a high yield. In fact, it is more important that the plant grows strong and healthy in a balcony or window, then the fruit picking will be a pleasant event. To date, the following are recognized as the best varieties of cucumbers for growing on the windowsill:

• "Prestige f1" is a parthenocarpic species that gives fruit for a very long period. The first greens can be harvested as early as 40 days after seed germination. Cucumbers are 6-8 cm long and have excellent taste.
• "Masha f1" is a very early maturing species that bears fruit on the 35th–40th day. Also from the category "varieties of cucumbers for growing on the windowsill." Caring for him allows you to achieve the formation of up to 7 greens on one brush. The fruits are dark green with excellent taste.
• "Ant f1" is one of the most fruitful types of cucumbers. It is also parthenocarpic, ripens in bunches, in each of which up to 7 fruits are formed.
• "Balcony" - a universal variety, yields a crop on the 41st day after seed germination. Relatively hardy, making it the best contender for growing on glazed balcony. Productivity - up to 10 kg/m2.

When buying cucumber varieties for growing on a windowsill, be sure to check that this property is indicated on the package. Also, all its qualities should be spelled out there - from productivity and ripening dates to the conditions for their ripening.

Selection of containers

Cucumbers love space, even when they grow in the garden, so you should take care of the containers for them in advance. When choosing a container, it should be borne in mind that the optimal volume for one plant is 5 liters. These can be individual ceramic pots or a one-piece long plastic container.

Some "home gardeners" adapt five-liter plastic bottles for water, after cutting off their necks. You can also use thick plastic bags if you don't have another container on hand.

Some nuances should be taken into account when choosing a suitable container for any variety of cucumbers for growing on a windowsill. The peculiarity of this plant is that it does not tolerate both dryness of the earth and stagnant water, so there must be holes in the container for its drainage.

If you fit boxes under the "garden", then they must first be covered with dense cellophane, making holes at the bottom. Any of the listed containers will fit to grow and harvest a good crop of cucumbers.

Soil preparation

For those who do not want to spend time preparing the soil mixture, ready-made, which is sold in specialized stores, is suitable. For those who want to personally participate in the process from start to finish, experienced gardeners recommend creating soil with their own hands. This will require:

• 1 part of garden or sod land;
• compost - 1 part;
• sand - 1/5 part;
• sawdust - 1/5;
• wood ash - 1/5.

So that the soil does not harm the plants, it should be calcined, for which you can use a conventional oven. Ready and mixed soil is poured into a baking sheet with a layer of up to 5 cm and placed for 20-30 minutes in an oven preheated to 100-110 degrees.

After calcination, the soil must be fertilized, for which it is enough to add mineral fertilizers for pumpkin volume in a couple of matchboxes. You can buy special additives for cucumbers. Ready soil is packaged in five-liter containers and carefully watered the day before sowing the seeds. Whatever varieties of cucumbers are used for growing on the windowsill, soil preparation is the same.

Location selection

An important role in a good harvest is played by exactly where the cucumbers will grow. This plant loves sunlight and warmth, so either it will be windows or a balcony on the south side, or a window sill insulated and equipped with phyto- or fluorescent lamps from the other side.

It must be remembered that regular variety Cucumbers require up to 12 hours of light for seedlings to grow evenly. This is especially true for the period from November to the end of January. If seeds specially bred as shade-loving are used, then this period can be reduced.

It is very important that the plant is not exposed to drafts during ventilation. It is necessary that the frame does not let cold air through. Some gardeners, even with high-quality glazing, use additional insulation or stretched between the plant and window frame polyethylene film. It transmits sunlight quite well, but at the same time it saves from the cold.

Every grower has little tricks to help the plant grow strong and healthy (such as using mirrors or foil to reflect the sun's rays and increase light). It is also advisable not to put the pot directly on the windowsill, but it is better to put a layer of foam under it or just wooden blocks. This is an additional measure to protect cucumbers from the cold.

Seed preparation

To avoid further problems during the growth of seeds, it is better to carry out their prevention. For this, a weak solution of potassium permanganate is used, in which the planting material is aged for a couple of hours. By the way, this is also a test of their quality - only those that have sunk to the bottom in a given time should be planted. Seeds floating on the surface will either not sprout at all or will not produce a crop.

After potassium permanganate, the seeds should be left for a couple of days in a humid environment for germination. For this, gauze or natural fabric moistened with water is suitable, which must be sprayed as they dry.

When the seeds "hatch", they can be planted in cups prepared for this. Some gardeners prefer to sow directly into pots, which saves them time, but it is important to cover such a container with foil until the seedlings have their first leaves.

Whatever varieties of cucumbers for growing on the windowsill, in the first week before germination, they need to provide a temperature of + 22 ... + 24 degrees. After they rise, they can be transferred to a cooler place where the air warms up to +18, but good lighting is provided.

seedling care

In order to collect from 10 to 25 greens from each plant daily, it should be provided with appropriate care. For this:

• watering should be carried out daily, but care must be taken that the water does not stagnate;

• it is necessary to provide the plant with appropriate humidity, for which it is enough to spray it from a spray bottle 1-2 times a day;
• if the plant is under artificial lighting, then watering can be done in the morning and evening.

To save time, some gardeners put pallets of gravel under the pots with seedlings, where water is poured. This contributes to the constant moistening of the soil and air. In summer, the soil should be constantly wet, and in winter, watering can be reduced, but air humidity should be monitored at any time of the year.

top dressing

In order for cucumber varieties to be grown on the windowsill to be healthy and fruit picking to become a real holiday, they must be fed with high quality. To do this, 2 weeks after germination, you need to make and add the first mineral solution:

• add 2 tsp to 3 liters of water. mineral fertilizer for cucumbers or pumpkin crops, water at the rate of 1-2 glasses per 1 plant during the growth period and 3-4 - during fruiting.
• to extend the life of the plant every 2-3 weeks, it is recommended to water with a solution of 1 cap of "Rosta" per 2 liters of water.

A good help is adding fresh biohumus every 3-4 weeks.

Vine formation

In order for the stem of the plant to grow strong and bear fruit well, the first pinching of the top is carried out when 4-5 leaves have appeared. This will "provoke" the growth of lateral branches. When they give their shoots, pinching is carried out over the third or fifth leaf. Mustaches also need to be removed, making sure that rotting does not appear in their place.

When the main vine begins to rise, it should be tied up, for which you can insert sticks 1 m long directly into the containers with the plant or pull the fishing line along the window. Liana needs to be pinned over the 11th or 12th sheet. When fruiting begins, it is necessary to ensure that the greens do not overripe. The more often the fruits are plucked, the higher the yield.

Sowing cucumbers in winter

Home hallmark any variety of cucumbers for growing in winter on a windowsill needs additional lighting. It is better if special phytolamps are used for this. The rest of the conditions of care are simple:

• moderate watering;
• high humidity, for which it is better to use containers with water or spray plants several times a day;
• timely formation of a bush;
• daily harvest during the fruiting period.

Cucumbers need feeding in winter no less than at other times of the year. This directly affects the size of the crop. If the plant is "malnourished", then it will tell you this slow growth and yellowed greens.

Sowing seeds can be carried out in any month, but at the same time take into account the temperature and illumination of the chosen place. Since cucumbers can produce a crop in 4-5 weeks, their planting depends only on the preferences of the owner. For example, this can be done 5-6 weeks before the New Year holidays to please guests with a salad of fresh cucumbers.

Sowing cucumbers in summer

If in winter it is important that there is additional lighting, then varieties of cucumbers for growing in the summer on the windowsill do not need this. On the contrary, you can slightly shade the plants with a net if a south window is selected. The main requirements for a good harvest during this period:

• frequent watering;
• regular spraying with water;
• timely harvest.

In general, growing cucumbers at any time of the year is not a burdensome task that brings joy at harvest.

How to grow cucumbers on a windowsill in an ordinary city apartment, recommendations for beginner gardeners.

Varieties of cucumbers for growing on the windowsill

For growing cucumbers on the windowsill in winter, only parthenocarpic hybrids of early ripening with small lashes are suitable. Bush cucumbers are also unacceptable, as they require big square nutrition that cannot be provided on the windowsill.

Parthenocarpics have a predominantly female or only female type of flowering and do not require pollination. Bee-pollinated cucumbers are categorically unsuitable for winter cultivation, and self-pollinated varieties need pollen to get onto the pestle in some way. Since there are neither insects nor wind on the windowsill in winter, when growing such cucumbers, it is necessary to carry out artificial pollination of each flower.

Long climbing cucumbers for growing on windowsills are also not suitable. Their lashes are 3 meters or more, and they will have nowhere to develop. In addition, long-climbing cucumbers, as a rule, grow longer and come into fruiting later. With winter cultivation at home, it is necessary to get a crop of greens as soon as possible. This saves a lot of time and money.

Cucumbers, with proper care, can be grown all year round. The cultivation of crops in greenhouses is based on this feature. You can grow cucumbers in winter and on the windowsill in an ordinary apartment.

Sowing dates

In winter, cucumbers can be grown on the windowsill in 3 terms.

1. Sowing in December. Zelentsy appear by the beginning of February
2. Sowing in January. The harvest is received in late February-early March.
3. When sown in February, the first cucumbers appear at the end of March.

But in reality, January and February are the best option for sowing. In December, cucumbers do not have enough light for normal development, and they will grow only with prolonged illumination.

At home, you can plant cucumbers in September-October, but with decreasing light day it is impossible to get a good harvest of greens.

To get an extra early harvest, cucumbers on the windowsill are planted in March-April, but this method is suitable for those who do not have suburban area, as well as those who grow early cucumbers for sale. At this time, everyone else's window sills are occupied with other seedlings and there is no time for cucumbers.

How to grow cucumbers on the windowsill

Cucumbers in the apartment are grown only in a seedless way. Seeds are sown in prepared containers. The root system of the culture is rather weak, but when planted in a common seedling box, each plant needs a feeding area of ​​​​at least 100 cm2, and a depth of at least 15 cm.

Therefore, at home, cucumbers are best grown in individual containers. Suitable for this are large plastic cups with a volume of at least 1 liter, plastic bottles, flower pots. A drainage hole must be made at the bottom of the tank to drain excess water.

Peat pots are suitable for cucumbers in the initial period of growth. When the plants grow up, they, together with the pot, are placed in a larger container and covered with earth. With this method, the roots of the culture develop evenly, do not braid the earthen ball, and, therefore, do not suffer from a lack of nutrition and moisture.

Soil preparation

For growing cucumbers, highly fertile, loose, water- and breathable soil mixtures with an environmental reaction of 5.5-6.5 are required. Plants can grow well on slightly acidic soils with a pH of 5.1-5.4, but the yield in this case is reduced, albeit slightly.

Peat soil mixture is the best suited for planting cucumbers, provided that such soil has low acidity and sufficient humus content. In winter, if the land has not been prepared since autumn, cucumbers are grown on purchased soil mixtures with a peat content of not more than 50%.

If possible, you can prepare the land yourself. The soil mixture is prepared from peat, humus and fine-grained river sand in a ratio of 3:3:1. Sand can be replaced with coconut flakes.

Coconut flakes have a neutral reaction (pH 7.0), retain moisture very well, loosen the soil and allow air to pass through. For soil preparation coconut flakes fill with water according to the instructions. After 1-2 minutes, the chips will begin to absorb moisture and swell greatly. After 30-40 minutes, the soil will be ready and it can be added to the soil mixture.

Cucumbers can also be grown in pure coconut soil, but it must be slightly acidified before sowing the seeds. To do this, the chips are soaked in a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate.

To remove spores of diseases and wintering pests, the earth is frozen. Freezing is preferable to roasting because high temperatures fertilizers introduced into the soil mixture decompose, and at low temperatures they are preserved. The earth is taken out into the street or into a room with sub-zero temperatures and left for 5-7 days, then brought into the house. The earth should completely thaw and warm up, then it is again taken out into the cold. The procedure is repeated 3-4 times.

Fertilizers are applied to any self-prepared soils:

• ammonium nitrate or urea 1 tbsp / kg;
• superphosphate 1 tbsp / kg;
• potassium magnesia or potassium sulfate 3 tbsp / kg.

You can apply liquid or solid complex fertilizers according to the instructions.

The soil must be warmed up before sowing. When the ground temperature is below 17 ° C, the seeds will not sprout. To warm up the earth in bags or boxes, put on a battery and stand for several days.

2-3 before sowing, the soil is disinfected by spilling a warm pink solution of potassium permanganate or Fitosporin. Instead of Phytosporin, Trichodermin can be added to the soil, but they cannot be used together, since this different types microflora, and they will only mutually destroy each other. If the soil is purchased and biological preparations have already been added to it, then it is not necessary to additionally disinfect it.

Preparing seeds for planting

Cucumbers are usually heated before sowing. This is done to increase the formation of female flowers. However, all modern hybrids have a predominantly female type of flowering; male flowers form an insignificant amount or they do not appear at all. Therefore, such seeds do not need to be heated.

Before sowing, the seeds are soaked for 1-2 days. If they are old, then growth stimulants are added to the water (Gibbersib, Gibberellin, Zircon). Although on bags with seeds of hybrids they write that they are sown without pre-treatment, but experience shows that then their germination is much worse.

To prevent the black leg, the seed material is immersed for 20 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. The skin of cucumbers is sensitive and if the solution is too strong, they can be burned. Seed material is always processed, even though it has already been processed. The term of the protective action of fungicides is several months and by the time of sowing, as a rule, it has already ended.

After 1-2 days after soaking, the seed is dried, without waiting for it to peck, and sown.

Sowing seeds

After soaking, you do not need to wait for the seeds to peck. After a maximum of 48 hours, they are dried and sown. Sprouted cucumber seeds (and pumpkin seeds in general) do not germinate well, since the root that has appeared (and it is he who germinates) breaks off very easily when covered with earth. Damage to the root of the seedling means the death of the seed. It will be better if the seeds swell, but do not germinate yet.

Cucumbers are sown immediately in the container in which they will grow. Prepared warm earth well shed and 3-4 seeds are sown in each pot. Sprinkle them with a layer of 1.5-2 cm of dry earth. After sowing, the earth is not moistened, otherwise the seeds will go deep into the soil. The pots are covered with foil and put on the battery until germination.

As a rule, 1-2 cucumbers sprout in one pot. But even if everything sprouts, it will be possible to choose the most powerful one, cut off the rest near the ground.

Caring for cucumbers on the windowsill

• If the earth is warm, seedlings appear quickly - for 4-6 days.
• At a soil temperature of 18-20°C, sprouts appear in 10-12 days.
• When the soil temperature is below 17 ° C, cucumbers will not sprout.

As soon as the plants have sprouted, they are put on the windowsill, where the temperature is at least 20 ° C. The culture tolerates partial shading well, and in the southern regions, where there are enough sunny days in January-February, cucumbers can be grown on the eastern and even northeastern windowsills. In the northern regions, with sufficient lighting, the eastern side is suitable, but the southern and western windows are more suitable for growing.

Temperature

Immediately after germination, the temperature cannot be lowered, since at this stage cucumber seedlings are very sensitive to cold. Until the appearance of 2-3 true leaves, the plants are kept on a warm windowsill (temperature not less than 20 ° C, and preferably 23-25 ​​° C). And only after the appearance of several true leaves, you can lower the temperature. But this is highly undesirable, since for fruiting the plant needs to gain the sum of active temperatures. In winter, this can only be done with artificial heating.

If it is cold on the windowsill, the plants are additionally heated, otherwise there will be no harvest. In winter, the soil often cools on the window. Cucumbers stop growing, leaves turn yellow. For heating, boxes with containers are placed on a battery for several hours, and in order to keep warm in the future, each pot is covered with foam.

Backlight

In winter, the plants must be illuminated. Cucumbers need at least 13-15 hours of daylight to grow. But in winter, when there is not enough light, the backlight should be more intense. Therefore, before the formation of lashes, they are illuminated for at least 17-18 hours in December-early January, 15 hours in February-March. To increase the illumination on the windowsill, reflective materials are placed: foil, mirrors.

To start flowering and fruiting, the cucumber requires a shorter daylight hours. Therefore, as soon as the lashes are formed, the illumination is reduced. If the culture bears fruit in December, then the illumination should be at least 16 hours. This is due to the fact that in December it is almost always cloudy, and the sun lamps will not completely replace anyway. If December is sunny, then cucumbers are illuminated for 15 hours.

In January-February, plants are illuminated for 12 hours to form buds.

Watering cucumbers

Cucumbers are watered only with settled warm water (not lower than 20 ° C). Cold water in winter, especially with a lack of heat, it can provoke the death of the roots.

Cucumbers are very demanding on moisture. Watering is carried out as the soil dries up. If the soil is damp to the touch, but does not leave marks on the hands, it is necessary to water; if the hands get dirty, watering is not required. Drying out is detrimental to plants.

When growing cucumbers on a windowsill in winter, they are watered in the morning or in the afternoon, but not in the evening. The culture evaporates the largest amount of moisture in the morning. Therefore, when watering in the evening in the morning, there will be droplets of moisture on the leaves and the window, since the plants saturated with water begin to release water. Such intense evaporation in the dry air of the apartment is highly undesirable and it does not occur when watering in the morning and afternoon. Wet leaves and damp ground are a source of fungal infections.

Water cucumbers only under the root.

Air humidity

Culture for normal growth requires air humidity of 80-85%. In winter, the humidity in the rooms is 40-50%, which is bad for cucumbers. At low humidity in plants, the lower leaves begin to turn yellow and dry, the stem gradually becomes bare. Seedlings on the windowsill may dry out without producing true leaves.

Therefore, immediately after the emergence of seedlings, cucumbers are sprayed at least 1 time in 2-3 days. Water containers are placed on the batteries under the window sills.

Top dressing cucumbers in the apartment

If the soil was fertilized during sowing, then fertilizing begins only when the first true leaf appears. They are carried out during the entire growing season with an interval of 5-6 days.

When growing cucumbers in winter, they need to be fed more intensively than in summer. They are very fond of fresh manure (except pork). But when grown on a windowsill, this method is excluded due to a persistent unpleasant odor. In a more advantageous position are those who keep birds in cages (or chickens in the yard). Bedding from cages soaked in hot water for 20-30 minutes until the litter is soaked, then filter. The resulting solution is diluted 1:10 and cucumbers are fed. Bird lovers usually do not perceive extraneous odors in the room so sharply.

plant residues from indoor plants (broken twigs, withered and fallen leaves, potato peels, banana skins) are suitable for making herbal infusion. Plant residues are put in a saucepan, poured with water and insisted for several days. Then the solution is filtered, diluted 1:3 with water and the cucumbers are fed.

Ash infusion. Ash is now sold in garden shops, so even in winter it is easy to find. Prepare the infusion according to the instructions on the package. The finished solution is diluted with water and top dressing is done.

Humates and liquid fertilizers for cucumbers use only if there are no other organic fertilizers. 1 cap (5 ml) is diluted in 10 liters of water, cucumbers are fed with the resulting solution.

Complex mineral fertilizers this is the worst option for feeding. But when growing cucumbers in winter, for lack of other fertilizers, one has to use it. For cucumber, those fertilizers are suitable, which contain a sufficient amount of nitrogen, and the dose of potassium exceeds the dose of phosphorus. But on some mineral fertilizers, growing cucumbers in winter is impossible. During the growing season there should be at least 4 organic top dressings.

It must be remembered that organic matter improves soil fertility, while mineral water affects plants. Cucumbers need not so much nutrition as high soil fertility.

When top dressing, nitrogen should not be abused. Zelentsy easily accumulate it and become dangerous to humans.

But the lack of nitrogen leads to a decrease in yield.

• Cucumbers are gaining a lot of green mass, but they bloom poorly - an excess of nitrogen.
• Cucumbers are weak, their lashes are thin, greens that have been tied up are crumbling (with proper watering) - a lack of nitrogen.
• In order not to upset the balance of elements, fertilizing containing nitrogen is alternated with ash that does not contain it.

After the first week of fruiting, cucumbers, if they were previously fed with mineral water, need intensive organic feeding, since during this time they consume all the substances introduced into the soil before.

Formation of cucumbers on the windowsill

Climbing Cucumbers always lead to the same stem. On the windowsill in winter it is impossible to feed a few stems; neither the plant nor the host will pull this. Cucumbers definitely need a trellis to curl. On a bare window sill, the whips will be too cold and dry. All emerging side shoots are pinched.

Weakly climbing varieties can be carried out in 2-4 stems. A small whip is unable to produce a large number of cucumbers, especially when grown in winter. The main stem is pinched after 3-4 leaves. From the lashes of the 2nd order that have appeared, 2-3 of the strongest are selected, which are allowed along the trellis or tied up. When grown in winter, the plant cannot feed more than 3 short lashes. So that the whips do not get confused, they are directed in different directions. Each lash must have its own support.

After removing the first cucumbers in winter, the lower leaves of the culture begin to dry very quickly. This is a normal process. The plant cannot feed all the leaves, flowers and greens at the same time, therefore it gets rid of unnecessary "freeloaders". When the lower leaves turn yellow, they are removed.

Harvest Rules

Early varieties of cucumbers (and others are not grown on the windowsill in winter) begin to bear fruit 40 days after germination. At this time, the plants have not yet grown stronger. Therefore, the first set fruits are plucked at the stage of ovaries.

The first greens for culture are the most difficult. A plant that is not yet fully formed gives them all its strength, which inhibits its growth and further development. Having thus given the lashes to grow stronger, in the future they harvest a much larger crop than if the first-born were raised to a normal, full-fledged state.

Zelentsy is removed every 2-3 days. On the windowsill, you can view the borage every day and shoot full-fledged fruits. If the crop is not harvested in time, then the growth of further ovaries and the formation of new fruits is noticeably inhibited. One overgrown cucumber in winter stops the growth of the entire whip. If this is allowed, then in winter conditions on the windowsill the plant can generally complete its development.

In winter, cucumbers do not grow to the same state as in the greenhouse. Such a fruit in winter conditions, with a lack of all growth factors, is an overgrowth and inhibits further fruiting. This is especially true in the cultivation of cucumbers in December-January. Zelentsy are smaller in winter than in summer.

Diseases and pests of cucumbers in the apartment

Pests

When growing cucumbers at home in winter, they are not threatened by any insects, most of which have a dormant period at this time. But in room conditions in the spring and late autumn, fungal mosquitoes are active. They are omnivorous and will not leave cucumbers unattended either.

Mushroom mosquito and these are the same indoor midges that are so annoying in autumn and spring, when stocks of vegetables appear in the house. The midges themselves, apart from aesthetic discomfort, are not harmful. Plants are affected by their larvae that live in damp earth. They eat out the roots. Even minor damage is dangerous for cucumbers. They mainly attack plants in October and from mid-March.

Midges and their larvae do not tolerate dry air and insufficiently moist soil. But when growing cucumbers on the windowsill, you can neither reduce the intensity of irrigation, nor reduce the humidity of the air. Therefore, the only way out is to water the plants with insecticides: Mukhoed, Zemlin, Aktara, Bazudin.

Diseases

There are also few diseases in cucumbers on the windowsill. In rooms, with all diligence, the air is quite dry, so pathogens practically do not develop. The only thing that can seriously threaten cucumbers during winter cultivation is the black leg. It can appear at any stage of development, but most often affects seedlings and young plants with 1-2 true leaves.

If the stem has thinned near the ground, and a constriction has formed, the plant is removed, the rest are watered with a solution of potassium permanganate.

Mistakes when growing cucumbers in winter

All of them are associated with the inability to create favorable conditions for plants on the windowsill.

1. The seeds don't germinate. If they are fresh, then there are no shoots due to unheated ground. Cucumbers need a soil temperature of at least 18°C ​​to germinate. It is necessary to warm the earth, and re-sow.
2. Shoots are pulled out. Insufficient lighting. To gain green mass in winter, the culture must be illuminated. Although it grows well in the shade, light is necessary for normal development.
3. Cucumbers do not bloom for a long time. Excessive lighting. 35-40 days after germination, the plants light only 12 hours a day. Then they will move on to flowering and fruiting.
4. Plants shed their ovaries. Lack of nitrogen. Organic feeding should be done.
5. The culture is powerful, actively growing, but blooming poorly and forms few greens. Excess nitrogen. It is necessary to reduce the nitrogen component and increase the dose of potassium in top dressing.
6. Leaves dry. Too dry air. Humidity needs to be increased. Cucumbers are sprayed regularly.
7. Only the lower leaves dry, otherwise the cucumbers are healthy and bear fruit well. Normal occurrence. Culture pays all attention to Zelentsy. She does not have enough strength to feed the extra "freeloaders". Remove yellow and dry leaves.

In early varieties, fruiting ends 30-35 days after the appearance of the first cucumbers. Further feeding and other favorable conditions are not able to change the situation. Plants have given everything they could and their potential has been exhausted.

Conclusion

Growing cucumbers at home in winter is extremely troublesome.

1. First, it is very costly. The cost of growing a few dozen greens far exceeds the cost of buying finished products in a store.
2. Secondly, the process is very labor intensive. Cucumbers on the windowsill constantly need to be given a sufficient amount of time and effort. If this is not possible, then there is no harvest.
3. Thirdly, the taste of greens is not up to par. To taste, they resemble cucumbers grown in greenhouses, that is, the cucumber smell and taste are practically absent.

If you have the opportunity and desire to get fresh cucumbers for the holiday, you can try to grow them. They are easier to care for than tomatoes and peppers, but culture takes much more time.

You may be interested in:

1. cultivation early cucumbers in a greenhouse
2. Formation of cucumbers
3. How to cure cucumbers from diseases
4. Pest control
5. All articles about growing cucumbers

Fresh cucumbers, crispy, fragrant, for the New Year's table, by March 8 or May 1 - the dream of every housewife. It would seem that this is surprising. Went to the store and bought. But how can a cucumber from a store compare with a homemade cucumber grown with your own hands. Naturally, the crop harvested in the fall from the beds in the country cannot be kept fresh even until the New Year holidays.

Housewives began to grow cucumbers in apartments on window sills, heated loggias and balconies. And not just cucumbers. Fresh herbs, tomatoes, peppers delight the harvest all year round.

Planting greens, vegetables on the loggia, balcony began not only those who do not have a country house or summer cottage. Housewives who love to pamper their loved ones fresh vegetables, greenery throughout the year, surprising acquaintances and friends with crops grown by one's own hands. And in such an unusual way.

Even an inexperienced gardener can cultivate cucumbers on a loggia or in an apartment on a windowsill. Breeders have developed specialized varieties of cucumbers for growing on the windowsill and balcony.

You need to start with the selection of varieties. On the package with seeds in the description, the manufacturer indicates that this type of seed is intended for sowing and growing on the loggia and in the apartment on the window.

Criteria to consider when choosing varieties of cucumbers for a balcony and window sill:

• Cucumber seeds must be self-pollinating. Bees rarely fly into the loggia or balcony, and even more so into the apartment. Bouquet-setting plants, female flowering type. Therefore, in order not to pollinate the plants manually (it is possible, but takes a lot of time), self-pollinated varieties of cucumbers are suitable for the balcony.
• Increased shade tolerance. When you grow vegetables in the garden, they receive light all day. Growing on a balcony or windowsill, plants are illuminated only in the first or second half of the day. It depends on which side the window or balcony faces. Therefore, balcony varieties of cucumbers are resistant to lack of light.
• Plants should have small leaves so as not to obscure themselves,

short internodes.

• Cucumber varieties for the balcony are bushy, they have short side shoots.

When buying seeds, consider these parameters.

Before purchasing seeds, carefully read the description of the variety. The manufacturer must indicate on the packaging the properties of future fruits, whether these varieties of cucumbers are suitable for a balcony and a window sill.

Varieties of balcony cucumbers

Zelentsy, grown unusual method, are not inferior in taste to cucumbers from the garden.

Consider which varieties of cucumbers are best planted on the balcony.

Variety "Balcony miracle"

Photo: Variety balcony miracle

One of the species bred by breeders to grow in a room on a windowsill or on a balcony. A plant with a dense, compressed root system that does not require much land. The variety is high-yielding, the fruits are distinguished by special taste qualities. The pulp of greenery is juicy, sweetish, without the presence of bitterness.

Cucumber calmly tolerates penumbra, does not require additional lighting. Flowers are self-pollinating, female type of flowering, high yields guaranteed. Cucumbers do not need to be looked after in a special way, they are unpretentious, viable, and not susceptible to disease.

The lashes of the plant are not very long, no more than 2 meters. The internodes are shortened, but there are many of them. Each develops 3-5 ovaries.

Gherkins are neat, up to 10 cm long, weighing up to 110 grams. The shape of the greens is a cylinder. There are small bumps on the skin. Cucumbers are very tasty fresh. They are salted and marinated. Even from jars, cucumbers remain appetizing and fragrant.

Cucumbers "Balcony Miracle" are suitable not only for balconies and window sills. They are grown in beds in the open field and in greenhouses. The harvest may exceed the number of cucumbers grown on the balcony.

Variety "City Cucumber"

Photo: City Cucumber

A hybrid that is cultivated on a loggia or in an apartment.

Peculiarities:

• bunch gherkin;
• internodes not long;
• small sheets;
• increased shade tolerance;
• begins to bear fruit at 39-41 days;
• develops 4-10 ovaries;
• fruits 10-13 cm long, weighing 70-95 grams.

Cucumber is very tasty fresh. Zelentsy are well suited for canning. Vegetables can be grown on an open bed and under a film shelter. Hardy and hardy.

Variety "Machaon"

Photo: grade "Makhaon"

A distinctive feature of the variety is that the fruits ripen early. Hybrid with flowers of the female type of flowering, beam, gherkin, parthenocarpic. It has short internodes. Shoots on the sides are dense, but short. From 2 to 11 pieces of future fruits are tied in knots.

Spindle-shaped greens. Their length is up to 12 cm, weight - 60 -110 grams.

The taste of cucumbers is excellent. They are juicy, odorous, liquid. Taste qualities are preserved during salting and pickling.

The variety is unpretentious, resilient to cucumber diseases.

Cucumbers are great for cultivation on balconies and window sills. They can be grown in open beds and under a film.

Cucumber April

Cucumber "April"

Self-pollinating female hybrid suitable for window sills and balconies. The fruits begin to ripen 40-45 days after planting the seeds. Features of this variety.

1. The plant is low, bushy, not higher than 30 cm.
2. Vegetables are cylindrical. On the skin - large tubercles and spikes of white color.
3. The mass of the fetus does not exceed 220-250 grams.
4. The pulp of Zelentsov is bulk, appetizing, without bitterness.
5. If the fruits are not harvested in time, they will turn yellow and overgrow.
6. The variety is disease resistant.
7. With good regular care behind the plant, the yield increases to 15 kg per 1 square meter.

When cultivated in the garden, the yield increases by 35-45%.

Photo: cucumbers "Balagan"

The variety has all the characteristics characteristic of growing on a balcony or windowsill.

1. The plant is shade tolerant, drought tolerant, with a strong but compact root system.
2. The leaves are medium-sized, do not close themselves, for a confined space.
3. Internodes short, with 3 to 9 ovaries.
4. The fruits are small, do not outgrow for a long time.
5. The variety is early. Ripening of Zelentsov begins at 41-43 days.
6. Gives good yields. Viable to cucumber diseases.

It grows at home and in garden beds.

Debut

Variety Debut

The hybrid is self-pollinating, early maturing, giving high yields, with flowers of the female type of flowering. Used fresh. The shape of the greens is similar to a cylinder. On the surface of the peel - tubercles. Fruits 12-14 cm long, weighing up to 100 grams. For their excellent taste, gardeners fell in love with cucumbers. Not suitable for canning.

The plant is low with a beam ovary. Shoots on the sides grow quickly, but not long. The variety is distinguished by viability to diseases, does not require special additional care.

It retains all properties when grown in beds and in a greenhouse.

Zozulya

Variety "Zozulya" for the balcony

Cucumber has long been known and very popular among summer residents and amateur gardeners. The plant is small, not spreading. The bush is viable, immune to diseases.

The fruits are cylindrical in shape, on the peel - tubercles and not too noticeable spikes. Cucumbers are long 20-22 cm, weight - 220 grams.

The vegetable is famous for its taste. The pulp is juicy, fragrant, sweetish. There is no bitterness.

Cucumber gives a decent harvest when planted under a film. In an open garden, the harvest is weaker than in a greenhouse.

Elegant

Variety "Elegant"

An exceptional variety of greens, pollinated by bees. It is cultivated on a balcony or windowsill. Breeders have bred many forms of hybrids of this type, which makes it possible to achieve a rich harvest even without bees.

Zelentsy have the shape of an ellipse, dark green, with tubercles on the peel. Cucumbers taste great fresh. Good for pickling and pickling.

Resistant to cucumber diseases, easily tolerates temperature fluctuations. It can pollinate other plants nearby.

hummingbird

Cucumbers "Hummingbird"

Self-pollinating gherkin hybrid. Side shoots are small.

1. The plant begins to bear fruit 38-42 days after planting the seeds.
2. The internodes are shortened, 3-10 ovaries are formed in each.
3. Shade tolerant variety. Disease resistant.
4. The leaves of the plant are small.
5. The fruits resemble a cylinder. On the peel are small tubercles and white spikes.
6. Vegetables don't overgrow.

Cucumber is perfect for growing on a loggia or windowsill.

Early hybrid. The variety gives large yields, the fruits ripen early. Vegetables appear as early as 36-37 days after planting. Plants are self-pollinating. The variety is resilient to diseases, calmly tolerates temperature extremes.

Dark green fruits with large tubercles on the peel. The skin is thick but chews easily. Zelentsy are juicy, fragrant, crispy, sweetish in taste. No bitterness

Garland

grade "Garland"

Hybrid. Amazing variety. At the time of ripening, there are so many greens that the plant resembles a Christmas tree with garlands. The variety strikes with rich harvests.

The bush is shade-tolerant. The flowers are female, self-pollinating. The fruits are medium-sized from 13-17 cm, weighing up to 125 grams.

The taste of cucumbers is excellent. Vegetables are suitable for fresh consumption. Salted and pickled cucumbers are also good.

There are a lot of cucumber varieties bred by breeders for balconies and apartments.

Note! Seeds of green hybrids do not germinate. Planting material will have to be purchased at the store annually.

To make your balcony or window sill look real green garden, and besides, a source of vitamins all year round, it is necessary to properly care for plantings.

Cucumbers, like other plants, love the sun, therefore, windows or a balcony facing north will not work. The south or southeast side of the glazed loggia or balcony is desirable.

1. Start growing with careful seed selection.
2. Create conditions for favorable plant growth.
3. Add additional lighting to lengthen daylight hours, especially in winter.
4. In addition, insulate the balcony or loggia so that the plants do not freeze.
5. Put heaters to save comfortable temperature. Especially in winter and at night.
6. Prevent drafts.
7. If the plant is grown on a windowsill, additional watering is required during the heating season.

Many people think that growing cucumbers in an apartment or on a balcony in winter is something outlandish, exotic. But the methods of planting seeds are no different from cultivating in the garden. The difference is in the conditions.

In order for the harvest of cucumbers on the balcony or windowsill to please, follow the sequence of breeding the crop.

1. Prepare the ground. Soil saturated with minerals will ensure the rapid growth of seeds. Prepare the land yourself or buy it in a store.
2. Plant the seeds.
3. Create a favorable environment for plant growth.
4. Transplant the seedlings into a larger container on time.
5. Feed your plants.

For plants, purchase special containers with a double bottom or with a pallet where it will drain excess moisture.

Plastic five-liter bottles are well suited. Make holes in them for water to drain.

Don't forget to feed your plants. This is done 2 times before transplantation:

• 2 weeks after seed germination;
• one week after the first feeding.

Caring for cucumbers after transplanting cucumbers into large containers.

1. Pinch off the side shoots to form a cucumber branch.
2. Remove regrown mustaches at least 1 time in 2 weeks.
3. Tie branches so that they do not break and do not fray in the wind.

By following the rules for growing plants, fresh cucumbers will be on your table throughout the year. Which variety you prefer to plant is up to you.

To get a crop of cucumbers on the windowsill or on the balcony, you will have to spend a lot of effort. But fresh cucumbers, crispy, fragrant, grown with their own hands in winter, are a great pleasure.

Grow cucumbers, herbs and other vegetables. Let this activity be a wonderful pastime, and the harvest be a reward for your efforts.

With the onset of winter colds, you want not only warmth and sun, but also summer, fragrant vegetables and fruits. You can go to the store and buy them there. But everyone knows that the taste of the same cucumbers is completely different, and the benefits of such vegetables are not worth talking about.

But there is one way out of this situation. You can try to grow cucumbers on the windowsill in winter at home. This process is easy and fun.

Features when growing

Anyone can plant and grow cucumbers at home. All you need is a desire, no special training is required. But you need to take into account some points:

If you follow these simple rules, then you can get an excellent harvest of your winter cucumbers.

Suitable varieties

Many gardeners are thinking about what kind of cucumbers can be grown on the windowsill in winter at home. There are many such varieties:

Here are some cucumbers you can grow on the windowsill in winter. There are other good varieties of cucumbers. But when choosing, you need to pay attention to the fact that this type of seed is self-pollinating.

Selection of soil and capacity

Cucumbers at home are best grown in large boxes or pots. In any container, it is necessary to make holes through which excess water will exit during irrigation. And at the bottom of the tank you need to pour drainage of about 3 centimeters.

How to plant and grow cucumbers at home. How to sow, care, choose the soil. How to choose a variety. Private practical experience (10+)

How to grow cucumbers in the winter on the windowsill?

The culture of growing cucumbers on the windowsill of the house has developed a long time ago. The care system has already been worked out, and suitable varieties and hybrids have been selected. For example, the famous variety of cucumbers ‘Room Rytova’. This variety was considered the only one of the cucumbers suitable for growing on the windowsill.

But, recently, the number of fans of growing cucumbers on the windowsill has increased, and a large number of different varieties and hybrids of cucumbers have also appeared. It is better to take parthenocarpic or self-pollinating varieties, as they do not require manual pollination. Preference should be given to shade-tolerant balcony cucumbers. If you have taken bee-pollinated varieties, then you need to pollinate them manually in the morning with a soft brush. With her help, we transfer pollen from a male flower (barren flower) to a female one (with an ovary). You can simply pick a male flower, remove all the petals from it and gently touch the stigma of the pistil. This must be done with the pollen of male flowers, taking it from different bushes.

Soil preparation

The soil for sowing must be prepared from equal parts of turf or garden soil, compost, wood ash, coarse sand and steamed sawdust. For disinfection, the resulting mixture is calcined, for example, in an oven, at a temperature of about 120 degrees for 10 minutes. Next, fertilizer is applied in the amount of two matchboxes per bucket of soil mixture. Fertilizers should be designed for cucumbers and cucurbits. For top dressing, you can take nitrophoska. We take containers of at least five liters with drainage holes and pour a homogeneous loose soil mixture there. You can take plastic buckets and make holes in them for water.

Sowing seeds

Before sowing seeds, it is necessary to moisten the ground a day. The time when it is necessary to sow seeds indoors depends on the specific weather in a particular area. To a greater extent from natural light and additional lighting. In the autumn-winter period, lighting is indispensable. For this we use special lamps for plants. You need to be careful, because drafts and whiteflies accidentally introduced with flowers are dangerous for cucumbers.

First, you must first pickle the seeds in a solution of potassium permanganate and leave in a warm environment for germination. Then we make holes 1.5 cm deep and lay the hatched seeds horizontally in them and fall asleep with moist soil. We cover the entire landing area with a film or glass, placing it in a room with a temperature of 22 - 24 °. And we are waiting for the emergence of shoots.

Emergence of seedlings

When shoots appear, remove the film or glass and rearrange landing capacity in a cool and brightest place with a temperature of 18 gr. C. For planting cucumbers, you need a bright and spacious place. For this, window sills, glazed loggias, verandas, etc. are suitable. To increase the light, put a mirror or attach mirror film from the side opposite the window. And to save root system from hypothermia, it is necessary to put under the landing container wooden board or a sheet of foam. Why are we doing all this? To grow a good fruiting plant.

When 4-5 leaves appear, pinch the top of the stem. This is necessary for the active growth of the lateral lashes. Pinch over the third or fifth sheet side lashes.

Care

In cultivation, a support up to about one meter high is needed to tie up the top of the main stem and hook the twine to a cornice or to a suitable object. When forming, you need to protect the leaves, because the harvest depends on them. The whiskers are removed so that the remaining 'stumps' do not rot. Cucumbers are watered every day or every other day with warm water, but not flooded. It is also necessary to humidify the air with a sprayer, or simply by placing a container of water.

You can stretch the film, adding a greenhouse effect. You can feed the cucumber with ready-made mixtures, as well as diluted fermented organics. For example, diluted water solution with fermented banana peels. You can also spray the crown weak solution salts of manganese, zinc and boron. When the cucumbers are already gone, they need to be collected daily so that they do not outgrow. The growth of the ovaries depends on this. If you take care of cucumbers as we have told, then one plant will give you from 10 to 30 fruits.

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Who said that winter is not the time for fresh homemade cucumbers? Just the right time for them self-cultivation in the room, on the windowsill. If you plant in early November, then for the New Year holidays you can already harvest the first crop. How to grow cucumbers indoors will be discussed in this article.

Selection of cucumber seeds

For the successful cultivation of these vegetables on the windowsill, you need to choose the right variety. Stores sell cucumber hybrids for indoor cultivation. There are also ordinary ground self-pollinating cucumbers that can be grown in the house. Among the varieties that are in demand among fans of indoor cucumbers, the following can be distinguished:

• Crunchy;
• Brownie Kuzya F1;
• Room;
• Miracle on the window;
• Our Masha F1;
• Ant F1.

Each variety has its own advantages. Most of them are early maturing varieties, the average period from seed germination to ripening of the first cucumbers is 45-55 days.

The choice of soil and containers for planting cucumbers

In order for the plants to feel good and not wilted, without starting to bear fruit, you need to choose a soil mixture. Ready-made substrate can be bought at the store. Suitable option there will be soil for gourd plants. If you wish, you can prepare it yourself by mixing the necessary components: humus, rotted sawdust, peat (2: 1: 2). Add 1 cup of ash to a bucket of mixture.

Seeds can be planted in small containers (plastic cups, yogurt boxes), and then transplanted, when the first two true leaves appear, into large pots or containers. And you can immediately - in large containers. For the constant growth of cucumbers, pots or other containers are needed, with a volume of at least 5 liters per plant. Drainage holes should be made at the bottom of the pot.

Sprouting seeds and transplanting seedlings

Before planting, it is advisable to germinate the seeds. If these are hybrids or treated seeds, they do not need to be pre-soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate or salt water.

There are several ways to germinate cucumber seeds:

• On cotton pads: moisten the pad warm water, spread the seeds and cover with another wet disk. Place in a warm place, leave for three to four days. Maintain wet condition. After the roots appear, you need to transplant the seeds into small pots for growing seedlings.

• In pots with soil: water the soil hot water. Arrange a few things in a pot.

  How to grow cucumbers on the windowsill in the apartment?

  Cover with foil and put in a warm place. After the roots appear, sprinkle with a thin layer of soil and put on permanent place growth.

When the second true leaves appear on the cucumbers, it's time to transplant the plant into big pot(if before that they grew in small containers). It is necessary to remove the plants very carefully and by the method of transshipment, transplant into a large flowerpot. Don't forget about the drainage layer.

Formation of the correct bush

When growing cucumbers on a windowsill, you need to know how to properly form the stem so that fruits can form. If you do not pinch the lateral stems, the plant will stretch, grow, and will not be able to produce fruits.

• The first pinching of the top is carried out after the appearance of 4-5 true leaves.
• After the formation of the next 5 leaves, you can pinch again.
• When the first ovary of the fetus appears, you need to pinch off the top of the 5th leaf.

Features of cucumber care

When growing cucumbers indoors, you need to remember:

• A suitable place for growing cucumbers would be a windowsill or a warm balcony, on the south side. Accommodation is allowed in the eastern and west side, but not in the north. Although with regular illumination, some vegetable growers manage to grow these plants on the northern balconies.
• In winter, on cloudy days, it is recommended to highlight cucumbers with fluorescent lamps, at least two hours a day.
• The optimum temperature for growing is +21°С-+23°С. If it is cold outside, and it is cool on the windowsill, then you need to put wooden coasters under the pot.
• When pulling the stems, they need to be tied up so that they do not fall.
• Water cucumbers regularly. Spray the entire plant once a week.
• Fertilize with mineral fertilizers once a week. Special mixes are sold.
• Rotate the pot once a day so that the plant receives light from all directions.
• Ripe cucumbers need to be plucked as they ripen. Don't let them age. Thus, more fruits can be tied on the plant, and the harvest will be good.
• Avoid drafts and cold - cucumbers do not like this.

If the first time does not work out, do not be upset and give up. It is necessary to analyze the mistakes, study the material again and, with new strength and knowledge, start growing cucumbers in the room. It's so nice to pick a cucumber, which is grown with your own hands, at the time of snow and frost.

If you choose the right varieties of cucumbers for growing on the windowsill in winter, then in every month of cold weather you can enjoy your own delicious harvest. Moreover, you will be completely confident in the naturalness of the product and the absence of any harmful pesticides.

Of course, to grow cucumbers in winter, you need to use only varieties that can self-pollinate. Then you do not have to do manual pollination, which is extremely difficult. Therefore, when choosing certain varieties, you need to pay attention to hybrids.

Important! Hybrids are designated by special accepted markings. In particular, first-generation hybrids are labeled F1. Do not confuse hybrids and genetically modified vegetables: they are completely different concepts.

Suitable varieties for growing on a windowsill:

• Masha F1 The variety ripens extremely quickly. Already from the moment of planting the seed, the first fruits appear after 45 days. Cucumbers of this variety are resistant to diseases. Differ in dark green color, there are large tubercles on the surface. On each brush, when grown on a windowsill, up to six fruits are formed with an average length of 10 centimeters.
• Miracle on window F1 Early ripe cucumbers that are suitable for the saucer. The fruits will be small, only up to 8 centimeters, but it has a great taste.

  Growing cucumbers on a windowsill in winter

  The fruiting period will come after 40 days from planting the seeds in the soil.

• Ant F1 Even with home cultivation from the bushes, you can get a good harvest. The length of each fruit will be around 10 cm, the surface is even, and the color is bright green (which is especially pleasing in winter). The ovaries tend to form in bunches, there are two ovaries in each node when grown at home, but on average their number can reach seven.
• Prestige F1 The peculiarity of the variety is that it bears fruit for a long period. Cucumbers will be dark green in color, about 12 cm long, which is quite a lot for home growing. Due to the long fruiting, it will be possible to provide the family with vitamins for almost the entire winter.

How to choose a place to grow

Of course, only choosing a good variety will not ensure a harvest. You need to choose the right place for growing. A glazed loggia is best suited: there will be an opportunity to grow up, there is where to tie the bushes. If there is no loggia, then the apartment is selected wide window sill from the south side.

Of course, in winter, cucumbers will need additional lighting. It is necessary to provide illumination in the morning from 6 am until dawn, as well as several hours in the evening after sunset.

Which soil to choose

Ready-made soil for home growing cucumbers on the windowsill today can be bought at any garden store.

The purchased soil mixture will have the desired composition, the necessary nutrients. Welcome in the composition of humus, wood ash.

But even the purchased soil additionally needs to be calcined in order to cleanse it of possible insect larvae and simply harmful bacteria. Before you fill the soil in containers for growing cucumbers, you will need to provide a drainage layer.

Proper seed preparation

Another important factor when growing cucumbers at home on the windowsill. Here, seed preparation will not differ from that done for seedlings that are planned to be planted in open ground. First you need to select large seeds and soak them in saline. If any seeds float, they can be safely thrown away.

Next, you will need to soak the seeds for 20 minutes in a solution of potassium permanganate. Then rinse under running water and spread on damp cloths. So leave for a few days, so that the first sprouts appear. After that, you can safely plant cucumbers in the ground, digging them two centimeters deep.

The container will need to be covered with a film: in order for the first shoots to appear, it is necessary to ensure maximum humidity conditions.

Put in a warm place at a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. When you see the first sunrises, this is a sign that you can shoot the film. Now the seedlings are transferred to their permanent place (loggias or window sills) and withstand lower temperatures from 20 degrees Celsius.

What is important for getting an excellent crop of cucumbers on the windowsill:

• Lots of light and free space;
• Props for growing bushes, which must be tied up;
• Reflected light will serve as good additional lighting: you need to put a mirror behind the seedlings or make a layer of foil;
• Protect seedlings, and especially roots, from hypothermia. For the container, you can make an additional stand;
• Carry out the formation constantly. Start when the first four leaves appear (pinching the top);
• Pin also lateral sprouts;
• Tie brushes to top dressing;
• Mustaches should be removed on time, otherwise their growth will take a lot nutrients from the earth;
• Provide humidity, you can spray the leaves every day;
• Be sure to provide nutrition. You can buy ready-made complex fertilizers;

To grow a good crop, you need not only to know the best varieties of cucumbers for growing on the windowsill, but also to properly care for them. Particular attention should be paid to a sufficient amount of light, heat. You should also provide the necessary humidity and constantly feed the seedlings.

Content

• What are the best cucumbers
• When to sow
• Preparing soil and containers
• Seed preparation
• Sowing
• We form cucumbers
• We choose a place, organize watering and top dressing
• Harvest

Cucumbers on the windowsill in winter - real opportunity get delicious harvest crispy vegetables at home. Many people like to treat themselves to fresh vegetables even in winter, so this knowledge will be useful for beginner gardeners and salad lovers.

Cucumbers can be grown on the windowsill even in winter

What are the best cucumbers

To begin with, it is worth choosing the best varieties that can be successfully grown on the windowsill. If your balcony is insulated, any varieties of this plant grow just perfectly and give an excellent harvest.

In general, they prefer to use varieties of hybrid origin. The fruits will be tied without special pollination, so it is better to plant these varieties at home.

Varieties worth planting on your windowsill:

• Shchedryk - ripens quickly and approximately 45 days pass before the harvest. Cucumbers grow in a whole bunch of 5-7 pieces. Vegetables are small and perfect for salads.
• Khutorok - ripens very quickly, namely within 30 days. Cucumbers are about 10 cm long, have black spikes. At home, you can easily pollinate these plants. You can transfer pollen from the male to the female inflorescence with a brush.
• Khrustik is an ordinary cucumber that is able to produce a crop within 50 days after germination. The hybrid can self-pollinate and produces a large amount of yield. If you organize the right care, then you can collect more than 40 fruits from this variety. The vine grows actively and abundantly.

These varieties can also easily be grown in a greenhouse or open field. You can pick up other varieties of cucumbers - it all depends on individual preferences.

Cucumbers Shchedryk - high-yielding early variety

When to sow

Growing cucumbers on the windowsill in winter has the main aspect - the correct observance of the timing of sowing seeds. You can start planting seeds any day - focus on ripening dates to get crispy homemade cucumbers on time.

Preparing soil and containers

Cucumber prefers good and loose soil. For home cultivation, you will need a large amount of high-quality soil. For proper development vegetables require nutrition. The soil is also prepared independently: garden soil is mixed with sand, humus, ash, and sawdust. Warm up such a soil in the oven to rid it of all kinds of bacteria and other harmful particles.

For seedlings, boxes are purchased in which no more than 6 bushes of cucumbers are placed so that they grow properly and give a bountiful harvest. The dishes have drainage and holes in without fail. This will ensure that excess moisture drains off. The earth is filled up even before planting, so that it settles a little and is saturated with water.

Seedlings can be planted in pots or boxes

Seed preparation

Dry cucumber seed germinates in a few days. You can germinate the seeds ahead of time to make sure you get a good one. winter harvest cucumbers. You can also plant those seeds. Which were in advance in a solution of potassium permanganate.

Fragrant homemade cucumbers grown on the windowsill or on the balcony

This will help grow cucumbers without unnecessary pests and diseases.

Sowing

You can use small and special cups, or you can do immediate landing seeds directly into the box. The germinated or dry seed is placed in the soil about 1.5 cm deep. The soil must be moist for the sprouts to grow actively. Before direct germination from the ground, you need to close your containers with glass or film.

If you prefer to sow in a small container, then treat the transplant carefully so as not to harm the leaves. Water the containers just before transplanting, so that the earth around the root system crumbles and the roots are not damaged in any way. In this case, the plant is able to easily endure such stress. Further, bushes and lashes are already being formed so that a sufficient number of cucumbers are formed on them.

Cucumbers do not like transplanting, so you need to get them out of the pots very carefully.

We form cucumbers

To grow delicious cucumbers, you need to know one more nuance. After the appearance of 4-5 sheets, it is necessary to pinch the point of direct growth at the seedling. So the side lashes will actively develop. We must ensure good growth shoots, on which the most vegetables are formed.

Organize a reliable garter so that vegetables receive maximum amount sun rays. Handle the leaves carefully so as not to harm them. Extra antennae can be cut off, but so as not to hook on the main whips.

We choose a place, organize watering and top dressing

Without these aspects, you will not be able to get a harvest. Therefore, it is recommended to use organic fertilizers. In winter, you can organize watering based on fermented banana skins. It is necessary to dilute such an infusion large quantity water.

Picking cucumbers should be done daily

Choose a bright place for growing. The best option- the southern window sill, where sunlight will constantly fall on the plant.

Always remember that cucumber is a thermophilic vegetable. Try to create a certain microclimate around the seedlings and the right humidity.

Harvest

And some information about the most pleasant moment - harvesting. It is worth doing this every day so that the plants easily grow new vegetables and do not waste their energy on already ripe ones.

In addition to greenhouses and open ground, cucumbers can also bring good yields on the windowsills of ordinary city apartments. How to grow cucumbers at home? There is a fairly well-established technology for growing cucumbers on the windowsill, and this can be done even in winter. The main subtleties of obtaining decent yields on the windowsill from the varieties used to the care system in our material.

Varieties for growing at home

To get early cucumbers at home, you need to have the appropriate varieties and hybrids. For many, the only variety for growing a house on a windowsill is still considered "Room Rytov". But, breeders do not sit idly by, and recently many varieties of fast-growing cucumbers for the home have appeared.

First of all, you need to consider whether cucumbers can grow at home without pollination. No, they certainly can grow, but they are unlikely to form full-fledged fruits. Therefore, first of all, for home cultivation, you need to choose parthenocarpic varieties:

• Legend;
• April;
• Stella;
• Klinsky;
• Tournament;
• Lada;
• Prestige;
• Balalaika;
• Masha;
• Peanut;
• Ant;
• Claudia;
• Wren;
• Moscow greenhouse;
• Manul.

If you have information about varieties for growing at home on the windowsill, share your experience in the comments. Many home growers will thank you.

All of the cucumber hybrids listed above are parthenocarpic, that is, the participation of insects in the pollination process is not required. You need to carefully approach the choice of varieties for growing on the windowsill, stopping at shade-tolerant ones.

Before you grow early cucumbers at home, you need to look at balcony hybrids, which also performed well when grown on a windowsill. It is convenient to grow such balcony-type cucumbers in plastic bottles suspended on a balcony or loggia. These hybrids include:

• Balcony;
• Swallowtail;
• Balagan;
• Hummingbird;
• City cucumber;
• Calendar.

If your attention is nevertheless attracted by bee-pollinated varieties, then you will have to pollinate the flowers by hand, preferably in the morning. Such a measure will allow you to grow cucumbers at home quickly. To do this, you need to prepare cotton wool or a cotton swab and carefully transfer the pollen from the male flower, which is also called an empty flower, to the female one, which will subsequently form the ovary.

Another way is to pick a male flower and directly pollinate the female flower with it. To be guaranteed to grow cucumbers at home in a pot, it is advisable to pollinate female flowers pollen of different varieties.

How to grow cucumbers on the windowsill

Cucumbers love freedom very much, so you need to choose a larger pot for growing.

Growing cucumbers in the winter on the windowsill at home

The capacity of dishes per plant should be at least 5 liters. Thinking about how to grow cucumbers at home, you can consider flower pots and small boxes. Recently, growing cucumbers at home in plastic bottles has been considered relevant, after cutting off the neck. In terms of capacity, each five-liter bottle is just right for one plant.

Some enthusiasts grow cucumbers at home in plastic bags. Regardless of which container you choose, you need to ensure good drainage by making several holes in the bottom.

Soil for growing

For homemade cucumbers, you can use purchased soil mixture or do it yourself. To grow cucumbers at home in a pot, you can make a mixture based on the following proportions:

• 1 part of turf or garden land;
• 1 part compost;
• 1/5 of coarse sand;
• 1/5 of sawdust;
• 1/5 of wood ash.

Before sowing seeds in the soil, it must be disinfected by calcination or hot water. Approximately 2 matchbox mineral fertilizers for pumpkin crops or especially for cucumbers. A good substitute for this is nitrophoska.

The resulting soil mixture for growing cucumbers at home is laid out in five-liter plastic bottles or other containers and watered abundantly the day before sowing the seeds.

Sowing seeds

Before you grow gherkin cucumbers at home, you need to decide on the timing of sowing seeds at room conditions. Although there are no strictly defined deadlines. It is necessary to adapt to weather conditions and take into account the characteristics of the variety or hybrid.

To grow cucumbers in a greenhouse at home from November to February, you need to use additional lighting in any case. To do this, you will have to purchase special lamps for highlighting plants.

Sowing seeds is carried out in small cups or directly in pots. First you need to prepare the seeds for planting by soaking for several hours in a solution of potassium permanganate, and germinating on wet gauze.

Sprouted seeds are placed in pots to a depth of about 1.5 cm and sprinkled with a moist substrate. The pots are covered with a film, simulating a greenhouse at home, in order to achieve the optimum temperature for germination of + 22 + 24C. After the emergence of seedlings, the planting container is moved to a cool place with a temperature of + 18 ° C, providing additional good lighting.

How to grow cucumbers at home in spring

The place for growing cucumbers on the windowsill should be well lit and spacious. To increase the illumination, you can fix reflective foil or a mirror next to the plant. To prevent hypothermia, a sheet of foam plastic or any other heat-insulating material is placed on the windowsill, under the pot with the plant.

As in the case of a greenhouse cucumber, when growing a house on a windowsill, care must be taken to properly form the stem of the plant. To do this, pinching the top is done upon reaching the phase of 4-5 leaves. This procedure stimulates the active growth of lateral lashes, which should also be pinched over 3-5 leaves.

When growing cucumbers at home, you will need support at a level of about a meter above the pot. It will be used to tie the main stem, and it can be made from ordinary wire. The vines formed as a result of pinching must also be pinched over the 11-12th leaf.

When pinching, you need to be careful about the leaves. The more of them, the more harvest. The mustache is removed.

Watering cucumbers at home should be daily, avoiding waterlogging. In addition, you need to increase the humidity of the air. To do this, plants are sprayed from a spray bottle or placed next to a container of water.

Top dressing of cucumbers at home is produced with ready-made mixtures for pumpkin crops. Some feed plants with solutions of organic fertilizers. An example of such a fertilizer would be a solution of fermented banana peels. Good results are obtained by spraying the stems and leaves with solutions of trace elements.

Fruiting

As the cucumbers at home begin to bear fruit, you need to monitor the timely and daily collection of greens. Overgrowth must not be allowed. This procedure stimulates even greater fruiting of cucumbers on the windowsill. Proper care will allow you to remove 10-30 greens from each plant daily. In addition, the appearance of the window sill, entangled in green vines, arouses admiration and interest, especially in winter.

Greetings to all readers!

I will be happy to tell you about growing cucumbers on the windowsill. Recently I planted several tomatoes on the window, which I talked about in the article "". I also wanted to please myself with cucumbers in the winter. I'm telling you

How to grow cucumbers at home in winter

Cucumbers have been grown at home and on balconies for a long time and with success. And if you have a heated loggia or a glazed balcony, then cucumbers and much more will grow well. Many varieties are specially adapted for home fruiting. Basically, these are hybrids that do not need pollination by bees. Parthenocarpic hybrid - this terrible word that you can break your tongue about is called female-type flowering cucumbers that set fruits without pollination.

Varieties

1. Hybrid Shchedryk- early ripening (45 days before fruit). Cucumbers grow in a bunch of 5-8 pieces. Dark green greens up to 12 cm long. On the windowsill, you can collect up to 20 cucumbers from it.
2. Khutorok- super fast (first cucumbers in 30 days!) Bee-pollinated hybrid with mostly female flowers. Green small cucumbers 10 cm with black spikes. At home, it can be pollinated by hand. We tear off the male flower (barren flower) and gently touch the stamens on the female flowers (with ovaries) with the pistil. You can transfer pollen with a soft brush.
3. crunchy- just fast (fruits 50 days after germination). Self pollinating hybrid. Cucumbers grow in a bouquet of up to 7 pieces. Highly productive variety. With good care at home, you can collect up to 40 fruits from a plant. Vigorous, it can be let in a vine along the window!

All these varieties can then be sown both in open ground and in a greenhouse. There are many more suitable varieties cucumbers. It is better for the window sill to choose parthenocarpic self-pollinated F1 hybrids.

Approximately 45-50 days pass from germination to the beginning of fruiting, the period of fruiting of one plant is about a month and a half. This means that one-time sowing of cucumbers is not enough. If you want to have fresh fruits for 4–5 months, then you will have to deal with seedlings of plants at least four times. The gap between crops is a month and a half. As soon as the first wave ceases to bear fruit, the fruiting of the “second stage” begins, and so on. You can sow cucumbers every 2-3 weeks.

The temperature in the room during the day should be within + 21–24 ° С, at night + 18–19 ° С. In most apartments, this is the temperature maintained in the winter. If not, you need to heat the plants a little with any devices, including incandescent lamps. They will both illuminate and warm at the same time.

As for energy losses, there are no problems here. It will always take less energy to heat a window sill with cucumbers than for the entire room. Of course, it is desirable to place plants on the south side.

Daylight hours for cucumbers should last at least 14–15 hours; in winter, artificial lighting is indispensable.

We choose a bright place for cucumbers. The southern window sill is the most suitable. You can increase the lighting of the plant by installing mirrors, foil, reflective materials on the windowsill.

Cucumbers love loose fertile land. For domestic plants, you need at least 5 liters of soil per plant, no less. So that they develop well, and the roots have enough nutrition. The composition of the soil can be made independently by mixing in equal parts:

• Ogorodnaya
• Or forest land
• Humus
• Sand
• Rotten sawdust (black)

The mixture must be heated in the oven for disinfection. Because young shoots love different midges-flies that are present in the ground. And houses always thaw, even if the ground is brought in from frost.

If it’s easier for you to buy ready-made soil in the store, then take a universal one or for pumpkin plants. Cucumbers can be grown in boxes or individual pots. In the box, you can plant plants a little more often and then put them on the southern windowsill. In a month or two you will have an openwork green curtain on the window.

In a seedling box 60-70 cm long, 5-6 bushes can be planted. The dishes must have holes and drainage. To allow excess moisture to drain freely. We pour the earth in a container in advance, let it settle and water it abundantly a day before sowing the seeds.

Seed preparation

One way to organize a vertical garter

Dry seeds of cucumbers germinate in 2-3 days, but since in winter at home we will not be able to plant a lot of surpluses, we can germinate the seeds and sow them into the ground already in a row. For disinfection, you can hold a little in pink potassium permanganate.

You can use small cups or sow directly into the box. Germinated or dry seeds are placed in a 1.5 cm depression in moist soil and covered with moist soil. Before germination, we close the containers with film or glass and put them in a warm place + 25ºС, at least. Here the shoots appeared, then we remove the film and rearrange it on a bright window sill cooler, about 20 ° C.

If you sowed the seeds in small containers, then transplant them carefully, the leaves of cucumbers are fragile. Pour the container well before transplanting, crush from all sides and the young cucumber will calmly fall out with the ground and intact roots. He will endure such a transshipment calmly. Next, you need to form plants to get a crop on the windowsill.

The formation of "home" cucumbers

Pinching the top of a cucumber

After the fourth or fifth leaf, we pinch the growth point of our seedlings. Let the side lashes grow on which there are always more greens. Leave 2-3 lashes, which are pinched over the 10th sheet. They will begin to grow their lashes from the axils of the leaves. Form the plant further without overloading. After all, we don't have enough land.

You need to organize a garter for cucumber lashes so that they get more sunlight. With all these operations, do not damage the leaves, they must be protected. The leaves are essential for the plant to eat properly. Excess tendrils can be carefully trimmed.

Watering

Soil moisture has a significant impact not only on yield, but also on plant health. Not enough moisture - there are few cucumbers and their appearance leaves much to be desired. A lot of moisture, and even at insufficient temperatures, will certainly lead to decay of the horse system and the death of cucumbers. Water the plant should be timely, but without excessive fanaticism.

It should also be borne in mind that on the windowsills the earth quickly loses moisture, this is unacceptable for cucumbers. Experienced growers strongly recommend spraying the leaves daily with clean, warm water. And so that the roots do not rot, all containers must have an effective drainage system.

When the vegetation speed slows down a little, the watering intensity should be reduced. During this period, you need to use the rule: it is better to underfill than overfill. Of course, underfilling should not cause the death of the plant.

With the advent of flowers, watering increases slightly, and the appearance of the ovary becomes a signal for a sharp increase in the amount of moisture. Fruits significantly increase water consumption, its lack has a negative impact on their development, appearance and quantity.

In extreme cases, the ovary can crumble; experienced gardeners never bring cucumbers to such a sad state.

Under the box, it is advisable to put foam or a plank so that the roots do not freeze. Remember that cucumbers are very thermophilic plants. Also, in all possible ways, you need to increase the humidity of the air near the cucumbers. Place a container of water next to it, spray or even cover with a film to create high humidity!

It is clear that without them a home harvest in the winter will not work. Use organic fertilizer. In winter, you can water the fermented infusion of banana peels. It is diluted ten times with water. You need to water often with warm water, but you can not fill it.

2 weeks after seed germination, the cucumber must be fertilized. To do this, you can use a mixture ammonium nitrate, sodium sulfate and double superphosphate. You can also apply ready mixes for feeding cucumbers or organic matter. 2 weeks after the first top dressing and at the entire stage of fruiting cucumbers, top dressing should be repeated.

Harvesting

And a little about the most pleasant moment - harvesting. You need to do this every day, let the plant grow new cucumbers and not waste energy on ripe ones. Weight positive emotions waiting for everyone who decides to grow cucumbers on the windowsill in winter!

Diseases and pests. Growing problems

Growing cucumbers at home is not a guarantee that the plant will not be attacked by various pests, and not following the rules of keeping can lead to disease.

With the stagnation of moisture in the soil, rotting of the root system can occur and, as a result, the death of the entire plant.

Falling under sudden changes in temperature or in a draft, the plant may begin to wither and drop leaves, the formation and development of ovaries will be slowed down, and over time the vine may die.

Leaves can be attacked by aphids, whiteflies or spider mites. At home, the use of insecticides is dangerous for the health of households. It is better to use folk remedies for the destruction of pests.

• Aphids and whiteflies die when plants are treated with a strong infusion of tobacco.
• To fight spider mite apply tincture of garlic with the addition of antibacterial soap.

Why do cucumber leaves turn yellow on the windowsill?

Why do indoor cucumbers turn yellow, leaves dry?

In most cases, this is the occurrence of diseases or improper care.