What varieties of cucumbers can be grown on a windowsill in winter?

We are accustomed to the fact that fresh cucumbers "straight from the garden" can be enjoyed only in summer, and in winter we can only be content with cucumbers bought in stores. But after all, purchased vegetables are not nearly as tasty as home-grown vegetables. But resourceful gardeners have found a way, even in the cold season, to delight their households with fresh crispy cucumbers "right 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 wonder - more and more summer residents do not want to part with the 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 of sunlight in the apartment.

Why cucumbers?

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

But not every variety of cucumbers will have to live in an apartment to taste: 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 live in an apartment to taste.

First, let's find out what varieties are:

varieties that are not suitable for making homemade preparations, but taste great when used raw. They make delicious and aromatic salads. They store very well, therefore they are often used for sale. Cucumber spines are white.

Attention: if the thorns on the body of a 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. Produce fruit without seeds
Self-pollinating	Varieties that have both pistils and stamens in one 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	"Babies" of the first generation, obtained from crossing two different varieties. They are popular among gardeners because they have a bountiful harvest, good fruit taste, and tolerate fluctuations in growing conditions well.
Salad
Salting	Varieties, the best use for 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. The thorns on the body of the fetus are black
Universal	Such cucumbers are suitable for everything: they can be salted, and pickled, and eaten raw. Their thorns are black

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

Zelenets is the name of the fruit of a cucumber.

Cucumber Zelenets F1

Choosing 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 take up as little space as possible so as not to interfere - that is, choose bush varieties, and not those that grow into a giant liana.
2. Choose a variety with good yields so that it will bring more benefits (more precisely, fruits) to the gardener.
3. Choose varieties that are unpretentious to growing conditions: in winter, due to central heating, it can be very dry in apartments, and cucumbers love humidity. In addition, in the winter season, plants may experience a lack of light.
4. Stop your choice on hybrids - such varieties bear fruit well and are tolerant of negative environmental influences.

The variety must be self-pollinated

The variety should be self-pollinated or parthenocarpic - won't you breed bees in winter so that they pollinate your plants?

Recommended varieties of cucumbers for growing on a windowsill

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

Window-balcony F1		The name of the hybrid has already said everything about this variety - it was created specifically to settle in your window. The flowers are predominantly female. You can enjoy the first cucumbers already 55 days after the seedlings have sprung up. 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. Delicious 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 the name that the great empress once bore. Medium early variety (ripening period about 50 days), bearing fruit for a long time. The bushes are medium in size, give 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 susceptible to diseases, frost-resistant, shade-tolerant hybrid variety. It is used for home canning, but it shows its best taste when consumed fresh.
Gift of the East F1		A mid-season hybrid that does not require pollination. Weak plant of medium size, bears fruit abundantly and for a long time, not susceptible to diseases. Produces fragrant, sturdy fruits of a modest size (up to 10 cm long) with a light downy. The yield is average - from 1 square meter you can collect up to 9 kg of cucumbers, which are well canned and no less wonderful in taste when eaten raw
Faust F1		Pollination-free, early maturing hybrid variety with female flowers. Fruits are medium in size, smooth in the form of a cylinder up to 18 cm long with a bright taste, do not bitter.Used for salads
Zozulya F1		A well-known old medium-branching hybrid variety for salad purposes. The yield is good. Begins to bear fruit early - already 45 days after the emergence of sprouts. Fruits are decorated with white thorns, large (up to 22 cm long), with white fluff, well stored. Relatively cold-resistant hybrid variety, not afraid of diseases and cold weather
Hostess F1		A frost-resistant medium early variety that does not need to be pollinated. Strongly branched plant, not limited in growth. Thorn cucumbers are suitable both for conservation and for eating raw. The size of the cucumbers is up to 15 cm, dense, lumpy, dark green fruits
Shchedryk F1		An early ripening, vigorous variety with an average level of climbing. 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. Zelentsy are used for making salads
Masha F 1		Parthenocarpic hybrid variety. The ripening time for zelents is about 45 days. Productive, not susceptible to disease. Cucumbers do not taste bitter, ripen early. They are canned and eaten raw.
Onega F1		Fast ripening (up to 38 days after sprouting), self-pollinated hybrid. Weakly branched, indeterminate. Cucumbers are small (up to 82 grams), striped, cylinder-shaped, with black fluff. Suitable for salting, pickling, making salads

We grow cucumbers on the windowsill

Now, in order for the cucumbers to delight us with their fruits, their seeds need to be planted and grown. Having decided on the variety, we proceed to this important 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 by volume per plant. Make drain holes in each container.
2. We prepare the soil: for this we mix in equal parts garden soil, sand, rotten sawdust, ash, humus. Put the prepared soil in the oven and warm it up to destroy insect eggs and infections in it. You can also buy ready-made soil from the store.
3. Pour soil into containers 24 hours before sowing and spill well.
4. Make a depression in the ground (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 wrap and place them in the room where the air temperature is at least +25 degrees. Can be placed over 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. The air temperature should now be around 20 degrees.
7. When the plants grow a little, you need to shape them. To do this, when 4-5 leaves appear at the bushes, you need to start pinching the top so that the lateral branches-lashes go into growth (they are left about 2-3 per bush).
8. Then the whips will have to be pinched (this is done over the 10th leaf). According to this principle, the plant is formed further.
9. Do not forget to tie up the whips so that the whole plant has enough light. The excess mustache is cut off.

Cucumber care

How to care for the 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 plants with life-giving light. Therefore, if you grow cucumbers on the window in winter, then from November to February, in the "darkest" months, additionally highlight the plants.
2. Feed the cucumber bushes periodically 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 of water are placed near the plants to moisturize and the bushes are periodically sprayed.
4. Cucumbers love warmth, and therefore do not put them in a cold room or in a room that is often ventilated.
5. If the cucumbers began to bear fruit, then the harvest must be removed regularly, preferably daily, so that the bush does not waste energy on ripe fruits and form new ones, delighting you with fresh cucumbers for as long as possible.

A good fertilizer is a fermented infusion of banana skins diluted with water.

Video - Planting cucumber seeds

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

Features of growing on a windowsill

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

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

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

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

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

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

What varieties are suitable for growing in an apartment

Growing cucumbers in winter is quite common. All possible greenhouses are used for these purposes. 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 cultivation on a windowsill in an apartment:

1. Khutorok - the first cucumbers can be picked within 30 days after the first shoots. This species is considered super fast. The fruits on it reach a length of 10 cm, on which black thorns are located. They require help with pollination. It is required to pick a male flower (barren flower) and transfer its pollen to a female one. Only in this case can ovary occur.
2. Shchedryk - ripens 1.5 months after planting. Cucumbers hang in an ovary in 6-8 pieces. In length they stretch to 11-12 cm, are presented in a rich green color with a dark shade. Growing it on the windowsill, up to 20 fruits can be removed from the bush.
3. Khrustyk - relatively fast view. Not earlier than after 50 days, the first fruits will appear on it, which can be used for food. Its plus is that it is completely self-pollinated. The variety is rich in harvests. With good care, its fertility 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 plant cucumbers yourself in an apartment and get a rich harvest in the cold winter months, you just need to choose the right varieties for growing at home.

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

Before starting planting work, you need to choose the right place for active growth. It is imperative to choose the optimal volume of flowerpots for certain varieties, into which you need to fill up the soil. The latter plays an important role in the rooting of green vegetable species.

Of no small importance is the specific preparation of cucumber seedlings for direct planting. And rooting work should 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 cucumber seedlings must 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 windowsill located on the south side, and even better a heated balcony or loggia. This arrangement will provide the plantings with illumination from all 3 sides throughout the day.

Video: growing cucumbers on the balcony

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

The best temperature for the rapid and active growth of cucumbers is +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 in the containers in which they will grow. Fit likedeep flowerpots for mass placement of seedlings, and single pots.

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

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

What kind of soil

For high-quality growth of young cucumber seedlings, it is required that the soil is fertile and loose, well permeable to liquid and air. These properties are possessed by purchased primer for indoor flowers or substrate for growing pumpkin breeds.

But the best soil for growing indoor cucumbers is a self-made soil substrate. 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 spill 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-processed during packaging so that they can be sown directly into the soil without specific preparation. But then the planting will have to be thickened and the germinated seeds dive into separate flowerpots.

To bypass this process, it is recommended to follow certain steps to prepare cucumber seeds for planting at home on a windowsill or balcony:

1. The seeds are placed in weak solution of potassium permanganate lasting half an hour. Floated empty seeds are removed, they still will not sprout. Then the seeds are rinsed in warm liquid.
2. Next 3 hours seedlings kept in a liquid with a temperature of +35 C.
3. Removing moist warm seedlings, place in wet sacking, neatly wrapping them and covering them with sawdust. In this form, they are laid out in a room where the temperature should be about +30 C.
4. Germination duration 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 moisture and drying it. This process has a beneficial effect on the active growth of future seedlings.

Direct landing

Before the very planting of indoor cucumbers, the soil in the containers is spilled with liquid. The procedure is necessary for subsidence of the earth. If the seeds are planted in dry, airy soil, then when watering, the seeds deepen more than required.

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

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

After the appearance of the first timid shoots, the film is immediately removed. This is required so that it does not create condensation that provokes the onset of fungal diseases. Further temperature drops to +20 C, but at the same time, the stay on the sunny side increases.

Video: how to grow cucumbers on a windowsill at home

How to care after planting and before harvest - tips

Watering freshly planted plants are carried out in moderation without flooding the roots. It is best to supply young boring borers with liquid through a syringe, deep into the soil. This will not provoke root washout. Irrigation is carried out only with boiled water, settled for several hours.

Attention! Top dressing only organic composition should be applied. An infusion on banana peel (fermented) has an excellent effect on planting. It is diluted 10 times and fertilized at least once every 2 weeks.

After the appearance of 4 or 5 leaves, the upper 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 are pinched again. Thus, a lush bush is formed.

Mustache during sprawl it is recommended to delete. They tend to draw out a large amount of nutrients, preventing fruits from fully developing.

It is imperative to carry out garter lashes. Each lash must be carefully guided and tied to the trellis. The fruits should not be thickened, this will allow them to develop well and receive a sufficient amount of 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 - a fungal disease, manifested by a white bloom on the 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 bush. The roots suffer from the disease, which are constantly filled with liquid;
4. White rot - white bloom appears on 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.

In addition to diseases, shrubs can be attacked spider mites, aphids and whiteflies. When they first appear, they can be removed by hand. With an increase in numbers, you will have to seek help from drugs that kill parasites.

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

Germination dates and harvest

The germination time 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 salting. But do not rely on crops from the windowsill to successfully do seaming 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 the townspeople who did not have summer cottages were jealous of those who had them. Today, even a high-rise resident can afford to feast on fresh herbs and vegetables, using windows, balconies and loggias to grow them.

Today any non-lazy city dweller can please his family with fresh crispy greens by making the right choice of a variety of cucumbers for growing on a windowsill. The same goes for 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

In order to enjoy your own harvest of greens all year round, 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 that are sown in greenhouses or in the open field:

• First, it should be self-pollinated hybrids, so as not to waste time on manual pollination.
• Secondly, it is desirable that the plant be shade-loving, since not every window is suitable for it. In order not to additionally illuminate with lamps in winter, it is better to look in advance for varieties of cucumbers for growing on the windowsill, which easily tolerate a 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 varieties of cucumbers for growing on the windowsill of the house consisted of only one type - "room Rytov", today there are dozens of them. It is important to assess the conditions in which the vegetable will grow, and, based on them, to purchase the most suitable one, since the manufacturers indicate all the characteristics on the package.

Cucumbers for the windowsill

For many "home gardeners", a high yield is a top priority. In fact, it is more important that the plant grows strong and healthy in the conditions of a balcony or window, then the collection of fruits will become a pleasant experience. To date, the following are recognized the best varieties of cucumbers for growing on the windowsill:

• "Prestige f1" is a parthenocarpic species that bears fruit for a very long period. The first greens can be harvested within 40 days after seed germination. Cucumbers are 6-8 cm long and have excellent taste.
• Masha f1 is a very early ripening species that bears fruit on the 35-40th 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. Fruits are dark green with excellent taste.
• "Ant f1" is one of the most productive types of cucumbers.It is also parthenocarpic, ripens in bundles, in each of which up to 7 fruits are formed.
• "Balkonny" is a versatile variety that yields on the 41st day after seed germination. Relatively hardy, which makes it the best contender for growing on a glazed balcony. Productivity - up to 10 kg / m2.

When buying varieties of cucumbers for growing on the windowsill, you should definitely check that this property is indicated on the package. Also, all its qualities should be spelled out there - from yield and ripening terms to conditions for their ripening.

Selection of containers

Cucumbers love space, even when they grow in the garden, so you should take care of the container 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 single ceramic pots or a one-piece long plastic container.

Some "home gardeners" adapt plastic five-liter water bottles, after cutting off their neck. You can also use heavy-duty 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 kind of cucumber for growing on a windowsill. The peculiarities of this plant are that it does not tolerate both dryness of the earth and stagnant water, therefore, there must be holes in the container for its drain.

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

Soil preparation

For those who do not want to spend time preparing potting mix, 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 turf land;
• compost - 1 part;
• sand - 1/5 part;
• sawdust - 1/5;
• wood ash - 1/5.

To prevent the soil from harming the plants, it should be calcined, for which you can use a conventional oven. Ready and mixed soil is poured into a baking sheet in a layer of up to 5 cm and put for 20-30 minutes in an oven preheated to 100-110 degrees.

After calcining, the soil must be fertilized, for which it is enough to add mineral fertilizers for pumpkin seeds in a couple of matchboxes. Cucumber supplements are available for purchase. The prepared soil is packed in five-liter containers and thoroughly watered one day before sowing the seeds. Whatever varieties of cucumbers are used for growing on the windowsill, the preparation of the soil is the same.

Seat selection

An important role in a good harvest is played by where exactly 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 warmed and equipped with phyto- or fluorescent lamps from the other side.

It must be remembered that the usual variety of cucumbers needs up to 12 hours of light for the 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 shortened.

It is very important that the plant is not exposed to drafts when ventilated. It is necessary that the frame does not allow cold air to pass through. Some gardeners, even with high-quality glazing, use additional insulation or stretch plastic wrap between the plant and the window frame. It transmits sunlight well enough, but at the same time saves from the cold.

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

Seed preparation

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

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

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 first leaves appear on the seedlings.

Whatever the varieties of cucumbers for growing on the windowsill, in the first week before the emergence of shoots, 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 green leaves from each plant every day, 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 moisture, for which it is enough to spray it from a spray bottle 1-2 times a day;
• if the plant is under artificial light, then watering can be done in the morning and evening.

To save time, some gardeners put trays of gravel under the seedling pots, where they pour water. This contributes to the constant moisture 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

To be healthy varieties of cucumbers for growing on the windowsill and picking fruits became a real holiday, they need to be fed with high quality. To do this, 2 weeks after the emergence of seedlings, it is required to make and add the first mineral solution:

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

A good help is adding fresh vermicompost 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 side branches to grow. When they give their shoots, the pinching is carried out over the third or fifth leaf. The mustache must also be removed, making sure that decay 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 in length directly into the container with the plant or stretch the fishing line along the window. The 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

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

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

Cucumbers need feeding in winter no less than at other times of the year. The size of the harvest directly depends on this. If the plant is "malnourished", then it will tell it by 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 selected place. Since cucumbers can give a harvest 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 delight guests with a fresh cucumber salad.

Sowing cucumbers in summer

If in winter it is important that there is additional lighting, then varieties of cucumbers for growing on a windowsill in summer do not need this. On the contrary, you can slightly shade the plants with a net if the 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 to the harvest.

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

Varieties of cucumbers for growing on the windowsill

For growing cucumbers on a windowsill in winter, only parthenocarpic hybrids of an early ripening period with small lashes are suitable. Bush cucumbers are also unacceptable, as they require a large area of ​​food that cannot be provided on a 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 the pollen to somehow get onto the pistil. Since there are no insects or wind on the windowsill in winter, it is necessary to artificially pollinate each flower when growing such cucumbers.

Long-leaved cucumbers are also not suitable for growing on windowsills. Their whips are 3 or more meters, and they will have nowhere to develop. In addition, long-leaved cucumbers tend to grow longer and begin bearing fruit later. With winter cultivation at home, it is necessary to get a harvest of zelents as soon as possible. This saves a lot of time and money.

Growing cucumbers on a windowsill in winter, tips for beginners

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.

Seed 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. Harvest in late February and early March.
3. When sown in February, the first cucumbers appear at the end of March.

But in reality, the best options for planting are January and February. 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 a diminishing daylight hours, it is impossible to get a good harvest of zelents.

To get a very early harvest, cucumbers are planted on the windowsill in March-April, but this method is suitable for those who do not have a summer cottage, as well as those who grow early cucumbers for sale. At this time, everyone else's windowsills are occupied by 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, it is better to grow cucumbers at home in individual containers.Large plastic cups with a volume of at least 1 liter, plastic bottles, flower pots are suitable for this. At the bottom of the tank, a drainage hole must be made 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 with an earthen ball, and, therefore, do not suffer from a lack of nutrition and moisture.

Soil preparation

For the cultivation of cucumbers, highly fertile, loose, water and air permeable soil mixtures with a reaction of the medium 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 decreases, albeit slightly.

Peat soil mixture is the best suited for planting cucumbers, provided that such soil has a low acidity and a 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 no more than 50%.

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

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

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

To remove the spores of diseases and hibernating pests, the earth is frozen. Freezing is preferable to calcining, because at high temperatures, fertilizers applied to the soil mixture decompose, and at low temperatures, they are preserved. The earth is taken out into the street or in a room with subzero temperatures and left for 5-7 days, then brought into the house. The earth must 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 magnesium 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. At ground temperatures below 17 ° C, the seeds will not sprout. To warm up, the earth in bags or boxes is placed on a battery and kept for several days.

2-3 before sowing, the soil is disinfected by spilling it with a warm pink solution of potassium permanganate or Fitosporin. You can add Trichodermin to the soil instead of Fitosporin, but they cannot be used together, since these are different types of microflora, and they will only mutually destroy each other. If the soil is purchased and biological products have already been introduced into it, then it is not necessary to additionally disinfect it.

Preparing seeds for planting

Cucumbers are usually warmed up before sowing. This is done to increase the production of female flowers. However, all modern hybrids have a predominantly female type of flowering, a small number of male flowers are formed, or they do not appear at all. Therefore, it is not necessary to warm up such seeds.

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

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

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

Sowing seeds

After soaking, there is no 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 appears (and it is it that germinates) breaks off very easily when covered with earth. Damage to the seedling root means the death of the seed. It will be better if the seeds are swollen, but not yet germinated.

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

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

Care for cucumbers on the windowsill

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

As soon as the plants have sprouted, they are placed 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 windowsill. In northern areas, with sufficient light, the east side is suitable, but the south and west windows are more suitable for growing.

Temperature

Immediately after germination, the temperature cannot be lowered, since at this stage the cucumber seedlings are very sensitive to cold. Until 2-3 true leaves appear, the plants are kept on a warm windowsill (temperature is at least 20 ° C, and preferably 23-25 ​​° C). And only after the appearance of a few true leaves can the temperature be reduced. But this is extremely undesirable, since for fruiting the plant needs to collect the amount 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, soil cooling often occurs on the window. Cucumbers stop growing, the leaves turn yellow. For heating, boxes with containers are placed on a battery for several hours, and in order to keep heat in the future, each pot is covered with foam.

Backlight

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

For the beginning of flowering and fruiting, a cucumber needs a shorter daylight hours. Therefore, as soon as the lashes are formed, the additional lighting is reduced. If the culture bears fruit in December, then supplementary lighting 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 be completely replaced anyway. If December is sunny, then the cucumbers are illuminated for 15 hours.

In January-February, for the formation of buds, plants are illuminated for 12 hours.

Watering cucumbers

Water the cucumbers only with settled warm water (not lower than 20 ° C). Cold water in winter, especially when there is a lack of heat, can provoke the death of roots.

Cucumbers are very moisture sensitive. Watering is carried out as the soil dries up. If the ground 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 has a detrimental effect on plants.

When growing cucumbers on a windowsill in winter, water them 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 an apartment is extremely undesirable and does not occur when watering in the morning and afternoon. Wet leaves and moist soil are a source of fungal infections.

Cucumbers are watered only at the root.

Air humidity

A culture for normal growth requires an air humidity of 80-85%. In winter, the humidity in the rooms is 40-50%, which is bad for cucumbers. At low humidity, the lower leaves begin to turn yellow and dry in the plants, the stem is gradually bare. Seedlings on the windowsill can 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 windowsills.

Feeding cucumbers in the apartment

If the soil was filled with fertilizers 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, you need to feed them more intensively than in summer. They are very fond of fresh manure (except for pork). But when grown on a windowsill, due to a persistent unpleasant odor, this method is excluded. Those who keep birds in cages (or chickens in the yard) are in a more advantageous position.Cage bedding soak in hot water for 20-30 minutes until the droppings get wet, then filter. The resulting solution is diluted 1:10 and the cucumbers are fed. Bird lovers are usually less sensitive to odors in the room.

Plant residues from indoor plants (broken twigs, wilted and fallen leaves, potato peels, banana skins) are suitable for preparing herbal infusion. Plant residues are poured into 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 stores, so it's easy to find it even in winter. 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 used only if there are no other organic fertilizers. 1 cap (5 ml) is diluted in 10 liters of water, the cucumbers are fed with the resulting solution.

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

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

When feeding, you should not abuse nitrogen. Zelentsy easily accumulate it and become dangerous to humans.

But a lack of nitrogen leads to a decrease in yields.

• Cucumbers gain a lot of green mass, but bloom poorly - an excess of nitrogen.
• The cucumbers are weak, their whips are thin, the greens that have been tied up are crumbling (with proper watering) - a lack of nitrogen.
• In order not to disturb 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.

Forming cucumbers on the windowsill

Strong-leaved cucumbers always lead to one stem. It is impossible to feed several stems on a windowsill in winter; neither the plant nor the owner can pull it. Cucumbers definitely need a trellis to curl. On a bare windowsill, the lashes will be too cold and dry. All emerging lateral shoots are pinched.

Weak varieties can be led in 2-4 stems. A small lash 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 appeared lashes of the 2nd order, 2-3 the strongest are chosen, which are allowed to go along the trellis or tied up. When grown in winter, the plant cannot feed more than 3 short strings. So that the lashes do not get confused, they are sent in different directions. Each lash should 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". If the lower leaves turn yellow, they are removed.

Harvesting 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 matured. Therefore, the first set fruits are plucked at the ovary stage.

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

Zelentsy is removed every 2-3 days. On the windowsill, the borage can be viewed every day and take off full-fledged fruits. If the crop is not harvested in time, the growth of further ovaries and the formation of new fruits are noticeably inhibited. One overgrown cucumber in winter stops the growth of the entire lash. 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 condition as in a 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 shoot 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 indoor conditions in the spring and late autumn, mushroom mosquitoes are active. They are omnivorous and cucumbers will not be ignored either.

Mushroom mosquitoand these are the same indoor midges that annoy so much in autumn and spring, when supplies of vegetables appear in the house. The midges themselves, apart from aesthetic discomfort, are not harmful. Plants are affected by their larvae, which live in damp earth. They eat up 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 watering, 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 the premises, with all diligence, the air is dry enough, so pathogens practically do not develop. The only thing that can seriously threaten cucumbers during winter cultivation is a black leg. It can appear at any stage of development, but most often it affects seedlings and young plants with 1-2 true leaves.

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

Mistakes in the winter cultivation of cucumbers

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

1. Seeds do not germinate. If they are fresh, then there are no shoots due to the cold ground. Cucumbers need a soil temperature of at least 18 ° C for germination. It is necessary to warm up the ground and re-sow.
2. Seedlings are stretched. Insufficient lighting. To gain green mass in winter, the culture must be supplemented. 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 are illuminated for 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 blooms poorly and forms few greenbacks. Excess nitrogen. It is necessary to reduce the nitrogen component and increase the dose of potassium in the top dressing.
6. Leaves dry. Air is too dry. It is necessary to increase the humidity. Cucumbers are regularly sprayed.
7. Only the lower leaves dry, otherwise the cucumbers are healthy and bear fruit well. Normal phenomenon. Culture pays all attention to the Zelensk people. She lacks the strength to feed the extra "freeloaders". The yellow and dry leaves are removed.

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

Conclusion

Growing cucumbers at home in winter is extremely troublesome.

1. First, it is very expensive. The costs of growing several dozen zelents are much higher than the costs of buying finished products in the store.
2. Secondly, the process is very time consuming. 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 zelentz is not up to par. They taste like 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. Unlike tomatoes and peppers, they are easier to care for, but the culture takes up much more time.

You might be interested in:

1. Growing early cucumbers in a greenhouse
2. Forming cucumbers
3. How to cure cucumbers from diseases
4. Pest control
5. All articles on growing cucumbers