Although the Japanese method of growing cucumbers seems to be an unusual approach, it is incredibly simple and does not require any specialized abilities. The Japanese have been using it for years, ensuring optimal development of the place and providing plants with ideal conditions for growth.
In 1996, Egyptian researchers from the International Society of Horticultural Sciences (ISHS) decided to check whether sawdust can compete with peat – a golden standard in the production of seedlings. The results were surprising: Mixtures of sawdust with peat and compost not only matched traditional substrates, but in some cases accelerated germination by a whole 24 hours. Cucumber cuttings in greenhouses grew higher, had more leaves and higher chlorophyll content. The reason turned out to be a small sawdust structure, which improves the aeration of the soil. The roots of cucumbers, usually thirsty for oxygen, could breathe more freely, and at the same time easier to reach for nutrients.
That’s not all. Sybains, absorbing water like a sponge, help maintain stable humidity – which for cucumbers, plant -sensitive plants and pouring, is a solid support. As a result, we have plants that not only take off faster, but also tolerate the chides of the weather better. This inconspicuous material has a potential that can surprise even experienced gardeners.
Do you want your cucumbers to germinate quickly? Sybains can be your ally, provided you use them properly. Preparation of cucumbers in sawdust requires a bit of patience and a few tricks.
Step 1: Prepare sawdust before they go to the ground
Do not use sawdust straight from the sawmill, because when they begin to break down in the soil, the microorganisms “devour” nitrogen, which is necessary for young cucumbers. Result? Instead of lush cuttings, you can get pale, rickety plants. The key is composting. Take sawdust – preferably from deciduous wood, because coniferous may contain resins inhibiting growth, and place them in a compost pile for 1-2 months. Add manure, vegetable residues or a little urea. Mix regularly and care for humidity – the pile should be moist like a sponge. After this time, sawdust will turn into a darker, fragile mass, ready for use. Alternatively, you can also pour the sawdust with boiling water before you add them to the ground with seedlings.
Step 2: Create the perfect mix for seedlings
Cucumbers need a ground that will give them moisture, air and nutrients. A mixture of sawdust with peat and compost can work wonders in greenhouse seedling. Start with a 1: 1: 1 ratio – one part of the composed sawdust, one part of peat and one part of the compost. Peat provides stable humidity, compost provides medium, and sawdust improves the structure, enabling roots to breathe freely.
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If you don’t have peat, You can use garden soil, but make sure it is light and let the water pass well. Before use, mix everything thoroughly in a bucket or wheelbarrow. To be sure, test the pH of the mixture (it should be within 6.0-6.8, slightly acidic); Sybains sometimes lower them, so add a little garden lime if necessary.
Step 3: Sad and watch – with sawdust it is a precise game
When the mixture is ready, fill it with pots or seedlings – preferably with drainage holes. Press the seeds to a depth of approx. 1-2 cm, slightly cover and gently water. Set the tray in a warm place (minimum 21 ° C, preferably 24-27 ° C). The sawdust in the mixture will work like a natural moisture regulator – they will stop water, but they will not allow the roots to rot.
The first sprouts should appear within 5-10 dayssometimes even faster than in a traditional ground. Watch the cuttings: if the leaves are bright or yellow, it is a sign that they lack nitrogen. Then water them with diluted organic fertilizer, e.g. with biohumus. After 2-3 weeks, when the cuttings have 2-3 appropriate leaves, you can overdo them into the ground or larger containers
