Cucumbers with proper care grow perfectly even in containers on the balcony. If you have a balcony from the south or west, there are no obstacles to grow these thermophilic vegetables on it. The most important thing is to choose the right variety, preferably self -policy and adapted to grow in a limited space. They will work, among others Parthenocarpic cucumbers that do not need pollination to form fruit.
The pot should be deep and stable, with a minimum capacity of 20-30 liters. Cucumbers have an extensive root system, which is why they hate tight containers. The soil should be fertile, permeable, with the addition of compost or well -spread manure. Setting the container is also extremely important. Cucumbers need full sun and shield against the wind. When choosing a container for balcony cultivation, reach for bright colors. They reflect the sun on hot days, protecting the roots from overheating, and the water evaporates more slowly.
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If you have experience in growing cucumbers on the plot, put them aside. The shoots of these plants are on the ground up to two meters. There is a place in the garden, but in the case of containers placed on the terrace or balcony, the plants will not cope. The most common mistake in growing cucumbers in pots is the lack of supports. In natural conditions they are climbing plants, so they need to provide them with objects along which they will be able to grow.
Plant supports can be bought in a gardening store. However, if you want to save money, you can lift it to the balustrade or to strings hanging from above. For cucumbers, you can also build a fence from plywood, branches or bamboo. Every material that does not bend and maintains a considerable weight of ripening fruit.
Watering cucumbers on the balcony or terrace seems particularly simple, you don’t even need to leave the apartment for this purpose. However, it is worth remembering that the soil in a limited space of plants evaporates faster. Therefore, water the balcony cucumber crops every dayand in periods dried up to twice a day.
It is similar with erosion, the ground in the containers quickly sterilizes. It is therefore necessary to regularly fertilize cucumbers with natural fertilizer or fruiting plants. Power plants every 7-10 days from the moment of flowering. When your bushes begin to form flower buds, avoid nitrogen -containing nutrients. It causes green mass increase at the expense of flowering and fruiting.
