How to quickly germinate cucumber seeds before planting

Before planting cucumbers, gardeners often germinate seeds. The procedure allows the plant to better take root in a new place and the first shoots to appear faster. Read on to learn how to germinate cucumber seeds quickly and correctly, in what ways.

Is it necessary to germinate

Germinating seeds before planting is the key to getting a rich harvest. Cucumber seeds sprout without preliminary preparation, but There are situations when it is necessary:

• you need to know the percentage of germination;
• there is no time to replant unsuccessful crops;
• friendly, even-aged seedlings are required.

The viability of cucumber embryos lasts only two years, so purchasing seeds that have been stored longer is not recommended.

Advantages and disadvantages

The following advantages of the procedure are highlighted:

1. Selection of quality grains. During soaking, you can see which of them will grow better than others. The bad ones get rid of immediately.
2. Friendly germination. Sprouted grains germinate simultaneously, 8-10 days after sowing.
3. Protection against diseases. During soaking, the seeds become strong, and plants grown from them are rarely susceptible to fungal and viral diseases.

The main disadvantage of the process is its complexity, which is why some gardeners do not use it.

Preparing for germination

Before the procedure, planting material is carefully prepared.

Calibration

Select grains from healthy plants that are not affected by diseases.If these are not available, you will have to purchase them at a garden store.

When selecting, the following nuances are taken into account:

• the background should be green;
• the grains must be from the female type of plant, as they will give a good harvest;
• The planting material must be completely dry, dense and complete before planting.

To prepare a saline solution, pour 3-5 g of salt into 100 ml of water, then drop the seeds into it. Those that float up are empty, they are thrown away.

Sterilization

Plant diseases are transmitted along with planting material, so the sterilization stage is important. They refuse it only if they use purchased seeds.

Homemade seeds are sterilized in this way:

1. Take a 1% solution of potassium permanganate and immerse the grains in it.
2. The water in the solution should be warm – +20-26°C.
3. Keep the seeds in the solution for 15-20 minutes, then wash them under running water.

There is a second method of sterilization - heating. Planting material is immersed in warm water (+50°C) and the grains are kept for 20-30 minutes. This time is enough to get rid of viruses or fungi remaining on the seeds.

Hardening

It is necessary if the seeds are planted directly in open ground. The air temperature will be low, so it will be difficult for the plant to adapt to weather conditions. If you plant seeds in the hot season, hardening will not be required.

Attention! Hardening begins on the first day after placing the seeds in containers for germination.

Procedure:

1. The container is placed in the refrigerator at a temperature of 4-6°C for 12 hours so that the planting material adapts to the conditions. You can do this at night.
2. Similar manipulations are carried out for 2-3 days until the seeds germinate.

Bubbling

Allows you to accelerate the emergence of seedlings.The essence of bubbling is to saturate the planting material with oxygen, which has a positive effect on overall germination.

To do this, you will need an aquarium compressor and a container of 0.5-0.7 liters, or a regular glass jar.

Procedure:

1. Fill the container 1/4 full with water.
2. Dip a small amount of grains into the water so that they float freely in the jar.
3. Lower the compressor tip to the bottom of the container and turn it on.
4. This processing of grains lasts for 18 hours.
5. After bubbling, dry the planting material.

The process increases germination rate to 100% and guarantees rapid seed germination - in 3-7 days.

Methods for germinating cucumbers

Let's take a closer look at how and with what help they are carried out.

On paper

You can use regular toilet paper, as it contains components that have a beneficial effect on plant growth. This includes cellulose and other polysaccharides that act as organic fertilizer.

First, the paper is spread on a flat surface and sprayed with water. Afterwards, lay out the seeds and cover with film, roll the paper into a roll. After 2-3 days, the grains will begin to hatch.

On a damp cloth

For these purposes, you will need a damp cloth on which the seed is carefully laid out. Sprinkle the seeds with warm water on top and cover them with another piece of damp cloth. Germination lasts 4-5 days.

In the peat

A peat tablet is compressed peat in the shape of an oval puck. There are small holes on the surface into which the seeds are placed. But before using peat tablets, they are placed in a container with water and kept there for 10 minutes.

When their size increases 2-3 times, grains are placed in the holes and sprinkled with peat on top.

For germination, take special peat pots. They are filled with a soil mixture consisting of soil, organic and mineral fertilizers. Next, holes are made in the soil and cucumber seeds are planted in them.

In a rolled-up cigarette

This is a relatively new method, thanks to which strong seedlings are obtained.

Reference. This method can be used not only for cucumbers, but also for other vegetable crops.

Procedure:

1. Polyethylene film is spread on the surface, paper is placed on top and water is poured over it.
2. Lay out the seeds so that there is a distance of 4-6 cm between them.
3. Roll the paper-polyethylene strip into a roll and wait for the seeds to germinate.

In coconut substrate

To prepare the substrate, take shavings and coconut fibers. Before use, coconut tablets are soaked in boiling water to swell, and then the seeds are planted.

All not

Procedure:

1. Pour boiling water over the hay, and while it is still hot, place it in a suitable container.
2. Lay out the seeds, keeping a distance of 2 cm, cover them with a thin layer of hay.
3. The container with hay is covered with plastic wrap and the container is placed in a warm place where the air temperature will not be lower than +25°C.

Requirements

For 100% germination of grains, it is important to comply with the following conditions: temperature, humidity, lighting, and also protect them from pests.

Temperature

Cucumber seeds should be kept at a temperature no higher than +25-26°C and no lower than +20°C. If temperatures are high, this will slow down seed hatching and prevent seedlings from fully developing.

Lighting

Cucumbers are a light-loving crop, so seedlings should be in a well-lit place.Shaded places on the site are not suitable - there the seedlings will grow slowly.

Watering

Cucumbers must be moistened from time to time, otherwise their growth will stop. Water them three times a week using warm water.

Protection of crops from pests and diseases

Regular treatment of plants with drugs will help prevent the development of diseases and the appearance of pests:

• "Ordan";
• "Baktofit";
• "Fitolavin".

Treatment is carried out in the evening or early in the morning.

How to speed up the process

To make the seeds germinate faster, you can use the following medications:

1. "Kornevin". The product is suitable not only for stimulating growth, but also for protecting against diseases. To obtain a solution, combine 2 liters of water and 2 g of the drug. Treat seeds once every 2-3 days before planting.
2. "Silk." Activates the development of vegetables and increases their productivity. The drug protects crops from fungal diseases.
3. Sodium humate. Add 55 g of the drug to 5 liters of warm water. Before use, the composition should sit for 5-6 hours.

How many days does it take for seeds to germinate at home?

It all depends on the method of seed germination and the conditions created for them. If all the rules have been followed, then seed hatching is observed after 5-7 days. But some varieties of cucumbers begin to hatch 1-2 days earlier.

What to do if the seeds do not hatch and what are the reasons?

This problem arises when using low-quality seed material. Pecking may slow down if vegetables are grown in a cool and poorly lit place. It is necessary to normalize the growing conditions and, if there is no result, repeat the procedure using high-quality seeds.

Read also:

How to grow cucumbers on a windowsill in winter.

Secrets of the best agronomists: how to grow cucumbers in open ground.

Review of the hybrid cucumber "Ajax f1".

Conclusion

Germinating cucumber seeds is an important and necessary procedure that allows you to get a rich harvest. Plants grown in this way actively bear fruit and are reliably protected from diseases.

There are several methods of germination - choose the one that is closest to you. But do not forget to comply with the necessary conditions - then the plants will definitely delight you with a tasty harvest!