The main reasons why the ovary does not grow on cucumbers

Cucumber is the most popular vegetable in gardens. It is unpretentious, suitable for growing in greenhouses and soil, and is characterized by high productivity. But the problem of poor ovary growth on cucumbers often arises.

Let's look at the most common reasons for the absence of ovaries, consider why cucumbers bloom but there are no ovaries, ways to solve and prevent the problem.

Why the ovary on cucumbers does not grow or grows poorly

There are many reasons for poor growth of cucumber ovaries.:

• inappropriate temperature;
• improper watering;
• too close rows of vegetables and incorrect shaping;
• lack of nutrients;
• poor pollination;
• pests and diseases;
• late harvest and early planting;
• high soil acidity.

Unsuitable temperature

Cucumbers hardly grow in uncomfortable conditions. Temperatures below +12…15°C cause serious harm. In cold, damp weather, plants do not absorb nutrients. The ovaries not only stop growing, but also fall off.

Sudden temperature fluctuations and humidity changes during the day they also reduce the yield. If the temperature is normal during the day, but at night it drops to +10...12°C, then the green mass will actively grow, but the ovaries and flowers will crumble.

The optimal temperature for cucumbers is +22…26°C. In the greenhouse during the day you will need to provide +20...25°C, and at night - at least +17°C.

Attention! Prolonged heat above +35°C without sufficient soil moisture also has a detrimental effect on the growth of the ovary.

Incorrect watering mode

Cucumbers require high levels of air and soil humidity. This is one of the most moisture-loving garden crops. The roots are rather weakly developed, and the leaves are wide, which contributes to the evaporation of a large amount of moisture.

The maximum need for moisture is during the period of mass fruit growth. At this stage, cucumbers are watered every 3-4 days, or preferably every other day. Moisture stimulates the growth of the ovary.

Important! The water must certainly be warm, because cold water causes the development of diseases and plant death.

Before flowering, cucumbers are watered by sprinkling, then water is poured under the bush. It is best to do this before 6 pm.

Fit too tight

If there are too many plants planted, they simply do not have enough feeding area, they are not able to produce much fruit. All this inhibits the growth of the ovary, which lacks nutrients. The planting density should be on average at least 20 cm between bushes, as well as 50–60 cm between rows.

It can be useful:

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Unformed bushes

Green mass “eats” a lot of nutrients, which ultimately will not be enough for the ovary. In addition, the thickets do not allow enough light to pass through. The formation of bushes is carried out as follows:

1. All stepsons are completely removed from the axils of the lowest first 4-5 leaves.
2. The shoots that go higher are shortened after the 2nd leaf.

Deficiency of beneficial microelements

Ovaries do not grow when there is a lack of nutrition. However, cucumbers do not need nitrogen - its abundance reduces yield.

At the fruit growth stage, it is recommended to feed with fertilizer containing potassium and phosphorus. A deficiency of these microelements leads to poor ovary and pear-shaped fruits. Fertilizing is repeated every 12 days.

Poor pollination

Often gardeners are not even aware of this problem. and bee-pollinated varieties are grown in greenhouses. The number of female flowers predominates, but without a pollinator they will not bear fruit. In this case, you need to take a male flower and carefully touch it to the female one so that pollen gets on the pistil.

It also happens that cucumbers in the greenhouse begin to grow, but do not grow. Gardeners often pick off barren flowers. You can't do this. These are male flowers, without which female flowers cannot be pollinated. If there are an abundance of barren flowers, stop watering the cucumbers, just sprinkle the soil. Resume watering when the leaves on the vines wilt a little.

Diseases and pests

If there is no ovary on the cucumbers, may be caused by pests and diseases:

1. Gray rot. The causative agent is a bacterium that develops at low temperatures. It affects all parts of the plant, producing brown areas and a thick gray coating.
2. Sclerotinia, or white rot, is considered a dangerous infectious disease. Appears as white flakes with black dots throughout all parts of the plant. Soft mucus spots also appear.
3. melon aphid. Small insects destroy everything: flowers, fruits, ovaries. During the period of activation, leaves fall from the plant, flowers wither, and the yield decreases due to the weakening of the mother plant.
4. Spider mite lives on the underside of leaves and feeds on greens. This red-green small insect is extremely dangerous for cucumbers. It completely damages the plant, entwines the leaves with small cobwebs, and is capable of destroying entire rows.

Violation of planting and harvesting deadlines

Since cucumber loves warmth, it is planted in the beds when the temperature reaches +10–12°C. It is recommended to treat the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate to reduce the risk of disease development.The seedlings will be ready for planting at 25-30 days of age and with 5-6 true leaves.

Rare and untimely harvesting of fruits can also delay growth young ovaries and reduce productivity. Pick ripe cucumbers on time, then the plant will have the strength to give the young ovaries enough nutrients. At the very beginning of fruiting, harvesting is carried out once every 2-3 days, and then every day or every other day.

Bad soil

With improper feeding The acidity level of the soil increases. Cucumbers do not grow in such an environment, because the acid does not allow the necessary substances to be absorbed. At the same time, the entire plant lags behind in development.

Other reasons

If the cucumbers set but do not grow, then the cause may be a lack of sun. To obtain a good harvest, seedlings need UV rays. The lack of light in many cucumber varieties causes growth retardation: the stems stretch, but there is no strength left for setting and developing fruits.

What to do - how to correct the situation and eliminate the causes

Here are some ways to speed up the formation of the ovary:

1. Mulching the soil will help against temperature changes. Cover the plantings with dried grass, soil, fallen leaves, sawdust, pine needles, etc. There are even special films. This method not only regulates daily temperatures, but also retains moisture and prevents weeds from growing.
2. Water the plants with warm water.
3. Close greenhouse transoms at night.
4. During the fruiting period, potassium and magnesium are required, nitrogen should be reduced or removed.
5. Humus, ash, infusion of urea and mullein are suitable for root feeding.
6. Harvest more often, do not leave ripe fruits on the bushes.
7. Reduce watering if it is too abundant, but do not overdry the soil.
8. For greenhouses, use self-pollinating varieties.Otherwise, pollinate by hand or open windows during the day.

What to feed

Here options for foliar feeding (by leaves):

1. At the beginning of flowering - 10 liters of water with 40 g of urea or 10-12 crystals of potassium permanganate and 1 tsp. boric acid per 1 liter of water.
2. At the beginning of fruiting - 30 g of urea per 10 liters of water or 1 tbsp. ash per 10 liters of water (leave for a day and strain).
3. When the yield decreases - take 12–15 g of urea for 10 liters of water.

Advice! Cucumbers are processed in the evening or early morning, in calm and dry weather. Avoid exposing plants to sunlight if there are still drops of solution on them.

Several foliar feedings:

1. During the budding period:
   • 1-2 tbsp. l. for 10 liters of Agricola-5 water for cucumbers;
   • for 10 liters of water 20-25 g of double superphosphate, 15-20 g of potassium sulfate and 10-15 g of ammonium nitrate;
   • Add 20 g of double superphosphate and the same amount of potassium magnesia to 10 liters of mullein solution (1:10).
2. During the flowering period:
   • 1 tsp each urea, potassium sulfate, superphosphate, 2 tbsp. l. "Effectona-O" for 10 liters of water;
   • per 10 liters of water 0.5 g of boric acid, 0.1 g of zinc sulfate and 0.4 g of manganese sulfate.
3. During fruiting:
   • dilute the herbal infusion with water in a ratio of 1:5;
   • For 10 liters of water take 25-30 g of potassium nitrate, 50 g of urea, 1 tbsp. ash;
   • per bucket of water - 1 tbsp. l. nitrophoska, as well as 2 spoons of “Effecton-O”.

Alternate mineral and organic fertilizers 1 time every 2 weeks:

1. Chicken manure solution (1:20) or mullein solution (1:10). One plant will require 500 ml.
2. Dilute a matchbox of nitrophoska in a bucket of water. 500–700 ml per plant.

Advice! Root feeding is carried out on moist soil, after watering or rain.

Eat special drugs to stimulate growth ovaries and fruits:

• "Bud";
• “We are fruitful”;
• "Ovary".

Traditional recipes for feeding:

1. Yeast is one of the most effective fertilizers. You will need 1 pack of baker's yeast per 1 bucket of water. Dissolve and leave in a warm place for 3 days. Stir once a day. Apply after watering, 500 ml per bush. This fertilizer will also protect against pests, but use it no more than 2-3 times a season.
2. Fertilizing with bread is an alternative to yeast. To create foliar fertilizer, you will need to soak 1 loaf in a bucket of water and let it stand overnight. In the morning, mash the bread and add 10 ml of iodine. Dilute the mixture with water at the rate of 10 liters per 1 liter of fertilizer. Spray the cucumbers.
3. Onion peel fertilizer is suitable for feeding roots and leaves and will protect against diseases. Take 20 g of husk for 5 liters of warm water. Leave the mixture for 4 days and strain.

Read also:

At what night temperature do cucumbers grow?

When is the best time to pick cucumbers: morning or evening?

How to Prevent Growing Problems When Growing Cucumbers

Prevention is simple:

• plant cucumbers in the ground only when the soil has warmed to +10–12°C;
• avoid thickening;
• feed regularly;
• harvest on time;
• monitor pollination;
• ensure proper watering;
• use shelters from temperature changes;
• form the plant correctly.

Conclusion

The reasons for the lack of cucumber ovary are not difficult to prevent. To do this, it is enough to study the rules of caring for the plant and provide it with the necessary conditions.

Moderate and timely watering, fertilizing, maintaining temperature conditions, proper distribution of bushes and their formation - all this will contribute to the full growth of the ovary and high yield.