Growing cucumbers and tomatoes in the backyard is quite a profitable business. Some gardeners work for profit, others for the soul and pleasure. However, getting a bountiful harvest of vegetables depends on growing conditions and proper care. The greenhouse is an ideal structure and assistant to the gardener. With insufficiently warm and short summer period, it will help to keep the desired temperature.
But even here you need to follow the basic rules to create a favorable climate. Some vegetable crops, in particular cucumbers, do not tolerate sudden changes in temperature. Because of this, plants become sick, stunted and bear little fruit.
It is not enough for gardeners to know the optimal temperature for cucumbers in a greenhouse. You need to be able to regulate it, despite various weather conditions.
Greenhouse preparation
Preparation begins immediately after harvest. In the case of installing a new greenhouse, the soil must be prepared in the fall.
Earth is enriched with rotted manure and peat in equalproportions. The percentage of soil acidity is monitored, which is no more than pH 7, 1.
You should choose the right dimensions of the greenhouse. Do not set too long views. It will be difficult to achieve good ventilation in them. Also, in cold weather, it will be more difficult to raise the temperature in the cucumber greenhouse.
Growing cucumbers in a greenhouse
Cucumber planting in progress:
- seeds;
- seedling method.
The second method will allow you to get the harvest earlier, on average, two weeks.
Cucumbers - the culture is rather tender and does not tolerate transplanting. The roots of the plant are located shallow in the soil. Therefore, seeds for seedlings are planted in peat pots.
Key temperature indicators for greenhouse cucumbers:
| Cucumber Growth Period | Temperature |
| Sowing seeds | 25-28°C |
| Planting seedlings in the ground | 20-23°C |
| Flower period | 25-28°C |
| When forming ovaries | 20-35°C |
| For abundant fruiting | 25-30°C |
After the appearance of 4 leaves, the seedlings are planted in a permanent place. The temperature of the soil by this time should be at least 18 degrees. Otherwise, the plant will not develop andgrow. With prolonged low soil temperatures, seedlings will wither and die.
Optimal temperature for planting cucumbers
When sprouts of cucumbers appear in the greenhouse, the temperature should be between 25 and 28 degrees. After the seeds have sprouted, 20-23 degrees is enough. Excess heat will cause excessive stretching of the sprouts. But good lighting for seedlings is a must.
Night temperature in the greenhouse for cucumbers at the initial stage is set to 16-18 degrees. A week later, the nighttime temperature is increased by an average of 3 degrees.
Greenhouse air temperature
What temperature should be in a greenhouse for cucumbers depends on the stages of crop development. For adaptation, the temperature is required lower than during the periods of vegetation and fruiting.
Beginners should remember:
- whip growth slows at 15 degrees;
- growth stops at 10°C;
- temperature below 9 degrees will kill the plant.
It is necessary to create an optimal microclimate at all stages of growth, regardless of external factors. This approach will ensure the rapid growth of young shoots and abundant fruiting in the future.
To do this, the following rules are observed:
- in sunny weather, the temperature should be the maximum allowable;
- night readings depend on the previous day;
- at high temperatures, high humidity is needed, at low temperatures, respectively, it decreases.
What temperaturein a greenhouse for cucumbers is optimal, as can be seen from the table.
| Growth periods | Day | Night | |
| Sunny | Cloudy | ||
| Before fruiting | 23-25 | 23 | 18-20 |
| Fruiting of the central stem | 21-25 | 21 | 19-21 |
| Fruiting side shoots | 20-23 | 20 | 17-19 |
For abundant fruiting, it is very important to maintain the temperature at night. The intensity of fruit growth directly depends on this. Ideally, 21-23 degrees are set at night. Under such conditions, cucumbers bear fruit at full capacity. The duration of such a process can lead to a weakening of the whips. Therefore, you need to give the plant time to recover. To do this, it is enough to lower the temperature to 18 degrees at night for a period of two weeks.
To avoid negative consequences, many gardeners install a temperature sensor in the greenhouse. With it, you can monitor the climate as needed and control unwanted temperature fluctuations.
Soil temperature in the greenhouse
Soil is the foundation of gardening success. Before planting, it should warm up evenly. The temperature in the greenhouse forcucumbers should stay at around 25-28 degrees for a week.
There are different ways to warm the soil:
- use of organic fertilizers;
- heating with additional covering material;
- use of various types of technical heaters;
- water heating around the perimeter.
Humidity in the greenhouse
Humidity, as well as temperature, is a rather important factor for the growth of cucumbers. Moisture should change each growth period.
Seedlings require the lowest humidity, which ranges from 70-75%. During the period of active growth of cucumber lashes, the required humidity averages 90%. During the flowering period, it is reduced by 10-15%.
With a lack of humidity, the following processes may appear:
- plant growth is declining;
- risk for the spread of pests and diseases increases;
- top soil dries up;
- ovaries are dying.
Humidity in a greenhouse is easy to create. It is necessary to carry out regular watering of plants and soil, monitor the temperature in the greenhouse. Humidity is very important for cucumbers, as they are 97% water.
Experienced gardeners recommend evening watering cucumbers in the greenhouse. In hot weather, morning or afternoon moisture is added. Whatever the temperature in the external environment, watering should be carried out regularly and plentifully.
If you ignore the basic conditions for caring for cucumbers in a greenhouse, then a highthe risk of developing various diseases.
Main consequences of non-compliance with temperature and humidity regulations:
- the elasticity of stems and foliage is lost;
- plant turns yellow;
- various spots appear on sheets;
- flower stalks fall off or are missing;
- flowers and cucumber fruits dry.
Having found the above signs in the greenhouse, you must immediately try to correct the situation. Cucumber is quite capricious and dies quickly.
Mixed fit
The greenhouse can be used quite rationally by using mixed plantings.
It is worth considering that this is quite difficult. Humidity and temperature in the greenhouse for cucumbers and tomatoes should be different. Tomatoes cannot tolerate the moisture that cucumbers need, and vice versa.
Ideally, you need to have two greenhouses:
- wet and stuffy for cucumber plantings;
- hot and well ventilated for tomatoes.
Despite the difficulties, many gardeners practice mixed plantings, trying various methods to achieve a good harvest. With some experience, you can achieve good results.
Basic recommendations for greenhouse cultivation of cucumbers
When growing cucumbers in a greenhouse, you need to remember that temperature is the main indicator of the yield.
You need to remember that:
- planting is best done after the required temperature has held at the same level for at least 5 days in the greenhouse;
- don't let the soil dry out;
- watering with backward water under the root;
- avoid sudden changes in temperature in the greenhouse for cucumbers and tomatoes;
- draughts must not be allowed in the greenhouse with cucumbers;
- timely release the whip from the fruit.
Periodically it is useful to arrange a greenhouse bath. It is necessary to thoroughly water the greenhouse and close all the windows and doors. In the case of a mixed landing, the procedure should not be done.
Cucumber is a rather capricious crop. You need to create the right balance of moisture, warmth and care. Don't forget about disease prevention. Timely apply organic and mineral fertilizers. Subject to all the rules and subtleties, the greenhouse will become an indispensable assistant in gardening.
