CUCUMBER GROWING FACTS:

Few foods are as cool as a Cucumber. This low-calorie veggie contains many nutritional benefits, including hydrating properties and valuable nutrients. It’s easy to grow and tolerant to high temperatures, making it a great vegetable to grow in Indian summers.

GIY KIT CONTENTS:

HOW TO PLANT:

Unpack the kit. Use the coco peat coin to make growing medium (soil). Follow the steps:

• Place the coco peat coin in a container and add 200 mls of water
• Let the coin soak up all the water and watch it expand into growing medium
• Put the growing medium in the GIY pot and level surface

Sow seeds about ¼ inch deep and cover them with growing medium. Keep it moist by spraying water twice daily.

GERMINATION AND GROWTH:

The sprouts should emerge within 7 -14 days. Once germinated, choose a sunny site and place your pot there.

When the seedlings have three to four leaves, transplant them into a desirable pot or space. Before transplanting, pull the weakest seedlings out. Be careful not to disturb the roots of the remaining seedlings. 

If planting in your garden, find a sunny spot. Remove mud and make a hole of about 12 inches in diameter and 9 inches deep. Place you biodegradable coir pot in the bottom. Cover hole with good quality organic manure or compost mixed with soil.

If planting in a container, find one which is about 15 inches deep and 12 inches in diameter. Make a mix of half volume organic compost or manure with good quality garden soil and fill it up. Then dig a hole from the top and place your biodegradable coir pot inside it.

Cucumber plant has vines. Support them with long stakes or trellis, so that they can latch on and climb.  

Cucumber GIY Kit Day 10

WATER REQUIREMENT:

Keep the soil of your cucumber plant moist for a healthy plant. You can check this by sticking your finger in an inch of soil. If it feels dry, its time to water. Never allow the plant to dry out completely. Inadequate or inconsistent moisture causes oddly shaped or poor-tasting fruit.

FERTILIZER:

In order for your cucumber plant to grow well, it’s important to provide the right nutrients. Every GIY kit contains organic micronutrients. Use them as per instructions. 

HARVESTING:

Your plant should start flowering within 35-45 days of planting and cucumbers should appear within 60-70 days of planting. 

Cucumbers are best picked before the seeds become hard and are eaten when immature. Do not let them get yellow. A cucumber is of the best quality when it is uniformly green, firm and crisp. To harvest them, cut them off with scissors or a sharp knife.

INSECTS AND DISEASES:

Aphids, whiteflies and damping off are major problems with cucumber plant. Use neem based Bio-Pesticides at regular interval to avoid the problem.

NUTRITION:

 Cucumbers are rich in vitamins A, B, C, D and E. It has great antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as well.