Fertilizing cucumbers with ammonia

Cucumbers are second only to potatoes in popularity in summer cottages. A high-quality and timely crop harvest requires a lot of effort and knowledge, especially in terms of feeding and protecting against diseases and pests. Ammonia for cucumbers is a universal remedy that helps a summer resident solve several problems at the same time.

Ammonia solution as nitrogen fertilizer

An aqueous solution of ammonia - ammonia, or simply ammonia - is the simplest source of nitrogen, which is easily assimilated by plants. Therefore, when signs of a deficiency of an element are found, they first of all resort to its help - they spray or watered cucumber lashes under the root.

The following signs indicate nitrogen starvation of cucumbers:

• dull color of the leaves, accompanied by yellowness;
• brittle, fragile whips;
• growth slows down, leaves are formed much smaller;
• the number of flowers in general is reduced, and the number of women - in the first place.

Also, cucumbers, even the most cold-resistant varieties, become excessively susceptible to cold snaps, form fruits of insufficient weight, irregular shape.

Apply ammonia dissolved in water, the concentration of the solution is determined by the general condition of the vines and their age. The ready-made solution is used for watering, spraying, in some cases, the leaves of the plant are wiped with it.

The optimal concentration for feeding is determined from the table:

The dosage is indicated for a 10% pharmacy solution of ammonia. When watering, 1 liter of solution is consumed for each bush. If fertilizer is applied on a leaf, make sure that the liquid is evenly distributed over the leaves and stems.

Fertilizing with ammonia is enough to carry out once a week, but if the cucumbers clearly lack nitrogen, it is allowed to use ammonia every 3-5 days until the balance is restored.

With a pronounced nitrogen deficiency in the soil, cucumbers are sprayed on the leaf with a solution, since through the root system the entry of the element to the green parts does not occur immediately, and the loss of time significantly reduces the chances of obtaining a high yield.

With the normal development of cucumber lianas, the application of ammonia as fertilizer is completed by the time of the onset of mass fruit setting, by the end of June - beginning of July.

How to spray cucumbers for diseases?

A common problem for cucumbers, especially those grown in greenhouses, is fungal, viral and bacterial diseases. An ammonia solution helps to cope with a disaster, but it is no less effective as a preventive measure. It is used at any stage of the growing season: a solution (10 ml per bucket of water) is poured over the substrate before sowing seeds and the holes are disinfected when planting seedlings.

If signs of disease damage are detected, cucumber vines are processed according to the following algorithm:

1. Severely affected plant parts are removed and disposed of.
2. For spraying, prepare a solution of 50 ml of a pharmaceutical product and 10 liters of water.
3. Spray the liquid over the leaves and stems with a spray gun set to the “spray” mode.
4. Spill the soil under the bushes with a similar solution.
5. The next treatment is carried out in 10-15 days.

Pest control

The pungent smell of ammonia repels a significant number of pests without infecting cucumbers and their neighbors in the garden with long-decomposing chemicals.

Borage is treated with ammonia if you notice:

• aphid;
• whitefly;
• spider mite.

To get rid of parasites, 10 ml of the product is diluted in 10 liters of water, a tablespoon of liquid household, tar or green soap is added. The affected plants are abundantly sprayed with a solution, often they are additionally rubbed with leaves and stems.

Watering the soil with such a composition, they get rid of the bear, wireworm, midges living in the soil. Snails and slugs do not like caustic fumes, as well as ants - they bypass the beds, which are regularly watered with ammonia. The irrigation solution is made from 10 liters of water and 15 ml of a pharmacy product.

Spraying cucumbers with an ammonia solution is carried out taking into account weather conditions. It is best to choose a cloudy, windless day. If circumstances require emergency treatment of the beds, the procedure is carried out early in the morning or before dusk. In the presence of wind, the liquid is sprayed upwind.

Pros and cons of ammonia for cucumbers

The use of an inexpensive pharmaceutical preparation gives summer residents a number of significant benefits:

• The low cost of the product, its easy availability - OTC dispensing at any pharmacy.
• Nitrogen does not go into the form of nitrates that accumulate in the fruit.
• It is difficult to overfeed plants as they are able to self-regulate their nitrogen intake in this form.
• The chemical composition of the soil does not change.
• The tool does not have a detrimental effect on the beneficial inhabitants of the site - pollinating insects, birds, domestic animals.
• Versatility of application.

The disadvantages are the high volatility of the substance, which is why its solutions for spraying cannot be prepared for future use. In greenhouses, they are used in compliance with safety rules. Another disadvantage is a sharp unpleasant smell. But this drawback has a downside, a positive side - it is no less disgusting for garden pests, including moles.

In order not to get poisoning with ammonia vapors when processing cucumbers in a greenhouse, use protective clothing, glasses and a respirator. The procedure is carried out with open windows and doors.

Since the unused stocks of ammonia after spraying remain on the surface of the fruits, they are thoroughly washed with running water before use.

Although urea contains much more active nitrogen, it is ammonia that has earned the special trust of summer residents: when applied foliarly, it quickly enters plant tissues, is easily absorbed only in the required quantities, does not form harmful compounds - nitrates. Of course, it is impossible to use it on large areas, but processing a dozen or two square meters of beds with cucumbers or tomatoes is a great way to get a good harvest.