The three fertilizing methods that can be used for cucumbers are, Granular, Liquid, and Spike Fertilizers. Below are the names of the two granular organic fertilizers that are the best to apply for your cucumbers as they are easiest to use and most effective for maximum output.
The two best organic granular fertilizer products that we recommend for your cucumbers are Gardener’s Organic Energy Buttons and Jobe’s Organics 09524 Purpose Granular Fertilizer.
Types of Fertilizers
Granular Fertilizer. It is a dry fertilizer that is in pelleted form. It comes in two forms: quick-release and slow-release fertilizers.
You would have to frequently apply fertiliser with quick-release fertilizer as it immediately releases nutrients into the soil.
The slow-release fertilizer delivers nutrients into the soil slowly and steadily over an extended period.
This means that you do not have to apply fertilizer frequently. Once or twice a year would suffice.
To apply this, you only must carefully mix the granules into the soil and water them afterwards to break down the nutrients.
You must pay careful attention to blending the granular fertilizer and your soil since it could potentially burn.
Gardeners love this type of fertilizer because it is easier to use. They can physically see the pellets or granules when they put them in the soil as a fertilizer.
They can strategically place them where they are needed, unlike other types of fertilizer.
Liquid Fertilizer. This type of fertilizer serves as a plant food in the form of liquid for fruits and vegetables.
It is formulated to provide the necessary nutrients that will enhance the growth and development of plants.
To apply this, you need to dilute first the fertilizer by adding water. Afterwards, you can use either a hose or watering can apply the fertilizer into your plant’s soil.
Some gardeners believe that liquid fertilizer is the best for cucumbers because it readily absorbs the nutrients into the soil.
However, it has critical disadvantages: it is more expensive than the granular fertilizer, washed away by the rain, and evaporated into the atmosphere.
Spikes Fertilizer. This type of fertilizer is in the form of solid sticks that are water insoluble. It is a slow-release type.
Thus, the nutrients get delivered into the soil over time. Spikes fertilizer is easy to use and is perfect for beginners in gardening.
To apply this fertilizer, you only need to stick the spikes directly into the soil.
Nutrient Requirements of Cucumbers
Cucumbers are cylindrical fruits that belong to the Cucurbitaceae gourd family; they originated from South Asia but can grow nearly anywhere in the world.
They are widely cultivated and used as vegetables because of their refreshing and nutritious taste and component.
These Are the Required Nutrients To Grow A Healthy Cucumber:
Nitrogen (N). Cucumbers need nitrogen just like most plants for their role in protein composition that drives plant growth.
Nitrogen is essential, especially during the flowering stage of a plant, to ensure high yielding potential.
Nitrogen deficiency can cause slow plant growth and development, bleaching of old leaves, discolored fruit, and thin stems.
When cucumbers lack a sufficient amount of nitrogen, they can become sensitive to salinity. As a result, cucumber leaves and fruits become small and discolored.
On the other hand, excessive nitrogen can lead to excessive cucumber leaves, fewer flowers, and small fruits.
With excessive nitrogen, the leaves become thicker and brittle, which quickly wilts in warm conditions.
Hence, gardeners recommend fertilizers that have smaller concentrations of nitrogen.
For The Given Reason, the NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) concentration level for fertilizers can be 5-10-10, and nitrogen is lower than phosphorus and potassium.
- Phosphorus (P). Cucumbers need phosphorus for early plant growth and the development of their root system.
It is also essential for the development of their flowers, fruits, and seeds.
Phosphorus is required in all stages of the growth of cucumbers. Among all stages, crop establishment and early plant growth demand the most amount of phosphorus.
A regular supply of phosphorus should be given to cucumbers because they naturally produce continuous new vegetative and fruiting tissues.
Phosphorus deficiency can lead to stunted growth, weak roots, small dark green leaves. Fruit set is also reduced, and in most cases, leaf dies prematurely.
Fertilizer is very much needed in supplying phosphorus in the soil to produce quality cucumbers.
- Potassium (K). This nutrient has so many physiological key functions in plants.
Some of them include enhancing plant resistance to low temperatures, salinity, drought, and diseases and enhancing the production of carbohydrates within the plant.
Potassium deficiency can lead to poor carbohydrates in the plants and the accumulation of starch in lower leaves.
It can also lead to bleaching of old leaves and abnormal fruit development.
Cucumbers are one of the unique crops that require more concentration of potassium and phosphorus than nitrogen.
- Other Important Nutrients Are the Following: calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), boron (B), zinc (Zn), molybdenum (Mo), and copper (Cu).
Final Thoughts
Fertilizer is an essential component in growing plants as they improve soil quality and health.
You can use three fertilizing methods in cucumbers, but the two best products that we are happy to recommend are the granular type since they are more affordable, easy to use, and effective.
Although there are a lot of organic fertilizers available in local stores and online, the two products that we recommend are: Gardener’s Organic Energy Buttons, and
Jobe’s Organics 09524 Purpose Granular Fertilizer.
Positive reviews and feedbacks from buyers and gardeners, regarding these two products gives us cause to take a closer look at them, because who doesn’t love a cool cucumber or more!
Jenny Marie
Tribal Writer
Edited By
Patricia Godwin
