Knowing how to plant cucumbers in sawdust for seedlings, you can get strong seedlings in a short time. However, this must be done correctly, otherwise the seeds will overheat and not sprout.

Is it possible to plant a seed of cucumbers in sawdust for seedlings

Growing seedlings in this way is extremely beneficial and not difficult at all. Cucumber seedlings have very delicate roots, therefore, after transplanting to the beds, they get sick for a long time and do not take root well. Sowing cucumbers in this way will help keep the delicate roots from damage.

The advantage of the method is that the soil is replaced by sawdust, which has the following properties:

  • loose structure;
  • breathe well;
  • retain heat;
  • weeds do not grow in sawdust;
  • pathogenic microorganisms and bacteria do not develop;
  • when transplanting seedlings, their horse system is not damaged;
  • create the most favorable climate for growing seedlings.

Seedlings of cucumbers in sawdust

This method is especially used when the seedlings are grown at home. It grows quickly and does not stretch. Saves space and there is no dirt, which cannot be avoided when using soil.

Sowing culture in boiling water

Cultivating seeds using boiling water is one of the modern techniques. It has many advantages:

  • Versatility. Suitable for growing seedlings not only for cucumbers, but also for many other crops.
  • Availability. The seeds used do not require preliminary preparation (disinfection and germination).
  • Rapidity. The first seedlings can be obtained much faster than with the classic sowing method.
  • Cost savings. There is no need to purchase biological stimulants.
  • Environmental friendliness. The use of boiling water guarantees soil disinfection, which contributes to the death of pathogenic microorganisms and bacteria. As a result, the risk of developing various kinds of diseases is reduced several times. In addition, the indicator of crop resistance to damage by pests of vegetable crops increases.

This method can be equally successfully used when growing seedlings, and when directly sowing seed on the beds. Each method has distinctive features that are due to the characteristics of the environment in which the seed will grow.

Seedling method

Plastic cassettes for seedlings

First, you need to choose the right container for planting seeds. For using high temperature water, plastic containers no more than 40 cm high are best.

Now you can start filling the containers with soil. The soil can be purchased ready-made, or you can prepare it yourself by mixing wood ash, peat and humus in equal parts. Pour boiling water over the soil surface.

Important! When using soil from the garden, it must first be disinfected.

Seeds are laid out on the surface of the soil and pressed to a depth of 1 - 1, 5 cm, and then they are filled up.

After that, the containers must be covered with a tight lid or opaque film. In this form, containers must be sent to a room where the air temperature fluctuates between 30 - 45 degrees, for 1 hour. After this time, the containers can already be moved to a room with an air temperature of 22 - 25 degrees.

Important! The film can only be removed after condensation has formed on its inside. If not, it is recommended to moisten the soil a little.

Seedless way

The use of this technology assumes preliminary soil preparation. For this, fertilizers and wood ash are applied to the soil approximately 3-4 hours before sowing the seeds. The soil mixes well and loosens. After 2 hours, the surface of the soil must be well watered with boiling water.

Watering the soil

After 2 hours after that, holes must be made on the surface of the soil into which boiling water is poured. You can use a kettle or watering can for this. Dry seeds are laid out in the holes and sprinkled.

Important! It is imperative to cover the soil with a dark film, which can be removed only after the shoots appear

Sowing cucumber seeds in boiling water allows you to get strong seedlings in a short time.

Germinating seed in hot sawdust

Hot planting of cucumbers in sawdust allows you to get early and strong shoots about 2 weeks earlier than if they were planted in the ground.

When transplanting seedlings into beds, you can lose about 50% of its horse system. This leads to the death of some of the seedlings. And those who did not die take long enough and difficult to take root. The use of sawdust as a soil allows to protect young plants from diseases, and also ensures their high and rapid germination. Of no small importance is what kind of sawdust is used.

Important! You can not use sawdust obtained after processing fiberboard or chipboard. They contain a large amount of adhesive components that have a detrimental effect on seed germination and seedling growth.

Only those sawdust that were obtained after processing natural wood are suitable for use. Before filling the plastic containers with sawdust, they must first be scalded 3-4 times with boiling water. This procedure will remove a large amount of resinous components from them.

It is imperative to fill in the scalded sawdust hot. Thanks to this, it will be possible to create an optimal microclimate necessary for the germination of cucumber seeds.

Layout of seeds

On the surface of a layer of hot sawdust 1.5 cm thick, seeds are laid out. The distance between them should be at least 2 cm. Seeds and a layer of sawdust alternate until the top edge of the container is reached.

The containers are covered with an opaque film. You can remove it only after the first shoots appear. The germination percentage reaches 90%, which cannot be said about germination when using classical methods.

What to do next

The first shoots will be visible already 2 - 3 days after sowing. The sprouts will appear together and evenly. Cotyledon leaves on seedlings will appear on the 5th day.

At this time, the seedlings must be watered as the top layer of sawdust dries. For this, warm clean water is used. After the first 2 - 3 true leaves appear, the seedlings are ready for transplanting into open ground. This will be in about 8 to 10 days. In the process of transplanting, the root system is practically not damaged, because the sawdust easily gives off the seedlings.

Important! Before removing the seedlings from the sawdust, they must be watered abundantly with warm water. This will simplify the transplanting process without damaging the roots.

While the sawdust is getting wet, you need to prepare the soil. For this, sawdust, humus and peat are mixed in equal amounts. After that, the soil is poured with boiling water. Holes are made in the ground, where the seedlings are placed. From above, the seedlings are covered with warm sawdust. When transplanting, do not clean the root system of sawdust.

When choosing a place for planting seedlings, it is necessary to give preference to an area that is well lit.

Further, the seedlings need regular care, they need watering, lighting, weeding, loosening the soil and feeding.

When sowing cucumbers in sawdust for seedlings, you can get not only fast and friendly shoots, but also a high yield 2 - 3 weeks earlier than when using traditional seedling growing technology.