A balcony or loggia is often used as a winter garden or simply a place for growing indoor flowers. More economical homeowners rationally approach the use of additional space and, instead of a flower garden, set up a mini-greenhouse. Let's find out how to grow cucumbers on the balcony so that you don't waste your energy and get a magnificent harvest of fresh and healthy vegetables in any season.

It turns out that not only ficus, geranium and petunia grow well on loggias and balconies, but also common vegetable crops, such as cucumbers and tomatoes. Many people practice growing cucumbers on the balcony, achieving really good results.

There are several dozen varieties of greenhouse (greenhouse) plants that also develop well in balcony conditions. Moreover, using breeding methods, hybrids have been bred that feel great on window sills and balconies. For them, a small area of ​​the room and a limited area of ​​soil are not an obstacle - on average 5-10 liters of fertile soil per bush. Externally, they can be distinguished by powerful roots, short stems and small leaves.

Proper care is the key to an excellent harvest

Hybrid cucumbers grow slower than greenhouse varieties and do not have seeds after ripening. They are smaller in size and are more like gherkins. Some species form group ovaries and produce bunches of fruit resembling bunches of grapes, so planting cucumbers on the balcony should take into account the fact that especially prolific hybrids require additional supports. With proper care, cucumbers ripen gradually over a long period of time.

Parthenocarpic hybrids Balcony cucumber F1, Balagan F1, Machaon F1, Calendar F1, Hummingbird F1 have been included in the State Register since 2009 as crops specifically intended for growing on the balcony. They do not differ in taste from vegetables obtained from open ground. In addition, the listed hybrids are also used for salting and pickling.

Bunches of hybrid cucumbers

Balcony varieties are characterized by another useful property: they have increased resistance to common vegetable diseases - common cucumber mosaic, olive spot, powdery mildew, etc.

Which balcony is suitable for growing crops?

Before planting cucumbers on the balcony, you need to find out whether the selected area is suitable for growing vegetables. Any plants need special conditions, otherwise they simply will not develop, much less bloom and bear fruit. The main factors that determine the choice of planting site are lighting and sufficient heat.

The open space of the loggia is suitable for a home garden, provided that the house is located in the south: apartment owners have six months at their disposal to quietly engage in vegetable growing. A sufficient amount of sunlight and high temperatures outside do not prevent the cultivation of cultivated plants. It is more difficult for residents of the northern regions: without a greenhouse or hotbed, it is unlikely that they will be able to harvest a good harvest.

Vegetables in a home flower garden

This means that the room must be insulated and protected from the negative influence of the external environment. A comfortable temperature for growth and fruiting is 18-20ºС, therefore, ordinary “cold” glazing will not be enough. The fact is that greenhouse cucumbers grow on the balcony in winter, and ordinary varieties are also sown in February, so even in the cold pre-spring period, the room temperature should be at least room temperature.

The second condition is an abundance of light. From this point of view, balconies, loggias and verandas are ideal places for planting crops. At least one side of the room is occupied by double-glazed windows that transmit maximum sunlight. But in March, when there is a lack of natural light, special greenhouse lamps are used that do not turn off even at night.

Additional lighting for seedlings

Of course, the south side of the building benefits in terms of growing vegetables, but if desired, suitable conditions can be created regardless of the location of the room. It remains to find out what kind of cucumbers are grown on the balcony - the quality and volume of the harvest depends on the correctly selected variety.

Selecting a variety based on pollination method

For growing in a relatively closed space, where there is no wind or insects, only parthenocarpic varieties and hybrids are suitable. They are often called self-pollinating varieties of cucumbers for the balcony - this is incorrect. It would be more accurate to call them unpollinated, since pollination is not required in principle for the development of the ovary and fruit.

Parthenocarpic hybrids have unusual taste qualities: they are meatier, juicier, and aromatic. After ripening, the fruits are devoid of seeds, so they are more readily used for preparing various dishes. But, like traditional varieties, greenhouse varieties are divided into salad and pickling varieties, and the second category appeared relatively recently. Previously, greenhouse cucumbers were intended exclusively for fresh consumption; they were not suitable for long-term storage and did not tolerate canning.

Greenhouse hybrids begin to bear fruit a little earlier than garden plants

According to reviews from amateur urban gardeners, the best varieties of cucumbers for growing on a windowsill (window) or balcony are proven hybrids:

• Zozulya F1 is an early ripening variety with fruits up to 22 cm, suitable for preservation;
• Emelya F1 – distinguished by its fertility and neat cucumbers;
• Matilda F1 – 12-centimeter cucumbers ripen in groups of 6-7 pieces;
• Zyatek F1 – small, only 10 cm gherkins with a pleasant taste.

It is also worth paying attention to hybrids and varieties: Balcony Miracle, Bettina F1, Angelina, German, Vesna, Claudia. The last three varieties are universal, that is, they are also used for growing in open ground.

In terms of taste, crops grown indoors are not inferior to their counterparts from the garden.

When choosing a variety, it is necessary to take into account the speed of fruit ripening. Hybrids that actively bear fruit within 45-50 days are considered early ripening. They are distinguished by thinner skin, juicy pulp and a soft green hue.

Instructions for growing cucumbers

Good yields are achieved by diligently following the rules of planting, watering, and fertilizing plants, so we will analyze growing cucumbers on the balcony step by step, stage by stage. You should start by preparing containers for soil, which will require a lot.

Before planting seeds, it is necessary to resolve issues with the containers that will replace the beds and the soil. Moreover, for germinating seeds you will need smaller containers, and for planting plants in the ground - large boxes, buckets, pots or trays.

Plastic flower boxes and netting for shoots

Seeds are usually sown in small plastic disposable cups. Peat cups are sold, from which the sprouts do not need to be removed for planting in the ground. It is believed that the walls of the container will collapse over time and mix with the soil. However, such preparations are not suitable for early ripening plants - the root grows faster than the peat dissolves in the soil.

Cups are placed on a pallet or tray

The root system of cucumbers loves free space, so for growing adult plants you will need a fairly large container - 5 liters, and ideally 10 liters. Large pots for indoor plants or buckets are suitable, taking into account the fact that one plant is planted in 1 container.

Instead of more conventional containers, you can use plastic boxes. Wooden ones will also work, but only as a flowerpot: inside the wooden box you need to place a sealed container with drainage and holes to drain excess liquid.

If there is no suitable container, cucumbers are grown on the balcony in plastic bottles placed along the windows or hung from the walls. By cutting off the top or wall of the vessel with a construction knife, it is turned into a convenient tray.

Modified bottles are as functional as plastic pots

Vegetables are demanding on the soil, which must be loose, fertile, and fertilized. For balcony beds, purchased universal soil for vegetables, flowers, or labeled “for seedlings” is suitable. If you come across dry peat soil, it must be enriched - diluted with humus, black soil and fine sawdust. To ensure looseness, add river sand, perlite or vermiculite.

When watering, the soil does not form lumps and does not float

Wood ash is considered a good soil additive (0.3-0.4 l per 10 l of soil). Potassium sulfate, superphosphate or combined liquid fertilizer is used as fertilizer in the proportions specified in the instructions.

Sowing seeds

If you want to time the cultivation of the crop to coincide with the traditional ripening time, before the sowing procedure you should calculate - add 40-60 days (depending on the ripening period), and you will find out when the first cucumbers will appear. It turns out that early ripening plants planted at the end of February will delight you with a harvest by the beginning of May.

Seeds ready for sowing

The order of sowing cucumber seeds for the balcony:

• untreated seeds are soaked in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 10-15 minutes;
• the disinfected seeds are rinsed and placed on a napkin, which must be periodically moistened for 2-2.5 days;
• add a growth stimulator (Epin, Zircon) for several hours;
• sowing is carried out.

The strongest and healthiest hatched seeds are selected and planted 1 at a time in a small container with prepared moistened soil and sprinkled with a thin layer of the same soil on top.

A sprouted seed in the ground turns into a sprout

It is important to remember that germination requires a temperature slightly higher than usual – +24-25°C. It is gradually reduced to +18°C, but especially resistant varieties can withstand +15°C.

Growing seedlings

As soon as the seedlings emerge from the ground, they need to be placed in a well-lit area on the balcony. In early spring, the daylight hours are not as long as in May, so artificial lighting can be provided during the dark period. Seedlings should be in the light for 16-18 hours, under the rays of the sun or under a phytolamp.

While small sprouts are gaining strength, the soil must be constantly moistened and the temperature regime must be maintained at +21-22°C. Stagnation of water in cups should be avoided, as should drafts during ventilation. For irrigation, use only clean, settled water at room temperature; cold water cannot be used directly from the tap.

When the first leaves appear, fertilize. This is easy to do by purchasing in the store liquid complex fertilizers specifically designed for cucumber seedlings. As the plant grows, fertilizing is repeated, usually timed to coincide with the appearance of the next leaf.

Healthy and strong shoots

The period for growing seedlings in small containers is approximately 25-26 days, after which they are transplanted into the ground, in our case, into closed ground (in greenhouse conditions). Picking cannot be done, as cucumbers react poorly to any damage to the root system.

Planting in closed ground

Until planting in a permanent place of growth, the seedlings could be in the warmest zone, that is, on an insulated loggia or right in the apartment - on the window sills. Now it is necessary to plant cucumbers on the balcony, that is, in the place where after some time they will bloom and begin to bear fruit. There is no point in waiting until the flowers appear; it is better that they give color after being planted in the ground.

Plants ready for transplanting

1 seedling is planted in pre-prepared pots or buckets, carefully handling the roots. The approximate dimensions of the container are 30 x 30 x 30 cm or more. Each pot has drainage and a system for draining excess liquid (a tray is provided for this). It is desirable that the soil be “native”, that is, the composition is the same as in the cups for seedlings.

Make a hole in the center of the soil backfill, spill it with warm water, then insert the seedling into it along with a also moistened lump of earth from a cup. Sprinkle soil on top, lightly compact and irrigate again. It would be a good idea to immediately install trellises or secure a net - climbing plants cling to them as they grow.

Mesh as a support for shoots

If there are a lot of healthy seedlings and the container has run out, you can use thick garbage bags. They are wider than pots, so 2-3 plants can fit in one bag (at the rate of 3 pieces per 1 m² of soil).

Rules for caring for plants

In order for cucumbers to develop properly and bring the expected harvest on time, you must follow the plant care requirements, which relate to watering, loosening, and fertilizing. If all conditions are met, urban vegetable growers achieve amazing results, proof of this is the numerous photos of cucumbers on the balcony posted on the Internet.

The flowering and fruiting process is successful

So, what you need to pay attention to:

• Watering. Plants are regularly watered with settled water at room temperature, making sure that the soil in the pots does not dry out.
• Drainage. The soil should be moist, but not swampy, so water for irrigation flows freely into the pan.
• Aeration. Loosening is done carefully, trying not to damage the roots. To compensate for the settled soil, add a small amount of soil.
• Spraying. Moisture is needed not only by the roots, but also by the leaves. Air humidification is carried out traditionally - with a spray bottle.
• Shading. Direct sunlight, which is quite hot already in April, has a negative effect on cucumber shoots and leaves, so it is better to cover the windows with a tulle curtain.
• Feeding. It is risky to use organic fertilizers (bird droppings, manure) in a residential area, so you can get by with liquid fertilizers such as Fertika-Lux, Ovary.
• Removing the mustache. The lateral shoots do not participate in the formation of fruits; they can be pinched off.

Wherever the pots with crops are located, there must be support for the shoots nearby. A thin wire or stretched twine will help only at first, before the fruits are quite heavy. It is better to immediately make a strong wooden lattice or wire mesh on the frame.

Metal rods for support

Please note that overgrown bushes take up a lot of space, so try to place them along the wall so that there is a path for free movement. Shoots that reach the ceiling must be pinched.

How to achieve a good harvest of cucumbers on the balcony - video from A to Z:

Successful experience of growing cucumbers on a balcony with windows facing north:

Analysis of varieties and tips for choosing:

As you have already seen, growing cucumbers on a window or balcony is a great opportunity to get a good harvest of fresh and tasty vegetables. Using the recommendations of vegetable growers, you can also achieve remarkable results and after just one and a half to two months you can already crunch on fresh cucumbers grown by yourself.

Growing cucumbers on the balcony is a pleasant and entertaining activity. If you do not have a garden plot, you can easily, following the recommendations, create a green vegetable garden on the loggia.

Basic growing rules

Before you get to work, you need to consider the location of the balcony, because cucumbers, like all plants, love sunlight. The north side is not suitable for planting this crop; it is better to choose the southeast or east. In addition, shoots do not like drafts, so a glazed balcony is suitable for them.

The growing process begins with the selection of seeds, because not all varieties are suitable for these purposes.

You need to pay attention to the following factors:

• the size of the resulting fruit;
• shade tolerance;
• no need for pollination;
• a note about the possibility of growing in a city apartment.

For growing cucumbers at home, hybrid varieties have been bred that adapt to balcony conditions:

• F1 “Balcony miracle”;
• F1 "Courage";
• F1 "Balagan";
• F1 "Claudia";
• F1 "Urban cucumber".

Seeds for the summer should be sown in late April - early May. If you start the germination process early, the stems may become very elongated due to insufficient sunlight. Also, the formation of buds will occur before the establishment of warm, suitable weather, and they may dry out and fall off.

In the cold season, it is necessary to provide plants with certain conditions.

1. Add additional light sources, which will increase daylight hours, which are shortened in winter.
2. Additionally, insulate the balcony or loggia with special materials.
3. Install heating devices to maintain and also to avoid freezing of the plant at night.
4. Provide good ventilation to provide fresh air without drafts.

Growing technology

To get a good harvest and tasty cucumbers in your apartment, you need to follow the vegetable growing technology step by step. It includes:

• soil preparation;
• planting seeds;
• creating conditions for the development of seedlings;
• picking seedlings and moving them into larger pots;
• mineral fertilizing;
• care until the last cucumber is harvested.

Soil preparation

Soil saturated with microelements and nutrients is the key to intensive, healthy growth of all sown seeds. It is prepared by mixing several ingredients in a certain proportion.

1 way

It is the most labor-intensive because the soil is made from 5 different components, which are taken in the same quantity - half a 10-liter bucket.

You will need:

• turf;
• compost;
• peat;
• ash;
• sawdust.

They need to be poured into a large container or into a film spread on the ground, mixed and moistened with a solution of potassium permanganate to disinfect the soil.

If it is not possible to prepare the soil yourself at home, you can purchase it at a specialized store.

Method 2

This cooking method uses the same ingredients, per 1 bucket of which you need to add:

• 10 – 15 g nitrophoska;
• 8 – 10 g urea.

Thorough mixing promotes uniform distribution of substances throughout the entire mass of prepared soil.

3 way

Take:

• turf and compost - half of a 10-liter bucket;
• ash – 400 g;
• lime – 50 g;
• fertilizer complex – 15 g.

Mix these ingredients until a homogeneous mass is obtained, transfer the resulting mixture into a bag and bury it to a shallow depth. After 7–10 days, the rotted mass will become crumbly and suitable for planting.

To prevent viral and infectious diseases that affect plants, the resulting soil should be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate. It must be diluted following the recommendations on the package.

How to sow seeds correctly

The choice of seeds is not the main stage in growing cucumbers; it is more important to sow them correctly.

Method 1 – germination.

1. Place the seeds in a pinkish solution of potassium permanganate and leave for 15–20 minutes.
2. Fold gauze soaked in warm water into several layers and place the seeds in it.
3. Plant the hatched specimens in prepared containers.

Method 2 – planting dry seeds.

1. Make small indentations in the prepared pots (in elongated containers, the holes are made at a distance of 30–35 cm from each other).
2. Place 2 seeds in each to ensure germination.
3. Deepen the seeds 1.5 cm.
4. Lightly moisten the soil and cover with film.

For seedlings, you need to purchase special containers that have a double bottom, which prevents the accumulation of moisture and rotting of the roots, and drainage holes. You can make such a container for growing cucumbers on a windowsill at home yourself.

The soil in the pots should not remain dry; the surface should be moistened regularly (it is more convenient to do this with a spray bottle once a day).
After 3 full-fledged leaves appear, you can begin the stage of hardening the seedlings. It takes place in several stages.

1. Remove the film for several hours.
2. Sunbathing near an open window in the pre-lunch hours.
3. Take it out to the balcony after the frost ends.

Seedlings are fed twice before transplanting:

• 14 days after emergence;
• 7–10 days after 1 treatment.

The soil is completely moistened with a mineral solution after 2–3 leaves appear; 1 cup of diluted fertilizer is used per plant.

Transplanting seedlings

At this stage of growing cucumbers at home, you need to purchase long plastic containers measuring 60x30x20. Prepared soil is poured into each of them in a 7-centimeter layer.

If the sprouts have sprouted in peat pots, then the seedlings should be placed in a box without being removed from them. Fill with soil, lightly compact and moisten the surface.

Seedlings sown in plastic cells are transplanted with a ball of earth. To do this, you need to fill the plant with warm water, push a lump of earth through the drainage hole with your index finger and carefully pull out the sprout. Distribute the seedlings throughout the container at a distance of 35–40 cm from each other.

A long stage begins when proper care of cucumbers allows you to reap a rich harvest.

Care involves:

1. to form a cucumber lash;
2. removal of antennae once every 10 days;
3. maintaining optimal humidity by spraying dried soil;
4. loosening the soil around the plant;
5. systematic feeding with potassium and phosphorus fertilizers (once every 2 weeks);
6. foliar treatment of shoots to prevent diseases and pests (once every 2 weeks);
7. lash garter to prevent fragility.

Growing cucumbers in the cold season

Many consider growing cucumbers in winter almost a miracle, but the technology for germination and planting seeds is the same for any time of year. The only differences are in the conditions of detention.

• Indoor plants need additional moisture during the heating period. involves daily watering. To humidify the air around the cucumbers, place a container of water nearby.
• Provide additional lighting because cloudy days prevail and plants lack light.
• If there is no frost, you can open the window to ventilate the room.

How to grow cucumbers in plastic bottles

This option is recognized as the most economical, since no one has a shortage of plastic containers. You can sow seedlings in both one and a half liter and five liter bottles. For such purposes, there are special varieties - F1 “Khrustik” and F1 “Shchedrik”, which ripen quickly and are characterized by high yields.

1.5 liter containers take up less space and provide optimal hydration to the sprout.

1. Cut the bottle in half.
2. Pour soil into the upper part without covering the neck with a lid.
3. Plant a seed.
4. Pour water into the bottom part.
5. Insert the half with the soil into a container of water so that the water covers the neck.

With this method, the water is changed daily.

Holes are made in 5-liter plastic bottles, previously cut in half lengthwise, to drain excess liquid when watering.

Caring for cucumber seedlings grown in a window follows a familiar pattern.


Growing cucumbers on the windowsill and loggia brings a lot of trouble, but the result is worth it. You can plant vegetables both in winter and in summer, observing the growing conditions, because indoor cucumbers require additional lighting and moisture.

Flower pots and containers are used for planting; cucumbers can also grow in plastic bottles and wooden boxes equipped with good drainage.

If you are a real gardener, love to farm and there is no opportunity to purchase a vegetable garden or garden plot, do not be upset. There is a great opportunity to make your desires come true—at home. To do this, you need to make an effort and have a little patience, stock up on useful information, and not only flowers or ornamental plants, but also delicious vegetables - cucumbers.

Before you start growing cucumbers at home on the balcony, you need to take your time and carefully understand which varieties are suitable for planting in an enclosed space. Since there are no bees or wind on the balcony, you need to know which variety is suitable and select species that do not need to be pollinated and are characterized by high productivity - these are Masha, Bianka, Stella, Cucaracha, Aprilsky, Gribovchanka, Debut or Zozulya. This is not the entire list of varieties intended for growing on the balcony. Which ones are best to purchase, how to grow cucumbers on the balcony in the summer, the size of the pot - which one to choose and is there a difference in the selection of containers, what kind of soil is needed, fertilizing, about all this you need to consult with experienced farmers or read the information in this article.

Some experienced gardeners are trying to plant varieties of cucumbers that require pollination - these are Marathon, Frigate, Manul, Northern Lights, etc. But so that your work is not in vain, and the plants bear fruit, it is necessary to plant hybrid varieties near the above-mentioned varieties - self-pollinating cucumbers in the proportion: 5 plants that require pollination and one hybrid species. This planting guarantees favorable plant growth, flowering and then cucumbers.

Cucumbers on the balcony - harvest

When selecting varieties of hybrids, preference can be given to later ripening varieties - these are Claudia F1, Marinda F1, Gladiator, Hercules.

How to grow cucumbers on the balcony correctly with your own hands is described in great detail later in this article.

Growing process

If you feel like a real farmer and still decide to start growing cucumbers on a loggia or balcony, desire alone is not enough.

Firstly, you need to know that cucumbers are a delicate crop; they need to be protected from drafts and comfortable conditions created for favorable cultivation.

The room should be re-equipped, namely: install additional lighting, ventilation and heating. This will increase daylight hours, which has a beneficial effect on the growth of seedlings. Proper performance of ventilation and heating installations is the key to maintaining proper climate control.

Important! If your balcony is not insulated, but is located on the east or south-east side, such a room will not be suitable for growing cucumbers, since at night, especially in winter or early autumn, temperature changes will negatively affect the growing process, even to the death of the plants . Therefore, it is important to know in detail how to care for cucumbers on the balcony.

Growing cucumbers on the balcony

Secondly, it is necessary to carefully study the process of growing vegetables indoors and adhere to step-by-step technology:

• sow seeds;
• prepare the ground;
• take care of the seeds;
• plant seedlings;
• plant nutrition;
• formation of cucumber lash;
• plant care.

Below is the cultivation step by step, thanks to which cucumbers will delight you with their color, and even more so with their harvest.

Stages of planting seeds

Sowing seeds is the most critical stage and is carried out in several stages. Before planting plants, you need to prepare the seeds, decide on the time of planting and harvesting. If you plan to get a decent harvest of cucumbers in early spring, you should plant the seeds in winter.

Therefore, if you start growing cucumbers, do not stop this process and follow the advice of experienced gardeners.

Necessary:

• prepare a weak solution of potassium permanganate and soak the seeds in it for up to 20 minutes;
• strain and place the seeds on a well-moistened gauze cloth folded in several layers;
• When the seeds crack and begin to germinate, they should be sown in small flower pots or dark plastic cups.

It is important to pay attention to the container for growing seedlings; it should not be transparent, since solar heat has a beneficial effect on the development of various diseases in the root system.

Cucumber seedlings

Container for disembarkation

It is necessary to take into account that in order to protect the root system from unwanted rotting, pots or containers for planting plants must have a double bottom. Since cucumbers are a moisture-loving crop, it must be provided with abundant watering, so the upper bottom should have drainage holes through which excess moisture and water penetrates into the lower pan.

If you don't have special pots, use a dark plastic container and make a container with a double bottom. Plastic bottles are quite suitable for this design. The capacity of the pot for one plant should be 2.5 liters.

Important! Do not use a metal container for seedlings, as they are susceptible to corrosion and may kill the plants.

Soil preparation process

Before planting cucumber seeds, land alone is not enough. It is necessary to prepare a soil composition in advance that will ensure good growth of the seedling and protect the soil from drying out.

By the way, there is no one ideal composition; you can choose it yourself.

1st squad. The mixture is selected in equal parts and mixed well:

• compost;
• turf land;
• peat;
• wood sawdust;
• wood ash.

This composition can be purchased at a gardening store.

2nd composition. For one bucket above the proposed composition, add 10 grams of urea and 15 grams of nitrophoska. Mix everything thoroughly and plant the seeds.

3rd composition. A more profitable and economical option for preparing the soil is to prepare the mixture yourself in the garden. Take half a bucket of turf soil and compost, then two glasses of wood ash, 50 grams of lime, 5 grams of fertilizers: potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus. Mix everything thoroughly and compact it into a plastic bag. Then dig a deep hole, place a bag of soil mixture and cover with soil. After some time, the mixture will rot and become loose.

Before planting seeds, the soil must be treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate - this will protect the plants from various diseases.

If you follow the advice of gardeners and prepare high-quality soil, this will significantly increase your chance of growing cucumbers and reaping a decent harvest without leaving your home.

Conditions for growing seeds

If you decide to start growing cucumbers on a loggia or balcony, you need to follow some rules and tips. Caring for plants is not difficult, but the main thing is to create all the proper conditions for their favorable growth.

First, create and maintain the optimal temperature in the room, which should be between 22-25 degrees. If the air temperature is lower than expected, the seeds and future seedlings will slow down in development. Before planting seeds in the soil, the container must be thoroughly washed and rinsed with a solution of potassium permanganate. This will protect the seedlings from unwanted diseases.

When planting seeds, they must be deepened into the soil up to 2-3 cm. Place the pots with seedlings on a balcony that has been prepared in advance for growing cucumbers, namely: it is sufficiently well insulated, equipped with additional light and ventilation.

We grow cucumbers on the balcony ourselves

In about 25-28 days the first shoots will emerge. After the first shoots appear, the soil is fertilized twice: the first - after 2 weeks and after 10 days - the second. The necessary fertilizers can be purchased at the Ogorodnik store.

Important! Direct rays of the sun should not hit the plants.

As for the answer to the question “how often to water the plants,” here it is necessary to maintain a certain soil moisture; for this, watering must be done daily and with settled water at room temperature.

Planting seedlings

The first stage of cultivation is completed. The first shoots have appeared and now you can move on to the second stage of growing cucumbers - transplanting seedlings.

To do this, you need to purchase boxes with a double bottom at the store or construct the necessary container from plastic bottles. And cucumbers on the balcony - grown in plastic bottles - you can view details with photos in the gallery of this article. To prevent the soil from drying out, the container must meet the proper parameters: height - 20 cm, width - 30 cm, length - 60 cm.

When transplanting ready-made seedlings, fill the pots with the previously prepared soil mixture, approximately 1/3 full, and water generously with a weak solution of potassium permanganate at room temperature. Then, after 20 minutes, the lump of earth from the cups along with the seedlings must be placed in a box and covered with substrate. Such a transplant will protect the roots from unwanted damage. Watering the seedlings must be done once a day.

Note. If the windows on the loggia are open and the air temperature is comfortable enough for plants, the pots should be placed in the place where gusts of wind are least felt.

The seedlings are transplanted and the growing process takes place within 30-40 days.

Top dressing

If ideal conditions for growing cucumbers are created on your balcony and the seedlings are developing well enough, watering with water alone is not enough. After two weeks, when the first shoots appear, you should know what to feed and fertilize the young plants.

First feeding, based on 10 liters:

• ammonium nitrate – 5 g;
• potassium nitrate – 15 g;
• superphosphate – 30 g;
• magnesium sulfate – 5 g.

After 10 days, prepare a second feeding, based on 10 liters:

• dilute well-rotted bird droppings in water (1:20);
• superphosphate -20 g;
• potassium sulfate 15 g.

Forming a cucumber lash

If you planted varieties that require pollination, they need to be pinched. When and how to pinch plants? To do this, you need to track when the third leaf appears and cut it off along with the growth point. After which, after 5 days, lateral shoots are formed from the axillary buds, below the first and below the second leaf, from which the main cucumber lashes are subsequently formed. The next pinchings must be done through the next two sheets. Therefore, having planted cucumbers on the balcony, growing and pinching (the video at the end of this article will help you understand all the processes in more detail) are prerequisites for the successful further growth of this crop on the balcony.

Growing cucumbers on the balcony

Since cucumbers are a climbing crop, the formed cucumber vine should be tied up. Approximately at a height of 1.5 m from the soil surface, it is necessary to tighten the wire. From the top of the wire, lower the thickened thread down, tying it to the stem. Then twist the stem around the thread. If you tie the plants in this way, it will not harm the growth and will provide good support for the plant.

In order to successfully grow cucumbers on a balcony, loggia or veranda, it is necessary to create proper conditions and care for the plants. By following all the recommendations and requirements of agricultural technology, you will get a fairly good harvest, please not only yourself and your loved ones, but also stock up on pickles for the winter.

Growing homemade vegetables on your screened-in balcony is a great way to have a source of vitamins all year round. Many city dwellers have long adopted this method and in the cold season, they move with their seedlings from their dachas to insulated balconies and loggias. In addition, balcony greenhouses allow those who have never had their own plot of land to engage in gardening hobbies.

One of the simplest vegetables that is easy to grow even for a novice gardener is the cucumber. It can be grown on the balcony even in ordinary plastic bottles. This is convenient because such containers are very affordable and can be found in every apartment, and they are also easy to prepare for planting seedlings. And you will learn how to do this from our article.

What varieties of cucumbers can be grown on the balcony?

For growing in or city apartments, special varieties of vegetables, including cucumbers, have long been invented. The mark on the seed package “for indoor soil” will help you understand that this variety is perfect for your purposes. It is better to give preference to self-pollinating hybrids, since such varieties are very easy to care for, and they are not capricious in terms of external conditions.

Also, the following varieties of cucumbers are suitable for planting on the balcony:

• Virenta 1 or 2;
• Dragonfly;
• April;
• Balcony miracle;
• Stella;
• Sail;
• Moscow balcony;
• Cucaracha.

When purchasing ordinary, non-self-pollinating varieties, it is important to take into account the fact that in nature, plant flowers are pollinated by bees, so in balcony conditions you will have to carry out this procedure yourself.

To do this, you need to shake pollen from the female flowers (with pistils) onto the male flowers (with stamens). Otherwise you won't get any harvest.

What soil do balcony cucumbers need?

Preparing the soil for cucumbers is not too difficult a task. A universal store-bought mixture for vegetable crops and ordinary garden soil from your dacha or village garden will do. The main condition is that the soil must be fertile.

It is important to remember that before planting seeds or seedlings, the soil mixture, as well as the planting container, must be disinfected. The soil can either be poured with boiling water, kept under steam for 10-15 minutes, or heated in a microwave oven for 5-10 minutes and sprinkled with fungicide.

Growing cucumber seedlings on the balcony

To plant seedlings, you will need small plastic cups or special cups purchased at a gardening store (which can be planted in the ground along with the sprouts). To drain excess water, holes must be made in the bottom of the containers.

For speedy cultivation, cucumber seeds are treated with a strong solution of potassium permanganate. They need to be placed in a gauze or fabric bag and dipped in a dark solution of potassium permanganate for about 10-15 minutes. Then the seeds need to be washed with water. They should end up brown.

Another way to speed up the process of growing seeds and increase their germination is to place them between layers of damp gauze for a couple of days until they hatch. In this case, you need to ensure that the gauze does not dry out and periodically moisten it with warm water.

A fluorescent lamp or a special greenhouse lamp for plants will also help improve the quality of seedlings.

You can sow one or two seeds in each cup to the depth of the first phalanx of your finger. Seedlings should be stored in a warm room with a temperature of at least 23-25 ​​degrees Celsius.

After emergence, the seedlings can be transferred to the balcony, but at the same time, it is important to monitor the temperature (20-23 degrees during the day and not lower than 15 degrees at night is enough) and the absence of drafts. Cucumbers should be watered moderately, no more than once a day in good light with warm water (23-25 ​​degrees Celsius).

Sprouts suitable for planting will appear in about a month. During this time, the seedlings will need to be fed twice, either with special store-bought fertilizers, or with the same mixture that was added to the soil.

We prepare containers and a place for growing cucumbers on the balcony

You can choose any bottle. In small ones you can plant one bush, in five-liter ones - two or three, depending on their size.

You can prepare the bottles like this:

• One and a half liter or liter bottles need to be cut in half crosswise. Moreover, there is no need to throw out the top part with the neck - it can be useful as an additional shelter for the sprouts from a draft or sun and create an additional greenhouse effect (do not forget that cucumbers are a very heat-loving crop).
• Five-liter bottles are cut lengthwise, like a plastic box.

In both cases, you need to immediately make holes at the bottom of the containers to ensure high-quality drainage of the mail, because stagnation of water can immediately ruin the plant. Also, a good way would be to place the containers on a tray or in another similar container with small pebbles or expanded clay poured into it.

When choosing a place to place containers with cucumbers on the balcony, it is important to consider the following:

• Cucumbers are a light-loving and heat-loving crop. Therefore, the ideal option would be a balcony on the south side of the house. But it is important not to place plants in direct sunlight, as this can lead to burning and drying of the leaves. If the balcony is on the poorly lit side, then be sure to purchase a lamp for plants.
• To grow vegetables in winter, the balcony must be glazed and insulated. But for cucumbers, in addition to this, you need to take care of heating the balcony. In this case, you will have to monitor the humidity of the room; too dry air will also damage the shoots and fruits. In this case, periodically spraying the leaves or installing an automatic humidifier will help.
• The main factor due to which cucumbers often die on the balcony is drafts. Their appearance must be carefully avoided. All cracks in windows or balcony walls must be sealed, and try not to open windows in windy weather and in the cold season.

Bottles with cucumbers on the balcony can become not just, but also a wonderful piece of furniture if you also use the loggia or balcony as a relaxation area. For example, seedlings in multi-colored bottles, hung on the side walls of a balcony or placed on shelves, will look very original. In addition, bottles and other containers can be decorated in a variety of ways, giving them the style that suits the design of your balcony.

Caring for bottled cucumbers on the balcony

Caring for cucumbers during their growth and development involves periodically watering them. This should be done about two or three times a week, always with warm water. You need to reduce or increase watering volumes based on the weather outside the window and the air temperature in the room. One plant should have about two to three liters of water.

You also need to form each bush into a single stem. This is done like this: the top of the main, that is, the most powerful, stem is pinched when the shoot reaches the size of the stick or net supporting it. Secondary shoots (those that grow from the axils of the leaves) are pinched to a length of 20 to 40 centimeters.

During fruiting, cucumbers require feeding, approximately once a week. It is best to choose ready-made mixtures for this purpose, which are easy to find in specialized stores. But try to ensure that such fertilizers do not contain chemicals that can affect the quality of the fruit and harm your health.

What pests can threaten cucumbers on the balcony?

Often, gardeners even on balconies are faced with problems such as pests. Usually on cucumbers you can find:

• Spider mite

You can recognize it by the silvery coating on the side of the leaves that faces down. If the mite has been living on the plant for a long time or there are many of them, then you will immediately see a dense, small cobweb on all the leaves and, possibly, shoots. In this case, an infusion of garlic mixed with laundry soap will help you. You need to steep one head of garlic for about an hour or two in a liter of water, then strain the liquid, add a small piece of soap to it and stir well. With this mixture you need to wash the entire plant, each of its leaves, carefully removing plaque and cobwebs.

These are very small bugs that also hide on the underside of the leaves and often stick around the entire stem of the plant. In order to get rid of this pest, you will need tobacco. You can even gut it from regular cigarettes (half a pack is enough), then add a liter of water and boil for ten minutes. After this, you need to add the same amount of water, strain the mixture and apply it to the damaged parts of the plant. For this purpose, you can use either a cloth soaked in the solution or a spray bottle.

• Whitefly

This bright white insect is hard to miss on cucumber bushes, despite its small size. You need to fight it the same way as you fight aphids - with tobacco infusion. But in this case, the infusion should be much stronger, so it is better to take a whole pack of cigarettes and dilute it with less water after boiling.

• Sprout fly

The appearance of this pest can be easily avoided if you lubricate the walls of the containers and their edges in advance with any odorous ointment of the “star” type.

In any case, you should not use pesticides in pest control. After all, we grow vegetables on the balcony just so that they are environmentally friendly and truly beneficial for our body. Therefore, always try to cope with such problems by turning to the wisdom of our ancestors and using folk recipes.

We grow cucumbers in bottles using hydroponics

Few gardeners know that they can grow their favorite vegetables even without using land. However, for gardening at home, this method turns out to be preferable in many respects. We are talking about hydroponics. Let's try to figure out how to grow cucumbers in ordinary plastic bottles without using any earthen fertilizers or soil.

The essence of this method is that plants are grown using special nutrient mixtures of water and fertilizers. For a cucumber you will need the following mixture of fertilizers per liter of water:

• One and a half to two grams of ammonium nitrate;
• Two to three grams of superphosphate;
• One and a half to two grams of potassium chloride.

Now let’s look in detail at how to create a hydroponic system for growing cucumbers:

1. You will need a pre-processed and sprouted cucumber seed;
2. You need to take two containers, one with a volume of five liters and the second with a volume of about three or two and a half liters. It is better to cut the bottles crosswise.
3. In the first bottle you need to pour 8-10 centimeters of small crushed stone or well crushed red brick.
4. You need to make holes in the bottom of the second bottle and place it in the first container, on the bottom.
5. Then pour well-washed hot water or additionally heated river sand into a smaller bottle.
6. Now we bury a cucumber seed one and a half to two centimeters deep in the center of the bottle with sand, germinated side down, flat. Sprinkle it with a little sand on top and pour in a small amount of warm water.
7. After a couple of days, when the first shoots appear, pour the nutrient solution into the bottom jar. Its level should reach the bottom of the top jar, but no more than that - too humid an environment will destroy the sprouts.
8. After about 12-14, the first true leaves will begin to appear on the plant.
9. As soon as the third true leaf appears, it will need to be plucked off along with the growing point in its petiole.
10. The same should be done with the first two side lashes that appear after pinching.
11. Next, you will only need to monitor the growth of your plant and periodically replace the nutrient mixture with a fresh solution.

This growing method will help you not only acquire a mini-garden on your balcony, but also surprise guests and relatives with an unusual plant laboratory.

Thus, nothing is impossible, and you can start your own vegetable garden even in a small apartment without access to a plot of land.

A short video for beginners on growing cucumbers on the balcony:

The absence of a summer cottage does not mean that you will not have the opportunity to eat your own vegetables. After all, you can plant your favorite cucumbers and other crops right on your balcony or loggia. To do this, you just need to properly prepare the room and select special plant varieties that are well suited for growing at home. In this review we will figure out how to plant cucumbers on the balcony.

Choosing seeds

If you have decided to plant a vegetable garden right at home, then first decide on the variety of cucumbers. In this case, it should be taken into account that there are no natural pollinators on the balcony. Another important factor in limited space is the yield indicator. For home garden beds, the best varieties of cucumbers for balconies are best, as they allow you to collect the maximum amount of vegetables from a small area.

What else should you know? When choosing varieties of cucumbers for your balcony and windowsill, you can also purchase species that require pollination, such as “Manul” or “Marathon”. However, in this case, you will need to plant self-pollinating varieties next to them. The ratio of these plants should be 5:1. It is definitely worth considering that this option is more suitable for experienced gardeners who are well versed in all the intricacies of growing vegetables. If this is your first experience, then it is better to give preference to proven hybrids. In addition to the correct selection of varieties, special attention should also be paid to the soil, pots, and fertilizing. The future harvest of cucumbers will depend on many factors simultaneously.

Vegetable garden on the loggia: main stages

How to grow cucumbers on the balcony at home? Not everywhere it is possible to equip beds. This culture requires a certain climate. She is thermophilic and does not tolerate drafts. Before sowing cucumbers, you need to carefully inspect the area where you are going to create a bed. Most likely, the walls of the balcony will need to be insulated. You will also need additional ventilation. For balconies facing southeast or east, this is one of the most important conditions. Without additional insulation, such rooms may experience severe temperature changes. This negatively affects the crop being grown.

Cucumbers for balconies and windowsills require good lighting. Take care in advance of equipping the beds with additional fluorescent lamps. This will help you create a favorable microclimate for growing and achieve an excellent harvest. This completes the preparatory stage. Next, you should move directly to gardening work.

Germination of seeds

Many housewives are interested in how to plant cucumbers on the balcony. We will look at growing step by step in this review. It all starts with germination. The seed package usually contains instructions. This should be used as a guide when carrying out gardening work. As a rule, these instructions indicate the period of time required for the appearance of the first fruits. If the room is insulated and equipped with additional lighting sources, you can plant cucumbers even in the cold season. This way you can get the first harvest in the spring.

For germination, you need to prepare a weak solution of potassium permanganate (it should be pinkish). It is necessary to soak cucumber seeds for the balcony in it for 20 minutes. After this, they are laid out on damp gauze. When the seeds sprout, they can be planted in the ground. To begin with, it is better to use small jars or flower pots. Glasses made of opaque plastic will also work. It is better to give preference to dark-colored products. If these conditions are met, you can protect the roots of the plant from the negative effects of sunlight. One common box can also be used for seeds. Only in this case, after the shoots appear, you will have to plant them in different pots. After all the seeds have been planted, all you have to do is cover them with film and place them in a warm place.

Choosing a container for planting

Cucumbers are a moisture-loving crop. It requires frequent watering. To prevent root rot, experts recommend choosing pots with a double bottom. You can purchase them in specialized stores at an affordable price. Excess moisture in such a container will not linger in the soil, but will go into the pan. In flower shops you can pick up special pots designed for growing cucumbers. When choosing a container, it is worth considering that its volume should be from 4 to 5 liters. If you couldn’t find a similar pot, then regular dark plastic bottles will do. Just make holes in the bottom and place a plate to drain excess water. Metal containers are not suitable for seedlings. They may rust if exposed to water.

Soil preparation

How to grow cucumbers on the balcony? An important step is soil preparation. For this purpose, soil, peat, compost and other ingredients are used. There are several recipes that are best for growing cucumbers. However, to choose the optimal one, you need to try several options at once.

Here are some of them:

1. The first version of soil for cucumbers is easy to prepare yourself, but can also be purchased at a flower shop. It includes the following ingredients: compost, sawdust, ash, peat. All compositions are taken in the same quantity and mixed thoroughly.
2. Second option: the first composition is used as the basis. In a bucket of soil already prepared according to the first recipe, you need to add 15 grams of nitrophoska and 10 grams of urea. Mix all ingredients thoroughly. The resulting soil must be filled
3. The third option contains half a bucket of turf soil, half a bucket of compost, two glasses of wood ash and 50 grams of lime. You can also add 5 grams of potassium and phosphorus fertilizer. All of the above ingredients must be thoroughly mixed and placed in a plastic bag. After this, a hole is dug in the summer cottage, the prepared bag is lowered into it and covered with earth on top. The rotted mixture will be an excellent soil for growing cucumbers on the balcony.

Planting seeds

How to perform this process correctly? Planting seeds is the most important stage on which the entire harvest will depend.

Therefore, it is extremely important to follow certain rules when performing this procedure:

1. The room temperature should be 22-25 degrees. These are optimal conditions for picking cucumbers on the balcony. Growing at lower degrees can lead to a significant increase in ripening time.
2. Before filling the pots with soil, wash the inner walls of the containers with a solution of potassium permanganate. This will significantly reduce the risk of plants being damaged by diseases and pests.
3. To plant seeds, simply deepen them a couple of centimeters into the soil.
4. Seeds should germinate in a warm and well-ventilated area. You can leave the pots in a room with additional lighting. Place them so that the seedlings are not exposed to direct sunlight.
5. The plant should be watered every other day. If the air in the room is too dry, then the number of waterings should be increased. The water should have a temperature of 22 to 23 degrees. Fill several bottles at once so that if necessary, you always have something to water the seedlings.

Transplanting seedlings

How to properly plant cucumbers on the balcony? Growing cucumbers on the balcony necessarily involves a procedure such as transplanting seedlings. It should be started after the first sheets appear. For this purpose, you will need special wooden boxes with a double bottom. You can buy them at a flower shop. Make sure they have a tray. The optimal dimensions of a box for seedlings are 20x30x60 cm. In this case, you can easily retain moisture in the soil.

When transplanting seedlings, you should follow the following instructions:

1. The containers should be about half filled with soil. The soil must be watered with a solution of potassium permanganate.
2. After half an hour, you can place the sprout from the cup in a pre-prepared box with soil. Seedlings should be transplanted directly along with the earthen ball.
3. Add soil so that the plant fits better in the new container.

Transplanted seedlings should be watered every day using warm, settled water. Try to protect cucumbers on the balcony from drafts. When ventilating, containers should be removed. 40-50 days after transplanting you will be able to get your first harvest.

Top dressing

An essential condition for obtaining a good harvest of cucumbers is high-quality fertilizing. It is not enough to simply water the beds. In order for a plant to develop properly, it requires nutrients. Cucumbers are fed twice - 14 days after the first shoots appear and another 10 days later.

Forming cucumber lashes

Pinching is an important stage in growing cucumbers on the balcony. This procedure is necessary so that the plant does not have to waste energy on shoots that are not capable of producing a good harvest. The pinching method depends on the variety you choose. If we are talking about self-pollinating crops, then it is necessary to pinch off the first 2-3 ovaries on the shoots. Next, you should remove the side shoots on the third or fourth cucumber. It should be noted that self-pollinating varieties are easier to care for.

On plants of pollinated varieties, fruits mainly appear on the side shoots. Therefore, the main vine should be pinched. After the third leaf appears on the seedlings, it should be cut off, capturing the growth point.

It is imperative to tie up cucumber shoots. A wire is pulled at a height of 0.5 meters above the soil. A strong thread is threaded from it, with the help of which the lashes are formed.

To get a good harvest, you need to listen to the advice of experienced gardeners. How to properly grow cucumbers on the balcony? This culture requires special attention.

To obtain a high-quality harvest, it is enough to follow a few simple recommendations, namely:

• loosen the soil from time to time;
• perform pinching;
• tie up shoots;
• Monitor the soil moisture level and never allow it to dry out;
• maintain the temperature on the balcony where you grow cucumbers;
• Don't forget about additional lighting.

If you follow these simple requirements, you will soon be able to easily pick cucumbers on your balcony. Growing this crop does not involve significant financial costs. Using the simple recommendations presented in this article, you will get a rich harvest of cucumbers.

Yellowing of leaves

Very often housewives who grow cucumbers on the balcony face this problem. Varieties do not play a special role in this matter. Leaves may burn due to too high a temperature on the balcony. If it exceeds 30 degrees, it is necessary to artificially create shade for the cucumbers. From such heat, not only the leaves, but also the fruits can turn yellow. Care in this case must necessarily include mulching the soil and irrigating the plants with water from a spray bottle. Experts also include poor pollination, an excess of ovaries and the presence of diseases as possible causes of yellowing of cucumbers.

If you notice that cucumbers are growing too slowly, this may be due to insufficient feeding. In this case, it is necessary to add mineral or yeast fertilizer to the plant and check whether the plants have enough water and light. Also try to take good care of your pots. If the ovaries turn yellow and dry out, then it may be worth checking the plant for damage. The reason most likely is that cucumbers simply do not have enough energy to grow. Proper care and feeding can correct this. A similar picture can also be observed with insufficient pinching. By the time of fruiting, the plant simply does not have enough resources. In this case, proper care will come down to feeding, protection from sunlight and careful watering.

Conclusion

Today, cucumbers on the balcony are the cherished dream of many residents of large cities. Unfortunately, not every citizen of our country can afford their own personal plot. But even in limited space you can get a good harvest. To grow cucumbers on the balcony, you need to choose the right variety and create all the necessary conditions for the crop. To do this, you may have to slightly re-equip your loggia. It is also worth considering that cucumbers require daily care. Only in this case you are guaranteed to receive delicious homemade fruits rich in vitamins.