How To Grow Hydroponic Cucumber? If you’re looking for some tips on growing hydroponic cucumber at home, this basic guide might help.
Best hydroponic system for cucumbers
Chiefly, the best hydroponic systems are: deep water culture system, ebb and flow, and drip.
Best cucumber for hydroponics
Overall, the best types of cucumbers for hydroponics are Spacemaster, Beit Alpha, Ashley, Straight Eight, Marketmore, among others.
How To Grow Hydroponic Cucumber: Growing cucumbers from seed
You can sow cucumber seeds directly in the growing media such as mineral wool, coconut fiber. Make sure they are moist and get enough light. After about 10 days, you should place the seedlings in the hydroponic system.
As the seedlings germinate, it is important to maintain a temperature of 68-80˚F (20-27˚C) and fertilize them with a cautious nutrient solution. Then, when the seedlings have at least 3 leaves, you can put them in the hydroponic system.
In essence, the spacing between plants is important to prevent the comb from becoming moldy or damaging the stem. There should be at least 12 inches (30 cm) between plants and 24 inches (60 cm) between rows. For the deep water culture system, 3 plants maximum.
Hydroponic cucumber nutrient solution
In early growth, the root system is not well developed, so it needs especially nitrogen, and in the ripening stage, potassium plus phosphorus is required.
For this reason, every week or two you should nourish cucumbers with a good quality hydroponic fertilizer.
How Much Light Do Hydroponic Cucumbers Need?
In general, hydroponic cucumbers need 12-14 hours of light per day. For indoors use, LED lights are the most effective.
How To Grow Hydroponic Cucumber: Metrics
- Temperature: day: 68-80˚F / night: 64-73˚C
- Minimum relative humidity: 75%.
- Hydroponic cucumber ph: 5.8 – 6.0
- EC: 1.7 – 2.5
- PPM: 1200 – 1750
Growing cucumber in hydroponics
According to the spice, when the cucumber stem reaches about 12 inches (30 cm) in length and has 4-6 true leaves, it should be tied with strings at both the top and bottom.
Also, you have to monitor the humidity level to avoid possible pests, such as powdery mildew.
Similarly, if you have a cucumber species that requires pollination, you can use a cotton swab to collect the pollen from the male flower and gently rub it off. Then insert the swab into the female flower and rub it against the wall.
Specifically, if hydroponic cucumbers are in a greenhouse or indoors, the space should be well ventilated.
How To Grow Hydroponic Cucumber: Harvesting
Generically, most cucumber species are harvested between 50 – 70 days and 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) in length.