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Autumn cucumber planting to do "four diligence"
I'm a vegetable farmer with years of experience in growing crops. In the past two years, I've made a shift from traditional spring cucumber planting to autumn cucumbers, which helped me fill market gaps and achieve better profits. Now, I'd like to share my experiences with fellow melon farmers.
Autumn cucumbers are typically planted between late July and early August. The high temperatures during this period make it easier for them to grow long, but they often have fewer female flowers and are more prone to fruiting issues. Disease pressure is also higher, so careful management is essential. Here are four key practices I follow:
First, ensuring strong seedlings is crucial. I choose heat-resistant varieties like Jinchun 4, Jinza 2, and Jinyan 7. Instead of transplanting, I use direct seeding to avoid low survival rates. Seeds are first soaked in warm water at 55°C for 15 minutes, then in fresh water for 3–4 hours before being sown directly into holes, with 4–5 seeds per hole. After planting, I cover the soil with straw to protect from the sun, maintain moisture, and prevent damage from heavy rain. Once the seedlings emerge, I remove the straw and thin them out, replanting any weak spots. When the plants have 3–4 leaves, they're ready to be set out, preventing loss due to accidental death.
Second, proper fertilization is key to increasing fruit set. During the seedling stage, I control watering and apply a small amount of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizer to support growth and flower development. I use diluted biogas slurry or compost tea mixed with 2% calcium phosphate, applying it 1–2 times. Once the seedlings have 3–4 leaves, I spray a 0.15% ethephon solution to encourage more female flowers, helping control excessive vine growth and boost early yields. After the fruits start setting, I increase potassium fertilizer to support fruit development and extend the harvest period, applying it every 1–2 weeks.
Third, managing irrigation and drought is important. Autumn cucumbers face both heavy rains and dry spells, so drainage must be ensured to prevent root rot and disease spread. During fruiting, regular watering is necessary to keep the fruits sweet and avoid bitterness caused by drought stress.
Fourth, monitoring and controlling pests and diseases is critical. High humidity and heat create ideal conditions for pests and fungal infections. From the beginning, I inspect my plants regularly and take preventive measures. For disease prevention, I use 58% metalaxyl WP diluted 600 times or 64% mancozeb WP at 500 times, applying it 2–3 times. To control downy mildew, I use 25% famoxadone WP at 800 times, 40% mancozeb wettable powder at 250 times, or 65% mancozeb wettable powder at 500 times, also applied 2–3 times.
By following these methods, I’ve been able to successfully grow autumn cucumbers, even in challenging weather conditions. I hope this helps other farmers who are considering switching to autumn planting.