Germinating cucumber seeds is fairly a simple thing to do. However, there are steps that need to be taken when trying to germinate cucumber seeds.
Cucumber seeds may need to be germinated in a separate place before transplantation of the seedlings due to various reasons.
Steps to take to germinate cucumber seeds
The following steps have to be taken to germinate cucumber seeds:
Buy the cucumber seeds and other inputs needed
The first step to germinate cucumber seeds is to buy the cucumber seeds. Ensure you buy the seeds from credible vendors like Veggie Concept. You also need other materials like seedlings tray, growing medium like soil or coco peat and plastic cover etc.
Put the growing medium in the nursery tray or pots
The next step is to prepare the growing medium like potting soil or coco peat. Put this growing medium in the nursery tray or small pots in readiness for the planting of cucumber seeds. The growing medium in the tray should be sprayed with water until it is wet.
Plant the seeds
Use your finger to create planting holes of half to one inch in the growing medium in the nursery tray. Put one cucumber seed in each hole; cover the seed with the growing medium.
Water the Cucumber Seeds
After planting the cucumber seeds, the next step is for you to wet the seeds the water. Wetting with water will ensure that the seeds will germinate. Excessive wetting can increase the risk of fungal diseases.
Provide Warmth
In tropical countries like Nigeria, warmth is not needed as the environment is naturally warm. In temperate climes, seeds shoud be germinated in places with temperature of at least 21 celsius. You may need to use a heated greenhouse.
Cover the nursery tray
You may need to cover the nursery tray with plastic wrap in order to create a humid environment which will aid the germination of the seeds. The plastic wrap should be removed immediately there is a sign of germination. The plastic wrap should also not be placed on the nursery tray tightly as this may impede air circulation.
Provide Light
Plants need light for photosynthesis. In temperate regions where natural lighting may be a challenge, you will need to provide lighting for the germination of the cucumber seeds.
Wet regularly
Continue to wet the seeds regularly. You must ensure that the growing medium is moist everytime but it should not be water logged.
Monitoring
You need to kepp monitoring until the seeds sprout after 3 – 5 days. You also need to monitor for insects, other pests and diseases.
Remove the Plastic Wrap
Immediately you notice the sign of germination, you need to remove the plastic cover. Failure to remove the plastic wrap can lead to the death of the newly emerged seedlings.
Transplanting
Transplantation of the cucumber seedlings should be done after a few weeks. Care should be exercised during transplantation so that the seedlings will not be damaged. Transplantation should also be done in the morning or evening when the intensity of the sun is low.
How do you germinate your cucumber seeds? Please shar
e your responses with us in the comments’ section.
You can buy our cucumber seeds here.
Read our post on cucumber farming.