Drip irrigation of cucumbers

Drip irrigation has recently become more and more popular among summer residents. What is the advantage of this method and how to organize it yourself using an ordinary plastic bottle, read below.

Drip auto-irrigation of cucumbers has recently become more and more in demand among summer residents. This is because there are many advantages to such an irrigation system.

First of all, it should be said that drip irrigation can reduce water consumption by at least two times. Moreover, most of the water gets to the soil during watering, which allows the roots to absorb more liquid. For cucumber bushes, this watering is one of the best options, since this plant requires regular and thorough watering for normal development.

Another plus of such watering is the ability to include various useful dressings in the process. They, like moisture, will go straight to the root system, fully supplying the bush with the elements and substances it needs, which in the future will have a beneficial effect on the growth, development of the plant and the activity of its fruiting.

With such watering, the soil is not washed out from under the planting roots, and therefore the danger in the form of soil erosion is significantly minimized. In addition, it is convenient for the summer resident himself, since the share of manual labor with this method becomes minimal, and, in turn, the automation process begins to prevail.

If we talk about the disadvantages of drip irrigation, then the most obvious of them is the periodic clogging of the droppers. Even when installing the filter, cleaning will still be required. In addition, drip irrigation systems are very vulnerable to rodents, which can easily spoil them.

The drip irrigation system can be purchased, or it can be made by hand. The latter option is more economical. Many people do the following: they take a hose and make small holes in it.

Besides, the drip irrigation system can be made from a simple plastic bottle of one volume or another. These homemade devices are usually housed in greenhouses. Thanks to them, the soil absorbs moisture gradually, but on a constant basis and evenly. Plus, thanks to the greenhouse conditions, the water in the container will be warm, which will have a beneficial effect on the condition of the cucumber bushes.

First of all, you need to follow the basic rule, which is the same for any method of watering plants: do not overmoisten or overdry the soil. These two extremes are fraught with the occurrence of various diseases in the plant, which, as a result, will negatively affect the yield and general condition.

The frequency and mode of irrigation is recommended to be calculated based on the characteristics of local climatic conditions, weather and soil characteristics. It is especially necessary to water the plant very carefully in conditions of low temperatures. This applies to both those crops that are grown in the open field and those that grow in the greenhouse. If excess moisture is allowed during such a period, then there is a risk of fungal disease.

The easiest way is to make a drip irrigation system with your own hands at home. A homemade device is easy to use and manufacture, as well as its budget.

This method is suitable for cucumber bushes growing both outdoors and in closed beds. It is quite easy to build such a system correctly, which is why many summer residents often use it.

So, initially, holes are made on a 5 liter plastic bottle, placing them at an equal distance from each other. A row of holes is placed 3 centimeters above the bottom. Next, another row of holes is pierced, which must be either completely parallel to the first, or staggered.

Next, the bottle must be dug into the ground, placing it with the neck up and filling it with water. It is not necessary to close the container with a lid. If you decide to do this, then a hole must be drilled in the cork to allow air to enter the bottle when the liquid is consumed.

This bottle watering method is very similar to the one mentioned above. The bottle must be placed with the neck down, before that, having made several holes near the throat. To fill with water, you need to cut off the bottom of the bottle. After filling the "device" with water, the cut off part should be returned to its place, as it will help to minimize the evaporation of the liquid.

Suspended structures are most often used when growing plants in greenhouse conditions. It is not difficult to make such a watering system. To do this, you will have to use an ordinary bottle, in the lid of which, using an awl, you need to make 2 holes with a diameter of 3 millimeters. The bottom of the bottle must be cut out so that it is possible to fill the container with water. Tubes should be inserted into the holes on the lid - most often they use ordinary medical ones designed for droppers.

The container must be installed with its neck down on a special structure that will support it, or simply hang over a bush. Next, the tubes should be directed to the very base of the stem part of the bush so that liquid enters there.

Such devices show a high effect, provided that you have correctly selected the size of the bottle. So, a container with a volume of 1 liter is capable of supplying plants with water for about 5 days. A 3 liter bottle will provide the bush with sufficient moisture for 10 days, and a 6 liter bottle will provide about 2 weeks. At the same time, keep in mind that one container is capable of supplying moisture to only one bush. However, in small beds and greenhouses, one such bottle is often enough for several plants at once.

Homemade drip irrigation devices do not require special configuration. However, before installing them, you need to wrap them with something like cloth or burlap and check if insects or debris can get there. If everything is in order with this, then the device can be safely installed.

For information on how to organize drip irrigation of cucumbers, see the next video.