Why cucumber seeds don’t germinate: 6 most common mistakes gardeners make

Old or contaminated seeds

Often the reason for the non-germination of cucumber seeds lies in the planting material itself.
They could have been collected in the wrong way, stored in unsuitable conditions, damp, dry out or infected with mold, and often old seeds are poured into new packaging with a normal shelf life, and the contents themselves are no longer capable of germination. In order not to encounter this problem already at the sowing stage, you should focus on the general criteria for choosing cucumber seeds:

1. Seeds must be purchased only from large manufacturers, preferably those verified by personal experience. Buying it in a plastic bag on a spontaneous market will most likely not bring the desired result.
2. The packaging must indicate all the information about the variety, the rules for its planting, expiration date and production date, and the expiration date should not be printed, but put in the form of a seal.
3. You should not buy seeds if the integrity of the packaging is damaged. Due to a violation of the tightness, the planting material may become damp, moldy or dry out, or become infected with specific viruses, which will lead to non-germination of the seeds.
4. Cucumber seeds are quite large, so the packaging should indicate not grams, but the quantity.
5. No manufacturer gives 100% germination; a number in the range of 80-85% should also be indicated on the packaging.

Methods for germinating cucumber seeds

There are many ways to germinate cucumber seeds. Some use improvised means, while others buy special devices in the form of peat tablets. All eyes are very good and effective. The main thing here is to choose the right one for yourself. The most popular and frequently used are germination in sawdust, on damp cloth, on toilet paper and the use of rolling papers.

In the sawdust

This method is commonly called Japanese. For soaking, you will not need anything other than a container with old sawdust from deciduous trees and treated seeds.

1. Sawdust is poured into the container to about 1-2 centimeters.
2. The soil is spilled with hot water (using warm or cold water will not have an effect). They are spilled until completely saturated.
3. Allow the substrate to cool slightly.
4. Ready-made processed seeds are laid out on the surface in an even layer without overlap.
5. All this is sprinkled with dry sawdust and compacted a little.
6. The dishes are placed in a plastic bag.
7. It is important to maintain the temperature at least +15 or +20.

The texture of sawdust is loose and excellent for germinating seeds.

Sprouts are easily removed from the sawdust. Due to the lightness of the material, the root system remains intact. One part of the material is left for seedlings, and the other can be immediately planted in a greenhouse or open ground. A special feature of this method is that the seeds can be opened slightly with scissors. Each is pryed up with the tip of the scissors and pressed down a little. The procedure is effective, but dangerous because it can damage the grain.

In peat tablets

A peat tablet is compressed peat in the shape of an ellipse. Each tablet has a small hole on top into which the seeds are placed.

Note! Before use, peat tablets are thoroughly soaked in warm water for 10-20 minutes.

The peat should increase approximately two or three times. After which the hole is treated with growth stimulants. Only then is a cucumber seed placed in it. If it doesn't fit, you can expand the space with a toothpick.

It is important to be very careful, as the tablets are fragile and can fall apart, and a broken one will not allow you to plant a plant. Be sure to sprinkle the rest of the peat on top and tamp it down a little with your fingers, but not too tightly. The tablets are placed in a plastic container and stored in a warm place. The only disadvantage of this method is that the price for one tablet is equal to two or three packs of seeds.

A very convenient way of germination. The sprout is planted in the ground directly with the tablet, which helps keep the weak roots intact.

On a damp cloth

If you are looking for a way to germinate seeds without special means at hand, then using a damp cloth will work best. This is the most common method because of the prostate and 100% effectiveness. The fabric must be used only from natural fibers. Seeds will not tolerate the fumes that synthetics may emit.

1. The fabric is wetted with hot water until it forms a small puddle.
2. It cools down a little, literally 2-3 minutes.
3. The seeds are placed on one side of the fabric and wrapped with the other.
4. They should not be exposed to light through the fabric.
5. The tissue with the seeds is placed in a plastic container or plastic bag.

This method is the most popular and widespread.

Note! The use of cotton wool, gauze or bandages is strictly prohibited. Seeds can become entangled in loose threads and become very damaged when removed. Sprouts will be uncomfortable in these materials. The water used must be clean, rain or melt water. Distilled may have a negative effect on some varieties. The water temperature should be at least 25, the same as the temperature of the microclimate where the sprouts are located.

On toilet paper

The method is somewhat similar to the fabric one. But there are still some differences, albeit small ones. Any toilet paper can be used. Plants do not care which cellulose they grow in. You will also need a plastic bag. Typically, the germination procedure in paper consists of the following:

1. Cut 2 strips of polyethylene about 4-5 centimeters.
2. Paper is being cut.
3. Each one fits 2-3 layers of toilet paper of the same size.
4. All this is irrigated with a spray bottle of clean and warm water. It is important to select a gentle operating mode so as not to knock down the structure.
5. Cucumber seeds are placed along the edges, maintaining a distance of 3-4 centimeters.
6. Everything is covered with the same layer of paper.
7. The structure is rolled up and secured.
8. The roll is placed in a shallow bowl with warm water.
9. The side where the seeds are located must remain on top.

Germinating seeds on toilet paper is a rather unusual method, but many people use it.

Germination of cucumber seeds in a rolling paper

They began to grow the plant in rolling papers quite recently. The technique, like all others, allows you to grow healthy and strong bushes. The method is used not only for cucumbers, but also for other cultivated plantings. It consists of the following:

1. A plastic film is laid out on the surface of the table.
2. Paper is placed on the film.
3. All this is moistened with warm and clean water.
4. Then the seeds are laid out evenly. It is important to place them at some distance from each other and prevent overlap.
5. The design is rolled into a loose roll.

This method of germination gives good results.

There is no need to place it in an additional container with water. Thanks to the polyethylene inside, the water will not evaporate for a long time. After some time, the seeds will begin to germinate.

Additional Information! You can use both regular paper and toilet paper.

Lack of preliminary preparation

Well-established manufacturers carry out all the procedures necessary for proper sowing in advance, which will be indicated on the packaging. If it is written that planting material should not be heated, soaked, frozen or pickled, then everything has already been done in advance, and repeated procedures can only destroy the plants.

If this is not indicated, then you must carry out the procedures yourself. First of all, the seeds must be rejected, especially if they are purchased secondhand. All small seeds, uneven in color or covered with spots, are removed; only the largest, even, with uniform color are left for planting.

How to increase germination and speed up the germination of cucumbers

In order to increase the germination rate, seed material is prepared in advance, in several stages. They start by selecting viable seeds, then they are heated, soaked and hardened. As a result, after sowing and proper care of the vines, you can get a bountiful harvest.

Selection and viability testing

First of all, the grains are inspected, removing dark, thin and damaged ones. The remaining seed is placed in a weak saline solution for up to 20 minutes. The seeds that float to the surface are discarded, the rest are washed and dried with a cloth before moving on to the next stage.

Warming up the seeds

Why is heating required? This event not only improves germination and disinfects the seeds, but also prepares for the dry season. The grains are heated for 3 days at a temperature of about 40 degrees in the oven or under a regular incandescent lamp. Farms use incubators for eggs.

If time permits, the seed is kept near a central heating radiator for a month.

To do this, the grains are placed in a fabric bag, which is attached to the radiator pipe. If the time is tight, the seeds are heated with hot water for two hours. It is more convenient to use a thermos, which will maintain a constant temperature of approximately 50 degrees.

Soak

Before soaking, the seed material is disinfected for two hours with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or brilliant green. You need to soak in the nutrient solution for up to 12 hours, then place in settled water for another 12 hours. Soaking allows the grains to be saturated with moisture and nutrients, which will speed up germination, strengthen immunity and increase yield.

Hardening

Seeds are hardened to increase resistance to diseases and prepare the future plant for possible temperature changes. To harden, the grains are kept alternately in the refrigerator and at room temperature for 6 hours, repeating the procedure 6 times. To simplify the process, you can place it in the refrigerator once for 24 hours.

Violation of sowing deadlines

In order for cucumber seeds to be guaranteed to germinate, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the timing of their planting, which varies for regions depending on their climatic conditions.

If we are talking, for example, about warm Kuban, you can sow cucumbers in the ground already in early May. In the Moscow region, seeds are safely placed in the ground only at the end of May, and in the Leningrad region at the beginning of June. If we are talking about the Urals or Siberia, then such a heat-loving crop as cucumbers is usually grown only in greenhouses and “warm beds”.

When planting for seedlings, seeds are planted in pots or cassettes 25 days before the intended transfer to the ground.

Useful materials

Explore other useful articles about caring for cucumber seedlings:

• How to properly grow on a windowsill, balcony and even in the basement?
• Tips for growing in various containers, in particular peat pots and tablets.
• Find out the planting dates depending on the region.
• Causes of common diseases, and why do seedlings stretch and their leaves dry out and turn yellow?
• How to calculate the timing of sowing seeds, and when to plant seedlings in open ground?

Properly grown cucumber seedlings at home are very beautiful. Its health and well-being are indicated by bright, fresh greens, strong stems and rapid growth.

And how to make cucumber seedlings - you will find step-by-step tips in this article.

Sowing in poor and heavy soil

Soil plays an important role in the germination of cucumbers. Lack of nutrients and poor soil will lead to the fact that even if the seeds sprout, the sprouts will be weak and non-viable. To provide seedlings with everything they need, you can buy a mixture adapted for germination in the store or prepare it yourself by combining:

1. Acidic peat (3-4 parts of the total volume).
2. The same amount of humus and fertile soil from the garden.
3. One part sand.
4. Wood sawdust and ash.

Requirements

To achieve maximum success in germinating cucumber grains, it is recommended to comply with all conditions: humidity, lighting, optimal temperature, and provide protection from harmful insects and diseases.

Lighting

Cucumbers are a light-loving crop, so you need to place seedlings in places that are well lit. Shaded places are not suitable because then the seedlings will grow slowly.

Temperature

Cucumber seedlings should grow at a temperature that does not exceed +25..+26 °C, but not lower than +20 °C. If the temperature is increased, this will lead to a slowdown in seed hatching and will not allow the sprouts to fully develop.

Watering

From time to time, cucumbers need to be moistened, otherwise the growth of the crop will stop. Water the plant 3 times a week using warm water.

Protection of crops from pests and diseases

In case of violation of agrotechnological rules, fungal diseases begin to develop. These infections damage the embryos and seeds. Also, sprouts and swollen seeds can attract the larvae of the sprout fly, which penetrates the plant and eats it.

To prevent the appearance of diseases and pests, it is worth regularly treating seedlings with the following drugs:

• "Baktofit";
• "Ordan";
• "Fitolavin".

Treatment can be carried out in the evening or early in the morning.

Deep planting of seeds

If everything is simple with germinating seedlings, then planting seeds in open ground, correctly observing the required planting depth, is not so easy. For optimal germination, a hole with a depth of 2 to 4 cm is prepared for each seed, unless other requirements are made by a particular variety, and it is filled with a 1-1.5 cm layer of soil of suitable composition. Classic placement in beds offers 3 most successful layouts:

1. Row, when the seeds are planted in a furrow at a distance of 15-20 cm, an interval of 100 cm is maintained between the rows.
2. Ribbon, when two rows run parallel to each other at a distance of about 50 cm, an interval of 50 cm is maintained between seeds in one row, and up to 150 cm between a pair of ribbons.
3. Square-nested. In increments of 70 cm, dig a hole with a diameter of about 10 cm, into which up to 10 seeds are placed, thinning them after germination.

When to expect shoots

To understand that the seeds have not sprouted, you need to know the timing of the emergence of cucumber shoots. Many factors influence the germination rate. In good conditions, seeds germinate within 2-3 days after sowing.

If conditions are not ideal, seedlings appear in 7-10 days. If after 1.5-2 weeks there are no sprouts, then you can no longer wait for their appearance. In such cases, it is better to plant the seeds again, if the weather permits.