In the first weeks after the emergence of shoots, immature plants find it difficult to resist infectious diseases, in addition, they turn out to be easy prey for pests. To protect crops at an early stage of development, growers treat the seed with special means. Can such seeds be soaked before sowing?

Optimal conditions for growing cucumbers

The success of growing cucumbers in the garden almost entirely depends on the weather conditions. Seeds sown in poorly heated soil will not sprout, they begin to hatch at temperatures above +14 degrees.

Night spring frosts also negatively affect the harvest of cucumbers. For this reason, for an early harvest, it is best to germinate the seeds in advance and grow this thermophilic garden crop in seedlings.

Sowing cucumbers in warm soil

Important! If in the first days after sowing the seeds, the air temperature drops to + 8 degrees and stays at this mark for several days, you will have to sow the cucumbers again. Young cucumber shoots die at this temperature.

With the seedling method of cultivation, the seedlings are kept in a warm room for at least 25 days. Only after the threat of night frosts has passed, the plants can be planted in the garden.

Young shoots are attacked by harmful insects and pathogens. It is very difficult to pickle plants at the germination stage, so manufacturers apply protective agents to the seed shell during the pre-sale preparation process. This is very convenient for the consumer, since an inexperienced gardener, trying to independently process the seed, often only ruins it.

One of the important factors affecting the quality of germination and germination of seeds is their competent processing. To enhance the disinfecting effect on microorganisms, some novice vegetable growers soak the seeds in a too concentrated solution of manganese, then keep them in the freezer and pour boiling water over them. It is clear that after such manipulations there is no need to expect a good result.

Soaking cucumber seeds in hydrogen peroxide

Is it possible to soak processed cucumber seeds

It is recommended to soak ordinary seeds in a warm manganese solution before planting on seedlings. Such pre-treatment of seeds allows:

  • separate high-quality planting material;
  • accelerate swelling and germination;
  • disinfect them.

Do processed cucumber seeds need to be soaked?

Pre-soaking of the seed is not done if the packaging indicates that the cucumber seeds:

  • inlaid,
  • coated,
  • treated with insecticides.

When soaked, the applied nutrients will be washed off.

Seeds are soaked in a warm manganese solution

You can understand that seeds are treated with chemicals by their color:

  • green,
  • red,
  • orange.

The seeds take on the color of the insecticides and chemicals applied to them. After soaking, the beneficial layer dissolves and rinses off.

Important! Seeds without a chemical external barrier are easy prey for harmful insects and infectious plant diseases. For this reason, hybrid cucumber seeds that are processed and colored are sown only dry.

The chemical layer allows crops to adapt to external germination conditions. This quality is especially valuable for central Russia, where spring temperature drops are a fairly frequent phenomenon.

With a sharp drop in temperature and prolonged cold rains, ordinary seeds rot after a few days. Seed material with a protective layer applied can provide protection for several weeks.

Processed cucumber seeds

Do I need to soak F1 cucumbers before planting

Hybrid seeds produced by large breeding companies for the most part undergo chemical processing, as a result of which they receive additional positive qualities:

  • resistance to infections;
  • high germination.

In addition, they have a protective layer that protects seedlings from harmful insects. Therefore, such seeds cannot be soaked.

Can processed cucumber seeds be soaked in manganese solution?

Some growers believe that processed hybrids need to be further processed with a manganese solution. However, this action is not only useless, but also harmful. Manganese solution can destroy the protective layer, and too much concentration of the active substance will be detrimental to the shoot embryo.

Soaking cucumber seeds before planting

Do unprocessed f1 cucumbers need to be soaked before planting?

In the event that the hybrid does not have a protective layer, it can be processed.

You can process seeds in a solution:

  • manganese,
  • vodka,
  • aloe juice,
  • hydrogen peroxide.

In specialized stores, consumers are offered ready-made biologically active agents intended for preliminary germination and processing of seed, among them are well known:

  • Tiram,
  • Epin,
  • Zircon,
  • Humate.

Modern technologies of seed treatment before sowing

Vegetable growers share with each other recipes and methods of soaking seed material, in particular, it is proposed to soak seeds in decoctions:

  • celandine;
  • nettle;
  • garlic;
  • mushroom broth or potato juice.

Processing with folk remedies makes it possible to awaken the seeds and saturate them with useful substances, but does not protect against infections and pests, as this is done by industrial drugs.

Rules for processing cucumber seeds with Tiram

If dry seeds are soaked in a chemical solution, they will immediately absorb a large dose of the active ingredient. An overdose can have a detrimental effect on the embryo of the plant. For this reason, the seeds should first be soaked in warm water, and only then subjected to chemical treatment.

Important! It should be understood that any increase in the concentration of the chemical can harm the seeds.

The water for the solution should be taken heated to + 25-30 degrees. Too high liquid temperature can destroy the seed.

Soaking technology is simple:

  • the active substance is dissolved in water;
  • the seeds are placed in a gauze bag;
  • the bag is dipped in the solution for 24 hours.

After soaking, the seeds are laid out on a sheet of paper or on a piece of cloth and allowed to dry.

Drying seeds on a sheet of paper

If Thiram is selected for processing, follow the instructions on the package. The fact is that this drug is produced by manufacturers in the form of gels and liquids with varying degrees of concentration. You need to dilute the product immediately before use. The aqueous solution of the chemical is not stored for a long time. Thiram is recommended for use in combination with other drugs.

Thiram belongs to toxic substances, therefore, during its use, personal protective equipment must be used:

  • gloves,
  • cotton-gauze bandage.

Important!If the chemical does get on the skin or eyes, rinse them with plenty of running water and consult a doctor immediately. It is impossible to carry out dressing of seeds in closed residential areas where people and animals live.

The process of seed processing at home is a rather laborious process, it is much easier to purchase bags with planting material prepared for sowing by manufacturers. The applied protective layer will help the plants to resist various infections.