Growing Zucchini In Film Shelters

2024 Author: Sebastian Paterson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:47

Read the previous part. ← Diseases and pests of zucchini

Zucchini variety Pet

To obtain high yields of marrow in areas with insufficient heat, the most reliable method of growing in film shelters is the second turn after lettuce, radish, Chinese cabbage or cabbage seedlings.

Under film shelters in the Leningrad Region, the zucchini yield is 2-2.5 times higher than when grown by sowing seeds in the open field.

For this purpose, the most suitable are early-maturing high-yielding varieties of the zucchini type with a compact single-stem type of bush, high saturation of female flowers and prone to parthenocarpia (seed setting without pollination).

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Film shelters are installed in well-heated areas with low groundwater, protected from the prevailing winds. When using biofuel, part of the soil is removed and the film shelter is filled with biofuel and peat soil (with a layer of 40-50 cm). Starting from the second year of using shelters, fresh soil is added in the spring. It is prepared from peat and manure (3: 1) or humus and turf (1: 1).

The preparation of seeds for sowing and the cultivation of seedlings is carried out using the same technology as for open ground. Seedlings are planted immediately after the shelter is freed from the cultures of the first turn. This happens about two weeks before the time for sowing seeds in open ground. After harvesting the previous culture, plant residues are carefully removed, the soil is dug up.

It is better to plant seedlings in cloudy weather or in the afternoon. Plants in shelters are staggered at a distance of 70-80 cm from each other. Wells are thoroughly watered and seedlings are planted; after planting, the plants are watered again.

Caring for squash plants in film shelters consists in timely watering, loosening, weeding. Water it sparingly, as excessive moisture contributes to rotting of ovaries and fruits. The optimum air humidity for the vegetable marrow is 60-70%, therefore, after watering, the shelter is ventilated. With a strong growth of the vegetative mass, 2-3 medium leaves are cut out with a knife to improve ventilation on the plant.

During the growing season, the plants are fed 2-3 times. The first feeding is given 2-3 weeks after planting. It consists of 60-80 g of Mortar (fertilizer for greenhouses) per 1 m ². The second feeding is carried out in a month (Solution or nitrophoska - 80 g per 10 liters of water). The third time the plants are fed if necessary. If they are in good condition, do not carry out the third feeding. After the first period of active fruiting, in early August, squash plants are fed with urea with the addition of microelements (20 g of urea and 1 tablet of micronutrient per 10 l of water).

When warm weather approaches, the film is rolled up on both sides of the shelter and left on the rafters so that it can be lowered during cold snaps. It is especially important to open the film during the flowering period in order to provide access to the flowers of plants for pollinating insects.

Harvesting zucchini

Cuand marrow

Harvesting during the period of mass fruiting is carried out every 2-3 days. Regular harvesting promotes the rapid formation of new ovaries and an increase in yield. All decayed ovaries are removed at the same time to prevent the spread of infection.

In zucchini, mainly young (7-10-day-old) ovaries with juicy tender pulp, thin skin and unripe seeds are used for food. Zucchini is best harvested in the morning to keep it fresh longer. The fruits are cut with the stalk, being careful not to damage the stem. The harvested crop can be stored for 7-10 days in a cool ventilated room at a temperature of + 10 ° C or in a refrigerator.

For long-term storage, fruits that have reached biological maturity are left. It usually occurs 30 to 35 days after the fetus is set. Such fruits have a hard skin and coarser pulp, the content of nutrients in them is higher than that of zelents, but the taste is worse. Since leaving overgrown fruits on a plant delays the formation of new ovaries, fruits for storage should be grown on separate plants allocated for this purpose. The number of fruits on them is regulated by the plant itself, usually there are from 3 to 5 pieces.

During collection, remove deformed and ugly fruits, as well as rotten ovaries. Before the onset of frost, the last collection is carried out, cutting off all fruits, including small ones. They are used for pickling.

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How to get your zucchini seeds

The squash is a cross-pollinated monoecious plant with dioecious flowers (male and female). It easily crosses with hard-bore pumpkin and its other varieties - squash and crookneck. Zucchini pollen is large and heavy, therefore its main carriers are bumblebees, bees and wasps, which are attracted by the large amount of nectar in the flowers.

These insects are capable of carrying pollen over long distances, therefore, to obtain pure-grade seeds, it is necessary to observe spatial isolation: in an open area it should be 1500-2000 m, in a protected area (gardens, forest belts) - 1000 m. It is impossible to create spatial isolation in household plots; seeds are obtained using the isolation of individual flowers and their artificial pollination. The flowers of squash plants are very large, so this procedure is not difficult.

Male and female squash flowers remain open for only one day, regardless of whether fertilization has occurred or not. Opening of the buds begins at dawn and continues until 11 am. The flower remains open for 7-8 hours. The period of effective pollination and fruit setting lasts from 6 to 10 am, late setting weakens, therefore, flowers should be pollinated in the early morning hours.

To eliminate the risk of bees or other pollinating insects visiting flowers intended for artificial pollination, they must first be isolated. For isolation, fully formed buds are chosen, which have already acquired a yellow color. In the evening, the buds of male and female flowers are wrapped in a thin layer of cotton wool. To make the cotton stick better, it is twisted with wet fingers over the bud. It should be remembered that for effective fruit set and seed formation, a large amount of pollen is needed, therefore 2-3 male flowers need to be isolated to pollinate one female flower.

Pollination is carried out in the morning of the next day. A man's flower is plucked, cotton wool is removed, petals are folded back or torn off. The insulating layer of cotton wool is also removed from the female flower and pollen is carefully applied on the stigma of the flower, gently touching it with the anthers of the male ones. The pollinated female flower is again isolated to prevent insects from entering it. After 3-4 days, the isolators are removed. A label is hung on the pollinated ovary in order to distinguish fruits intended for seed purposes during harvesting.

2-3 fruits are left on the plant. Subsequent ovaries are removed.

To obtain well-executed seeds with high germination, the set fruits must develop on the plant for 50-60 days. Taking into account these requirements, the timing of artificial pollination is chosen. In the North-West of the Non-Chernozem Zone, when growing squash in a seedless way, it is rather difficult to fulfill this condition due to the early onset of autumn frosts. In this case, it is possible to reduce the period of growing seed fruits to 40-45 days, while lengthening the period of post-harvest ripening of fruits from 25-30 days to 45-55 days. Longer ripening of fruits sometimes leads to germination of seeds inside the fruit.

After ripening, the fruits are carefully cut so as not to damage the seeds. The seeds are taken out, scattered in a thin layer on filter paper and dried at a temperature of + 22 … + 25 ° C. Well dried seeds are placed in a paper bag and stored at room temperature. Subject to all conditions of growing and storage, marrow seeds remain viable for 6-8 years. From one zucchini fruit, you can get 20-50 g of seeds.

Tatiana Piskunova

Candidate of Agricultural Sciences, VIR named after N. I. Vavilova

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