Watering zucchini is an important component of basic crop care. Water it properly, using the right water and an effective way. An excess or deficit of moisture must not be allowed - this leads to unpleasant consequences.
General rules for watering zucchini
For the successful cultivation of zucchini, it is necessary to follow certain irrigation rules:
- Water the crop in the evening when the lighting becomes diffused and the activity of the sun decreases. If the weather is not arid and rather cool, then it is allowed to water the crop until 8-9 in the morning, but moisture should not get on the stems and leaves of plants.
- Water the squash under the root. When using a hose, a nozzle with a spray is mandatory.
- The soil should be moistened by about 40 cm. This condition is especially important during fruiting.
- Avoid waterlogging or moisture deficiency. Both situations are dangerous to the culture.
- When growing zucchini on sandy or sandy loam soil watering is required more often. Clay and loamy soils retain moisture better, so the frequency of irrigation is reduced.
- Water must meet certain requirements. This applies to its temperature, chemical composition.
- When flowering and the formation of fruits, abundant watering is required. It is recommended to use mineral fertilizers at the same time.
- To preserve moisture, use mulch. Sprinkle the earth with it after loosening. It is good to use shredded straw or sawdust with peat, the optimal layer of mulch is 5-7 cm. Mulching should be organized while the bushes are still young and have not managed to grow.
An important rule of watering zucchini is the timely change in its frequency and intensity. You need to focus on the phase of growth and development of the plant, as well as weather conditions.
Features of watering zucchini at different stages of their cultivation
Zucchini is planted in the ground with seeds or seedlings. The features of the first irrigation depend on the method of planting:
- When planting seeds the soil is moistened, for the first time this is enough. Sprouts appear after 1-1.5 weeks. During this period, it is important to maintain the same level of soil moisture. Water the crop at least once every 2 weeks, the topsoil must always be moistened.
- When planting zucchini in the soil with seedlings the soil is also moistened. The first watering will be needed after 3-4 days. You need to water the crop 1-2 times a week. For each bush you need 2-3 liters of water.
In the first days after planting zucchini, watering is not required. This allows seedlings to root or sprout seeds. Waterlogging during this period can lead to the death of plantings. If heavy rains begin, it is recommended to arrange shelter.
During flowering and fruit formation, a crop especially needs moisture and nutrients. When the first buds appear, watering should be increased up to 2 times a week. One bush needs up to 5 liters of water. Drying of the soil should not be allowed.
During the formation of the ovaries, it is necessary to water the culture every 5-6 days, if there is no drought or heavy rains have begun. The volume of water needs to be doubled - 10 liters per bush. When fruit ripening begins, the frequency of watering should be reduced to once a week.
Often you need to water the crop only in the heat. If the temperature is above 35 degrees, watering is increased up to once every 3 days.
If heavy rainfall begins, watering the zucchini is not necessary. In rains during the heat, you must focus on the condition of the soil. You can check its moisture by squeezing a lump of earth in your hand. If it crumbles in the hand, the culture requires abundant watering.
Water requirements
When watering zucchini, it is important to use the right water. It must meet the following requirements:
- Optimum water temperature - 20 degrees. It should be heated under natural conditions, placing containers in the sun.
- Water must be settled. This measure is especially important if the source of moisture is a centralized water supply. Water sedimentation ensures the sedimentation of harmful impurities. Do not use sediment for irrigation.
- Qualitative composition of water. If it is taken from natural reservoirs, it is recommended to take a sample and do a chemical analysis. There may be fungi and pathogens in the water.
Optimal use of rainwater. For its collection, clean containers and drains are used. Rainwater is not suitable for irrigation if harmful production is nearby or other environmental factors are negative.
Watering Methods
Watering zucchini can be in many ways. When choosing, you should take into account the size of the plot and the characteristics of the water source.
Manual watering
This option is optimal for small areas. It is better to use a watering can for watering, a nozzle is optional. You need to pour water under the root.
Hose irrigation
This option is more convenient than manual watering, it is mandatory to use a spray nozzle. For zucchini you can not use cold water, so you can only water them from the hose if it is warmed up. This option is appropriate when the source of water is a small body of water, where the water warms up naturally.
Hose culture can only be irrigated in the evening. The sprayer should be small enough, it is impossible to direct the stream of water close so that the soil does not erode.
Drip irrigation
The best option and one of the most effective methods of watering different crops. The drip system can be purchased or organized independently.
The essence of this irrigation is that the water is portioned to each plant. Usually use hoses in which small holes are made. In this case, water should flow precisely to the roots, and not fall on the aboveground parts of the bushes.
Dosed watering from plastic bottles
Such an irrigation system allows you to use not only ordinary water, but also liquid top dressing. Organizing it is easy. To do this, you need 5 liter plastic bottles - one for each bush. They need to cut the bottom, and in the lid make several holes with a diameter of 2-3 mm. Set each bottle near its bush with its neck down, bury 15 cm.
There is another option, when the bottles need to be buried upside down, leaving 15-20 cm on the surface. In this case, 2 cm should be retreated from the bottom and 4 holes should be made on different sides.
Regardless of the chosen method of using plastic bottles, further steps are the same. Bottles should be regularly filled with warm water. It will be dosed to enter the soil, constant moisture is provided.
Instead of dropping bottles, they can be suspended so that water does not drip on the bush, but next to it. The disadvantage of this option is that the soil is gradually eroded by drops. This can be eliminated with the help of mulch.
Metered watering of zucchini can be used at any stage of their cultivation. During the formation of fruits, it is required to combine this method with another method, since the culture especially needs moisture.
Wick watering
The main advantages of this method of irrigation are efficiency and the exclusion of moisture on the aerial parts of the plant. Organizing a wick system is simple:
- On different sides of the plot, place suitable containers and deepen them into the ground. You can use buckets, cans, unnecessary pots, bottles and other containers.
- Prepare fabric harnesses. The material must be dense. The length of the tow should be calculated according to the landing area.
- Dig harnesses along the bushes, deepening by 15 cm.
- Fill containers with water.
- Lower one end of the tourniquet into a container so that it gets wet and transfers moisture to the ground. It is better to arrange containers with water so that both ends of the bundle can be lowered into them.
Danger of excess and lack of moisture for squash
Zucchini should be watered sparingly, avoiding waterlogging or moisture deficiency. Both situations are dangerous.
The effects of excess moisture are as follows:
- exposure of the root system;
- weakening of the immune system of the culture, increased risk of disease and pests;
- the growth of the root system is close to the surface, which leads to quick drying and fungal infections;
- with prolonged wetting, the death of root hairs begins - the reason lies in the lack of oxygen;
- culture growth is first activated, but after dying off the roots is significantly inhibited;
- decay of the tips of the fruit;
- reduction in the duration of storage of the crop;
- a decrease in sugar content in zucchini with excessive watering during ripening.
With moisture deficiency, the following troubles arise:
- slowing down the growth and development of culture, the formation of ovaries, the formation of fruits and their growth;
- the formation of male flowers that are infertile, resulting in a reduced number of ovaries;
- fruit size reduction;
- insufficient juiciness of zucchini;
- loss of taste, the appearance of bitterness;
- yield reduction.
Common mistakes when watering zucchini
When watering zucchini, you can make certain mistakes. The most common of these are:
- Cold water for irrigation. In this case, the right amount of moisture is not absorbed, various diseases are provoked. When watering squash with cold water in the heat, the temperature difference causes a shock reaction, which is fraught with the death of peripheral roots. As a result, the growth and development of culture slows down.
- Hot water for irrigation. In this case, the growth and development of the culture slows down, the risk of diseases increases. Pathogens quickly appear in superheated water, especially when the liquid is standing for a long time.
- Frequent or excessive watering fraught with exposure of roots, decay of the tips of the fruit.
- Frequent water on the leaves leads to their yellowing. If water falls on the leaves with the active sun, then burns appear on them.
- Morning watering of the crop in the heat. Water on the stem and leaves causes burns. Moisture evaporates in the sun, not having time to soak into the ground. As a result, there is a shortage of it.
- Lack of regular cultivation. This leads to the formation of a crust on the soil, water is not absorbed and stagnates. The roots of the plant do not get the right amount of moisture.
- Lack of regular weeding. Weed vegetation takes a substantial part of the moisture and nutrients that are needed in zucchini.
Zucchini respond to proper watering with good growth and development, a plentiful harvest, large, juicy and tasty fruits. Watering the culture is not necessary often, but plentifully. One of the most important conditions is compliance with irrigation intensity - deviation in any direction is dangerous.