How to plant cucumbers in a greenhouse and other methods of care from planting to harvest

Proper care of plants is the key to a rich harvest. Growing and transplanting seedlings according to the rules are not the only conditions for care. Planting cucumbers is one of the important procedures that contribute to obtaining a high and stable yield. Removing unnecessary shoots will shape the plant and create favorable conditions for the growth of a large number of fruits.

The article will tell you about care for cucumbers in the greenhouse from planting to harvest and the most important procedure - pinching.

What is it and why is stepsoning needed?

By pinching called the removal of shoots growing from the main trunk of a plant from the axils of the leaves. Without this procedure, it is impossible to obtain healthy vines, full flowering and abundant fruit formation in cucumbers.

Thanks to stepsoning:

1. Increasing productivity.
2. Cucumbers are formed in the early stages.
3. A compact plant is easier to care for.

Stages of caring for cucumbers: from planting to harvesting

Pinching is not the only stage of caring for cucumbers:

• young shoots in the open ground provide shelter from the cold;
• maintain optimal temperature in the greenhouse;
• thin out the seedlings - the distance between plants should be at least 15 cm;
• water, avoiding stagnation of moisture and controlling the water temperature;
• control the light regime - protect from the bright sun, shading the plants.

Don't forget about the standard care steps: feeding, watering, hilling, mulching, weeding, protection from pests.

When to plant bushes

Pinching (pinching) is performed throughout the growth of cucumber vines. Pinching done in time will allow the formation of small side shoots. You can harvest more from them than from the main vine.

Important! The growth of cucumber bushes is controlled so as not to miss the optimal pinching period.

The first time the procedure is carried out after the ripening of 5 true leaves. During this period, the bush grows 30-40 cm high. The length of the side shoots is 5-6 cm.

The planting of unnecessary shoots does not have a clearly defined date and does not depend on the phases of the moon. Experienced gardeners recommend completing the manipulation before the beginning of August.

Step-by-step instructions: how to plant cucumbers in a greenhouse

The main purpose of pinching is to remove unnecessary side shoots from the main stem. At the time of the procedure, they must be in the formation stage. This will allow nutrients to have a positive effect on the formation of ovaries and the development of fruits.

Basic rules for stepsoning:

• leave fruits on the main stem up to 70 cm high;
• leave 2 shoots at the top point of growth;
• all other side lashes are removed at a distance of 0.5 cm from the trunk;
• On each lash there should be one leaf and one ovary.

Classic scheme for insect-pollinated varieties and hybrids

Procedure:

1. From the bottom of the stems, count from 3 to 5 nodes and remove everything that managed to grow after them, including flowers and ovaries. The leaves are left.
2. Stepchildren after the 3rd leaf are carefully removed up the main stem, without affecting the side shoots.
3. Further actions consist of constantly pinching the side lashes above the second leaves.
4. Remove shoots until 3 nodes appear on a side shoot from the moment the top is removed.

With the classical method, active growth of the main stem is observed. When it reaches the top trellis, it is thrown over and directed to grow down towards the ground.

Scheme of pinching with female type of flowering on the main stem

On cucumbers of the parthenocarpic flowering type, the formation of female flowers occurs on the central stem. The planting of such cucumber bushes is carried out according to a special scheme:

1. Shoots are removed from 6-8 lower nodes, leaving 1 ovary in each axil.
2. the next 8 nodules on the central trunk are not removed. Each side shoot is pinched after the first leaf.
3. Shoots from the next 4-5 axils are removed after 3 leaves.
4. The procedure is completed over the 26 leaf node by cutting off the upper part and twisting the main lash around the support.

Untimely planting will lead to an abundance of greenery and a small number of fruits. The green mass will impede the access of light and heat. This will cause the taste to deteriorate and the size of the cucumbers to decrease.

Seedling of parthenocarpic varieties and hybrids

In plants of this type, cucumbers are capable of self-pollination. This must be taken into account when forming a bush:

1. The central trunk is attached vertically to the trellis.
2. In the first 5 leaves, all stepsons, shoots and flowers are removed, forming a blinding zone.
3. Above it, the side shoots above the first leaf are pinched up to a meter level, leaving one ovary with foliage.
4. Up to a height of 1.6 m, do nothing with two ovaries at 3-4 nodes, leaving 2-3 leaves near each cucumber.
5. Then 3-4 ovaries are left on all side shoots. The rest is removed.

Features of pinching in open ground

Gardeners claim that without pinching, the yield of each cucumber bush is reduced by 3-5 kg.Having at your disposal a sufficient number of beds with plants, you will not be able to feel these losses. Things are different on a small dacha plot, where the struggle for the harvest takes place on every meter.

Important! The procedure for removing shoots is best done on plants tied to trellises. This will protect the stem from damage. Triangular supports are most suitable for open ground.

In open ground, cucumber bushes are usually formed into one stem, removing all the side vines. The pinching scheme for open ground self-pollinating plants depends on their height:

1. 30-40 cm - remove all leaves from the ground.
2. 40-80 cm - cut off the side shoots. There should be one ovary and one leaf left on the central stem.
3. 80-120 cm - side shoots are pinched after 1 ovary and one leaf. Length - no more than 20 cm.
4. 120-150 cm - leave 2-3 leaves and 2-3 ovaries on the side lashes.
5. 150-200 cm - pinching stops. The plant grows independently until the end of the season.
6. The main stem is pinched after reaching the top of the support.

Indeterminate varieties of cucumbers are formed in open ground into several stems according to the following scheme:

1. At the age of 5 true leaves tie up plant to support.
2. The second shoot is tied to a separate trellis, directing its growth in the other direction, avoiding interference with the main trunk.
3. When both vines reach the top point of the trellis, remove the stepsons, flowers and cucumber embryos up to 4 leaves.
4. Between 5 and 9 leaves, 1 ovary is left, the rest are removed.
5. The next stepsons are pinched, leaving a stem 30-40 cm long.
6. All further stepsons do not touch. The bulk of the harvest will be formed on them.

Bee-pollinated varieties of cucumbers are suitable for open ground.Male inflorescences (barren flowers) are formed on the main vine, and female ones - on the stepsons. For this reason, the bush needs to be formed into several stems. The central lash is pinched as early as possible, directing all the growth energy of the bush to the side shoots.

Important! Not all barren flowers are removed. A few pieces are left on the lash.

Further care

After the pinching procedure, to consolidate the result, it is recommended to follow simple rules for caring for cucumbers:

1. Watering. Using cold water will damage the root system. In the future, the growth of the bush will slow down, new cucumbers will form more slowly, and a bitter taste will appear in the taste. The water should be warm, heated in the sun. The best time for watering is early morning.
2. Water for irrigation. The best option would be river and lake water. It contains salt, which is harmful to cucumbers, in minimal quantities. Optimum temperature +18…+20°C. If it is not possible to water with lake or river water, tap water will do. Before watering, it is collected in containers in the evening. Overnight it will settle, harmful compounds will disintegrate or settle.
3. Extension of the fruiting period. In the second half of summer, new cucumbers are formed less frequently. Fish waste is used to stimulate flowering. They are filled with water in a ratio of 1:2. The mixture is placed in a warm, dark place. After foam appears, the solution is ready for use. To 1 liter of strained solution add 1 tbsp. ash. The resulting mixture is used for near-root watering.

Conclusion

Thanks to pinching, the cucumber yield increases by 2-5 kg ​​per bush. The scheme is selected depending on the variety and place of cultivation.The purpose of the procedure is to prevent excess male flowers, increase the number of female flowers, and provide access to light and heat.