Various methods and schemes for forming cucumbers in open ground: instructions for beginners

We grow cucumbers in any country house, regardless of climatic conditions. A mandatory procedure on which the quality and quantity of fruit depends is the formation of a cucumber bush. We'll tell you how to do it correctly to get a bountiful harvest.

What is formation and why is it needed?

The formation of cucumber vines is an important agrotechnical event. Thanks to him:

1. The plant spends energy not on the development of green mass, but on nutrition and fruit growth.
2. Even in a limited area with a small number of bushes you can get a rich harvest.
3. The period of life and, accordingly, fruiting of the plant is extended.
4. The lashes and leaves receive more air and light.
5. The possibility of plant damage by diseases and pests is reduced.
6. Makes maintenance easier (watering and loosening).
7. It is more convenient to harvest, since the fruits are not hidden in the leaves.

Features of the formation of cucumbers in open ground

Some gardeners leave the plant alone and let it grow and crawl wherever it wants, but the results can be disappointing. If the summer is rainy and cold, the vines will rot and become damaged from excessive dampness, and the fruits will also rot.

In open ground, plant formation is no less important. than in a greenhouse, and it’s much easier to do it. There is no need to follow the instructions and scrupulously calculate the number of leaves and shoots that appear.After the appearance of 4 leaves, pinch the central shoot, which will cause the appearance and active growth of the lateral ones.

In varieties grown in open ground, it is often on the side shoots that female flowers are formed that bear fruit. With proper care - regular watering, fertilizing and loosening - all that remains is to wait for a rich harvest.

Timing of the procedure

If the seedlings are too thick, they must be cut off immediately. The distance between them should be at least 0.5 m. After the appearance of 4 leaves, the plant is pinched, and when it reaches 30 cm, it is tied up. Throughout the entire growing season and fruiting, if necessary, direct the growth of the vine in the desired direction, straighten and secure the lashes.

What is needed to carry out the formation

Do not tie if the weather is too windy. The soil at the time of installation of structures should not be too wet or dry. It will be impossible to reliably install and fix pegs in such soil.

To prune the plant, you need garden pruners or sharp scissors.

Important! Garden tools are pre-disinfected to prevent infection from getting into the open cut.

Formation schemes

The formation scheme depends on the characteristics and characteristics of the variety:

1. In some of them, female flowers are placed on the central lash. Such a plant is formed into one stem.
2. In varieties where the female flowers are located on the side shoots, when the plant is formed into one vine, the entire harvest will be lost. Here the main shoot is removed, and most often two lateral shoots develop.
3. Some varieties do not need shaping at all. They only require thinning of the leaves.

How to properly form cucumbers in open ground

There are many ways and methods for forming a cucumber bush, and new ones are constantly appearing. Let's look at the most popular ones.

With garters

Most methods of forming a cucumber bush require the use of a garter at least at the initial stage of growth. This is necessary, for example, when using natural trellises.

When attached to a wire, the garter serves as a support throughout the life of the plant. The first procedure is carried out when the plant reaches 30 cm in height. At this time, the stem becomes quite strong and enters a period of active growth; 5-6 full-fledged leaves have already been formed on it. After 30 cm, growth without a garter is dangerous for the stem. This can lead to breakdown and death of the plant.

On the other hand, there is no need to tie up a plant that is too young, weak, and easily damaged. When the bush grows to the desired height, the support and tying will have to be redone.

Important! Do not use jute ropes or synthetic cords to tie branches - they can damage the leaves and branches. Ribbons made of old soft fabric 1.5-2 cm wide are suitable for this.

Without garter

For short lashes, pinching and tying are not carried out. The procedure is necessary for varieties that form long vines. In this case, nets will be an alternative to tying. The lashes will attach to them on their own.

On the trellis

A wooden trellis can be designed in an original way, and it will not only support the cucumber vines, but also decorate the area. The lower shoots and 3 leaves are plucked off so that the cucumbers bear fruit well.

Using a natural trellis is a method that requires minimal effort. The bushes are planted at a distance of 20-25 cm from the fence of the site - a fence or mesh.From them, oblique ropes are stretched to the top of the fence. As a result, vines cover the hedge like a grapevine, and the summer resident reaps a rich harvest without interference. In the fall, however, you will have to work a little to clear the fence of dried lashes.

On a wire

One of the methods of formation is fastening on a wire. For this:

1. Along the far edges of the bed, where the cucumbers are planted in 2 rows, drive 2 pegs about 1.5 m high.
2. A wire is pulled between the supports.
3. Twine is attached to each plant in the first row, thrown over the wire and tied to a plant from the neighboring ridge. Before this, all the lower shoots and 3 leaves are plucked off.

When the vines grow, a kind of green hut of cucumber greens forms in the beds. The plants in it will feel great without touching the ground, will be well ventilated and bear fruit abundantly.

On the grid

Using a mesh is one of the most aesthetic and comfortable ways for a plant to support and form:

1. Mesh fabric of the required length is purchased in advance at a gardening store.
2. Two strong vertical supports (beams or pipes) are buried deep in the soil at the far ends of the cucumber row.
3. A mesh is stretched between the bases from the ground itself, slightly retreating from the stems of the bushes.
4. Secure it to a vertical base using wire.
5. Remove lower shoots and leaves from plants.
6. Periodically direct the growing lashes in the desired direction and straighten them. The vines will attach themselves to the trellis mesh.

This method, like others, allows you to control the development of each plant, care for it and easily harvest.

Nuances of the formation of parthenocarpic cucumbers

Parthenocarpic (self-fertile) cucumbers, having appeared in seed stores, immediately attracted the attention of gardeners. Their vines have very few or no male flowers, but a lot of female flowers. These are cucumbers with very rich fruiting, so proper formation and pruning are especially important for them. Moreover, each variety has its own subtleties.

Hybrids

Without formation, hybrids will not produce a rich harvest. Some inexperienced summer residents feel sorry for getting rid of the side branches of the plant. But they take away a significant share of nutrients and moisture, the fruits take a long time to form, then dry out and fall off.

If flowers and ovaries are formed mainly on the main shoot, the lashes are formed using the blinding method in the lower tier.

Algorithm:

1. Remove flowers and ovaries in the first axils of the leaves (in the lower tier).
2. On a length of up to 50 cm, shoots are pinched into one ovary and 2 leaves.
3. In the interval from 0.5 m to 1.5 m, 2 ovaries and 2-3 leaves are kept.
4. Above 1.5 m, the shoot is pinched above 3 leaves, and 4 ovaries are kept on it.

Parthenocarpic hybrids are successfully grown on trellises. This ensures good illumination of the bush, uniform and abundant fruiting, and regulates the load on the plant.

Bunch varieties

Bunch cucumber is a modern high-yielding hybrid with abundant and long-term fruiting, a record holder for productivity.

The formation of bunched cucumbers can begin a week after planting when 8-9 leaves appear. Shoots appear in leaf axils along the entire length of the main stem, so it is better to form into one stem. This will make work easier, increase productivity and improve the taste of the fruit. This formation is convenient to carry out when secured to a wire.

Operating procedure:

1. At the lower 4-6 nodes, female ovaries and buds of leaf shoots are plucked out from the leaf axils. This is done even before flowering begins. The procedure stimulates the plant to grow faster and form a strong leaf apparatus.
2. On the main stem, the side shoots are removed to the beginning of the trellis wire. This must be done in time, before they outgrow the size of 3-5 cm. On the main stem under the support, leave 2-3 shoots, pinching them into 2 leaves.
3. When the tip of the shoot reaches the wire, make sure that the vine does not get mixed up with the neighboring plant, and pinch it if necessary.

With this formation, fruiting may occur 2-3 days later, but the yield will be 2-3 times higher.

Indeterminate varieties

In indeterminate varieties of cucumbers, the ovaries form on the side vines, so the main attention is paid to them.

Formation is carried out according to the scheme:

1. After 5 leaves appear, the sprout is tied to a trellis and pinched from above.
2. As soon as 2 shoots appear, they are tied to the grate and directed in different directions.
3. When the bush grows to the top of the support, remove the ovaries and side branches up to 4 leaves inclusive. From leaves 5 to 9 there should be only one ovary in each axil.
4. In the future, monitor the uniform development of the lash on each side. If one of them becomes stronger, carry it out stepsoning.

Cucumbers that do not require shaping

Today, hybrids of cucumbers have been bred with the female type of flowering, that is, when female flowers are formed on absolutely all shoots and bear fruit.

There is no need to engage in the formation of these plants; cucumbers will appear on all shoots with good care. It is most convenient to grow them on a grid.

Conclusion

To get a rich harvest of cucumbers planted outside, it is not enough to plant them on time, weed them and water them. Of great importance are the timely and correctly carried out formation and pruning of the plant strictly according to the scheme and in accordance with variety.