It’s hard to imagine a summer cottage without a neat bed of cucumbers. However, growing this crop raises a number of questions for beginning gardeners. In particular, do cucumbers need leaf pruning? Is it worth forming a vine?
In the article you will find detailed answers to these questions. We will tell you whether it is possible to trim the leaves of cucumbers for better fruiting, at what time and how to do it correctly. After learning the specifics of care and reading our recommendations, you will decide for yourself whether it is worth pruning cucumbers.
Is it possible to trim leaves from cucumbers?
Trimming leaves is not only possible, but necessary. Let's look at why cucumber leaves are trimmed, and which ones exactly.
Cucumbers belong to the liana-like shrubs. They form a long vine on which the fruits are located. If the vine is not pruned, the green mass, actively growing, will take all the strength from the plant. Fruiting in this case will be weak.
Is it possible to trim the bottom/top leaves?
The formation of the vine occurs by removing the lower leaves, side shoots and barren flowers. To prevent root rot, pruning is carried out in the first part of the vine. Remove all inflorescences, side shoots, yellowed leaves and leaves touching the ground.
This pruning provides ventilation and also allows the plant to direct nutrients to the fruiting zone. For hybrids, the entire upper part is removed, starting from the sixth leaf. Three subsequent side shoots are left for fruiting.
During harvesting, the upper leaves are not cut off, as they play an important role in the formation of the fruit.
Important ! Tearing off the top leaves of varietal crops (not hybrids) leads to yellowing of cucumbers.
Why do this
Many gardeners are not sure whether to trim the leaves of cucumbers. Let's look together at what this method does:
- Saves water and nutrient consumption.
- Prevents the spread of infections and pests.
- Accelerates fruit ripening.
- Increases the formation of female inflorescences.
Why is the procedure needed?
The technical technique improves the yield and quality of vegetables. A kind of management practice that helps control the uncontrolled growth of a plant. Removing damaged leaves or excess shoots helps ensure adequate nutrition to allow vigorous fruit production. Eliminating unnecessary elements minimizes shading and maximizes sunlight penetration, which increases photosynthesis, improving crop yields. This eliminates the possibility of pests that cause disease in poorly ventilated bushes.
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Cucumbers are very susceptible to diseases, which requires special control over the plants. By avoiding the appearance of excessive foliage, it is easy to monitor the development of cucumbers. However, plucking should be avoided, which could potentially reduce yield. Finally, moderate pruning will allow for easy harvesting.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Leaf Trimming
Benefits of pruning:
- the beds are ventilated from all sides;
- sunlight penetrates all parts of the vine;
- bees will be able to pollinate more inflorescences;
- plants are less susceptible to root rot;
- Cucumbers bear fruit longer.
There are practically no disadvantages in pruning leaves, provided that crop care technologies are followed.
Important! Excessive pruning of leaves in hot weather can harm the plant. Direct rays of the sun negatively affect fruiting.
Types of pruning
The peculiarity of cucumbers is that they have female and male inflorescences.
The male ones grow on the main stem and do not produce fruit. They are called "barren flowers". To increase the yield, such inflorescences are pinched. The leaves are not torn off, since the plant absorbs nutrients through them.
Female inflorescences grow on side shoots. From them fruits are formed.
Let's look at which leaves to remove from cucumbers to increase the yield and how to do it.
There are two ways to prune cucumbers: general and lightening. Let's look at each of them, find out which varieties and how to trim them.
General
This type of pruning is used for self-pollinating cucumbers. Such crops produce a bountiful harvest and require pruning. The fruits are formed on the main stem, which can support a large harvest. Some fruits are also left on the side shoots to grow.
Important! In hybrid varieties, the harvest is formed mainly on the main stem.
The cucumber vine is conventionally divided into four parts:
- The first is the lower part of the whip near the ground.
- The second is the next meter (four growth nodes).
- The third is the next half meter of the whip.
- The fourth is the top of the bush.
How to prune cucumbers:
- At the bottom of the lash, all inflorescences, barren flowers, side shoots, yellow and drooping leaves are removed.
- Pinch off the top part after the sixth leaf to develop side shoots.
- In the second part of the vine's growth, three main sprouts are left 0.5-1 m from the ground, the rest are removed.
- In the future, they work with these sprouts, leaving four sprouts on them.
Brightening
For weakened and diseased plants, lightening pruning is carried out. It is advisable to reduce the amount of green mass in rainy weather.
Trimming Features:
- remove side shoots;
- remove leaves that darken the vine;
- cut off hanging, limp, yellow leaves;
- Leave 2-3 fruit ovaries.
To increase the yield, in some cases the side stems are left at the first nodes. Side shoots are lowered down to the ground. So the stem stops growing, the fruits begin to actively fill.
Experts' opinions on removing mustaches from cucumbers
On the Internet and in specialized literature, you can find many substantiated arguments in favor of mustache removal. Some experts call for shortening them. However, in reality, the harvest is not affected in any way by their cutting or presence on the vines. It is not the mustache that determines the quantity and quality of the collected greens.
To increase productivity, other methods exist and are used. This especially applies to applying fertilizers under the roots and along the leaves at different stages of the plant’s life. You can come across the opinion that by completely cutting out the mustache, the fruiting period is extended. However, such claims cannot be scientifically substantiated.
Due to their complete lack of evidence, they can be considered erroneous. The only thing that is true and confirmed by practice is that the appearance of new tendrils indicates that the cucumber vines have enough strength to grow and form new ovaries.
Trimming mustaches help cucumbers grow
But whether it is possible to make the shoot grow by cutting the tendrils is a rather controversial issue. But an indisputable argument for their removal is the fact that tying has become part of agricultural technology. Cucumbers are grown only with supports, attracting the vines with ribbons to the net, trellises or ropes stretched on posts.
Consequently, there is no need to preserve the entire mustache. There is not the slightest reason to suspect that the whiskers somehow take away nutrition from the vines during the formation and growth of the greens. The peculiarity of the pumpkin family is that the tendrils that do not find something to cling to simply die off.
To prevent the tendrils from grabbing neighboring plants, you can try planting them at a greater distance. But for indoor growing, and sometimes even in limited areas of greenhouses, this option does not suit anyone. When there is little space, you want to compact the plantings for the sake of a decent harvest. So it turns out that there is no way to do without circumcision.
How to properly remove mustaches from cucumbers
The removal operation is similar to surgery. It requires great care and is never carried out in a hurry so as not to damage the main shoot. Trimming takes a lot of time, especially with large-scale plantings. In addition, circumcision is not limited to one, it has to be repeated periodically.
Photo: https://elektro-sadovnik.ru/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/3-obryvat-usy-768×432.jpg
As long as plant growth continues, new tendrils will appear. They are cut only in dry weather, choosing daytime during cloudy periods and evening hours in the sun. The operation is carried out with sharpened scissors so as not to cause injury to the stem. The cut is left smooth.
The tendril is not completely cut off. It is recommended to retreat from the escape by a centimeter or one and a half to avoid injury. Before starting work and at the end of it, the instrument is washed in a disinfectant solution, which can be prepared from copper sulfate or potassium permanganate.
Hands are washed with soap before and after work. The cut areas are sprinkled with coal powder or wood ash. But first it is recommended to disinfect them with a solution of potassium permanganate.
Next, we recommend watching a video that talks about whether or not to cut off the tendrils of cucumbers:
A simple solution: no mustache, no questions
It takes a lot of time to remove a mustache, and the event itself takes a lot of effort and labor. How obligatory is it to carry it out? If the presence of tendrils has absolutely no effect on the yield, and pruning itself is only needed to facilitate collection and care, there is a temptation not to do it at all.
But every gardener must make the choice himself. Many summer residents no longer have the problem of mustaches, preferring to purchase modern cucumber varieties for their crops, which practically do not form them and do not grow an excessive number of side vines. And if there is no mustache, there are no questions about what to do with them.
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How to prune correctly
Correct and timely pruning will help you grow a bountiful harvest and enjoy fresh cucumbers until late autumn.
Let's look at how to properly trim cucumbers in open ground:
- The procedure is carried out in the evening.
- After pruning, it is recommended to water and fertilize the cucumbers.
- Pruning is carried out along the entire length of the plant.
- Work begins after the sixth leaf grows. The whip is wrapped around the trellis and the growing point is pinched.
- Remove the side shoots in the first half of the vine, as well as all leaves that look down or are wilted.
- The main stem is pinched after it reaches the top of the trellis. This part of the cucumber tops must be constantly monitored throughout the season. You should not let it grow, so as not to darken the beds.
- Growing shoots in the second and third parts of the vine are placed on trellises.
- For uniform lightening, the shoots are distributed in a checkerboard pattern.
- The lashes are pinched at a distance of 0.5 m.
- After pruning, leave 3-4 ovary nodes and some leaves.
- Shoots extending beyond the row are cut off.
In hybrids, pinch off the tops after the sixth leaf, leaving three shoots, the rest are removed. Conventional varieties are grown with a single stem.
The procedure is carried out with garden shears in order to reduce the damage to the tops.
Attention. Male shoots (barren flowers) must be removed. If you leave them, the cucumbers will taste bitter.
CUCUMBERS - HOW TO CUT THE LEAVES AND IMPROVE THE OVER.
Which leaves to trim for a good harvest?
Pruning of cucumbers is primarily carried out to increase fruiting. Leaves affected by diseases, yellowed ones, located on the bottom row, and leaves that thicken the bush are removed.
Features of pruning in greenhouses and open ground
Cucumbers growing in gardens are exposed to various natural influences. Heat, wind and other adverse weather conditions have a negative impact on the growth and development of plants. The question arises: is it necessary to trim the leaves of cucumbers in open ground? Definitely yes.
The cucumber vine is shaped depending on the climatic weather conditions. In hot weather, more leaves are left on the bushes. On rainy days their number is reduced.
When pruning cucumbers in open ground, you should know:
- The tops of growing shoots should be well lit.
- If there are an abundance of barren flowers, you need to dry the soil, remove the growing points, then pick off the barren flowers.
- Promptly remove yellowed leaves, as well as those located below the fruit. Leave only a couple of leaves on the shoots.
- Do not direct the vine along the trellis - as it grows, it will darken the garden.
- Plant insect-pollinated varieties freely so bees and other pollinators can reach the flowers.
- When harvesting, try not to damage the lashes and tendrils, so as not to harm subsequent ovaries.
- Do not change the position of the lashes when picking fruits.
Let's consider the features of the formation of a cucumber vine when grown in a greenhouse. To do this, we will conditionally divide the whip into four parts.
We carry out work on the following points:
- In the first lower part of the lash, we remove all the ovaries and side shoots up to the fourth leaf. At the same time, the tops continue to grow.
- In the second part of the four nodes, we remove the growing point, leaving one fruit and 2-3 leaves.
- On the third part of the bush, in each of the three nodes we leave two fruits and two leaves.
- In the upper last part we leave three leaves and three cucumbers.
When growth slows down, cucumbers in greenhouses undergo lightening pruning. Remove side stems, downward-pointing leaves, and empty flowers, leaving the ovary on the main stem.
Important! Trim cucumbers in a greenhouse in a timely manner, remove shoots on the sides.
It happens that there are a lot of shoots with empty flowers in the cucumber greenhouse - what to do? It is urgent to dry the soil, reduce the application of nitrogen fertilizers and trim the growing point on each shoot. These activities will help direct beneficial substances from the tops to the fruits.
Caring for cucumbers in a greenhouse after formation (table)
Forming a bush is only part of the activities on the way to a bountiful harvest. In addition, you will have to constantly care for the cucumber crop.
| Options | Indicators |
| Air temperature | — 7 days after planting + 20-22 °C |
| - then 18-20 °C | |
| - at 3-4 °C the air should be warmed up | |
| — during the formation of the ovary should not be higher than + 18 ° C | |
| Air humidity | - when fruits ripen, it should be 75-80% (according to |
| hygrometer) | |
| Ventilation | — at temperatures exceeding 30 °C inside the greenhouse |
| Soil condition | - add sawdust when digging, then add nitrogen |
| Excess sunlight | - cover the greenhouse with a special mesh |
| - whitewash the windows | |
| Watering | - before flowering - once a week |
| — after flowering −1 time every 2-3 days | |
| Feeding | - feed 5-6 times during the summer |
| Harvesting | - fruits should be removed using garden tools |
| scissors or pruning shears |
Everything is not so difficult, the main thing is that there is a desire to work and achieve good results. And it will definitely happen if you follow the recommendations of experienced gardeners, watch video lessons and follow agricultural practices.
Advice from experienced gardeners
We recommend listening to the advice of experienced gardeners - let’s take a closer look at what experienced gardeners say.
Vasily: “I have been using the method of forming a cucumber vine by pruning for a long time. I prefer self-pollinating varieties. I form a crop on one stem, there is always a large number of fruits on it. I also leave a few side shoots, they also have a harvest.”
Tatyana: “I recently learned that you need to trim the leaves of cucumbers, and found out which ones to remove for a good harvest. I started doing this and noticed that pruning helps get rid of root rot. I cut off all the leaves and side shoots of the bottom row. Plants are well ventilated from below. In addition, excess tops do not take away nutrients. The cucumbers are filling faster and there is more ovary.”
conclusions
Now you know whether it is necessary to remove leaves from cucumbers and how to do it correctly. Shaping cucumber vines by pruning helps fight disease and increases yield. The plants are well ventilated, the sun's rays evenly illuminate the leaves and fruits, and insects can easily pollinate the inflorescences.
You also learned how to remove leaves from cucumbers so as not to damage the ovaries or break the vines. By removing the male inflorescences, you will direct the plant’s energy to the growth and ripening of fruits. Carry out pruning carefully using our recommendations and advice.
CUCUMBERS (PART-2) How to CORRECTLY REMOVE stepsons, form lashes and achieve BIG YIELDS
Picking cucumbers
It would seem that what could be simpler than the process of picking cucumbers - pick off the ripe fruits and that’s it. But unexpected problems may arise in this process. You need to pick cucumbers from the bushes in such a way as not to damage the stem or unripe fruits. In this sense, let us once again remember the importance of forming bushes - it is these plants that allow the gardener to easily reach the desired fruit and carefully pick it without damaging the stem.
It is important to remember that it is impossible to change the direction of growth of the bush even during the “residual” collection of cucumbers. If your plant has reached its maximum level and bent over the support using the vertical planting method, then it should grow downwards - and your task is to help it with this by attaching it with its mustache to the trellis in the direction “towards the ground”. Some gardeners argue that in this way it is possible to give the bush a “second chance”, thereby extending its fruiting period.
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It is necessary to pick cucumbers with clean hands and only at the so-called “growing point”. You cannot “take” parts of the stem or nearby leaves.
If some cucumbers are overripe, you can leave them to collect seeds, but only if they are in the lower part of the bush. The “top” fruits are not suitable for collecting seeds, or at least they should not be left on the bush - it is better to pick an overripe cucumber, unsuitable for eating, and leave it to “ripen” for the stage of collecting seeds indoors.
Thus, we can conclude that the removal of certain parts of the cucumber bush helps maintain order in the summer cottage, improves the microclimate in greenhouses, and also facilitates the growth of cucumbers using the vertical method of cultivation, regardless of the planting location (greenhouse or open ground).
The only and, perhaps, the most important condition for the formation of bushes is accuracy. Whiskers, leaves, excess ovaries, even ripe fruits must be removed in such a way as not to damage the plant or weaken its “immunity.”
