Options for the formation of cucumbers in the open field

Options for the formation of cucumbers in the open field

To get a good harvest of cucumbers, it is necessary to timely form a bush with pinching loops. And if you refuse such actions, then instead of juicy fruits in the borage there will be a green leafy mass. From the formation of a cucumber, the future harvest definitely only benefits. But the type of formation depends on various factors, for example, whether it is a bush cucumber or a bunch, on a variety (“German” develops on lateral shoots, for example, but there are varieties that are more prolific on the main lash).

Options for the formation of cucumbers in the open field

The need for a procedure

Pinching and tying are integral parts of the cucumber formation process. It sounds scary, because the operations seem labor-intensive and almost jewelry. In fact, everything is not so scary. Procedures can be carried out manually, or tools can be used. True, some gardeners are indignant at the use of scissors or pruners, because such an intervention is not the best option for the health of seedlings. The pruning site heals for a long time, and there is also a risk of infection.

Options for the formation of cucumbers in the open field

So why shape cucumbers if it can be risky:

  • access of light to all samples will be uniform;
  • a place in a greenhouse (this option can also be allowed) is saved well;
  • the organization of watering is simplified, with the application of fertilizer it will also be easier;
  • the microclimate of the garden under the film may be more favorable;
  • soil ventilation can be adjusted in this way;
  • plants gain additional protection.

Options for the formation of cucumbers in the open field

And most importantly, cucumbers will bear fruit earlier, and the fruiting season will be longer. That is, you can count on a good harvest. While the plant is developing, you need to monitor it, timely removing diseased leaves, antennae, old stems. Healthy parts are not removed, because nutrition is supplied to the ovaries through them. The only exception will be the lower leaves.

You also need to be in time in time: by the time the procedure starts, the lateral processes should not grow more than 5 cm. The entire cucumber bush is divided into 3-4 parts, then at a meter height you need to save a couple of leaves and one ovary, remove the rest.

Options for the formation of cucumbers in the open field

Then, on a segment from 1 m to 1,5 m, 4 leaves and 2 ovaries are left. And in the next section, 1,5-2 m, it is necessary to save 6 leaves and 3 ovaries.

Methods

There are several simple design schemes for cucumber bushes, new ones are just appearing. There are four most convenient scenarios.

With garters

At first, bushes often require garters. When fixed on a wire, the garter becomes a support and serves as it for the entire growing season. It turns out that the garter will save the plant from a stem break.

The horizontal method of garter is the most popular. This is how novice cucumbers are arranged in the open field, because it is simple. They take long sticks, deepen them, then pull a rope between them. The stems of a young cucumber are carefully guided to the lower rope row. Seeds are planted 10-12 cm apart.

Options for the formation of cucumbers in the open field

Without garter

If the cucumbers have short stems, there is no need for a garter. The main thing in which you need to help the cucumber when growing is the possibility of proper distribution of nutrition. The central stem remains the main one, but not so many nutrients can reach the sides. And this immediately affects the yield negatively. To ensure the distribution of nutrition, it is necessary to remove empty flowers.

Options for the formation of cucumbers in the open field

On the trellis

The trellis is made of wood, this is the most common case. But originality is also inherent in gardeners. For instance, a row of cucumbers is planted with an indent from the grid or a fence of 25 cm, and then oblique ropes are pulled on top to the top of the fence. And after some time, the vines will cover the entire fence. Cucumbers can also be placed under the arcs.

Options for the formation of cucumbers in the open field

Let’s take a closer look at how to install the support.

  • The support is always installed on the sunny side of the site, where there will be no drafts. And in order to reliably protect the plant, you can plant a sunflower or corn nearby, for example.
  • The surface should be flat, you may have to work on the soil in this sense.
  • Organic top dressings in the ground should be introduced before the installation of the trellis.

Options for the formation of cucumbers in the open field

In spring, the soil where cucumbers will be planted on a trellis is poured with boiling water to eliminate bacteria, and compost or manure is also added.

By the way, a huge number of varieties are grown on the trellis, for example, “Phoenix”.

On the grid

Quite a popular way: at the ends of the cucumber bed, one pipe is buried, a mesh is stretched over these pipes. The lower shoots and leaves are removed because this is important to optimize natural ventilation. In the course of growth, the vines themselves are fixed on the grid.

Plastic cucumber mesh has become especially in demand. Such products perfectly cope with high loads. The mesh can be bought at the store, or you can make it yourself. They are wear-resistant, they will not break in the first season for sure (if they are properly made and properly operated). More successful are those models whose cell width is more than 15 cm.

Options for the formation of cucumbers in the open field

Options for the formation of cucumbers in the open field

How to form different varieties?

Cucumber bushes of different varieties require their own approach, and their features will have to be taken into account.

Parthenocarpic and F1 hybrids

In such varieties, the type of fruiting in most cases is female. It all starts with the fact that the first ovaries on the bushes must be left when four leaves appear on the stem.

Step-by-step diagram for hybrid and parthenocarpic cucumbers.

  1. It makes sense to wait for the period when the main stem grows to the trellis, and when this happens, you need to pinch it.
  2. In the first 5 nodes, flowers and stepchildren are removed.
  3. From the 5th to the 8th knot, 1 ovary and 1 leaf should remain on the stepchildren.
  4. At 9-11 nodes, 2 leaves and 2 ovaries remain.
  5. At 12-14 nodes, 3 leaves and 2 ovaries remain.
  6. And then you need to process those nodes that are located close to the trellis. There are 4 ovaries and 4 leaves.

Options for the formation of cucumbers in the open field

Then the plants should be left alone without doing anything with them. You just need to wait until the main lash becomes higher than the trellis, and then throw it over the wire. Pinching is done when the stalk leaves the ground by 70 centimeters.

Options for the formation of cucumbers in the open field

Indeterminate

In cucumbers of this type, the ovaries will grow more on the side shoots. Therefore, they should have all the attention. When the plant reaches the fifth leaf development phase, it’s time to attach it to the trellis and pinch out the growing point. Then you need to wait until 2 shoots form on the stem part. And when this happens, they need to be tied up and aimed in different directions. When the stems reach the upper anchor point, stepsons and ovaries will be removed from their surface up to the 4th leaf (including the 4th). And from 5 to 9 leaves, only 1 ovary and leaf are left.

Options for the formation of cucumbers in the open field

Next, you just need to monitor the uniformity of the development of the lashes. If one turned out to be more powerful, it will have to stepchild.

Beam

Otherwise, beam species are called bouquet, these will be high-yielding samples with excellent taste.

Scheme of the formation of beam plants step by step.

  1. 10 days after the seedlings are already in the ground (in open ground or in a greenhouse), you can start the formation.
  2. Landmark moment – the culture should already have 8 or 9 healthy and strong leaves.
  3. Each leaf axil of these cucumbers produces 3 to 7 fruits.
  4. If you keep the majority, it is possible to receive additional Zelentsy from the stepchildren. This means that the main stem gives a considerable amount of harvest, that is, beam hybrids are made into one lash.
  5. All sides are removed almost to the trellis. Next to the trellis, 2-3 shoots with ovaries remain, which are pinched over the second sheet.
  6. All ovaries, as well as shoots in the axils of the first four leaves from the ground, are removed, only leaves should remain. This is necessary in order to collect the maximum yield from the main stem, and then continue harvesting from the sides.

Options for the formation of cucumbers in the open field

But something will have to be taken into account: the lower tier, from the first to the fourth sheet, should not escape blindness. That is, these nodules should not have ovaries or processes.

Bee-pollinated

In greenhouses, for example, varietal cucumbers that require pollination are almost never grown. It is much more expedient to plant them in open ground, because there it will be easier for insects to reach the flowers of plants. On the main stem of bee-pollinated varieties of cucumbers, almost only male flowers are formed. And female flowers are almost always formed on secondary (and other, subsequent) shoots.

Options for the formation of cucumbers in the open field

How to form bee-pollinated varieties:

  • it is necessary to find a growth point in the sample, usually it is in the eighth leaf phase, it must be pinched, so it will be possible to stimulate the extremely rapid growth of the sides;
  • in the same side shoots that are still growing, pinch the top so that 2 leaves and 2 ovaries remain;
  • when shoots of the third order grow on the culture, they need to be pinched in the same way.

Options for the formation of cucumbers in the open field

Then it remains only to observe the growth.

You can not let the bush grow significantly, because the shoots of the fourth order are removed. The main crop of these varieties is harvested from shoots of 2-3 orders.

And in conclusion, a little explanation for those who want to thoroughly understand what is meant by certain actions.

  • Blindness. To blind the cucumbers, you must wait until at least 6 strong leaves appear on the culture. All ovaries in the sinuses are removed (that is, from 1 to 5 leaves). This is done so that the plant can form a strong root system.
  • Tying up. It is carried out on columns that are installed at the ends of the ridges. The pillars are usually within one and a half meters, but can be higher. A reliable wire is pulled over them, ropes are tied. Cucumber stalks will crawl along these ropes.
  • Pinching the sides. They must first be allowed to germinate, and after the first leaf has appeared, process. And in order to pinch the next tier, you need to wait for the formation of 3-5 leaves. On the next floor, they are waiting for the design of a pair of strong leaves.
  • Removing sidewalls. Lateral shoots are removed when another 3-5 leaves grow on the stems, while those removed earlier are not considered. It is better to remove shoots and leaves in the early morning, because the wounds on the plant will heal faster this way.

Options for the formation of cucumbers in the open field

Also, the mustache is removed from the plant during the entire growing period: cucumbers need them precisely as a mount, but if the cucumbers are tied up, there is no longer a need for a mustache. Some gardeners bandage the lashes, but it’s better not to do this – rejection of the fruits can be the result of such an operation, and you can also injure the lashes.

And yet, cucumbers do not always need to be shaped, and this also needs to be said. There are some modern varieties, hybrids that do not need to be formed at all. They do not grow very fast, their sides are poorly developed, and therefore all efforts are simply useless. Such cucumbers, for example, include the varieties “Temp”, “Izhorets”, “Bouquet”, “Sarovskiy”, “Valdai”. They really do not need shaping or a garter.

Options for the formation of cucumbers in the open field

Anna Evans

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