Forming cucumbers: important rules

Almost every gardener grows cucumbers today. But not everyone knows that proper cucumber training can significantly increase the yield of a single plant. In this article, we'll discuss how to train this crop in a greenhouse and in the open ground.

Content

1 In the greenhouse
2 In open ground
3 Helpful tips
4 Video: Forming a Cucumber Vine

In the greenhouse

Some gardeners prefer to grow different cucumber varieties (for example, Murashka) in a greenhouse. Here, bush training is both possible and necessary. However, the final result will depend on how well each bush is trained.

The following step-by-step instructions will show you how to properly form cucumbers in a greenhouse:

After the seedlings have been planted in the greenhouse, they are given time to take root in the new location (3-4 days).
After this, you should tie the sprouts to a stretched wire, after which you need to wait.
When the bush stem reaches the wire's designated height, pinch it back. After this, 3-4 leaves should remain on the stem.
The leaves of the stem should be wrapped around the wire, after which the stem itself is also tied to it.
Once lateral shoots form, they should be pulled out. They should also be pinched back, approximately one and a half meters from the ground.

If you've performed all the necessary steps correctly, a single bush (for example, the Murashka variety) will already produce a sufficient harvest. The fruiting period will also be extended.

In this position, the cucumbers have everything they need: nutrients and sunlight. Care for the plants remains standard.

The process of training cucumber plants in a greenhouse is simple and doesn't require any special knowledge or skills. However, to ensure everything is done correctly the first time, it's a good idea to seek advice from an experienced gardener who has done this type of work before.

In open ground

A slightly different approach is required when growing and planting seedlings outdoors. The question of "how to shape cucumbers" is a particularly pressing one for gardeners.

You need to start shaping the bushes immediately after the first shoots appear. In this case, the seedling method of growing cucumbers may not be used. Moreover, this method is suitable for various cucumber varieties (including Murashka).

Forming bushes in open ground, compared to horizontal cultivation, has the following advantages:

the yield increases (even one such bush will yield more than several horizontal ones);
there is no need for frequent weeding;
During a rainy summer in open ground, such bushes will not rot;
easy and simple to harvest;
easier care of plantings;
In this way, you can grow different varieties of cucumbers (including the Murashka variety).

The algorithm of actions at the beginning of the formation of bushes in open ground involves the following steps:

Proper care of the sprouts is important. Weak and less-viable sprouts are simply cut off with a knife, leaving only the strongest and most viable ones. However, this should only be done if the beds are very dense and lack space.
At the very beginning, the seedlings need to be thinned out. Each bush should be at least half a meter away from its neighbor. Therefore, all excess shoots should be simply removed. Otherwise, there simply won't be enough nutrients for all of them.

Some gardeners argue that some bushes can be left to grow horizontally. However, this isn't very practical.

There are several ways to train cucumbers in open ground. The following options are worth mentioning:

Trellis. This method is the most common. Trellis are also the most spectacular method of staking. It's worth noting that such a trellis can become a decorative addition to a garden or vegetable plot. A trellis is a wooden pole with a fine-mesh net nailed to it. A single stem should be placed along this net. All other shoots are removed, thus creating a single stem. The upper shoots are left in place. They are sufficient to secure the plant firmly to the trellis.
On a string. Here, each bush should be stripped of its side shoots. This method, like trellis growing, requires leaving only one stem. Tie some twine to the bottom of the plant. It should wrap tightly around the stem, but still leave room for growth. Then wrap the stem around the support. After this, the bush will grasp the support with its own shoots.

Another common method involves using wire to train cucumbers. This method involves driving two stakes, each about 1-1.5 meters high, into the edges of the bed. Wire is tied to them and held taut. Each bush is then trimmed of its lower side shoots. Each stem is then tied to twine and draped over the assembled structure as far as it will go. The other end of the twine should be tied to another plant. The resulting structure resembles a hut with side sections of stems and a hollow interior. This hollow interior ensures good ventilation of the beds.

Various cucumber varieties can be grown using this method. The key is to follow proper training techniques and care, which largely involves timely and optimal watering. Remember that cucumbers do not tolerate either overwatering or dry soil.

As we can see, open ground offers ample opportunities for shaping cucumber plants. This approach to growing cucumbers, despite the initial investment of time and effort, will pay off handsomely in the future, when it's time to harvest. Here, you won't have to hunker down in the garden beds and search for fruit in the thicket.

Helpful tips

Useful tips, like growing locations for cultivated plants, can be divided into two groups:

for a greenhouse;
for open ground.

Let's consider everything in order.

When shaping cucumber bushes in a greenhouse, you may find the following helpful tips:

To form the plantings, you should use a well-sharpened knife or scissors.
When cutting off lateral stems, avoid damaging the plant by damaging the remaining stem or leaves. The cucumber plant will waste energy and time healing wounds that could otherwise be used for growth and development.
When making cuts, avoid leaving stumps on plants. They can become susceptible to diseases such as powdery mildew. This causes a powdery growth that, if not treated, quickly spreads along the stem and leaves.
If there are a large number of barren flowers, don't remove them immediately. In this situation, allowing the soil to dry out a bit will help them activate.
Harvesting from formed bushes must be done carefully to avoid causing further damage.
Throughout the growing period, yellow leaves should be removed from the plant.

In principle, half of the tips and recommendations used when growing cucumbers in a greenhouse can also be applied to open ground.

It's important to remember that greenhouse plants require daily ventilation during sunny and hot weather. This will protect the bushes from various diseases and insect pests.

When forming cucumber bushes in open ground, you should follow the following recommendations:

For highly branched varieties, pinching is essential. For all other varieties, this procedure is optional.
Pinching is carried out after 3-4 true leaves.
For formation, you can use both ordinary varieties and hybrids.

As we can see, properly shaping cucumber plants in a greenhouse or open ground isn't particularly difficult. The key is methodicalness, care, and proper care. In this situation, your trained plants will yield a wonderful and tasty harvest with minimal effort.

Video: Forming a Cucumber Vine

All the intricacies of forming cucumber vines in a greenhouse are outlined in this video.