The cultivation of cucumbers should be crowned with a rich harvest. At least that is the intended goal. In the bed, some varieties have a poor chance of meeting these expectations. In the greenhouse, on the other hand, they find better living conditions. But that’s not all! Cutting the side shoots is said to bring additional benefits to the cucumber. What are they and how exactly is it cut? Find out here!
Table of Contents
Improvement in crop yield
The more lateral shoots a plant sprouts, the more maintenance work its roots have to do over time. However, since not every shoot or not the entire shoot is useful from a harvest point of view, no energy should be wasted on their growth. In the case of lettuce and cucumbers, which are primarily grown in a greenhouse, pruning measures prevent them from exhausting themselves in the formation of side shoots. This optimizes fruit set, resulting in healthy, higher and quality yields.
The right time for cutting
The best time to cut the side shoots on cucumbers is not based on the calendar but on the growth of the plant. Even with young plants, cutting and shortening makes sense to prevent wild growth and early fruit set. Stay tuned and trade again during the growing season as new unwanted shoots show up.
Clipping instead of cutting
Lateral shoots grow out of the leaf axils of the main shoot. If pruning shears or a sharp knife is used for cutting, they will also get close to the main shoot. However, since it is soft, injuries can occur. To prevent this, the shoots are pinched off with your fingertips. Cutting tools can only be used carefully if there is no other option. In both cases, care must be taken to ensure cleanliness so that no diseases are transmitted. Fortunately, since a side shoot does not grow back, it only has to be removed once.
Instructions for the lower part of the cucumber plant
Cucumber plants grow upwards in the greenhouse, tied to a trellis . They can reach a height of up to 2 m and more. They bloom over the entire length. Since the fruits of a cucumber grow longer than 30 cm, they would touch the wet soil in the lower part of the plant, which promotes fungal diseases. Therefore, the fruits must not form too deep:
- pinch out all side shoots up to 60 cm high
- just snap off with your fingers
- also remove any existing flowers
- this will encourage bud formation above it
Instructions for the upper part of the cucumber plant
Cucumber plants quickly tower over the climbing aid. Then the main shoot of the cucumber must be shortened, leaving two side shoots and guided to the side of the climbing aid. It is also possible to forward the main shoot to the greenhouse roof. At this point, too, part of the lateral shoots should be removed, otherwise they would weigh down the main shoot too much.
Side shoots in the middle area
Shoots in the middle are said to give us a rich harvest. As soon as fruit set forms, as much energy as possible must be directed there.
- shorten lateral shoot
- so it no longer puts out new leaves
- snap off after two small gherkins and two leaves
- Also pinch off branches on side shoots
- However, after the first gherkin and a leaf
