Such a simple agricultural technique as the formation of cucumbers in one stem is significant for obtaining a large crop. It makes the bushes grow in the right direction. The plant does not have to spend energy and nutrients on the development of useless tops. The principle of formation depends on belonging to a particular varietal group.
Content
Is it necessary to form cucumbers in a greenhouse
The question of whether or not the formation of a cucumber into one stem is necessary is of interest to many gardeners. In the struggle for high yields, I want to find the most effective methods. This method involves getting rid of all unnecessary shoots and shoots on the bush and directing its growth in a certain direction. It concerns parthenocarpic varieties and hybrids grown in greenhouses and greenhouses.
With the right procedure, an increase in the number of fruits obtained can be expected. Therefore, before carrying out it, you must carefully study the main recommendations. The formation of bushes should be carried out in stages.
What will happen if you do not form cucumbers
Only well-groomed garden plants can fully show their bearing potential. When growing cucumbers without proper attention, one cannot count on decent results. Running beds with overgrown and matted tops of insects will be more difficult to pollinate. Fruits do not grow to the desired size.
Simple actions such as weeding and loosening the soil become a problem. In the greenhouse, conditions are created that are suitable for the development of pathogens, appear as pests: ants, slugs, and bear. Combating them is more difficult than preventing their invasion. All these factors negatively affect the amount of the crop and complicate the life of any summer resident.
Pluses of formed bushes in one stem
To form cucumbers into 1 stalk is not difficult, and the effort expended will be paid off during the harvest. In bundle varieties, 4-7 ovaries are formed in nodes. They give an increased load on the conductor. Advantages of forming a cucumber into one stem:
- productivity increase - the formed bushes grow faster, bear fruit longer and longer;
- treated plants are less susceptible to various diseases and pests, due to normal ventilation and plenty of sunlight;
- planting care becomes easier, bushes are not intertwined with each other, they are easy to weed and loosen;
- obtaining larger fruits with a normal taste;
- the possibility of a denser planting seedlings.
With the correct formation scheme, you can collect 15 kg of fruit per square meter.
Bushes formation scheme
The formation of cucumbers in a polycarbonate greenhouse is carried out according to two schemes. Their difference is the number of stems. Each type of cucumber has its own characteristics.Parthenocarpic varieties are characterized by a large number of shoots, the bulk of which are female. But only one fifth of them bear fruit. Several stepsons appear from one ovary. The remaining shoots themselves will die due to lack of moisture or nutrition. Therefore, the formation should be started on time. Bee pollinated and branched varieties such treatment is not required. The central stem consists mainly of male shoots, while female stems are located on the sides. Their removal will result in crop loss.
If it’s not entirely clear how to form cucumbers into one stalk, watching videos that are very numerous on the Internet will help. It's simple - in the first 4 bosoms ovaries, flowers and stepsons are plucked. In the following nodes, the ovaries already remain in place, and the shoots are removed one at a time throughout the length of the main stem. In the case of a beam hybrid, which has a low degree of branching, you will have to spend less time on such an operation.
Garter
Cucumbers grown in protected ground need special care all season. About a week after planting the seedlings, it is time to start tying the seedlings. There are two varieties. With a vertical garter, a trellis is required in the upper part of the greenhouse. One end of the twine is attached to the stem of the seedling under the second leaf, and the other is attached to the structure. The plant stalk will become thicker during growth, so the loop should not be too tight on it. If the rope is pulled excessively, there is a danger of pulling the stem out of the ground, and if it is weak, it will hang.
In the case of a horizontal garter method, the support is created using a wire stretched over the stakes. She looks like a ladder, where the steps are located at a distance of 30 - 40 cm from each other. As they grow, the stems are fixed on them. You can use the now popular cucumber grid. The plant independently scrambles along it with its antennae.
Watering and feeding
Cucumber needs plentiful regular watering. But stagnation of moisture can cause decay of its root system. It is very useful to irrigate the green parts of the bush. To do this, you can install an automatic device for drip irrigation. Mulching the soil will allow the soil to retain moisture longer.
Water for irrigation is taken warm, cold will adversely affect the state of planting. After watering, the soil is loosened to prevent the formation of a dry crust. Using a watering can for irrigation sometimes leads to exposure of the roots, so from time to time it is necessary to pick up soil to them.
The soil in the greenhouse is subject to rapid depletion. Therefore, to grow cucumbers without additional dressing will not work. Regular fertilization will help to avoid nutritional deficiencies. But do not do this more often 5 times per season. The type of top dressing is selected depending on the stage of plant development and is introduced step by step.
Active growth of seedlings occurs 14 days after planting. At this time, you need to make a complex fertilizer that incorporates phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. During mass flowering, bushes need a mixture of nitrogen and potassium, and boron and magnesium will also be useful to them. During fruiting, mineral and organic types of fertilizers are especially necessary.
Side shoot removal and pinching
Shoots must be removed, otherwise they will draw strength and energy from the bush. They are not cut off, but cut off with sharp tools so as not to damage the tops. Side leaves are removed, flowers are removed in the first sinuses of 3 sheets. Lateral shoots are left only in the upper part of the bush. You can start the procedure when the stepsons reach a size of 3 cm.Pinching is important for non-climbing varieties, when no need for pinching. It stimulates the growth of additional branches, which are also fixed on the trellis. It is carried out not earlier than the stem reaches the top of the support. From the bottom of the plant you need to count 7 nodes and pinch off the crown. In the sinuses, lateral shoots appear. It is enough to leave only a few of the strongest, the rest should be removed. As the bush grows, its vine will wrap around the wire clockwise. It is impossible to twist and pull the whips, this will weaken the plant.
Care before and after the procedure
The best time for breaking ovaries and shoots is considered morning. Damage received by the plant will “heal” in the evening, minimizing the risk of infection. During work in the greenhouse you can not turn the lashes, otherwise the bushes will die. Getting rid of the dried elements of the tops will provide the cucumbers with more light.
Circumcision of shoots that have already ceased to bear fruit is important, because they can become a source of infection. After removing the parts, the plant will be weakened. It can be supported by feeding. Ready-made complexes of industrial production and herbal infusions prepared independently will be equally useful.
Prevention
To maintain the health of cucumber beds, prevention against a variety of diseases and harmful insects is very important. Without it, all labor may be in vain. Such prevention implies the mandatory processing of material for planting before moving it to the garden.
If we are talking about seeds, then they are soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate or fungicidal preparation. Experienced gardeners periodically spray the seedlings with nettle infusion. Oxychom, which has a systemic effect, is effective against fungus. It protects the plant from the inside and outside, neutralizing fungal spores.
Reviews
Alexey
I decided to plant cucumbers in my summer cottage, but I had never heard of the formation of one stem before. The number of crops in the first year did not please me, I began to look for ways to increase it. At the thematic forum I found out what actions should be taken. I tried a new method and made sure of its effectiveness - it was possible to remove more cucumbers from each bush.
Rita
I accidentally heard about such a technique as the formation of a cucumber bush. At first I did not understand its essence, but then I studied the descriptions and photos on the network and was inspired by the idea. Last summer, the harvest was a record, thanks to the authors of this technique! The main thing is to act carefully so that the plants do not die due to injury to their delicate structure.
Cucumber plantings, in addition to watering and weeding, require additional care. The scheme of forming a bush in one stem is relevant only for greenhouse plants of a certain variety. Its use increases productivity and strengthens the immunity of bushes. If there is no time for stepsoning, then it is better to choose varieties that do not need it.