How to form cucumbers in the greenhouse and in the open field?

Why should a gardener be able to mold cucumbers? This skill allows you to avoid many problems and improve the condition of the bushes. The lashes formed according to the rules are less likely to be attacked by fungi and pests, they grow less green mass and more yield. Formation can be called the most important agrotechnical technique: without it, it is impossible to achieve excellent characteristics of the bush and fruits.

Before you start

The type of formation of cucumbers depends on where they are grown - a greenhouse or open ground. Different varieties and hybrids have a different structure of the bush: some are low-growing, they do not need special care, others are thick and unlimited in growth, you have to work with them more.

Cucumbers are divided according to the type of pollination: insect pollinated and parthenocarpic. The former form two types of flowers on the bush - male and female. So that barren flowers (male flowers that do not produce ovaries and fruits) do not prevail, they are ripped off according to a certain pattern. For parthenocarpics, formation is practically not required, since their flowers give ovary without any pollination.

General formation rules

There are 7 main rules, tested by more than one vegetable grower - they will help to carry out the formation without problems.

1. The lower parts of the bush must in any case be breathable. Thickening at the bottom of the stem is a guarantee of fungal diseases.
2. After cutting off the stepson, a wound remains on the stem. It must dry out so that harmful microorganisms do not penetrate into the plant through it. For this reason, procedures are scheduled for the morning of a sunny day. After pinching, the slices dry quickly.
3. Every week you need to inspect the bush for the presence of barren flowers, diseased leaves and stems. All this, like the yellowed, dried parts, must be removed. This is necessary to maintain the health of the bush.
4. But if possible, healthy leaves should be left - it is through them that food comes to the cucumbers. Outdoors, the green mass also protects the stem and fruit.
5. It is important to remember: stepchildren and leaves are not cut off, but cut off. This makes the separation site neat and easier for the plant to adapt to new conditions. The secateurs must be sharp and must be disinfected.
6. When processing a bush, you do not need to turn out the whips. Forced straightening can lead to a complete stop of growth.
7. The formation procedure is not painlessly tolerated by all varieties. So that the plant does not weaken, it is important to water it on time, apply top dressing, mulch the soil, protect it from drafts, heat and other troubles.

What happens if you don't form bushes?

• The plantings will be too dense, the lashes will interfere with each other's development. It is much more difficult to care for such cucumbers.
• Density is the first condition for the development of a favorable climate for diseases.
• The growth of green mass draws out all the forces of the plant, and there are few of them left for the ripening of cucumbers.
• The fruits become smaller.
• Gustatory qualities are lost.

When is formation not required?

Growing without forming is acceptable for some hybrids. They have a very powerful central shoot and poorly developed lateral ones. Examples of such varieties:

• Pace F1;
• F1 bouquet;
• Izhorets F1;
• Valdai F1 and several others.

But even for such varieties, a number of procedures are not canceled, for example, a garter and sanitary cleaning of the bush.

What is included in the formation of cucumbers?

Formation includes a set of measures that together allow you to get the best out of plantings.

Procedures that are considered formative:

• Tying to supports. The requirement must be met regardless of the location of the bushes. Supports are installed in advance according to the height of the plant. Usually shoots are directed strictly vertically, but there are other ways - horizontally in several rows, in the form of a pyramid, V-shaped. Side lashes are placed at an angle of 30 degrees. The main thing is not to overtighten the fragile stem, but to carefully fix it. After a while, he himself will begin to climb the support.
• Thinning of leaves. You need to start from the bottom - the green mass should not touch the ground. The optimum height for cleaning the stem is 20-30 cm, then the formation of lateral lashes begins. Removing excess greenery allows the young plant to switch to a strong root system.
• Stealing. Stepchildren are lateral processes in the leaf axils. Removing these shoots is an essential part of cucumber formation. The shoot is cut off when it reaches a length of 3-5 cm. If you overexpose, the plant will react painfully. It is necessary to remove stepchildren, but without fanaticism: female flowers form on the lateral shoots, which are responsible for the harvest.
• Topping - a procedure to stop the growth of an indeterminate stem. The measure provokes the growth of lateral shoots, which has a positive effect on productivity.

How to form greenhouse plantings?

First, we determine the type of cucumber. Parthenocarpics need formation less than others. The main task is to pinch the central shoot in time.

For a greenhouse, the optimal growth pattern of parthenocarpic hybrids is in one stem, so the plantings do not thicken.

1. Twine is tied to the trellis. It should not reach the ground by 15 cm.
2. When the sprout reaches a certain height and 2-3 leaves appear on it, it is tied to a twine. It is impossible to delay it - this has a negative effect on growth.
3. Gradually, the sprout will cling to the twine and move to the trellis. Important: the stem turns clockwise around the support.
4. In the first 5 axils, all leaves and shoots are removed.
5. The next 5-6 stepsons are left, but pinched when they reach 25 cm.
6. Next comes a group of 3-4 shoots up to 40 cm long.
7. Above the stem are shoots 45-50 cm long.
8. The pinching of the central shoot is carried out when it reaches the upper trellis. The tip must be rounded around the support and cut off the growth point.

Why else do parthenocarpics need to be formed, except for cleaning? Pruning stimulates fruit growth - that's the first thing. Secondly, not all ovaries that have matured on a wild bush can grow into full-fledged cucumbers - the plant simply does not have enough strength.

The formation of varietal cucumbers in the greenhouse has some features:

• On such bushes, the side shoots are covered with female flowers, and on the central one there are male ones. The latter are called barren flowers, since they do not give ovaries. But this does not mean that they need to be cut off cleanly. They also participate in pollination. An excess of barren flowers leads to a reduction in yield and a bitter taste of the fruit, at the same time, their complete absence deprives the gardener of the harvest at all.
• It is important not to pinch the center shoot too early, so that the plant does not start growing side shoots.

How to distinguish between male and female cucumber flower? The first has an ovary easily detected, the second has only a leg.

Open ground rules

For open ground, bee-pollinated varieties of cucumbers are more often chosen, and this is logical - insects have limited access to the greenhouse. Why is this choice better than hybrids? Despite the more difficult care, including formation, pollinated cucumbers produce tastier fruits.

Peculiarities of street cucumbers are climbing and high growth.

How to form bushes in the open field?

1. You can grow them in 2-3 stems - there is enough space in the garden, unlike a greenhouse.
2. Pinching in the open field is not necessary - only if the shoot has not grown too far.Excessive height will inhibit the growth of ovaries, therefore, indeterminate varieties are pinched when they reach 1 m.
3. Lateral processes leave up to 50 cm. They can be of 2 orders.
4. Some street cucumbers are grown without a garter, in which case they are pinched after the 4th leaf on the main stem and after the second on the side.
5. Thinning of leaves is carried out in moderation - in the open field, they protect the bush from harsh sunlight and unfavorable climatic conditions.
6. All plantings must be checked for weak shoots, dried out and rotten parts.

Don't neglect shaping your cucumbers; that's what makes them healthy, productive, and delicious.