When it comes to cucumbers, there is disagreement among garden professionals on the subject of pinching out. Either way – it neither harms the cucumber plants nor does it guarantee a bountiful cucumber harvest. And knowing how to grow cucumbers is useful and useful for anyone who wants to grow cucumbers.
Should you harvest cucumbers and if so, how?
Pruning cucumbers is worth it as it promotes stronger plants and more fruit. Simply pinch off the lower buds and cross shoots up to 60 cm above the ground. For side shoots, remove the shoot after two cucumbers and leaves - do not prune the main shoot!
When it comes to tomatoes, gardeners agree: In order to achieve decent harvest yields, you have to plant them regularly. However, when it comes to pruning out cucumber plants, there is only one good answer: Anyone who wants to know exactly should try it out themselves. Simply take two of the same types of cucumbers. One is exhausted and the other is not. Then you will – without question – be smarter in the next gardening year.
Why max out?
Stingy shoots are barren side shoots that grow from the leaf axils between the summer shoot and the leaf stem. There are a few good reasons for cutting out unnecessary side shoots, buds and flowers on cucumbers:
- controlled growth
- stronger and more robust cucumber plants
- increased flower and fruit production
By properly pruning, you can direct the energy of the cucumber plants into flowers and fruits instead of into side shoots. By the way: In contrast to tomatoes, cucumbers do not require regular thinning. Maxed out is maxed out! This work only needs to be done once because no new side shoots grow on cucumbers.
Using cucumbers once is enough
Cucumber plants that grow upwards on trellises can be trained at the bottom and top. To do this, simply pinch off the lowest buds and cross shoots up to 60 centimeters above the ground with your thumb and forefinger. This promotes bud formation above it and prevents the lowest cucumbers from lying in the ground. This keeps soil pests and moisture away from the fruit. If you want to maximize greenhouse cucumbers, you have to remove the tops in good time before the plants hit the roof.
Pruning plants without climbing aid
With outdoor cucumbers without climbing support, after a while you can hardly distinguish between the main and side shoots. Individual side shoots are regularly removed when watering or harvesting cucumbers. Don't let individual cucumber plants get too large. Because this can weaken the plant, whether with or without thinning. And that means unwanted breaks when harvesting cucumbers.
The best green thumb trick to maximize side shoots: After 2 cucumbers and leaves, pinch off the side shoot. Caution! Only the side shoots - please NOT the main shoot. If you discover additional shoots on the side shoots, remove them after the first cucumber and the first leaf.
Tips & Tricks
Using cucumbers is twice as worthwhile. On the one hand, you get more he althy fruit and on the other hand, you create more space, air and light for the plants because the lush growth is specifically limited.
