Maximizing snake cucumbers – does that make sense? Everyone who grows cucumbers has to make the decision themselves. Because even gardeners are not green when it comes to cucumbers. And the harvest yield is also independent of this. But when it comes to austerity, you should know what to look out for. And where you can make the most of it.
What does it mean to harvest cucumbers and does it make sense?
Pruning out cucumbers means cutting off side or cross shoots from the leaf axils. This can result in more blooms and prevents the cucumber plants from coming into contact with bugs and moist soil. However, experiences and opinions in this regard vary.
Snake cucumbers grow quickly on warm May days and mild May nights. Now the plants are starting to bloom. Partially stripping out the first female flowers prevents the young plants from only investing their energy in the first fruit buds. Because the snake cucumbers quickly form new flowers and thus fruits. Female flowers can be recognized by the thickened ovary, the tiny cucumber. However, you do not need to remove male flowers. They can be recognized by their long, thin flower stalks.
Shoots, tips, flowers, fruits – what is used and where
Prinding cucumbers is the process of cutting off side or cross shoots from the leaf axils. However, many recreational gardeners have found that side shoots can also produce a profitable harvest. Choosing cucumbers is worth it – right? If you want to know exactly, you should try it with two cucumber plants of the same variety and let one grow and the other's lower side shoots reach up to 60 centimeters above the ground.
Taking advantage of snake cucumbers – one more advantage
This causes more flowers to form above. Another advantage: the cucumbers do not come into contact with vermin and moist soil. Cut off the top tips before the cucumber plants climb endlessly upwards. After thinning out, growth can be activated with additional compost or rotted manure. And be sure to water and water sufficiently with lukewarm rainwater.
Snake cucumbers in the open air do not necessarily have to be exhausted. Because if they spread along the ground without a climbing aid, new, side shoots can hardly be distinguished from the main shoot. Here it makes more sense to give the plant more air and light again by removing individual leaves and shoots when harvesting. Individual snake cucumber plants should not be allowed to grow huge, as this requires a lot of energy, which is then missing from fruit formation.
Tips & Tricks
If snake cucumbers slip off the plant sticks, they are too slippery. Coarse hemp or coconut strings are better and do not strangle the cucumbers when tied.
