Not all gardeners know that pruning leaves from cucumbers can increase yields and improve the taste of fruits. Pruning the greens allows the bush to save energy and direct energy to the formation of the vegetable.

Do I need to pick leaves from cucumbers in a greenhouse?

It is necessary to remove the tops on cucumbers for the reason that the plant can produce male shoots that do not bear fruit and later on they form empty flowers. Such processes must be removed, then in their place fruit-bearing branches will appear on the sides of the stem.

To the question of whether it is necessary to remove excess leaves if the crop is good, experienced gardeners answer that such manipulations are still necessary, since excess greens draw moisture and nutrients that could help improve the quality and quantity of fruits.

In addition, it is important to trim dry and diseased leaves from the stem, otherwise the plant can be infected with parasites or infections, which may cause the bush to die. Tightening with pruning male tops leads to a change in the taste of the fruit - they begin to bitter.

Important! Do not pick off all the greens, you need to save part of the foliage so that the plant has the ability to photosynthesis and oxygen production.

Timing and basic pruning principles

There are no unequivocal dates for the beginning of trimming greens with cucumbers. This moment depends on the growth rate of the lashes, which must be removed in time so that the bush does not go into unregulated growth. Cucumbers can be cut if the length of the branches grows by more than 6 cm, during this period the plant does not receive critical injuries.

The main stem must be tied to the roof of the greenhouse, it is better to do this immediately after planting the plants. And when the lash grows too large, it needs to be wrapped in a loop and directed down. Stepchildren need to be trimmed in a timely manner until they have hardened, and the leaves can be removed after the appearance of 5 pieces.

The formation of the bush and the intensity of pruning depends on the area of ​​the greenhouse, and the lashes should not be tied up more than 5 knots. You can trim the nodes 4-5 sheets before pinching.

What leaves should be cut from cucumbers

The correct removal of greens depends on the type, specifics of cultivation, pollination and the time of harvesting of cucumbers.

Mandatory removal requires that leaf in which:

• there are mechanical damage (tears, cuts, etc.);
• signs of parasite or infection are observed;
• unhealthy spots, decay, dryness appeared.

Hybrids require complete removal of the top of the stem, starting from 6 leaves. Only 3 lashes should be left. Ordinary plants are formed into one stem, everything else is removed.

Those varieties that are capable of self-pollination, most fruits contain on the main lash, on this basis, the entire side tops must be removed. The same applies to species that bees pollinate. Harvesting excess greens is necessary to ensure access by insects.

The yellow foliage, which is located below the fruiting places, must be removed, everything else is left as is.

It may happen that the bush is too overgrown with branches, in this case it is necessary to cut off the growth point, reduce the amount of nitrogen fertilizing and dry the soil. Thus, all the beneficial trace elements get to the fruit.

How to prune cucumbers in a greenhouse

To properly clear the bush, you need to visually divide it into 4 parts. To improve the ventilation of the plant, you need to remove the shoots and inflorescences, which are from 2 to 4 leaves. This will ensure the correct formation of the bush and prevent the appearance of rot.

Total cropping

In self-pollinating varieties, it is necessary to form a bush with one stem. This will help to make it strong so that the bush does not break under the weight of cucumbers and is not damaged. This will not affect fruiting in any way, since the side shoots compensate for the damage from clearing the bush.

Before you start pruning, the whole plant must be divided into 4 parts. The first occupies the base of the trunk, and the second - several growth nodules. Another 50 cm from them is the third part. The top is the fourth zone.

Did you know? For the first time, cucumbers were planted in greenhouses in ancient Rome. They were built by order of the emperor Tiberius, who wanted to use this vegetable year-round.

Next, consider a step-by-step description of the processing of each of these parts of the plant:

1. In order to prevent the appearance of root rot, it is necessary to remove all inflorescences, lower greens, yellowed leaves and shoots. All the tops, which are located close to the ground, are removed. This will allow all elements from top dressing to freely get to the fruit.
2. From the second part, it is necessary to cut off the growth point and remove all the empty flowers. Leaves do not leave too much, the same with fruits, which should remain no more than 4.
3. Further, on the third part of the cucumber, it is necessary to select several nodes on which no more than 4 vegetables and half the leaves are left than on the previous parts. The remaining nodes can be left untouched. This will allow the fruits to ripen evenly, they will be juicier and the number of cucumbers on the bush will increase.
4. The uppermost part should be attached with antennae for props or garters. This removes the growth point, which is located 4 sheets from the top. This zone needs to be cleaned from time to time, and the antennae must be laid out along the wire so that the light enters the bush in sufficient quantities and they do not interfere with the harvest.

Brightening pruning

Lightening pruning is performed if the bush begins to fade or weaken. Therefore, it is not necessary to spare the shoots, but it is worth cutting off the wilted and dried branches, regardless of their location. The ovary is also worth removing. As a result, a maximum of 6 knots and a minimum of greenery should remain on the bush. This procedure will increase the degree of ventilation of the plant and the amount of light needed. Nutrients will directly go to the right branches, which will help the plant recover and produce fruit.

In addition, the emergence of a new shoot near the soil will help the plant to bear fruit better. To do this, carefully lay out a new whip on the ground.

Important! To get more air to the roots, you must regularly loosen the soil between the bushes.

Aftercare for cucumbers

Food is obtained from the leaf, which is located next to the cucumber itself, if cut, the vegetable will immediately die. To ensure that productivity does not decrease, you need to provide maximum nutrition for the remaining greens.

To properly feed the plant, you need to carefully monitor its changes and pay attention to the needs of the bush during all phases of growth. It is important to moderate the feeding with nitrogen and increase the intake of potassium and phosphorus.

If the plant shows an abundant emergence of empty flowers, it is better to suspend watering and allow the soil to dry. If, however, there are no deviations in the formation of the ovaries, then watering should be carried out according to the schedule. You need to take only warm water.

Useful Tips

Using the general rules can significantly increase yields, but in order to maximize fruiting, it is useful to use the following tips:

1. Cut off excess greens only with clean and well-sharpened tools. In no case can you tear it off, since you can severely injure the bush, which will lead to its death.
2. If the number of empty flowers is not too large, then do not rush to remove them. Just cut back on nitrogen and watering.
3. All old foliage must be removed completely, since its presence can harm the bush. To do this, a couple of times a week, you need to inspect all plants and remove excess leaves.
4. If the bush began to grow slowly, then clarifying pruning will help to eliminate this trouble. At the same time, only a couple of ovaries are left on the branches.
5. When caring for bushes, be sure to consider the variety of cucumber so as not to harm the plant.

Did you know? It is generally accepted that a cucumber is ripe already in the form of a gherkin. But in fact, it ripens only when it becomes large and yellow, but at the same time the vegetable loses all taste.

Timely pruning of bushes will increase yields and help to avoid the occurrence of diseases. In addition, this procedure should be carried out as often as possible in order to save time and facilitate the process of caring for plants.