How to pinch watermelons: the correct scheme for open ground and greenhouses with a photo

Gourds grow better in southern countries, where the temperature is constantly high. However, breeders have bred many varieties that adapt perfectly to almost any climate. Thanks to this, gardeners from different countries can grow watermelons. To get a quality harvest, you need to familiarize yourself with how to pinch watermelons correctly.

Why pinch watermelons

Many gardeners are wondering if pinching is needed when growing gourds. It is no secret that watermelon bushes can be grown in various climatic conditions, so the agricultural technology of such a plant has its own characteristics.For example, if you grow it in the southern regions or in warm countries, then pinching is not charming. In such conditions, the fruits ripen much better and faster. Therefore, even without removing excess shoots, the yield will not deteriorate.

Experienced gardeners are advised to carefully care for the bushes and pinch them when grown in the northern regions. The climate in such regions contributes to the endless formation of shoots and fruits that do not have time to ripen due to a lack of heat and nutrients.

Even a warm summer will not help speed up the ripening of a large number of watermelon fruits in the northern regions. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly pinch plants and remove excess shoots. Shortening the lashes contributes to the accumulation of nutrients in the plant, which will be used when the watermelons ripen. If you do not prune the shoots in a timely manner, a lot of watermelons will be imposed on the bushes, which will not have time to grow and ripen.

When pinching a watermelon

In order to carry out the procedure correctly, it is necessary to determine the exact time when it is better to pinch the seedlings. Gardeners do not advise doing this too late or early, so as not to damage the bushes and impair the development and maturation of the crop.

Some people prefer to cut off excess stems as soon as the seedlings have begun to shade each other.

Most often, bushes grow during flowering and the formation of the first fruits. In this case, shoots are removed on which watermelons have not begun to form. This will help prevent overcrowding of seedlings that would interfere with the normal development of bushes.

When pruning, do not remove too many leaves or shoots, as the plant needs photosynthesis, which is impossible without green leaves. Therefore, you should always leave at least 2-4 leaves on each seedling.If the bush is already large, and it has mature berries, you will have to leave more leaves.

Sometimes gardeners do pinching 2-3 weeks after planting is complete. During this time, several true leaves have time to appear on the seedlings. In this case, all leaves are removed from the plant and only the central shoot is left. Such an early pinching accelerates the growth of watermelon seedlings several times and contributes to the further development of berries.

Basic rules for the pinching procedure

Some inexperienced gardeners claim that shortening the stems has a negative effect on the growth and maturation of the crop. However, such problems can occur if the correct pinching pattern has not been used. Therefore, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the main recommendations for the procedure in advance.

When cutting off shoots, it is important to remember that berries should be imposed only on the main stem.

Therefore, additional shoots are removed without fail, as they interfere with the normal development of the crop. When pinching watermelon seedlings, you need to monitor the distance between the fruits and the remaining leaves. They should be 20-25 centimeters apart from each other. This distance is enough so that the fruits do not shade and ripen quickly.

There are several recommendations that must be followed when shortening shoots:

1. One main stem is left on the bush, on which there should be no more than 7-8 large leaves.
2. It is recommended to shorten the stems only after flowering, when the diameter of the imposed fruits will be 7-10 millimeters.
3. After the first pinching, special supports for the garter are placed between the watermelons so that the bushes do not break.
4. When the berry ripening process is over, pinching is contraindicated, as this may worsen the shelf life of the harvested fruits and their taste.

Following the listed rules for pruning watermelon seedlings, you can harvest a tasty and large harvest.

Formation of watermelon in a greenhouse

When growing watermelons in a greenhouse or on the street, seedlings must be formed. It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the features of this procedure in advance in order to perform it correctly.

In one stem

This method is considered the most versatile, as it is used in the cultivation of conventional and hybrid varieties. To form a bush into one stem, you need to tie the central lash to a support and remove all unnecessary shoots. When fruits begin to form on the bush, only 4-5 berries are left, and the rest are removed.

Vertical, with fruiting on shoots of the second order

This method is more complicated, as you have to regularly monitor the growth and flowering of stepchildren.When forming bushes, the main lashes are tied to supports with a strong rope. Then the lower stepchildren are pinched and shoots are removed that do not have "female" flowers. The remaining stems are pinched so that they have 2-3 leaves.

Outdoor

In open ground conditions, it is not necessary to tie bushes, so they are grown in spreading. With this method of growing, it is difficult to constantly monitor the flowers, as they are intertwined. Therefore, gardeners are advised to pinch the main stem at the initial stage of growth so that the bush does not grow much.

After the ovaries grow up

This method is used when you need watermelon bushes to grow freely. Pinching shoots is carried out only in the upper part, so that they are within the melon. The formation of bushes is carried out after the appearance of 2-3 berries with a diameter of 5-7 centimeters. Shoots that do not have ovaries are removed.At the same time, the remains of plants are left on the ground and not pulled out so as not to accidentally harm the lashes.

With fruiting on shoots of the third order

This method is used if watermelon bushes are grown in the northern regions. Pruning of shoots is carried out after the appearance of the fifth leaf on the seedlings. When the stems of the second order appear on the seedlings, they are cut off above the fifth leaf. Then shoots of the third order will begin to grow, on which berries will be imposed. 3-4 fruits are left on each bush, and the rest are removed.

Caring for plants after pinching

Bushes need special care after pinching to help improve yields. When growing watermelons, periodically inspect the fruits and make sure that they do not come into contact with the soil surface. So that they do not touch the ground, you can cover the soil with a small layer of straw, which will protect the berries from rotting.Like other plants, watermelons need regular fertilizing of the soil. To do this, add liquid mullein, droppings and other organic fertilizers to the ground.

Also, to increase yields and improve the ripening of berries, superphosphate with potassium is added to the ground.

Do not forget about the watering that watermelon seedlings need. Watering is carried out at least twice a week in dry weather. This will prevent the soil from drying out quickly.

Conclusion

Some gardeners who grow watermelons are experiencing poor yields from the plant. To get more tasty and juicy fruits, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of pinching bushes and regularly remove excess shoots.

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