Formation of melons in the open field and greenhouse: how to pinch and whether it is necessary

Melon is grown outdoors, in greenhouses and greenhouse shelters. Do I need to pinch the melon? This question interests many gardeners. The formation of a melon is a necessary process by which it will be possible to get a rich harvest in the fall. Pinching a crop depends on the timing and methods of planting seeds.

Methods of growing melons

The formation of melons in the open field depends on the way the crop is grown. There are two main landing methods - vertical and horizontal.

With the vertical method, the bushes are tied to the trellises so that the fruits do not lie on the ground.The horizontal method lies in the fact that the bushes are rubbed along the garden bed and the stems are not tied to the support. When using the second method, it is important at the stage of fruit formation to prevent contact between fruit and soil. If this happens, then air circulation is disturbed and the fruit begins to rot.

One of the most common varieties for growing is the Kolkhoznitsa melon. It is grown in several ways:

• In open ground.
• In greenhouse shelters.
• In greenhouse conditions.

Due to the fact that the fruit weight does not exceed 2 kg, the variety is very convenient to grow by the vertical method, which prevents the crop from rotting.

Regular fertilization will help avoid pests and diseases.

What doesn't a melon like?

It is recommended to grow melons after studying the information that the culture does not like and from which it begins to die.

What the culture dislikes:

• Stale and damp air. This problem is often encountered when growing crops in a greenhouse. To prevent this, the greenhouse is regularly ventilated. The main thing is to prevent the greenhouse from being drafty or cold wind blowing.
• Using cold water for irrigation. Cold water negatively affects any plant. Because of it, fungal diseases develop and the root system begins to rot.
• It is not advisable to plant a plant on acidic and slightly acidic soils. Such soil prevents air circulation in the ground and negatively affects the growth of the root system.
• Applying concentrated fertilizers to the ground. This is especially true for fresh manure. It can burn the rhizome.

Diseases and pests of melon cause serious damage to crop yields. Otherwise, the culture is unpretentious and does not need special growing conditions.

Value of pinching for yield

The formation of melons when growing seedlings in the open field is important for further productivity. The main role here is played by pinching the growth points of the bush. It is not recommended to skip this technique of agricultural technology. The main shoots are left, and the rest is cut off. On the main shoot, pinch the growth point, which is why the side shoots are formed.

It is on the side shoots that the ovaries are formed, and later the fruits. After such a procedure, all nutrients do not enter the leaves and stems, but directly into the fruits and they ripen a week earlier. Melons become much larger and sweeter in taste. The main thing is that after pinching, several side shoots are formed. If you do not cut the top of the main stem, then such plants may not form fruits at all.

Pinching seedlings

Proper pruning of melons is done when the sprouts are still very small. The formation of gourds, including melons, begins when 4-5 true leaves have formed on the seedlings. After this procedure, the main shoot grows in the axil of the main leaf, and lateral shoots grow in the axils of the lower leaves, on which most of the ovaries are formed. Further formation of the plant depends on which method of growing the crop was chosen.

Pinning out when growing melons vertically in a greenhouse

Pinching a melon in vertical cultivation is not difficult if a number of necessary conditions are met. For greenhouse cultivation in vertical cultivation, side shoots are traditionally cut off and the main stem is left. The second pruning is carried out when the main stem reaches the top of the frame (about 2 meters).

Side shoots when grown vertically pinch over 4-5 leaves. If there are no ovaries on the side shoots, they are removed. Even if there are several ovaries, the stems are still cut off.

When cultivating with the vertical method, the stems are tied to trellises, and the fruits are placed in nets. The mesh must be strong so that it does not tear under the weight of the fruits, and they do not come into contact with the ground.

When growing in greenhouse conditions, there is a problem with pollination. In order to avoid this, beehives are placed in greenhouses or inflorescences are pollinated by hand. Lack of pollination will have a negative effect on yields than lack of pinching.

Pinching when growing melons horizontally in spread

In the open field, the formation of a melon bush during horizontal cultivation has its own characteristics. This method is preferable in open ground, since its use in a greenhouse is irrational due to the required area and the appearance of diseases.

When cultivating a spread of three shoots that have grown after the first pinching, only the two strongest are left. You need to pinch them after the formation of 4-6 sheets.

The third pinch is done as follows:

• Cut off all weak and non-fruiting shoots.
• The cut is smeared with a dry mixture of coal, lime and sulfur.

When cultivating melons in a horizontal way, it is important to monitor the condition of the lashes. They must be directed in such a way that they do not cover the aisles.

Pinch early and late varieties

The scheme for the formation of melon bushes in the open field depends on the variety of the crop and the ripening period of the fruit.The formation of early ripe varieties can only consist of pinching the central lash and controlling the number of growing ovaries. This is due to the fact that fruits ripen faster and plants require less nutrients.

At least 2 lashes should be left on one melon bush.

The formation of late varieties is as follows:

• The first pinching is done at the seedling stage. It is produced after 4-5 true leaves.
• The second pinching is carried out after the formation of 7 leaves. The plant is young and established in the ground. Pinch the stems over the 7th leaf, remove excess inflorescences from the sinuses, leave 3 ovaries on each lash.

This scheme will allow you to properly form the plant and get a rich harvest.

Further formation of bushes

Growing melons is easy, the main thing is to make an effort. Spraying is carried out regularly to prevent the spread of insects.

If the crop is grown vertically, then it is necessary to make strong trellises so that they do not break under the weight of the fruit.

Staging is an integral part of further formation. The formation of culture is carried out until the appearance of fruits. In order for melons to be large, lateral shoots and inflorescences are regularly removed, making it possible for already formed fruits to ripen. Usually it is 3-4 melons. The fewer fruits left on each lash, the larger they will be. New ovaries and shoots draw out nutrients, but this does not positively affect the yield, so they must be removed immediately.

Serious mistakes gardeners pinch melons

Pinching a melon is not the easiest procedure, as it might seem at first glance. Quite often, gardeners make mistakes that further negatively affect yields.

• The most common mistake is pinching melons like watermelons. At first glance, it seems that the plants are almost the same and the formation will be similar, but in reality this is not the case. On watermelon, unlike melon, shoots are formed on the main shoot. The melon only on the side. Therefore, if you remove all side shoots, there is a risk of being completely without a crop.
• Pinch only the shoots of the second order. This error is due to the fact that by pinching only second-order shoots, all the nutrients go into the leaves and the main stem. In turn, this prevents the formation of inflorescences and ovaries.
• Growing conditions include thinning of plantings. No pinching of the stems will help if the plantings are very dense and the melons do not have enough room for normal growth.

Without making these mistakes, it will be possible to get a rich harvest of melons in the fall.

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