How to form cucumbers into one stem in a greenhouse: step by step with video

The scheme, which requires the formation of cucumbers in one stem, is not suitable for all varieties. It is also unsuitable for planting open ground. Experienced gardeners know this, but beginners most often do not have clarity on this issue. Let's try to figure out why this formation option is justified when growing cucumbers in a polycarbonate greenhouse.

Classification of cucumbers

At the beginning of each year, gardening shops are amazed by the abundance of seeds. It can be very difficult to choose the right seeds for your dacha. In order not to make a mistake and once again not to admire the empty flower on cucumbers, we are learning to understand the main differences of this culture.

Ripening time

Everyone looks at this characteristic, and most often this parameter becomes the main one for a beginner. I read that “ultra-early, cucumbers will ripen in 36 days,” and happily bought a pack. Everyone wants an early harvest of cucumbers.

On the timing, of course, attention should be paid. This is necessary for planning the harvest for the whole summer, because you want cucumbers not only in June. Cucumbers in August and September will not interfere. Therefore, you need to plant plants with different dates:

early-ripening species (before maturation 32 - 45 days);
species with an average ripening period (45 - 50 days);
late-ripening species (from 50 and more).

Variety or hybrid

This characteristic is important if the summer resident wants to receive his seeds. In the case of the F1 hybrid, this is excluded. Seeds do not retain varietal characteristics; there is no point in collecting them for further reproduction.From a varietal cucumber, seeds are taken without fear for further use - all the characteristics of the plant are preserved.

Pollination method

This characteristic must be paid attention to, especially if the cultivation of cucumbers will take place in a polycarbonate greenhouse. According to this characteristic, all varieties and hybrids are divided into three types:

bee-pollinated;
self-pollinating;
not needing pollination - parthenocarpic type.

Any type can be planted in open ground, but for greenhouses, the last two are self-pollinating varieties (hybrids), parthenocarpic. For plants that do not require pollination, it is just important to know how to form cucumbers into one stem.

Branch type

We got to the most important parameter. The type of branching characterizes the ability of the plant to throw out lateral lashes from the buds located in the axils of the leaves. In the table you can see how all cucumbers are divided according to the type of branching.

The remaining characteristics - the purpose of the use of fruits and their size - do not affect the formation of the cucumber.

The information from the table can be used for harvest planning. For example, if you want to quickly get a not very large, but friendly crop, plant varieties with a weak branching ability. It will take a little time to leave, you can plant cucumbers more often. If you want to have crispy greens on the table all summer long, choose self-regulating hybrids.

Shaping Patterns

In practice, three schemes for the formation of a cucumber bush have taken root. If you plant several varieties of different branching types, you need to form bushes according to the scheme suitable for each variety:

in the classic way;
in one stem;
according to the "Danish umbrella" method.

We form a bush according to the classical scheme

This is a universal approach, very popular with summer residents who grow cucumbers. A bush formed according to this scheme resembles an inverted Christmas tree.

As the central conductor grows, it is necessary to carry out a phased removal of stepchildren, ovaries and flowers. From the beginning of the stem to the 5th leaf, remove everything from the sinuses. Count the next 5 sheets, leave stepchildren in them, but pinch after the first leaf.

Leave 2 leaves on the branches released from the next 3 sinuses, 3 leaves from 3 nodes above. Throw the central stem that continues to grow over the top of the trellis and point down. At a height of 60 cm from the ground, the crown can be pinched.

1 stem bush

Growing a cucumber with a beam (super-beam) type of fruiting in greenhouses will be beneficial for a summer resident. In bunch cucumbers, the formation of ovaries (4 - 7) occurs at the nodes of the central conductor.It turns out a very powerful load on the conductor, so the scheme for conducting a cucumber in one stem is considered optimal.

Pluck out the ovaries, stepchildren and flowers from the first 4 sinuses. We leave the ovaries in the subsequent nodes, and pluck the stepchildren one by one along the entire length of the central stem.

By choosing a weakly branching beam hybrid for your greenhouse, you can significantly save time on pinching bushes. Plus, the formation of 1 stem is a large yield per square meter. Achieve it with a denser planting of seedlings.

Experienced gardeners manage to collect 15 kg of bunch-type cucumbers from a unit area in their greenhouse. Naturally, only those who choose the correct molding scheme and do not forget about fertilizing and watering.

Danish Umbrella Pattern

This formation of cucumbers in a greenhouse for a beginner will seem difficult. It is used for parthenocarpic varieties for greenhouses grown on a trellis. Liana is divided into 3 zones:

I zone - from 0 to 5 nodes;
II zone - from knot 5 to knot 9;
III zone - all nodes above 9.

In the I zone we blind each node. In zone II, you need to leave 1 ovary in each node, and pluck out stepchildren, zone III is the most difficult:

Leave 2 ovaries in 7 sinuses.
From the fourteenth node, let's shoot, which we pinch after 2 leaves.
We blind three knots, in two we start up a short run.
20 knot is used to obtain a continuation shoot, pinch after 8 leaves.
The central whip, which has grown to the top of the trellis, is thrown over it and after 3 leaves the crown is pinched off.
It is permissible to release 3 shoots of the 2nd order from continuation shoots.

This scheme is used by farmers in the spring in heated greenhouses.Long-fruited varieties are grown for sale. A seemingly complicated scheme for the formation of cucumbers in a greenhouse makes it easier to care for plantings. The lower part of the greenhouse is free, and all the green mass is at the top, it is well lit, and the bottom is ventilated.

Pinch the old way

Varieties planted in greenhouses are pinched by summer residents in the old way. Count 7 knots from the bottom of the bush and pinch off the crown. Lateral shoots grow from the sinuses. All of them are not needed, the three most powerful ones are enough, the rest should be removed. When the side shoots form 4 nodes each, their growth point needs to be pinched.

Some advice from experienced gardeners

Remove no more than 2 stepchildren at a time, if you missed the moment, the length of the side stepchildren exceeded 25 cm, the formation of lashes can lead to the reset of ovaries and flowers. Do not forget to feed the bushes that have undergone the removal of stepchildren For these purposes, complexes proven by summer residents ("Giant", "Giant") and herbal infusions are suitable.If the weather is damp and cool, spraying the bushes with a fungicide will not hurt.

Good prevention of fungal infections - treatment with the drug "Oxyx". The product acts systemically, protects the plant from the inside and out. If the spores of the fungus get into the wound, "Oxyx" will neutralize and prevent the infection from developing.

If you are too lazy to remove stepchildren

A busy summer resident who rarely visits the garden should take the choice of varieties (hybrids) seriously. Consider hybrids that do not need pinching. These hybrids require less effort to grow.

Faithful friends F1 is a hybrid with weak branching. In the nodes of the plant is formed from 8 ovaries. The hybrid is pollinated by bees. Slightly susceptible to disease. Maintains yield during temporary summer cold snaps.

Bouquet F1 - parthenocarpic hybrid. Side shoots are absent. Up to 5 greens are formed in the node. Good immunity to powdery mildew, mosaic. Fruit flavor is excellent.

Alphabet F1 - parthenocarpic hybrid. The lateral lashes of the hybrid are rare. There are up to 5 ovaries in a knot. From the central stem of the hybrid, the return of the crop is friendly. The first wave lasts a month, the second wave comes later. The ovaries are formed on the side lashes.