Cucumber plant main shoot broken off: what to do?

One or two cucumber plants ensure the supply of lettuce or pickled cucumbers over the summer. But what if the main shoot of the cucumber breaks off? Can the cucumber still be saved?

Growth of cucumber

The cucumber plant grows regardless of whether it is grown outdoors or in a greenhouse. So that it can grow optimally, hire it Trellis to disposal. However, even then, the side shoots have to be cut off after the first flowering so that the plant does not overgrow. As soon as it has grown up about 60 cm, all side shoots underneath are also removed, because the fruits that are forming would otherwise lie on the ground. Due to these growth characteristics, the cucumber plant is always grown with only one main shoot.

When the main drive breaks off

There are many reasons why a cucumber shoot has broken off. Sometimes it's carelessness or too much wind. Animals can also be responsible for this. If the damage is noticed, it is important to act quickly. The chances of success are best when the cucumber shoot is fresh and not completely broken off. In this case you can try to carefully straighten the shoot until it is straight again and secure the damaged area with a clamp, jute tape or something similar. However, you have to proceed really slowly and deliberately so that the stem does not break through completely and the "bandage" holds well.

Note: If the damaged area is securely wrapped, it is best to also fix it to the trellis.

Use side shoots

The easiest thing to do when a cucumber shoot breaks is to bring in a new side shoot. You don't have to do a lot for that. If you haven't broken or cut off any side shoots yet, you can choose one of these and remove the rest. It makes sense to choose one of the shoots that have grown high up on the broken off point. This cucumber shoot is now tied up on the trellis instead of the main shoot.

Note: Take special care of the cucumber for the next time so that it grows quickly and vigorously.

Refine the cucumber plant

You may be able to save the cucumber plant by grafting it. For this you need a suitable document. This can be a pumpkin plant or some other vigorous cucumber plant. Pumpkin plants are preferred because they are more resilient. Grafting works best with a young plant as a base that, apart from the cotyledons, has not yet grown much further. An attempt can also be made with an older plant.

1. Smooth out the broken cucumber shoot at the break edge and then cut it diagonally from below. If the cucumber shoot has dried out a bit, cut it back until it is fresh green. In addition, remove all cucumbers or flowers that have already formed; they would cost the plant too much strength.
   
2. The underlay underneath the bottom sheets or also cut diagonally into the cotyledons, but from top to bottom.
   
3. Insert both shoots into one another and fasten with a clamp or wrap them with other suitable material. The two plant shoots should touch each other as much as possible.
   
4. Keep the plant warm, water it well and fertilize it sufficiently. Make sure that the plant does not get too much sun, it could dry out and could no longer be saved.
   
5. The fact that the cucumber shoot has grown can be recognized by a new shoot. Leaves and new shoots are formed.
   
6. Cut off the old shoots of the rootstock above the grafting point so that only the cucumber plant continues to grow.

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