This is how you really skimp on the plants

Skinning greenhouse cucumbers - this is how it works

In the cultivation of tomatoes pricking is compulsory. The convincing advantages of this traditional care measure also benefit lettuce and snake cucumbers that thrive in the greenhouse. By regularly removing stinging shoots, the harvest yield and fruit quality are significantly improved. How to do it correctly step by step:

• Guide the main shoot of a cucumber plant upwards using a rope or a climbing aid
• From a height of 60 cm, the side shoots are regularly fined
• Snap off or cut off the relevant side shoot above the first flower and first leaf
• Rule of thumb: only allow one fruit set per leaf axil

In addition to pricking, the leaves should be removed to a height of 30 centimeters. This precaution prevents pathogens from spreading to the cucumber plants via the spray water.

Boldly cut cucumber plants behind glass

Traditionally, cucumber plants are grown single-shoot in the greenhouse up to the ceiling. On the way there, the main shoot is spared from cutting measures. Once the tip of the shoot has reached the end of the climbing aid, a courageous pruning promotes the sprouting of further side shoots with vital fruit sets and puts an end to further height growth. How to proceed professionally:

• When the greenhouse roof is reached, let the main shoot grow 40 to 50 cm
• Then cut off the tip of the shoot over a leaf
• Let the top two side shoots grow uncut
• The side shoots underneath are still faded above the first fruit set

As the growth progresses, the numerous cucumbers gain weight. Regularly check the stability of the climbing aid when pricking out. So that cord cucumbers do not pull a cucumber plant to the ground, you can attach nets to the greenhouse poles to secure the fruit. Hanging fruits of the lower tendrils to the ground, put one Styrofoam plate(€ 43.00 at Amazon *) or straw underneath to prevent direct contact with the ground.

Cut outdoor cucumber plants on a case-by-case basis

Free-range cucumbers are the survivors among the cucumber plants. This fact manifests itself, among other things, in the fact that pruning is rarely necessary. The robust crops give you a tasty harvest without the need to break out stingy shoots. Only over-long tendrils bring you reason with one cut. At least two leaves should remain per fruit set to ensure that the cucumbers are supplied with food.

From August onwards, there is no prospect of new flowers turning into delicious pickling cucumbers before winter. From late summer, snap out fresh buds and blossoms so that all of the plant energy flows into the ripening fruits.