Is it necessary to remove the runners from cucumbers in a greenhouse and open ground?

Most gardeners grow cucumbers. But when it comes to caring for them, some still wonder whether it's necessary to remove runners from cucumber plants, and if so, how to do it properly.

Reasons for trimming mustache

Most often, runners have to be removed from bushes because they cling to everything in sight, not just the support. This is especially true if the beds are in open ground, and the runners interfere with the growth of other crops in the area.

Removing the whiskers from cucumbers is necessary for the following reasons:

• The leaves begin to curl into a tube, which contributes to the development of diseases.
• It is necessary to remove the whiskers because they take away a large amount of nutrients that are needed for the formation of ovaries.
• The yield increases.
• If a large number of shoots begin to appear, it becomes difficult to harvest.
• The bushes cling to nearby plants and make it difficult to walk between the beds.
• Problems arise with caring for cucumbers.

The bushes need space to grow fruit, and the runners interfere with the growth of vegetables, which is why they need to be trimmed regularly.

The presence of runners can be used to assess the plant's condition. If they form, the cucumbers are receiving sufficient moisture and nutrients. If not, the growing conditions are unsatisfactory. In this case, it's time to consider adding mineral and organic fertilizers to the soil.

Technology of the process

The process of trimming cucumber runners will vary depending on where the cucumbers are grown. Most often, cucumbers are planted in open ground or greenhouses, but some grow them indoors.

In open ground

The most common method of growing cucumbers is in open ground. Many gardeners, to save time, pluck off the runners. Cucumber runners are thin and soft and easily plucked. Pinching off the runners with your fingers is not recommended. This can introduce infection to the runners, causing the cucumbers to become diseased.

It's recommended to trim with sharp scissors to ensure a smooth, creased cut. After this procedure, cucumbers grow more vigorously and yields increase.

It's not necessary to pinch off the entire runner; just trim off the top few centimeters. After a few days, it will begin to dry out and eventually fall off. Removing excess shoots will positively impact the growth of the bush.

In the greenhouse

When growing in a greenhouse, remove runners as soon as they begin to appear. The soil in a greenhouse isn't always as nutritious as in the open ground, so a large number of runners on the plants only hinders active fruit set. This method will significantly increase cucumber yields.

How to properly remove cucumber runners in a greenhouse:

• When removing whiskers in a polycarbonate greenhouse, use sharp scissors or pruning shears.
• Carefully make a cut at the very base of the shoot and remove the cuttings.
• The mustache should be cut at a distance of 4-5 cm from the place where it grows.
• Treat the cut areas with wood ash or iodine (or potassium permanganate) solution.

Use this principle to remove all excess shoots from cucumbers. The cut parts don't necessarily have to be removed immediately if they don't interfere (especially if the runner is already attached to the support and is difficult to remove). Cut runners quickly wilt.

Some gardeners believe that removing this part of the plant will result in cucumbers producing fruit longer. However, this is not true. This procedure has no effect on the plants' lifespan.

At home

When growing on a balcony, be sure to trim off the runners. Cucumbers grown on a windowsill don't require many runners at all. It's enough if the plants can attach themselves to the support. This requires only a couple of shoots.

If cucumber boxes are placed on a windowsill, a support is installed next to them. Once the plants have secured themselves to the trellis, all remaining growing tendrils are cut off. This is done in the same way as when growing cucumbers in the open ground or a greenhouse. Use sharp scissors to ensure the cuts do not crease.

The whiskers are cut off, retreating several centimeters from the growth point. The cut site is treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Fungi can get in even when grown indoors, so it's better to be on the safe side. Wood ash is a good alternative to potassium permanganate.

Precautionary measures

Before cutting cucumber runners, wash your hands thoroughly to avoid introducing infection into the fresh cut. Immediately after removing the runner, apply a cotton swab dipped in potassium permanganate to the cut area or sprinkle it with wood ash. This will disinfect the area and prevent infection from entering the cucumber.

It's recommended to use sharp pruning shears or regular, sharp scissors for this procedure. Wear gloves when trimming the shoots. Cucumber bushes are thorny, and gloves will prevent injury from the thorns.

Tips and recommendations

The runners don't play a significant role in fruit set or yield, but they merely draw nutrients from the soil. It's sufficient to leave the shoots that support the plant. The rest can be cut off as soon as they appear on the cucumbers in the garden.

It's not recommended to remove runners from young seedlings; at this stage of growth, they are essential for the bush to anchor itself to the support. If the runner has already attached itself to the support, there's no need to remove it; simply cut it off at the base; it will fall off on its own as it dries.

To avoid having to constantly pick them, you can install a trellis or net so that the cucumbers grow upwards, climbing up it.

When pruning, it's not recommended to cut off the entire tendril. A few centimeters should be left. It will gradually dry out without damaging the main stem.

After pruning, the cucumber beds are watered with a complex mineral fertilizer. It is recommended to remove the tendrils in the evening after sunset. During the day, especially in hot weather, the plants are very vulnerable, and this procedure can have a negative impact on them.