Why do you need to blind cucumbers and how to do it in a greenhouse and open ground?

When growing cucumbers, it's essential to follow proper agricultural practices to ensure a bountiful harvest. One important technique is blinding growing cucumbers. This procedure has a number of nuances, so inexperienced gardeners are advised to familiarize themselves with all the nuances.

What does cucumber blinding mean?

During blinding, cucumber vines are pinched from the base of the stem to a height of 50 cm. Inflorescences, side shoots, and ovaries are pinched. Blinding vegetables promotes vigorous growth and development of the entire plant and the growing side shoots, which form a significant portion of the inflorescences. This agricultural practice also prevents foliage from becoming dense in the lower parts of the plants, and the root zone is constantly ventilated.

Which varieties require blinding?

Two categories of cucumbers require pruning: bee-pollinated varieties and hybrid varieties, which require pollination to produce fruit. The main characteristic of these varieties is that most of the fruit is produced on lateral shoots. This is because male flowers grow on the stems, while female flowers, which produce fruit, grow on the shoots.

Varieties requiring pruning develop branches late in the season, so additional stimulation of lateral growth is necessary. After pinching the main stem, the plants begin to grow more vigorously and form shoots.

Advantages and disadvantages of the technique

Blinding cucumbers has several advantages. The main benefits of this procedure are as follows:

• the growth of lateral shoots accelerates and the number of inflorescences increases;
• cucumbers growing in open beds and greenhouses made of polycarbonate and other materials can be blinded;
• plants bear fruit earlier, and harvesting does not take a long time;
• Pinching reduces the likelihood of developing infectious diseases that have a detrimental effect on the growth of bushes and fruiting;
• the blinded bush directs its energy towards intensive growth of green mass;
• The taste characteristics of the harvest are improved and the likelihood of a bitter taste occurring is reduced.

The method under consideration has virtually no drawbacks. If all the rules for the procedure are followed, the plants will benefit. Failure to follow the proper blinding procedures can result in reduced yields.

When should the procedure be carried out?

Pruning should be performed depending on the plant's development. If cucumbers are supported, pinching should be done once the main shoot reaches 1-1.2 m in height. To perform this procedure on unsupported cucumbers, wait until four leaves have formed on the main stem.

Plant blinding technology

To achieve the desired result and avoid damaging the plants, cucumbers must be pruned using a specific technique. The procedure involves removing female inflorescences, tendrils, and lateral shoots from the axils of all leaves located on the lower portion of the bushes. It is recommended to use pruning shears to remove these elements carefully and avoid damaging the fruiting plants.

Recommended schemes for forming cucumber bushes

The cucumber planting pattern depends on where the seedlings are planted. Different patterns, each with their own unique characteristics, are used for cucumbers planted in the garden or greenhouse.

In the greenhouse

In a greenhouse, it's best to grow hybrid cucumber varieties that produce predominantly female inflorescences. To simplify bush training, choose varieties with low branching. The fewer side shoots the plants produce, the easier they will be to care for.

Greenhouse-planted cucumbers are best trained into a single stem, which can then be secured to a trellis. The plants should be secured after five leaves have formed. Even light coverage across all parts of the plant ensures smooth ripening, and harvesting will be quick. Most of the vegetables will grow on the main stem, so pinching won't be necessary.

Greenhouse cucumbers are blinded when the crown reaches a height of 50 cm. When the next section of the stem grows, between 50 and 100 cm, the formed ovaries are left in the leaf axils, and the side shoots are pinched off above the first leaf.

When the top of the stem reaches the end of the trellis, it is thrown over to the opposite side and directed to grow downward. When the distance from the top to the ground is less than 50 cm, the base should be pinched.

On a 1.5-meter section of the stem, four leaves are left on the side shoots. At least one leaf is always left above each ovary, which is used to nourish the fruit.

If the plant's shoots have become overgrown due to late bush formation, it's best not to pinch out the side shoots. Damage from cutting off strong shoots can weaken the plant's immune system and promote infectious diseases. All of the listed recommendations for shaping plants grown in greenhouse conditions must be followed throughout the summer period.

In open ground

Cucumbers planted in the open ground develop somewhat differently than those grown in a greenhouse. Plants in the garden beds should be inspected regularly, and the flower stalk should be trimmed immediately after the first inflorescence and small fruit form. It is recommended to use specialized garden shears or other suitable tools to remove the flower stalk. In extreme cases, you can gently pull off the flower stalk without damaging the plant.

In addition to the flower stalk, it's advisable to remove the second inflorescences with ovaries. This will help increase the growth of lateral branches, leading to higher yields and improved fruit flavor. Pruning of plants in beds is usually done up to the 9th or 10th leaf. Adhering to this restriction is essential for the normal growth and development of the bushes.

Before pinching and shaping cucumber plants, check for side shoots. If the plant has formed 6-8 leaves but no side shoots have emerged, you can pinch the tops of the plants. Stem pruning will help ensure a larger harvest early in the season.