Pruning the cucumber

The cucumber, whose scientific name is Cucumis sativus, belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, like the melon, watermelon, zucchini and pumpkin.

This is a fruit of a green herbaceous plant, elongated, with soft yellowish tones on its two rounded ends, with whitish pulp and tiny seeds in the center, reaching between 15 to 25 centimeters in length and five in diameter.

Features

Depending on the variety (pickle, French or Dutch), it can weigh from 30 to 200 grams, being a highly nutritious food.

Contains folic acid, is rich in fiber, calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, vitamin B that supports cellular health and nerve impulse, vitamin E for fertility, stability of blood cells and in cosmetics is used in cases of acne, dermatitis or burns.

Furthermore the vitamins A, C, D With which it counts, they are essential for the bones, mucous membranes, sight, skin, hair, regulates the production of white or red blood cells and the functioning of the immune system.

It is fresh and is used in weight loss diets due to its low caloric intake and high water content. Combines perfectly with other vegetables To prepare summer salads and in smoothies with apple or lemon, it relieves tension headaches, fatigue, improves digestive health, the pH of the stomach and combats reflux.

Cucumber contains a flavonol that acts as an anti-inflammatory antioxidant, favoring neuronal connectivity, caring for the brain, nourishing cells and protecting the heart.

The climatic factors (humidity, temperature, luminosity, wind) together are essential for a correct and productive cultivation of this to achieve a better quality (color, weight, shape, mechanical resistance), higher yield and tolerance to pests or diseases.

When the cucumber is pruned it seeks to control the growth of the plant and its fruits to achieve benefits that result in quality and utility.

Advantages of cucumber pruning

Healthy, tender and profitable crops are created.

Greater profit of the plant that offers uniform fruits in size and property.

It serves to take advantage of spaces. When it is made into cubes the plant grows vertically.

By applying treatments to eradicate diseases, the products easily penetrate the roots.

Facilitates manual trellis or mooring.

It is more convenient to harvest new cucumbers.

When pruning below 30 to 40 cm from the main stem the shoots, fruits and leaves that are formed in that space are eliminated. From 40 cm to one meter in height, the sprouting stems are left free, allowing the growth of two leaves and only one fruit; After the second leaf, the secondary shoots that appear are separated.

When a lateral (secondary) shoot arises that bears one fruit and two leaves or two fruits and three leaves, these must be plucked. The leaves, stems and secondary fruits of the fruit must develop up to 200 centimeters.

The first shoots of the stem should be cleaned so that the plant forms a strong root system and prepares the production, thus avoiding the appearance of grouped fruits in the axils of the leaves. It also prevents the formation of malformed, curved and aborted cucumbers and allows to control the growth of weeds who require the light, water and nutrients it needs.

Because of the rapid growth of cucumber, pruning should be done a few days after planting. The purpose is for the main stem to evolve healthily.

This will consist of discard secondary stems whose height reaches 40 or 50 cm. If they are not removed, the fruits will remain in contact with the ground and the creeping vegetation that forms around them will prevent harvesting, and there is also a health hazard.

Pruning must be done in coordination with the species, its subscriber, irrigation and the sowing date.

To finish sprouts are terminated to avoid physiological imbalances and cucumber losses and preferably it must be carried out in the morning, since healing is faster. Of course, you must use suitable utensils to be able to do it.