Do I need to break off the mustache from cucumbers and how to do it?

In order to get a high-quality and plentiful harvest, modern gardeners are trying to effectively use a whole arsenal of agricultural techniques. In the situation with cucumbers, a topic for a rather heated debate has long been the question of whether it is necessary to cut off the mustache, and if it is worth doing, then how. In answering it, it is important to take into account the functions performed by such processes.

For quite a long time, the opinions of those who like to cultivate cucumber beds about the need to cut off (cut off) mustaches on cucumber bushes have been divided. At the same time, some gardeners are convinced that antennae are practically useless and only draw juices from the plant.

These very antennae are considered thin shoots, as well as leaves, which have taken the appropriate configuration. They are formed in the axils of the leaves and are designed to support stems that do not have the ability to maintain an upright position. The main advantage of this fixing method is shock absorption.

In practice, tendril trimming is most often used when growing cucumbers in greenhouse conditions. It's no secret that here plants do not compete with each other for lighting, and there is no need for additional support for the bushes. Based on this, and also taking into account the simplification of harvesting, shoots can be safely removed. In addition, it is worth highlighting other reasons for getting rid of the mustache.

1. The antennae are able to significantly slow down the ripening process of cucumbers, taking away a tangible part of the nutrients from the forming fruits. This is especially true in situations where the gardener is trying to get an early crop of the crop.

2. If the cucumber bushes in the greenhouse are planted at small intervals, then the flexible and thin shoots will inevitably cling to neighbors. As a result of such entanglements, areas of highly undesirable shading are created.

3. Dense thickets will hinder quality plant care and the formation of full-fledged fruits.

4. Flexible shoots are able to curl the leaves of cucumber bushes, thereby creating the most favorable conditions for the active reproduction of pathogenic bacteria.

It is worth noting that these arguments are based on the main features of the culture in question. However, as practice shows, they are far from convincing for all modern gardeners. Not even all experts support the feasibility of removing antennae. At the same time, opponents of the considered agrotechnical method in defense of their position focus on the following points.

1. Convincing evidence that the shoots take away the juices from the plant has not yet been given.

2. The antennae that did not find any obstacles on their way die off by themselves.

3. Trimming and pulling off the mustache is both labor intensive and time consuming.

4. The described procedure must be implemented with the utmost care so as not to cause significant damage to the plant.

5. After removal, new processes appear very quickly.

In greenhouse conditions, the antennae of cucumber seedlings must be removed as they form. This approach allows you to avoid wasting nutrients, therefore, accelerate the formation and development of ovaries. Cutting the antennae should be done in the early morning so that the wounds on the bushes can heal by the evening. At the same time, it is important to take care of favorable conditions for the plants in the greenhouse. This refers to temperature and humidity in the ranges from +20 to +28 degrees and from 85 to 90%, respectively.

Features of the procedure for removing tendril shoots will depend on where exactly the cucumbers are grown. So, if we are talking about beds in the open field, then the processes will be soft and thin, which makes it very easy to get rid of them. But in such situations, it is important to take into account a number of factors.

• The instrument must be prepared in advance. Scissors and pruning shears must be sharp and treated with disinfectants.

• The lateral antennae are cut off at a distance of about 10 mm from the stem.

• As a rule, not all shoots are eliminated, since the remaining ones will fall off themselves rather quickly.

• The cut sites must be immediately treated with an iodine solution using an ordinary cotton swab.

When performing the described procedure in greenhouses, the algorithm of actions will look as follows.

1. Using scissors or pruning shears, carefully cut off the tendril shoot, stepping back about 4 cm from the place of growth.

2. Place the cuttings in a box or prepared container.

3. Treat hemp with ash or potassium permanganate solution.

Cucumbers are often grown at home. At the same time, the bushes can be located on the balcony and even on the windowsill. Under these conditions, plants do not need a large number of shoots to support the stems. All the appropriate conditions for growth and full development are created by man artificially. The very procedure for removing antennae is performed as in situations with greenhouses and when growing cucumbers in the open field. It is important to get rid of excess sprouts in a timely manner, that is, immediately after their appearance.

Observance of certain simple rules will allow to avoid the negative consequences for the bushes of removing the described growth. Before the procedure, you need to wash your hands. The condition of the tool used must be monitored. The cut points should be carefully processed without delay. It will be useful to take care of your hands, which can be injured by thorny bushes, and wear gloves. Two days after pruning and applying nitrogen-containing dressings, all treated bushes are sprayed with immunomodulators.

In order to properly trim the mustache on cucumber bushes, it is worth listening to the recommendations of experienced farmers.

1. It is necessary to cut off shoots at the moment, as soon as they begin to actively grow.

2. When trimming, an extremely sharp and properly sharpened tool is used. In this way, the risk of damage to the plant can be minimized.

3. Leave the stumps about 4cm to prevent rotting.

4. Before use, as well as when moving to a new bush, scissors or pruners should be decontaminated.

5. Pruning is done only in dry weather.

6. After completing the procedure, it is required to water each bush well, using a watering can without a spray and adding mineral dressings to the water.

7. In order to increase the immunity of plants, nitrogen fertilizers can be applied.

Summing up, we can say with confidence that each gardener decides individually whether or not to cut off the antennae on the cucumbers. It is important to remember that in greenhouses there is no struggle of plants for space in the sun, so there is no need to remove all shoots.