Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is one of the favourite summer vegetables for young and old alike, and for good reason. Refreshing, dietary and delicious, the fruit of the plant of the same name, which is mainly consumed as a vegetable, is used in a multitude of salads, cold soups, side dishes, etc. And when you grow your own vegetables, it gives us even more pleasure to eat them. But did you know that pruning cucumbers is an essential step to have an early, abundant and long-lasting harvest? Why, when and how to do it successfully, you will find out in the current sheet.

Why prune cucumber?

First of all, please note that pruning cucumbers and other related plants such as squash and melon is not mandatory. It is done to limit the excessive development of the leaf mass, but above all to stimulate the formation of fruiting branches and female flowers that will eventually bear fruit. By pruning cucumbers, you can multiply the fruiting body several times over! In addition, this operation accelerates the yield, prolongs it over time and, in some cases, can prevent or limit the spread of diseases. Therefore, we prune cucumbers to optimize the harvest, but not only.

When to prune cucumbers?

Of course, the right time to prune cucumbers depends on when they are planted. It is usually done from June to September and also depends on the growth rate of the particular variety. Therefore, cucumbers planted in early May are most likely already ready for their first pruning. Since the seedlings are at least 15-20 cm tall or have already reached a maximum of 50-60 cm, this is the right time to prune them.

Is pruning of cucumbers periodic?

In short, 3-5 weeks after the start of development and a height of 40-50 cm are considered optimal conditions. Also, the young plant should have at least 4 leaves. For best results, you should inspect the stems of secondary plants every 2-3 weeks and prune them a second and third time. You should also know that pruning cucumbers is always done in dry weather and with pruning shears and clean hands to avoid certain diseases.

How to prune plants like a professional?

Once your young cucumbers have at least 4 leaves, count and prune just after the third. Inspect the plants for damaged stems, leaves and flowers and remove them to keep the cucumber healthy. In 2-3 weeks, inspect and repeat pruning the cucumbers, but this time follow the secondary stems. Always, we wait for at least 4 leaves and top the plant after the third. The buds are normally soft enough to easily pinch off with your fingers. It is at this stage that you will likely see the emergence of your first young cucumbers, still at gherkin size. In 3-4 weeks, you can top the plants for a third time to prolong the harvest even further.

Stake plants or leave them alone?

You will notice that your plants have tendrils that allow them to attach themselves to vertical surfaces. If you only have a small vegetable garden, the light in the garden is not optimal, or you fear soil nibbles, you can install a trellis or stakes and grow your cucumbers vertically. This approach is also beneficial if you want to avoid plant contact with the ground in excessively moist conditions. To do this, simply attach the main stem to the stake support using plant clips. Continue adding clips as your plant gains 10-15 cm in height. The aforementioned small tendrils will take care of the rest.

Comparison of harvest with and without pruning of cucumbers.

Finally, check out an amazing video comparing the fruiting of a few cucumber varieties where some plants were pruned (and staked or left in the ground) and others were grown without display. You’ll see for yourself that the difference in production of each is quite impressive! Hello, refreshing cucumber gazpacho!