How to pinch and shape a pumpkin outdoors
Pumpkin is one of the healthiest foods in the human diet. It is rich in carotene and contains a large group of vitamins. You can grow a vegetable in almost any region; care is required uncomplicated. But not everyone knows how to pinch a pumpkin in the open field. But the procedure allows you to get better and larger fruits.
For a bush pumpkin variety, this method has its own characteristics, which are associated with the structure of the plant. Despite the possible difficulties, gardeners often practice the formation and pinching of bushes.
What is pinching for?
Formation of pumpkin in the open field allows you to regulate the number of fruiting stems and adjust the ripening period of already formed ovaries. Gardeners prefer to grow a small number of fruits on one bush, but with good weight and excellent taste.
If you do not pinch, a fairly large number of ovaries can form on the plant. They will not be able to fully mature and gain the necessary nutrients.
It is advisable to perform the procedure for each variety of pumpkin plant. This allows you to normalize the number of fruits, regulate their weight and improve taste. This measure increases the yield and increases the shelf life of the pumpkin.
In order to correctly carry out cutting off sprouts and pinching, you need to know the rules of the procedure: how far from one to the next mustache to trim, how many leaves and flowers to leave on the main stem.
There are complex and simple schemes for pinching pumpkin plants. Gardeners choose a suitable method for an already planted plant variety.
With a simple pinching scheme, it is important, after the last pumpkin that has tied up on the stem, to cut off barren flowers and excess shoots. This will enable the bush not to waste energy and nutrients on them. All types of inflorescences, both male and female, must be kept in an equal quantity on the main stem. This will allow to fully pass pollination and contribute to the formation of the required number of fruits. A simple pinching scheme is carried out at a time when the antennae length reaches 5-7 cm.
Bush pumpkin varieties also require pruning. When pinching, it should be borne in mind that this species has short internodes and a large number of antennae. In the bush variety, the main stem is more powerful, and the first fruit forms on it. You can pinch it if you want.
When do you pinch a pumpkin?
You need to dig in long stems according to the rules:
- It is advisable to perform the procedure in the early morning.During the day, the cut site will be covered with a protective film, and the scorching sun will not harm it. It is allowed to carry out work during the day only if the weather is cloudy and cloudy.
- Pumpkin begins to form lashes from the moment of growth and continues until the end of the growing season. Therefore, you need to wait until the length of the branches reaches 1 m. Then they are straightened and laid out on the ground in a southern direction. 3 lashes are left on each plant.
- It is important that at least 5-6 sheets remain above the fruit. After that, you can carry out the dropping of the stem.
- The internodes of the lashes are sprinkled with soil and watered. Lateral leaves and aerial shoots are best removed immediately. In the place of dropping, the plant should give new roots in the near future.
In the future, you need to monitor the condition of the bush, cut off dry leaves and antennae, and water on time.
During the procedure, it is recommended to use a special complex mineral fertilizer for irrigation. The drug will speed up the process of root formation.
How is it done?
There are several types of bush formation when pinching a pumpkin. Each method affects the quality and quantity of the fruit. The culture is formed with 3 options:
- Leave 1 lash. In this case, 1 stem is left for development. After the first fetus, pinching can be done.
- Formation in 2 lashes. In this case, the main stem and one side lash are left. The rest of the shoots are removed. You need to pinch the pumpkin scourge after 2-3 ovaries are formed on the main branch. 1 fruit is left on the side shoot.
- Forming in 3 loops. Here all branches are removed, except for the main stem and 2 strong lateral shoots. 1-2 fruits are left on the main lash, and 1 pumpkin on each side.
Experienced gardeners recommend not chasing the formation of a large number of fruits on one bush. It is enough to leave no more than 3-5 pieces.
Growing and pinching
Growing a large and tasty pumpkin is easy. But the process requires basic knowledge from the grower.
A vegetable is grown in 2 ways:
- Seedling. Seeds can be planted in late April or early May. Each variety has its own grain planting scheme. A container with planting material is kept in heated greenhouses or on the windowsills in the house. The temperature should not fall below +25 ° С. The soil for seedlings is selected fertile. The composition of the soil should contain components such as peat, river sand and sod land.
- A reckless way. Grow pumpkin this method is most often in the southern regions. The beds are well fertilized before planting. To do this, use manure, humus or complex fertilizer. The depth of the hole should be about 6-10 cm; a distance of at least 1 m is left between the holes.
When planting a crop, it is important to take into account that the pumpkin loves sunlight, does not tolerate moisture and dampness. Observance of the rules for plant care will help to get a good harvest. Competent formation, pinching and pinching will improve the quality of vegetables, their quantity and resistance to various fungi and pests.
Growing technologies
When growing pumpkin, you need to consider the following recommendations:
- Even at the stage of growing seedlings, complex mineral fertilizers are applied. This will allow the plant to form a strong root system.
- Pumpkin needs nutritious soil. If the soil is depleted, fertilization is advisable.
- The landing site is selected on a hill, well-lit by the sun.
- There are 3 ways to shape a vegetable and advice from experienced gardeners on how to do it. Therefore, before planting, you need to carefully read the characteristics and description of the variety, then choose the appropriate option.
- Long loops should be lifted from the ground on wooden supports, and it is best to put plywood under the bottom of the fruit. This will keep the vegetables from getting wet and will keep the skin intact.
- Watering is required regularly.
- Periodically, the bush needs feeding with organic and complex fertilizers.
If you organize the cultivation correctly, then at the end of the season you can get a rich harvest. A well-ripened pumpkin contains many nutrients and has a large amount of vitamins that the human body needs so much.
Pinching result
Pinching pumpkin outdoors is a must. Through manipulation, the plant acquires good immunity and resistance to fungi.
In pinched bushes, the quality of the harvest increases, because the plant does not waste its energy on the growth of non-fruiting stems and extra shoots. All nutrients are aimed at ripening and feeding the fruit.