Step-by-step instructions for beginner gardeners: how to pinch watermelons in the open field

The cultivation of watermelons requires certain skills and knowledge. For the fruits to have time to ripen and be sweet, it is important to grow them correctly from the very beginning. Novice gardeners often have a question: how to pinch watermelons in the open field and is it necessary to do this?

Why pinch watermelons

To limit the number of ovaries, the plants are pinched. When many fruits are formed on the lash, they become smaller and do not have time to ripen. Pinching watermelons is like pinching peppers or melons. The procedure is especially relevant in areas with colder climates, when the summer is short.

Important! Pinched watermelons grow less green mass. It is more convenient to handle, weed and water them, since you do not have to step on the leaves and stems, which grow strongly.

Is it possible to do without it

Plants must be pinched in cold regions, in the north of Russia. Southern cultures do without it. Sometimes the procedure is not carried out in greenhouses, where the fruits have time to ripen in a season.

For watermelons growing outdoors, pinching is a must.

When to conduct

Pinching at the wrong time will be detrimental to the crop. In the northern regions, plants receive less heat and sunlight - there the procedure is done earlier.

Excess shoots are removed when the watermelons begin to grow and shade each other. This is done if secondary processes are visible.

Attention! In wet weather, the procedure is not carried out, otherwise the stems will rot. Choose only sunny days.

How many times per season

During the season, the procedure is carried out at least twice. It depends on the specific varieties... In the southern regions, thermophilic watermelons Chill, Nice, Favorite and others rarely pinch, in the northern regions cold-resistant plants (Twinkle, Sugar baby, Helen F1, Siberian Lights) - more often.

How to pinch correctly

Pinching watermelons in the open field depends on the climate of the area, the area of ​​the site.

As a rule, the simplest schemes are used:

• watermelons are allowed to grow freely and spread the lashes along the ground;
• when ovaries appear, excess shoots and lashes are removed, which spread to other areas.

Materials and tools

No special tools are required for the procedure. Cut off excess shoots with a sharp knife or pruner.

Reference! It is better to pinch the stems not by hand, but with a sharp instrument. This will tighten the cut faster and reduce the risk of plant damage.

Schemes

There are 3 schemes for pinching watermelons:

1. Single-stem cultivation... This method is suitable for both cultivars and hybrids. Plants are formed into one lash, leaving only the main shoot, all lateral shoots are removed. From 1 to 4 fruits are left on the central stem, the rest are removed. Pinching the lash, 5 leaves recede from the upper fruit.
2. Growing on shoots of the second order. This method is a little more complicated - it is important to observe the growing shoots, recognize the extra ones, and pinch them off in time. The technology is more suitable for varieties: they form watermelons on lateral shoots faster than hybrids. In the open field, the seedlings are placed freely, and the greens grow quickly. Therefore, pinching is carried out as soon as the lashes begin to go beyond the edges of the rows. They begin to form lashes when the fruits reach a diameter of 5-7 cm.
3. Formation of bushes with fruits on the shoots of the third order. It is these shoots that are most productive in the culture, on them the fruits ripen earlier. The method is suitable for regions with a short summer. When a young sprout releases 5 leaves, pinch the stem over the third. From the grown shoots, 2 are selected, the rest are cut off. On these shoots, twigs of the third order are formed, on which watermelons will form. They are pinched over 5 from the top with a leaf.

Step by step instructions

Pinching the stem:

1. The main stem is left: if damaged, the plant will die. Only stepchildren are removed in the leaf axils.
2. No more than 2 shoots are kept on one stem.
3. On each plant after the procedure, leave from 2 to 6 ovaries. The exact amount depends on the variety. The newly formed fruits are removed.
4. All shoots with 5 or more leaves are removed. New shoots are harvested before they have grown.
5. A non-fertile sprout is immediately pinched.
6. After the formation of ovaries on the shoot, the upper section is cut off. Only a few leaves are left.

Pinching the tip:

1. As the lash grows, the watermelon is formed.
2. The main stem is not touched, removing only the lateral shoots.
3. Shoots without fruit or weak are pruned after pollination and ovary formation.
4. On fruiting shoots, only the tops are removed.

The ovaries are pinched in 3 ways:

1. With side shoots. This technique works for all varieties. The plant is formed, leaving lateral processes on the main stem. They are pruned, leaving 4 sheets each. With greenery, the bush continues to develop. 6 ovaries are left on the central stem. As they grow, the lower leaves are cut off.
2. No side shoots. The sprouts are cut off, leaving the ovaries on the main stem with an interval of 5 sheets. The growing processes are removed.
3. With lateral lashes on the main stem. Fruits are formed on lateral shoots. On the main stem, all shoots are cut off.

No more than 6 fruits are left on the entire plant for their better ripening.

How to trim, shape and pinch bushes

The main methods of plant formation:

• one lash should not have more than 1-2 fruits;
• all excess ovaries and shoots are carefully trimmed;
• pinching is not carried out when the watermelons begin to grow and fill: at this time the plant is gaining strength, all procedures will only harm it;
• if there are few leaves left, remove the shoot above the fruit: this stimulates the growth of new leaves;
• choose a specific pinching scheme experimentally.

Pinching in the greenhouse

Indoor culture is formed for faster ripening of fruits. It is more convenient to care for treated plants, the area is used more rationally.

In the greenhouse, 2 procedure schemes are used, since here the plants are tied to trellises.

Formation into one stem:

1. Leave the central stem. The sprouts on the sides are cut.
2. The stem is guided along the support, twisting it clockwise.
3. 2–5 fruits are left on each bush, the rest of the ovaries are removed.
4. The top of the main stem is pinched.

In this manner grow watermelons in Siberia and northern regions.

Growing fruits on second level shoots:

1. The number of such shoots is from 1 to 3 pieces. On each leave 1-2 ovaries.
2. After the last ovary, 5 leaves are preserved, and the top is cut off.
3. The remaining ovaries and sprouts are removed.

It is important to make sure that the ovaries are growing, and only then pinching. Often, fruits the size of a walnut fall off or do not ripen.

Post-procedure care

After pinching, the watermelons are carefully looked after:

1. Water at least 2 times a week. The amount of water is reduced when the fruit ripens, as waterlogging contributes to cracking of watermelons.
2. When the fruits grow to the size of walnuts, they are placed in special nets. This will protect against decay.
3. The soil under the watermelons is covered with straw so that the fruits do not touch the ground.
4. The culture responds well to mullein, humus, bird droppings, superphosphate with potassium.
5. New shoots are immediately removed so that the plants do not waste their energy on them.

Useful Tips

To grow a rich harvest of watermelons, the bushes are properly shaped.

To do this, follow the recommendations of experienced gardeners:

• the culture does not tolerate shading well, so the distance between fruits and leaves is not more than 20-25 cm;
• shorten the stems after flowering, when the size of the ovaries reaches 7–9 mm in diameter;
• after the first pinching, supports are placed between the watermelons so that they grow better and do not break;
• after fruit ripening, the procedure is not carried out.

Conclusion

With proper pinching of the melons, it will be possible to get a rich harvest. The pruning scheme for watermelons is chosen depending on the region, variety and growing method.

Basic schemes: in one stem, on shoots of the second order or third. This simple procedure does not have a general approach; the best option is determined experimentally.