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nikki 7

nikki 7nikki 7 Posts: 111
in Fruit & veg

hello all

This year, I'm growing cucumbers in my greenhouse which are doing well,  But I have been told I need to nip out the sideshoots!?  So, how do I tell the difference between these sideshoots and the budding flower shoots, which produce the cucumbers?  Advice please would be much appreciated.

Nikki 7

Posts

  • pinutpinut Posts: 194
    edited June 2020
    Nipping out side shoots keeps the plant manageable and neat. All of the fruit will then appear along the main vine.

    On the the main vine, the side shoots will appear between a leaf and main vine next to a tendril and will have no flowers on it.

    Wait until it grows to a recognisable length if you are unsure before nipping them off.

  • pinutpinut Posts: 194
    edited June 2020
    I should add that only female flowers form the cucumber fruit. Female flowers have a small bump underneath them when compared to male flowers (there are just thin stalks underneath the male flowers).
  • nikki 7nikki 7 Posts: 111
    Hello pinut
    Many thanks for your helpful and clear  advice.
    Nikki
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