How to properly form a melon in open ground and a greenhouse, is it necessary to pinch?

Melon is grown in open ground, in greenhouses and greenhouse shelters. Do you need to pinch a melon? This question interests many summer residents. The formation of melon is a necessary process with which you can get a rich harvest in the fall. Pinching the crop depends on the timing and methods of planting the seeds.

Methods for growing melons

The formation of melon in open ground depends on the method of growing the crop. There are two main planting methods - vertical and horizontal.

With the vertical method, the bushes are tied to trellises so that the fruits do not lie on the ground. The horizontal method involves spreading the bushes over the garden bed and not tying the stems to a support. When using the second method, it is important to prevent contact between the fruit and the soil at the stage of fruit formation. If this happens, air circulation is disrupted and the fruit begins to rot.

One of the most common varieties for growing is considered melon Kolkhoznitsa. It is grown in several ways:

• In open ground.
• In greenhouse shelters.
• In greenhouse conditions.

Due to the fact that the weight of the fruit does not exceed 2 kg, the variety is very convenient to grow using the vertical method, which prevents the crop from rotting.

Regular application of fertilizers will help prevent the appearance of pests and diseases.

What doesn't melon like?

Grow melons It is recommended after studying information about what the culture does not like and from which it begins to die.

What culture doesn't like:

• Stale and humid air. This problem often occurs when growing crops in a greenhouse. To prevent this, the greenhouse is regularly ventilated. The main thing is to prevent a draft or cold wind from blowing in the greenhouse.
• Use cold water for irrigation. Cold water has a negative effect on any plant. Because of it, fungal diseases develop and the root system begins to rot.
• It is not advisable to plant the plant on acidic and slightly acidic soils. Such soil prevents air circulation in the ground and negatively affects the growth of the root system.
• Applying concentrated fertilizers to the soil.This is especially true for fresh manure. It can burn the rhizome.

Diseases and pests of melon cause serious damage to crop yields. Otherwise, the crop is unpretentious and does not require special growing conditions.

The importance of pinching for yield

The formation of melon when growing seedlings in open ground is important for further productivity. The main role here is played by pinching the growth points of the bush. It is not recommended to skip this method of agricultural technology. The main shoots are left, and the rest is cut off. The growth point on the main shoot is pinched, which is why side shoots are formed.

It is on the side shoots that the ovaries, and subsequently the fruits, are formed. After this procedure, all nutrients do not enter the leaves and stems, but directly into the fruits and they ripen a week earlier. The melons become much larger and taste sweeter. The main thing is that after pinching, several side shoots form. If you do not cut off the top of the main stem, then fruits may not form on such plants at all.

Pinching seedlings

Proper pruning of melons is done when the sprouts are still very small. The formation of melons, including melons, begins when the seedlings have 4–5 true leaves. After this procedure, the main shoot grows in the axil of the main leaf, and side shoots grow in the axils of the lower leaves, on which most of the ovaries are formed. The further formation of the plant depends on which method of growing the crop was chosen.

Pinching when growing melon vertically in a greenhouse

It is not difficult to pinch a melon when growing vertically if a number of necessary conditions are met.For growing in greenhouse conditions with vertical cultivation, it is traditional to cut off the side shoots and leave the main stem. The second pruning occurs when the main stem reaches the top of the frame (about 2 meters).

When grown vertically, side shoots are pinched above 4–5 leaves. If there are no ovaries on the side shoots, they are removed. Even if there are several ovaries, the stems are still cut off.

When cultivating crops using the vertical method, the stems are tied to trellises and the fruits are placed in nets. The mesh must be strong so that it does not tear under the weight of the fruits and they do not come into contact with the ground.

When grown in greenhouse conditions, pollination problems arise. In order to avoid this, hives with bees are placed in greenhouses or the inflorescences are pollinated by hand. The lack of pollination will have a negative impact on the yield than the lack of pinching.

Pinching when growing melon horizontally in a spread

In open ground, the formation of a melon bush during horizontal cultivation has its own characteristics. This method is preferable in open ground, since its use in a greenhouse is irrational due to the required area and the occurrence of diseases.

When cultivating a crop in a spread of three shoots that grew after the first pinching, only the two strongest ones are left. You need to pinch them after 4–6 leaves have formed.

The third pinching is carried out as follows:

• All weak and non-fruiting shoots are cut off.
• At 3-4 leaves, pinch the lashes with ovaries from the fruit.
• The cutting area is lubricated with a dry mixture of coal, lime and sulfur.

When cultivating melon horizontally, it is important to monitor the condition of the vines.They need to be directed in such a way that they do not cover the aisles.

Pinching early and late varieties

The pattern of formation of melon bushes in open ground depends on the varietal of the crop and the ripening period of the fruit. The formation of early ripening varieties can only consist of pinching the central vine and controlling the number of growing ovaries. This is due to the fact that the fruits ripen faster and the plants require less nutrients.

On one melon bush you need to leave at least 2 lashes.

The formation of late varieties is as follows:

• The first pinching is carried out at the seedling stage. It is produced after 4–5 true leaves.
• The second pinching is carried out after the formation of the 7th leaf. The plant is young and established in the soil. Pinch the stems above the 7th leaf, remove excess inflorescences from the axils, and leave 3 ovaries on each lash.

This scheme will allow you to properly form the plant and get a rich harvest.

Further formation of bushes

Growing melons is not difficult, the main thing is to put some effort into it. Spraying to prevent the spread of insects is carried out regularly.

If the crop is grown vertically, then it is necessary to make strong trellises so that they do not break under the weight of the fruit.

Stepchildren are an integral part of further formation. The formation of the culture is carried out until the fruits appear. To ensure large melons, side shoots and inflorescences are regularly removed, giving the already formed fruits the opportunity to ripen. Usually this is 3-4 melons. The fewer fruits remain on each vine, the larger they will be.New ovaries and shoots draw out nutrients, but this does not have a positive effect on yield, so they must be removed immediately.

Serious mistakes gardeners make when pinching melons

Pinching a melon is not the simplest procedure as it might seem at first glance. Quite often, gardeners make mistakes that subsequently negatively affect the yield.

• The most common mistake is pinching melons like watermelons. At first glance, it seems that the plants are almost identical and the formation will be similar, but in fact this is not the case. On watermelon, unlike melon, shoots form on the main shoot. In melons only on the sides. Therefore, if you remove all the side shoots, there is a risk of being left completely without a harvest.
• Pinch only second-order shoots. This mistake is due to the fact that by pinching only second-order shoots, all nutrients go into the leaves and the main stem. In turn, this prevents the formation of inflorescences and ovaries.
• Growing conditions include thinning of plantings. No amount of pinching the stems will help if the plantings are very thick and the melons do not have enough space for normal growth.

Without making these mistakes, you will be able to get a rich harvest of melons in the fall.