The huge amount of vitamins and minerals contained in pumpkin makes this plant very popular for growing in garden plots. A variety of delicious and healthy dishes can be prepared from pumpkin. But not everyone knows how to properly grow this crop in order to get a large harvest that can be stored for a long time. Let's talk about this.
Varieties of pumpkin crops
Caring for a plant directly depends on its type.
- Shrub and multi-vine pumpkin varieties
The bush variety is characterized by the formation of the fruit at the base of the bush, the stems and lashes grow upward. In multi-braided varieties, all branches grow in the same direction along the ground.
- Large-fruited and medium-fruited varieties
The number of ovaries left on the bush that can ripen during the growing season depends on the desired size of the fruit.
Basic cultivation procedures
In addition to preparing the soil, planting and fertilizing, pumpkin also needs pinching, pinching and foliage pruning. The exception is small-fruited varieties that bear fruit well without additional bush formation.
What are pinching and pinching for?
The first procedure is pruning the upper part of the shoot. It is carried out so that the plant does not waste energy on excessive growth of the stem and lashes, but completely switches to the formation of ovaries and the development of fruits. Stepping away, that is, the removal of excess lashes and shoots, is carried out for the same purpose.
Rules for the formation of a pumpkin bush
It is advisable to pinch when the main stem reaches a length of 1.5-2 meters. After that, the top is trimmed with sharp scissors. As a result, lateral shoots begin to actively form, on which ovaries and fruits are formed. In order to grow large and ripe fruits, it is necessary to leave, in addition to the main stem, 3-4 powerful healthy lashes, which, when they reach a certain length, are also pinched.
Features of the formation of bush pumpkin
A bush pumpkin, as a rule, is formed into one lash. For this, only one main shoot is left in the plant. When 3-4 ovaries appear on it, measure 20-25 cm from the last fruit and cut off the stem. The advantage of such cultivation is the quick ripening of the fruit and its excellent taste.
Cultivation of a multi-veneered culture
This pumpkin variety is most often grown in 2-4 lashes. That is, in addition to the main stem, an additional 2 to 4 shoots are left. In general, 3-5 fruits ripen on each of them. Plucking the stems is carried out as in the case of a bush pumpkin.
Grassing and removing leaves
During the growth and development of the plant, new shoots and lashes are constantly formed. In order not to load the plant and not waste its strength, it is necessary to remove the excess lateral processes in a timely manner. In those places where the fruit ripens, I also recommend cutting off the thick and large leaves of the plant. This will improve the circulation of air inside the lashes and reduce the risk of fruit rot. However, you should not get carried away with the procedure, since the leaves play an active role in the ripening of the pumpkin.
Growing culture without pinching
Many gardeners, especially in the southern regions, neglect this procedure when caring for a pumpkin. In areas where the cold comes later, the likelihood that the fruits have time to fully ripen is higher. Therefore, gardeners allow the plant to independently "decide" how many lashes and ovaries it can withstand with healthy and full growth.
When growing pumpkin, each owner has the right to decide for himself how to cultivate the plant. The recommendations I have given can help novice gardeners get a decent harvest of this tasty and incredibly healthy crop.
Read also: Top dressing of apple trees in the fall: what fertilizers are best to apply to get a good harvest next year
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