Following the agronomic guideline of yesterday's publication, the species Cucumis sativus can be grown in any type of soil with a loose structure, well drained and with sufficient organic matter, it is a plant moderately tolerant to salinity (somewhat less than melon).
▶ So if the concentration of salts in the soil is too high, the plants have difficulty absorbing irrigation water, growth is slower, the stem weakens, the leaves are smaller and darker in color and the fruits obtained will be crooked.
Cucumis sativus needs to be trained, which is an essential practice to keep the plant upright, improving its general aeration and favoring the use of radiation and the performance of cultural tasks (thinning, harvesting, etc.). All this will have an impact on final production, fruit quality and disease control.
The support is usually done with polypropylene thread (raffia) attached at one end to the basal area of the plant (bundled, knotted or attached by means of rings) and at the other end to a wire located at a certain height above the plant. As the plant grows, it is bundled or fastened to the tutor wire by means of rings, until the plant reaches the wire. From that moment the plant is directed to another wire located.
As for pruning practices in the species Cucumis sativus, in the case of dropping the plant after passing the wire to catch the fruits of the secondary stems, it is recommended not to cut the main stem until it reaches about 40 cm from the ground, allowing only the development of two secondary stems, eliminating all others.
An important fact to consider in the cultivation of the species Cucumis sativus, is that "Dutch type" will be removed all the side shoots to leave the plant to a single stem. For the remaining types of cucumber, pruning is very similar, although the side shoots are not removed, but are trimmed above the second leaf.
