Types and rules of self-production of a trellis mesh for cucumbers
The trellis net for cucumbers is a convenient and practical design that helps to form a neat bush and control the direction of its growth. This vegetable crop is characterized by very rapid growth and after a short time the cucumber beds turn into dense thickets. Growing on a grid allows you to solve the problem of growth, reliably fix the stems of the plant, greatly simplifying its care.
What is the trellis net for?
The use of this design allows the most economical and rational use of the area of the greenhouse or vegetable garden, gives the plants a neat appearance and facilitates their care. Vegetable shoots can be placed both horizontally and vertically - this greatly simplifies their watering, spraying and insecticide treatment
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When grown in this way, the plants are evenly illuminated and ventilated. By tying them to a trellis net, the fruits are above the ground - this reliably protects them from pests, rodents, as well as powdery mildew and other diseases.
Trellis net for cucumbers: main varieties
There are several varieties of cucumber trellis that can be used both in greenhouses and in open soil. When choosing a product, you need to take into account the variety of vegetable crop - some need a high and wide tension, others need a fairly low mesh.
For cucumbers grown in greenhouses, it is best to use trellis nets made from natural materials. Vegetable crops growing in open beds can be tied to structures made of synthetic materials.
Plastic
The plastic cucumber net is strong, durable and lightweight at the same time. Such a structure easily withstands a ripe crop, does not bend or break under the weight of cucumbers.
The structures are made of high quality materials with minimal wear and tear. Reusable plastic nets are designed for long-term use. When buying, you need to consider the size of the cells. The best option for growing cucumbers is a product with cells of 10-15 cm.
Such products can be bought at any building or supermarket, or you can make your own.
Metal
The metal trellis net for cucumbers is considered the most durable, reliable and wear-resistant. It holds the increased load of ripe fruits without deforming or breaking. That is why the metal mesh is distinguished not only by its durability, but also by its high cost.
The average service life of a metal structure is 4-5 years. But it also has disadvantages - under the influence of rains and frequent watering of plants, the mesh becomes covered with rust. To prevent corrosion, a special compound can be applied to the structure to protect it from rust.
Trellis plastic mesh
The trellis net is in demand among gardeners due to its maximum reliability and functionality. The structure has additional support, thanks to which it can support almost any weight.
The main varieties of trellis mesh:
- Inclined - is a mesh stretched over a frame located at an oblique angle. For additional strength of the product, special props or crossbars are used in width.
- Vertical - a construction in which the mesh is stretched over a frame made of wooden beams, pipes or metal profiles.
- "A" -shaped - the design resembles the shape of the letter "A". Cucumbers are fixed on it from two sides, their growth is directed up the product.
- Arched - such trellis nets are used less often than other varieties. Such products are aesthetically pleasing, but their practicality and reliability do not differ from other types.
Tying cucumbers on a trellis-type grid is recommended if the bed size is more than 10 m. Cucumbers begin to cling to the paths of the structure, grow upwards. The best option is a mesh with a cell size of at least 8-10 cm.
How to make a do-it-yourself trellis net
Do-it-yourself grid for cucumbers is quite simple. First of all, it is necessary to prepare a support - two pillars (1.6-1.8 m high). They will dig in along the edges of the cucumber plantings and serve as a support for the entire product. The posts can be made of various materials - plastic, metal, wood. You can also use concrete pillars, thick branches, reinforcement.
Also, for self-production of a trellis net, a rail is required, which is fixed between two supports from above, securing the entire structure and making it more reliable. Additionally prepare the net (twine or thick twine), screwdriver and screws for fastening the support and the rail to each other.
How to make a grid for cucumbers with your own hands:
- on the sides of the cucumber bed, dig in the support posts to a depth of 40-70 cm and tamp well;
- flatten the mesh on the ground, then pull it over the rail designed to secure the support from above;
- fasten the rail with the mesh with screws to the supports in the upper part, in the center of the structure - as a result, it should look like the letter "P";
- straighten the net below, wrapping its supports with wire, twine or twine.
After completing all work, check that the net is tight and tight, otherwise it will not be able to support the weight of the fruit.
One of the easiest ways to make a cucumber trellis net is to stretch a thin wire (up to 2 mm thick) between several supports. After that, weave it horizontally in 3-4 rows.
A simple design can be improved by placing a beam between the support posts and lowering the required number of cords vertically from it. Pull the ends of the cords well and tie a hook to them, which you bury in the ground.
Garter cucumbers on a trellis net
When using this design in greenhouses or outdoors, you need to know how to install a trellis net for cucumbers. It is best to install the structure from east to west. This ensures an even distribution of sunlight for all shoots and plants. Experienced gardeners advise tying only those cucumber shoots, the length of which is more than 15-20 cm.
How to attach a cucumber trellis net:
- install the support pillars in the ground - they must be installed firmly and reliably, not stagger;
- the distance between the supports must be at least 5 m;
- deepen the supports into the ground by 30-70 cm and compact them tightly;
- attach the slats to the upper half of the posts;
- attach the tensioning fabric.
After installing the trellis mesh, you can proceed to binding the cucumbers. It is very important to properly tie the cucumber bushes - only in this case you can get convenient access to the culture and not damage its shoots.
To tie cucumbers, you need twine or nylon thread. Tie a knot at the base of the cucumber bush.Make sure that it does not crush the stem, disrupting the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the leaves and fruits of the plant.
After that, carefully pull the nylon thread up the trellis net. Wrap a few times around the top rail, secure with a strong knot. When tying cucumber crops, the shoots should not be taut. In this case, there is a risk that they will be damaged or broken under the weight of the ripening fruits.
The basic rule when tying cucumbers to a trellis net is to make a reliable, but not very tight knot on the plant stem and at the same time provide a high-quality stretch. To prevent damage to the culture, young cucumber sprouts can be directed up the net and slightly twisted around it. During the ripening of the crop, cucumbers can be fixed with nylon thread or plastic clothespins-clips.
The cucumber trellis net is a simple and convenient design. It is used for growing climbing crops both in greenhouses and in open beds. You can make the mesh yourself. At the same time, spending a minimum of time, effort and materials and greatly simplifying the care of cucumbers.