NEW MEMBER,FROM QUIBEC CANADA,LOOKING FOR INFORMATION,ON PRUNING CUCUMBERS AND MELONS.

Well, first you need to know which varieties you are growing. Some of the old pruning methods don't work on the newer varieties. Can you fill me in?

Cucumbers.Marketmore76 and Melons of montrial,both heirlooms.

Okay, well, when the melon gets the fourth true leaf, prune it. This should produce three lateral primaries. If you are in a long growing season area, then you can remove up to 7 of the bottommost nodes, and setting fruit will hinder development. Short season growers shouldn't worry about that.

Why would you prune cukes?I've never heard of it.
What is the benefit?

Melons and cukes will produce more lateral growth (basically turning the lateral growth into three primary vines) which produces more foliage, which produces more food for the vines...producing more produce. Squash and pumpkins are supposed to do this, as well. I have found, though, in my experience, that pruning the cucurbits also slows the production down a bit, so that if you are not in an area which has a long growing season (at least zone 7/8) then pruning is not helpful. However, ROOT volume is VERY helpful in all climates. So try to get the vines to root along their length if you can, by covering nodes with compost and watering with willow water. Keep all the rooted areas well watered and well fed, and the vines will produce more fruit. While the french used to prune their vines quite a bit, they have recently rethought that particular tactic and are mostly leaving them alone, or just pruning them once or twice.

Thanks so much for the info.
I love og forums.
I have learned so much.

Dennis, welcome to the forum! I'd never heard of this so I learned something today!

THANKS TO BRENNEWOMEN FOR INF ABOUT PRUNING CUCUMBERS AND MELONS,GLAD TO SEE THAT YOUR INF,AS HELP SOME GARDENERS.