pinch out cucumbers?

[queen of the cobs]

Hi, should I pinch out my cucumbers? I have Telegraph inside looking very strong with about 8 leaves, and Marketmore outside, not looking so happy with about 5 leaves. (I didn't harden them off before putting them out, so am kicking myself.)

thanks.

[Flummery]

Well, it depends who you ask! Some say pinch them out after about 6 leaves, some people don't. There's probably scope for an experiment if you have enough plants but folks seem to stick to the method they've always used. Mine aren't that big yet! With the outdoor ones, the theory is that it will branch and give you 2 fruiting shoots. You pays yer money...

[Alison]

Don't pinch mine out until they get too big for wherever I'm growing them. Don't know if that's right but it seems to work. Am guessing that your problem is more related to not hardening off or perhaps letting them get a bit dry in their new home?

[Matt.]

I agree with Alison. Let them grow for sometime yet until they get much bigger. I grew two marketmore plants last year and they both had loads of fruit. I ended up hacking back well over half the leaves as they were swamping my tomatoes but it didn't do any harm and they just carried on fruiting.