Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Growing Cucumbers

Growing Cucumbers

Cucumbers growing on soil. Training them up canes protects fruit from slugs

Cucumbers are a rewarding vegetable. Picked fresh from a home grown plant they taste great and add to any summer salad.

Cucumbers will grow best in a greenhouse or polytunnel. They need between 100 to 140 frost free days from sowing to harvest, so they can be grown outdoors in the UK, if the spot is sheltered. If growing outside try hardy varieties such as ‘Long Green Maraicher’ and Boothby’s Blond’.

Sowing Cucumber Seed

Sow in pots and keep in a warm place. Once, sprouted the seedlings like a warm and moist environment.

Growing Tips

  • When 2 inch tall, remove weaker seedlings. When planting out, give 90cm
  • Cucumbers are hungry feeders. They thrive on a rich, moist soil. They like more water and feed than tomatoes (tomatoes do well by keeping relatively dry until the fruit sets).
  • When fruit sets, feed with a high Potash (tomato) feed to encourage bigger fruits.
  • Cucumbers can be trained up cane poles. But, with several large cucumbers the weight can become too much. However, like many veg, it is best to pick often as this will keep the plant producing more.
  • Pinching Out. An important aspect of growing cucumbers is to pinch out the male flowers. They are identified by the flowers without an embryonic cucumber behind the base. If male flowers are left on, they tend to pollinate the female flowers and the resulting fruit is bitter.
  • Pinch out Growing tips 2 leaves after a fruit has formed

Pests and Diseases.

Cucumbers, like many plants grown in greenhouses, can be subject to powdery mildew, and Red Spider Mite. The best cure here is prevention. It involves avoiding a very hot dry environment (which Red Spider Mite loves) and providing good ventilation. Ensure good hygiene and cut away and dispose of any affected leaves as soon as you see evidence of fungal growth.

The succulent leaves of cucumbers also make a popular target with slugs and snails. Use the usual methods of preventing slug and snail damage.

Cucumber Mosaic Virus.

A disease not confined to cucumbers. Symptoms include yellowing leaves, leaves turning up and reduction in yields and distorted fruit. The best way to deal with cucumber mosaic virus is prevention. Chemical control is difficult. It can be transmitted through aphids or even affected tools. If you experience any disease, burn plant and disinfect area and tools involved.

Related

Comments are closed.