Long a popular vegetable
Cucumbers originally come from the warm, humid, mountainous areas of Southeast Asia. Archaeologists have found cucumber remains at the ancient battle sites of the Romans and the Egyptians. It was apparently quite common to grow vegetables for the armies on long campaigns and the cucumber was one of the staples, in fact, it was the Romans who were responsible for spreading the plant throughout Europe.
\"Organic Vegetable\"
Many Types
The major types of cucumbers are the long, smooth green slicing varieties; the small, numerous pickling gherkins; and the round, yellowish, mild-flavored lemon cucumbers. Unusual types include elongated, slender Oriental varieties, and the English greenhouse cucumber. Properly grown, these latter varieties are the mildest-flavored of all. So-called Armenian varieties are actually long, green-ribbed melons with a cucumber look and taste.
Annual Climbers
Cucumbers are all hot-season annual climbing vines. The plants grow very vigorously in the summer, and vines of up to 10 feet are not uncommon. The leaves are large and covered with stiff hairs. Climbing tendrils grow directly from the stems, as do the attractive yellow flowers.
There are both male and female flowers. The female flowers grow singly, the males in clusters of 2 to 4 blooms. The plant flowers continuously all through the summer and produces fruit until the temperature drops below freezing. The cucumbers are borne without previous pollination but occasionally a fertilized cucumber may be found which is absolutely full of seeds. For this reason, many gardeners prefer to grow only female plants, thereby avoiding seedy cucumbers.
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How to grow cucumbers
Cucumber seeds can be sown indoors in pots in a window in March, or seedlings can be purchased from a nursery. Put 2 to 3 seeds in each pot. Remove the two weakest seedlings after germination to make room for the strongest. The temperature should be in the mid-sixties in the day and a little lower at night. Give the plants plenty of daylight but not direct sunlight. Once 3 to 4 leaves are fully developed move the plants out to a sunny, organically enriched garden spot. The best way to grow cucumbers is on a 1-foot high mound of soil that measures about 5 feet on a side. This gives plants good drainage and room to spread. Or, train plants on vertical wires or a trellis. Remove male flowers as soon as they appear.
Be sure to plant cucumbers outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed because these plants hate cold weather. The mound system of growing works well; because plants spread in all directions, they're not really suited to growing in rows like other vegetables.
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Plant Doctor
Cucumbers are prey to a number of ills, both insects and diseases. Here are a few of them.
Cucumbers grown outdoors can suddenly just wither away after a period of heavy rainfall. This is because the roots go into shock and all growth stops.
--Neck rot is a common disease in young plants set out too early. The temperature may be low and the humidity too high. Growing plants on mounds in full sun usually prevents this problem.
--Bitter cucumbers from your garden or greenhouse result from changeable growing conditions. Make sure they are watered regularly and be careful with feeding.
--Mildew is a common ailment on the cucumber. It is most common in slicing cucumbers grown in the greenhouse. The leaves become quite white and floury-looking. Prevent attacks from happening by lowering humidity, if possible. Combat mildew with sulphur powders.
--Aphids are frequent visitors. Squirt them from plants with a jet of water from the hose, or use a spray of soapy water.
--Greenhouse spider mites cause golden-brown discoloration of leaves and shoots. Attacks can be kept down by using suitable biological methods, such as predatory insects.
NOTE: Pesticides not used according to label directions can be harmful to man, animals and plants. Use only pesticides that have labels with directions for home and garden use. Always read and follow label directions.
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Buying Tips
Seed for garden cucumber varieties is widely available, but salad cucumber seedlings may also be found at a plant store. Check that they are growing well and free of insects or disease. Make sure the root neck is entirely green.
Lifespan: All cucumbers are annuals.
Season: Throughout the summer and early fall.
Difficulty quotient: As long as the plants grow in favorable conditions, there is no real difficulty.
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In Brief
Size and growth rate
All cucumbers grow vigorously, 7-10 feet in one year.
Flowering and fragrance
Flowers appear throughout the season. The flowers are single-sexed and clear yellow, but have no scent.
Light and temperature
Cucumbers need lots of light, but dislike direct sunlight indoors. Outdoor cucumbers will live with normal summer temperatures while greenhouse or hothouse cucumbers prefer the mid-seventies.
Watering and feeding
Plenty of water all through the growing season. If the plants dry out they can be weakened and fall prey to disease. Feed every second watering.
Soil and transplanting
The soil should always be well-fertilized with plenty of humus and compost. No repotting is necessary indoors or out, once seedlings have been placed where they are to grow.
Grooming
Not really necessary, but plants growing in a greenhouse may need to be cut back.
Propagating
Always with seeds.
Environment
Cucumbers belong in every summer garden or greenhouse. The vines are handsome, easy to grow, and produce an abundance of delicious fruits with very little effort.
For information on organic vegetable gardening, organic fertilizers, compost, pest control, watering, soil and more, please read my blog.
