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Cucumber

Cucumis sativus

INTRODUCTION

Cucumbers are available all year round from supermarkets, but nothing compares to your own.

Cucumbers fall into two categories of production, indoor and outdoor, this also includes Gerkins. Indoor produced crops are more time consuming to perfect but will result in higher yields over a longer harvesting period.

Care and attention on a few plants will make this summertime staple in the kitchen highly prolific.

Soil Preparation

Indoor Crops - Cucumbers can be grown in pots, straw bales, grow bags or border soil.

If using pots, use a pot size of at least 10 litres filled with multi-purpose compost.

Border soil should be deeply cultivated, very rich, fertile and moisture retentive.

Outdoor Crops - Cucumbers are fussy about soil conditions so you should take the time and trouble to prepare the ground well.

For the very best crops, the soil should be deeply cultivated, very rich, fertile and moisture retentive.

The site should be sunny, warm, sheltered and away from prevailing winds. Cold weather or growing conditions will not be ideal.

Sowing & Planting

Raise plants by sowing seed into 9cm pots or modules filled with multi-purpose compost.

Sow seed on its edge, this aids germination.

Sowing for indoors harvests can be made from April onwards.

Seed for outdoor production is better left until late April or early May onwards.

When plants are large enough to handle gradually harden off if they are to be grown outside. Cucumbers, as with other Cucurbits, are not frost hardy, so ensure all risk of frost has passed before planting outdoors.

Aim for spacings of at least 60cm (24 inches) between plants or containers.

Growing & General Cultivation

Indoor crops should be kept warm and humid for best results. They will usually require string or cane supports, as most indoor cucumber varieties are better trained upwards.

Outdoor crops can be left to trail over the ground unsupported.

Keep outdoor crops weed-free but take care when hoeing as Cucumbers have shallow roots.

Both indoor and outdoor crops require regular watering to perform well, especially during dry weather.

They are also heavy feeders, feed weekly with liquid feed.

Pests & Diseases

Cucumbers tend to share the same common pest and diseases as with other Cucurbits :

Slugs and Snails can be a problem for young plants - for remedies - see product directory.

Powdery Mildew is a white powdery deposit that can cover stems and foliage. It is usually associated with dry weather and to prevent, avoid plants from drying out. Remove affected foliage as needed or in severe outbreaks, use a suitable fungicide - see product directory.

Cucumber Mosaic Virus shows as yellow speckling on foliage resulting in leaves turning brown. Plants become stunted with reduced harvests. The virus is spread by Aphids, so take necessary precautions. In extreme cases, remove entire plants to reduce the risk of spread.

Red Spider Mite shows up as yellow mottling on the foliage. On the underside of leaves, webbing will become obvious in severe cases, with mites clearly visible. The pest is normally more of an issue on indoor crops, particularly during hot, dry weather. Biological control is available. See Product Directory for details.

Greenhouse White Fly can affect greenhouse crops but is not normally a problem with outdoor production. If the problem occurs, consider Biological control. See Product Directory for details.