Cucumbers Variety
There are so many different varieties of cucumber, available today, it can be hard to know which one to grow. But all can be used for fresh eating or pickling if picked at the proper time.
These are the three main varieties of cucumber
Slicing cucumbers have broad leaves, long vines, tender skin and soft flesh, making them ideal for fresh eating. It's best to harvest and eat these cucumbers before they fully ripen!
Pickling cucumbers have tougher skin and flesh that allows them to preserve well. Pickling are delightfully crunchy and are delicious when simply sliced and eaten fresh, and they are grown mostly for canning!
Burpless cucumbers are the sweetest type of cucumber. They are long and slender, and have tender skin.
Cucumbers have two different growth habits: bush and vine.
Bush varieties are compact and do not require a trellis. They are ideal for growing in containers or small places.
Vining cucumbers produce more fruit, but they require large space than bush varieties. Both vining and bush cucumbers produce abundant fruits.
Vining cucumbers grow on vigorous vines shaded by large leaves. They grow very fast, and the crop yield is abundant if you care for them properly. These varieties grow best when they are trained up a trellis or fence. They will be easier to harvest. Vining cucumbers produce an amazing amount of fruit.
Bush cucumbers take up very little space with their extremely short vines, and most varieties require only 2 to 3 square feet per plant. Bush cucumbers are ideal for container gardening or small gardens, they produce abundantly for their size.
Once you have found the perfect cucumber variety, it is time to plant. Regardless of the type of cucumber you grow, the steps in the planting process are the same
Cucumbers are so productive that a few plants can keep a family supplied for the entire summer
How to grow Organic Cucumbers
Cucumbers are members of the cucurbitaceae family, which includes summer squash, winter squash, gourds and melons. Cucumbers are heavy feeders. To grow and thrive well they require warmth, fertile soil and consistent moisture. In this post I will guide you on how to grow organic cucumbers successfully.
When to grow Cucumber
Cucumber plants should be planted outside in the ground 2 weeks after the last frost date in your area. The ideal soil temperature for growing cucumbers must be at least 70ºF as cucumbers are extremely susceptible to frost and cold damage.
Choosing and Preparing a Planting Site
. Cucumber plants need a lot of sunlight to produce well, and build strong, sturdy and productive vines. Grow your crop in an area that receives a minimum of 8 hours of sunlight each day.
. Building a good soil is the key to success in your garden. The better the soil, the better your plants will grow.
. Whether cucumber is planted in the ground or in containers, cucumbers plants need rich, fertile soil to grow strong and thrive, and the soil needs to be light and airy to allow for good drainage.
. Add well aged manure before planting to a depth of 2 inches and work into the soil 6 to 8 inches deep. Always make sure that soil is moist and well-drained, not soggy and compacted.
The soil should be neutral or slightly acidic with a pH of around 6.5 to 7.0.
. You can improve clay soil by adding organic matter, and improve heavy soil by adding, compost, or well rotted manure. I always add well rotted chicken manure to my soil to improve it, and give the best condition to my plants to grow and thrive well!
. Always good soil makes cucumbers stronger and healthier, and healthy plants have a better chance of fighting off diseases and pest attack.
. Each season, you have to rotate your crop to a new location in the garden . This allows the soil to recover, and minimizes disease. After at least three years you can plant cucumbers in the same location.
Planting Cucumber seeds
Cucumbers are tropical plants so don’t plant them in the garden until the soil temperature is at least 21 degrees. You can always get a jump start on the season by sowing your seeds indoors or in a greenhouse and then transplanting them as the weather warms up.
From Here you can choose from the many varieties available to suit your needs.
Once you have the perfect cucumber seeds, it is time to plant. Regardless of the type of cucumber you grow, the planting process is the same. You must know that when planted properly, and give the right growing condition. Remember that a few cucumber plants can keep you and your family supplied for the entire summer!
. Pre-soak your cucumber seeds in a glass of water overnight before sowing them.
. Sow 2 seeds 3 cm into the soil. This will allow you to select the strongest plant when they start growing.
. Cover the seeds with loose soil.
. Water gently so that the soil is not disturbed to expose the seeds.
. The seeds will germinate in 5-10 days.
. When the seedlings have reached 4 inches tall, thin them to 1 seedling.
. Avoid disturbing the soil by pulling out seedlings, you can use a scissors to cut off the unwanted seedlings at ground level.
. When cucumber plants have plenty of room to grow they're more likely to perform well.
. Water as needed to keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy.
Cucumber Flowers
Male and female flowers appear on a cucumber plant
Female Cucumber Flower
. Female cucumber flower blooms singly, one per stalk, and have a small fruit at the base of her stem. It's a miniature cucumber.
Male Flower
. Male cucumber flowers are different in appearance from female flowers they have shorter stems and grow in clusters of three to five.
Cucumber Plant Care
Cucumbers Pests and Disease
Cucumbers are susceptible to fungal issues and pests. Some fungal problems can be prevented by trellising, but others, such as downy mildew, powdery mildew and black rot, may require intervention.
Cucumber Problems
If the vines bloom but don’t make fruit, there's a problem with pollination. First, make sure that you see both male and female blooms. Male blooms usually appear first and then drop off. Within a week, female flowers will appear, and each one have a small cucumber-shaped at the base that will become a cucumber. The problem is that, if you are not seeing those small cucumber-shaped turn into fruit, you may need to hand-pollinate.
Hand pollination is the manual transfer of pollen from the stamen or male part of the flower to the pistil or female part. Simply pick a male flower (Male flowers differ in appearance from female flowers they have shorter stems and grow in clusters of three to five) and touch it lightly onto the center stem of the female flower(the one with a small fruit forming at the base).
How to Harvest Cucumbers
Now that you've taken such great care of your cucumber plants, it's time for harvesting and tasting your own organic cucumbers
When fruits have reached the proper size for the variety, use a sharp pair of pruning shears to cut the cucumber from the stem. Because cucumber vines and stems are fragile, never pull or tug on fruits, as that can damage the plant. Cucumbers mature quickly, so harvest every two days to keep fruits from getting overripe.
From Here You can choose your favorite cucumber varieties
Nothing could replace fresh organic cucumbers for their taste, texture, crunchiness, and their many uses both fresh and pickled in our kitchen. Organic cucumbers are delicious especially when you have grown them yourself, so why not start growing them today!
Happy Organic Gardening
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