How to Grow Cucumber
Cucumber Germination Information
How to Sow Cucumber:
- Best sown outdoors
- Sow 1-2 weeks after danger of frost is past
- Seeds can also be sown indoors, 4-6 weeks before planting out, at a temperature of 70°
- Sow in individual pots to avoid root disturbance when transplanting
- Indoors and out, sow at a depth of 4 times the size of the seed and expect germination in 7-10 days
How to Grow Cucumber:
Transplanting: Transplant to same distance when there are at least two sets of true leaves. When transplanting, be careful with the roots as they resent being disturbed
Spacing: Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart. Cultivars vary in size, but they are generally grown in rows spaced 2 feet apart or in 4 feet by 4 feet hills with 4 plants per hill
Lighting: Site in full sun
Soil: Site in a light, rich, fertile, well-drained soil. Feed prior to planting and again every 3 weeks
Additional Care: Keep plants well watered. When weeding, do so with as little disturbance to the plants as possible
Appearance and Use:
This prostrate or climbing vine grows approximately 8 feet long, but there are also bush varieties that don’t require support. They produce 1 inch, yellow flowers that are followed by the edible fruit. Harvest when they are dark green, before they turn yellow. The slicing types will be 6-8 inches long, while the pickling types will be 11/2- 3 inches long. Gently cut them off the vine; do not break them off. Cucumbers are eaten fresh; the pickling types are preserved with pickling spices and then canned
About Cucumber:
Botanical name: Cucumis sativus
Pronunciation: ku’ku-mis sa-ti’vus
Lifecycle: Annual
Origination: Cucurbitaceae; native to southern Asia