There was a time when growing cucumbers was beset with mystery and complicated rituals. Fortunately thanks to some clever plant breeding, all today's greenhouse gardener need worry about is which all female variety to grow. For it is these selections that ensure every flower on the plant is a female flower bearing behind it the immature cucumber which will develop into a small, but beautifully formed fruit. These days most of the new F1 hybrids are not only all female, but some are also mini cucumbers, the perfect size for a salad for two or a kiddie's lunchbox.
If however you are seeking to exhibit extra long cucumbers at the local horticultural society show then you will need to opt for ordinary cucumber varieties, these need more care and attention and the male flowers need to be removed to prevent pollination, as this results in bitter, inedible fruit.
You can grow cucumbers outdoors, but they will crop later than their greenhouse cousins.
Sow the seed of greenhouse varieties side on singly into individual modules. Use a quality seed compost and sow them during April. In a heated greenhouse they can be sown during March, either way they need to be kept warm to germinate, ideally 70C+ in a propagator. Seed will germinate after 3-5 days. Keep the compost moist and keep a careful watch on the plants as they develop. As soon as the roots of the plants are visible through the drainage holes of the modules they need to be potted up into a small 7cm pot. Keep the plants warm at a temperature above 60F and keep the compost moist but not waterlogged.
When the roots have filled the pot, cucumber plants can be planted into large containers of quality vegetable compost or good growing bags. Keep them frost free and feed with a well balanced general fertiliser until the first fruits start to swell, then use a tomato feed to encourage plenty of flowers and fruit. Use a stake to train the plants upright, the cucumbers form on the leaf axils on the all female varieties, whereas on the older, ordinary varieties they form on side shoots.
Good ventilation is essential. Cucumbers also like a moist atmosphere, so in hot, summer weather hose down the greenhouse floor. Keep the greenhouse shaded from the sun in hot weather and provide a stake for the plants to grow up. Cucumber plans grow tendrils that curl around supports and will quickly climb up suitable supports provided. Pick the fruits regularly as soon as they are large enough, some very modern varieties form very small cucumbers. Make sure you don't miss any, as if you leave one to accidentally mature, the plants will stop growing more.
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