[scientific name]
Sustainable Ewe favourites:
Quick Reference |
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| Optimum Soil Temperature | |
| Days to Germination | |
| Days to Harvest | |
| Direct Sow or Transplant | |
| Distance Apart | |
| Soil pH | |
| Annual/Biennial /Perennial | |
History |
| Native to India – dating back well before 600BC
Astringent – used to tighten pores, soothe itches and sunburn. Botanically they are a fruit Like good soil with a relatively high pH. Lots of warmth and water. Do best in temperatures over 21 degrees C Seeds need warmth to germinate Start inside in individual pots or use bottle cloches Plant out once two or three true leaves appear Water – like a good soaking Pick regularly and vine will produce over a long time CucumberCucumis sativus Gerkin, Apple cucumber Cucumbers must have heat and sun Frost tender Hate wet and boggy soils Popular in glass houses Need support and frotection from winds Raise in pots and transplant Free draining soil and ventalation Fungus – remove affected plants Cut cucumbers when they are ready. THe move you harvest the more you’ll get |
Growing |
| Storing harvested cucumber:
Seed Saving: |
Maintenance |
| Feeding: |
Fun Facts |
Problems |
| Botrytis, grey mould – flowers and fruit rot. Usually strikes in humid conditions
Downy mildew – leaves become blotched and yellow, sometimes mould will appear on undersides. Can be worse in cool, moist conditions. Wilting of leaves – large leaves loose moisture in warm weather. Mulch and water frequently. Excessive leaf growth – excess Nitrogen Fruit yellow and bitter – over-maturity Leaf spot – water soaked spots on leaves, leaves crack. Immature fruit may fall. Crop rotation. Destroy diseased leaves and parts of plant. Anthracnose – Brow-black spots on leaves. Crop rotation (four years) Shortage of fruit – Poor pollination. Lack of bees or weather too cold. Hand pollination may be possible Predominance of male flowers. – stress conditions, poor nutrition, low light, low temperature, low water. Ensure plants have food and water. Damaged skin with pale discoloured patches – Fruit exposed to wet, damp soil. Place a tile or hay under the fruit. Lack of flavour – not ripe enough. |
Pests |
| Whitefly – undersides of leaves covered with white insects that fly when disturbed. Control may be difficult once a population has build up so best dealt with early on.
Mites – leaves yellow (stippled or mottled), dehydration, fine webbing on underside of leaves. More severe in warm weather. |
Companion Planting |
| Basil, Beans, Bush Beans, Borage, Cabbages, Carrots, Corn, Dill, Lettuce, Marjoram, Nasturtiums, Radish, Sunflower, Tansy
NEVER Potatoes, Sage |