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Morgantown, WV

Ok folks, I had someone reach out to me asking about my cucumber plants, and I don't see much chatter on here about them, so let's start a thread to discuss.

Plant size, pruning techniques, even growth techniques, let's hear what you're trying out this year.

I'm running about 20 sqft per plant this year on a 4' tall trellis leaned back about 30 degrees. The upright trellis in 2017 was a pain, so I like the adjustment of leaning it for better room behind. Additionally, it is acting as a slight shade curtain to the fruit as the back end is north facing, allowing me to also cool the soil on the stump side.

6/25/2019 6:41:02 AM

Morgantown, WV

I have heard that some are growing like AG's this year, on the ground, in a tree pattern. I thought of this option, but chose the trellis for space limitations in my garden as well as plant structure.

In theory, the cucumbers should root at nodes just as pumpkins do, so I understand the reasoning behind growing flat on ground. I however have not lost this ability with the trellis, as the lower secondaries are being buried along the ground in front and behind the trellis. This will be one area of difference between me and other growers this year and should be interesting to see how it plays out. AG pattern allows for rooting of the main, so we will see?

I feel the trellis also allows me depth of plant in a smaller space. Instead of triangle on a flat plane, the plants are turning into more of a pyramidal shape. The thought behind this is allowing secondaries to add to plant mass, while again providing some natural shade for the fruit.

6/25/2019 6:50:14 AM

Morgantown, WV

I dunno, It's a mixed bag right now on my plants. All 3 are same spot in garden, same care. Top 3 out of 10 starts were planted. The biggest, most aggressive plant has the smallest females of the 3. The plant I almost culled in May for running behind now has the biggest bloom I've ever personally seen, and it is on day 5 today.

Since things are going well, but not how I thought they'd play out, what are you seeing with your plants? Are you hanging fruit with slings, or trying to get them to lay on the ground? I did not like strapping them with Velcro to 2x4's in 2017 as I felt it restricted how it swelled, so I am trying to hang the vine this year rather than strapping fruit.

I have one set 5" from the stump, one about halfway up the plant, and I'm waiting for an apical tip set on the third plant. Won't know much until they grow, but it's good to try different things to see if it makes a difference.

Who's got some cukes in the ground?

6/25/2019 7:05:31 AM

central Nc

Team Trellis here. Main grew to about 10 feet and self-terminated. My first fruit is turning orange at the top now. Any idea when the best time to pick for maximum weight is? Half orange? Full orange?

Starting to see ALOT of females at end of the main now.

7/2/2019 10:03:05 AM

Grittyville, WA

None here this year just interested letting you know its fun to watch your effort. & The carrots, too.

7/2/2019 3:15:17 PM

Morgantown, WV

I would say as much color as you can handle. I picked in 2017 when mostly yellow, and a lot of the seeds were underdeveloped, but the fruit itself stopped growing. I'll go a little longer this year.

Got a special one right now, but I fried the plant yesterday, so we'll see how much it affects the growth. Day 11 today, will give an update around day 14 or so.

7/2/2019 7:15:56 PM

Georgia

So what was the time to maturity from putting the seed in the ground on cucumbers? And how long do they stay fresh before they start to rot?

7/2/2019 8:32:09 PM

Morgantown, WV

Only grew em once before, but in '17 I planted early May and was harvesting early August. They're a lot more shelf stable than cantaloupes, my guess would be at least a few weeks if refrigerated. Cucumbers lose water weight fairly quickly though, which is the reason they're normally waxed or shrink wrapped in the supermarket.

Best guess is around 60 days to maturity from set without digging out my notebook from last season. This all of course depends on plant stress, temperature, etc...

Additionally, there is a lot of cull work with cucumbers, as once the first ones show up, the army follows. I simply head out each morning with a cup of coffee and give em a good look over and snap any youngsters that show up.

7/3/2019 5:02:23 AM

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/msgboard/ViewThread.asp?b=12&p=637439

Here is some info from Dutch Brad

7/3/2019 2:06:41 PM

Morgantown, WV

Thanks Spudder, got the long hanger double slung at the stem! I agree with Brad that you have to prune heavy or it just gets out of control. My biggest plant still has yet to give me something decent to work with. I think it's too much to concentrate on.

7/3/2019 9:31:29 PM

central Nc

Cut my first this morning. 14 pounds!

7/4/2019 9:06:54 AM