Cucumber
Also called Ridge cucumber, Greenhouse cucumber.
| Light | full sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Every 2 days in the growing season, every 12 in winter |
| Pets | Cats not known, dogs not known |
Pet safety not established for this species.
Edible here means commonly eaten. Nothing on this site is medical or dietary advice.
Cucumbers want three things without interruption: warmth, water and something to climb. Take any one of them away for a few days and the plant sulks, the fruit turns bitter and the flowers drop. Grown up a string in a warm sheltered spot, with the roots never dry, one plant gives a cucumber every couple of days for a month. The greenhouse types need warmth and produce fruit without pollination; the ridge or outdoor types are tougher, shorter and need bees. Pinch out the growing tip when it reaches the top of its support so the plant puts its effort into the side shoots that carry the fruit, and pick young rather than letting one grow huge, which stops everything else.
Ailments observed
| White powder on the leaves | Powdery mildew, which arrives with the first cool nights. Keep the roots moist, give the plant air, and remove the worst leaves. Resistant varieties are worth choosing. |
|---|---|
| Wrinkled or shrivelled leaves | Dry compost, or roots damaged by cold water or cold nights. Water evenly with water at room temperature and keep the plant above twelve degrees at night. |
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