Picking cucumbers

Discussion in 'Fruit and Veg Gardening' started by hydrogardener, May 18, 2010.

  1. hydrogardener

    hydrogardener Seedling

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2009
    Messages:
    85
    Likes Received:
    19
    Location:
    Troy, New York
    I have started to pick cucumbers and this variety is huge. The fruit averages ten to fourteen inches in length and there are a lot of cucumbers on only three plants.

    [​IMG] :stew1:
     
  2. Loading...


  3. newgrow

    newgrow Seedling

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2008
    Messages:
    238
    Likes Received:
    16
    Location:
    Orlando, FL
    You must share your secret as I am having a bad bad time. I am only on my 3rd one and have seen about 50 or so rot and die. I am growing straight eights and have eaten one already and have only 2 on the vine that will be ready in a few days. 1 on each plant.

    Yours look like I could just take a nibble right through the computer just to try it! Looks great!
     
  4. hydrogardener

    hydrogardener Seedling

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2009
    Messages:
    85
    Likes Received:
    19
    Location:
    Troy, New York
    It was grown hydroponically in my greenhouse, but other than that I did nothing special. I only planted three plants and there are a few dozen cucumbers coming along. My wife and I are going to have to eat a lot of cucumbers, as these can't be pickled because the skin is too thin.
     
  5. mart

    mart Strong Ash

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2010
    Messages:
    5,582
    Likes Received:
    4,139
    Location:
    NE Texas
    I would try the hand pollinating and see if it helps. It is easy to do.
    That pic is a nice one.
     



    Advertisement
  6. hydrogardener

    hydrogardener Seedling

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2009
    Messages:
    85
    Likes Received:
    19
    Location:
    Troy, New York
    An easy way to pollinate is to take a male flower stem and all. Remove the petals and holding it by the stem use it like a brush to pollinate the female flowers. Brush the pollen from the anther onto the stigma of the female flower. Each male flower will have enough pollen to pollinate about four female flowers. This works a lot better than an artist brush or Q-tip. ;)
     
  7. newgrow

    newgrow Seedling

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2008
    Messages:
    238
    Likes Received:
    16
    Location:
    Orlando, FL
    How do I tell the difference between male and female?
     
  8. mart

    mart Strong Ash

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2010
    Messages:
    5,582
    Likes Received:
    4,139
    Location:
    NE Texas
    The female flowers are the ones that have a small bulb behind it that will eventually be the cucumber. It is the beginning of a cucumber. The male flowers do not have this. The flower that is male will have a straight stem from the flower back to the main plant. No tiny cucumber on it.
    As I was told,,,females have the babies,,,males do not.
     
  9. hydrogardener

    hydrogardener Seedling

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2009
    Messages:
    85
    Likes Received:
    19
    Location:
    Troy, New York
    Another option would be to purchase seeds for a variety that does not need pollination. The variety I am growing is Telegraph Improved. They are a heirloom and can be grown indoors or out. The seeds were a little more expensive. I think I paid almost five dollars for 40 seeds, but it was well worth it. Right now I have more than five dollars worth of fruit, and I only used 4 seeds. The rest are in the freezer for a later crop and next year.
     
  10. newgrow

    newgrow Seedling

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2008
    Messages:
    238
    Likes Received:
    16
    Location:
    Orlando, FL
    Ah I shall go out tomorrow and check them out. Very interesting thanks
     
  11. hydrogardener

    hydrogardener Seedling

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2009
    Messages:
    85
    Likes Received:
    19
    Location:
    Troy, New York
    If you can not find them try rareseeds.com
     
  12. mart

    mart Strong Ash

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2010
    Messages:
    5,582
    Likes Received:
    4,139
    Location:
    NE Texas
    Another good variety that I believe is self pollinating is the Long Green Slicing. Its a pity that seed companies fail to put SP or OP on their seed packets for self pollinating or open pollinating plants. It would help new gardeners.
    I am trying the Armenian cucumber this year. 12 to 18 inches long, soft skin, fine seeds, we`ll see how they turn out.
     

Share This Page