Saturday 18 July 2009

Cucumbers

Last year I had a go at growing cucumbers and it was a total disaster. I think I got one cucumber from three plants! Being a glutton for punishment I thought I’d try again this year. So I put in some seed (Burpless Tasty Green)and waited. The seed germinated quite quickly but while at the local garden centre I noticed some ridge cucumbers for sale so bought one. I hardened this off and planted it in an old strawberry tub that Martin made for me some years ago. DSCF0008 I also planted three of my own grown seedlings with it. They all seemed to be doing well and my own grown plants caught up very quickly with the bought in one and there were lots of flowers. DSCF0009 I decided to let them grow up canes and stop them after seven full leaves had formed. This was a good decision as they grew quite tall. A bad thing is that something is attacking the leaves DSCF0014 but the plants keep on growing and producing little cucumbers. These cucumbers are swelling very very slowly! DSCF0004 I wondered if they would ever become edible cucumbers but with judicious feeding, a bit of sun, lots rain and watering when necessary they are coming on nicely. DSCF0002 Yesterday I saw that I have quite a sizeable cucumber hanging down the side of the tub.DSCF0001 Also that a few of the cucumbers hidden in the leaves are also of a better size. They are not very thick though. Perhaps a bit more warmth would help!

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7 comments:

  1. Liz18 July 2009 at 17:36

    Great news Val, I had a similar experience to you last year - but I now know I should've stopped it growing! Whoops.

    We had plenty of flowers and some began to swell, but each time died off before they got to your size...

    I think I may try them next year now! Good luck with yours, I'm sure they will taste amazing :)

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  2. Joanne18 July 2009 at 18:47

    I am pleased you are having more success this year my cucumbers have been doing ok this year too.

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  3. Val18 July 2009 at 19:10

    Liz I hope they get to the tasting size! :-) I will update later on.
    Joanne perhaps last year wasn't a good year. It is always difficult to pinpoint why things don't work well!
    Val

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  4. Rowena18 July 2009 at 19:37

    Thank you for sharing this Valeri. My first round of cukes were totally demolished by hail, so I set new seeds into the ground. A little too late perhaps (the plants are only 8 inches tall!), but I'm hoping that if the mediterranean climate comes through for me, then perhaps I'll have tiny ones that I could use for pickling. As long as your plants keep growing and producing, then I'm sure it will all turn out okay!

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  5. Jennifer AKA keewee19 July 2009 at 01:42

    Valeri, I had a lousy, actually a non-existent crop of cucumbers last year too. This year I planted 8 plants and have many blossoms and teeny tiny cukes started. I will probably have more cucumbers than i know what to do with.

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  6. Jo19 July 2009 at 09:28

    I have picked my first cucumber from a Bush Champion plant. It is the first time I have grown this variety.

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  7. Val19 July 2009 at 17:29

    Well I'm glad to know I'm not alone in having had a bad year last year. I think like Keewee I will probably have more than I need! Rowena reminded me that one could always pickle small cukes and Jo I must try that variety if you are already picking them!
    Val

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