Topic: cucumbers from Lidl

[deboydoyd]

Because it is the first time i have grown them and also being a cheap skate i bought some cucumber seeds fom Lidl (29p for 50 seeds). They are doing really well and i have just planted them up to 9inch pots. The problem is the instructions are extremely basic and it only gives the general name (cucumis sativus) I am  aware different types need different care. It does say 'plant out' so i presume they are outdoor ones although i will probably keep them in the greenhouse. Has anybody grown these seeds before?--do you have to do anything special with them?. It says pinch out the growing tips later but I have read about stopping growth after 2 leaves on the branches --help please!!

[AlanP]

You may find that they are ridge cucumber for outdoors, they tend to be shorter and a bit nobbly, but there is nothing wrong with them and they should grow ok in the greenhouse. I would not pinch out until about seven leaves, and don't forget to take off any male flowers that appear otherwise the fruits will taste bitter.  good luck

[saddad]

Sounds like sound advice. I like your quote Alan!
 ;D

[Rosyred]

How do you know the different between a male and female flower?

[deboydoyd]

Thanks all,  I think i've read that the male flowers appear first then fall off--then the female flowers appear --is it necessery to remove them? female fowers have a little bump behind them that will become a cucumber i think!!

[AlanP]

The male flowers are the ones without the bump behind them and need taking off as soon as they are seen, before they have chance to polinate the female flowers. ( the ones with the bump behind that are going to be cucumbers)

[greatpalm]

It is extemely important to establish if the variety is indoor or outdoor.

If it is a greenhouse variety then the male flowers should be removed to prevent pollination. If this is not done the fruits are likely to be bitter.

However outdoor types must be pollinated, else you won't get any cucumbers. These will not taste bitter if pollinated. In fact I hand pollinate my outdoor cucumbers myself as this is more reliable than relying on bees. Remove a male flower and carefully push inside the female.

If in doubt I suggest you remove the male flowers to start with. If the small fruits behind the female flowers turn yellow and die then you have an outdoor type and you'd better start pollinating future female flowers.

[carloso]

well fingers crossed lets hope i got rid of the male intime lol


ok ok so no one told me lol


carl

[Merry Tiller]

What does it say on the packet? What do they call them?

[deboydoyd]

Thats the problem--it doesn't say. Unless it was on the 1/4 of an inch of the packet that i removed when opening it. I may have to go back to Lidl and look at an unopened packet

[deboydoyd]

Been back to Lidl--It says on the packet Chinese Long Green Cucumbers--It says nothing about removing male flowers or anything else--anybody help!!!!

[saddad]

I'd go back to great palm's advice unless anybody comes up with a better idea!
 :)

[Robert_Brenchley]

What does it say about cultivation - greenhouse or out of doors?

[deboydoyd]

All it says is 'plant out' when there is no risk of frost so i presume they are outdoor ones!!

[Robert_Brenchley]

I think they must be. What does the picture on the packet look like; is it a long thin cucumber like a Tesco's one, or is it shorter and fatter, perhaps knobbly?

[deboydoyd]

A little knobbly but definitely long and thin :o

[Robert_Brenchley]

I'd assume they're the outdoor ridge variety.