Topic: Cucumbers

[wilko]

:) Hi
I have sown 4 cucumber seeds, and they all germinated and are growing well, I was wondering,  how big do the mature plants get?, and if i will have room for four, I have an 8'x6' greenhouse, with toms down the 8' side, and planning to put the cucumbers on the apex 6' side, will that be enough room for them?  :-\ I'm shamed to say I've never seen a cucumber plant before, but the the stuff.

thanks again ;)

[manicscousers]

we put them in a 2' square, they grow quite large, our poly is 7' tall and they are trained up to the roof..we get loads..we've got 3 this year, had to give 2 away  :)

[saddad]

I tend to have four plants along the 8' side of my greenhouse and they climb up to the eaves on a net/frame contraption..
 :)

[davyw1]

I grow two Burbee,s in tubs in a 6 x 8 greenhouse. I place the tubs in the North East corner and train them along the east side of the greenhouse to allow max light for my other plants

[wilko]

I tend to have four plants along the 8' side of my greenhouse and they climb up to the eaves on a net/frame contraption..
 :)

You haven't got any pics of the frame work i'll need have you Saddad ? :)
 

[tim]

This is 6 across 12', with another one coming this way at either side.

Problem with overcrowding is that you can easily miss warnings of Red Spider amongst the afforestation, & Mildew can quickly build up.

[growmore]

Here is 3 marketmore on  an 8 foot side last year ...It's surprising how cu's can spread ..

[tim]

AMAZING FRUIT!!

[saddad]

I don't have a pic Wilko but basically it is two upright posts set in the soil with two cross bars one a couple of inches above the soil, the other at the eaves level. Cheap pea and bean netting across the lot and a small post set at the front of the bed at each end with a diagonal bracer just to stop the whole thing tipping over under the weight of the crop... has been in situ about five years now...
 ;D

[Tee Gee]

I haven't got mine in yet but they will be in the top four pots at the gable end of this 8' x 6' greenhouse;

[Columbus]

Hi Wilko,  :)

Cucumber plants get huge, but losses can be high early on if slugs find them, I would keep spares for a while.

After overwhelming growth and cropping last year I`ve planned ahead and built a bean-fence type of construction using heavy duty materials. I`m growing mine outdoors as that works in my situation, apart from the round variety which will be more protected in the greenhouse for salad. Most of the outdoor ones will be pickled young before the snails get at them.

Col

[tim]

Do you prune yours TG? Even with regular pinching out, I find mine overcrowded.

[Tee Gee]

Do you prune yours TG?

Not really Tim!

In fact because I don't like them (I only grow a few for the wife & family) I'm afraid they don't get as much tlc as others things I grow.

As far as pruning is concerned I tend to just keep them within bounds if they become a bit bullyish I just give them a 'snip' where necessary!

Hope that answers your question!

[tim]

It does!

I follow the book & pinch out at 2 leaves beyond each fruit on side shoot. And STILL the things take over!

AND stop at roof level to make 2 new shoots to grow down.