Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
couple of leaves out from the main stem. Many gardeners nip all side-shoots out
just past the fifth leaf, but having tried both methods - the 'let 'em all grow'
approach as well as the 'nip everything out after the fifth leaf' - we're not con-
vinced that either method particularly affects the total yield. It simply depends
on how tidy you like things.
Keep gently winding the main stem round the string as it grows, and support it
by tying it to a loop two or three times along its length. When it reaches the
horizontal support wire nip out the growing tip, then allow the topmost two side-
shoots to grow unchecked, one in each direction. As they grow, wrap them
around the horizontal wire for at least 60cm. Beyond this you can let them con-
tinue along the wire if space allows, or tie them securely to the wire and let them
hang down, nipping them off before they interfere with plants below or get too
close to the ground.
Harvesting and storage
Cucumbers grown under cover need a fair amount of attention, but they repay it
in spades, as at the height of the season you should be taking a ripe fruit several
times a week.
As with other cucurbits, leaving fruits on the vine for too long reduces the overall
yield, so have a good hunt through the foliage to make sure none get left behind.
Cut them from the vine with a sharp knife, and unless they are to be used at once
wrap them in cling film and put them in a cool place until needed. Fruit stored in
this way near the very end of the season should last until Christmas, or even
later. Never store them in the fridge, as the fruits will be damaged by any degree
of frosting and will deteriorate much more rapidly.
If you find you have grown too many plants, you don't have to wait for cucum-
bers to mature to eat them. When they are the size of a large cigar all you have to
do is wash them, cut off the stem end (which can be bitter) and serve them
whole, one per person, with a savoury dip. Taken small like this most varieties
need no peeling. Baby cucumbers are also suitable for pickling in sweetened
vinegar, but unless you have chosen a pickling variety you are unlikely to have
enough ready at once to make this practical.
Problems
Very prone to cold damage.
Aphids
(which can spread cucumber mosaic virus),
verticillium wilt,
powdery mildew
,
red spider mite
and
slugs
. Newly planted
cucumber seedlings are sometimes dug up by
mice
looking for the seed.
