Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
CUCUMBER
Cucumis sativus
Cucumbers, the most-grown cucurbit in Europe, are cultivated on all continents. These annual plants
start out upright, then creep across the ground or up trellises. In common with all
Cucumis
species,
vines are unbranched and separate. Cucumbers are of several types, for example:
• English cucumbers: non-prickly, long, often greenhouse-grown cucumbers; often 16 in. (40 cm) long
or longer
• garden cucumbers: with white or black prickles
• gherkin cucumbers: small cukes with several fruits per leaf axil
• Sikkim cucumbers: with red-orange rind
• lemon cucumbers: spherical, look like lemons
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
• six to 12 healthy plants
• overripe (yellow-orange) fruits with true-to-type shape
• large glass jar or plastic bucket
• coffee filter
Cucumber seeds
POLLINATION NOTES
Cucumbers are self-fertile outcrossers, primarily pollinated by bumblebees and
honeybees, though other insects occasionally participate. They do not cross with squashes or melons.
Cucumbers are monoecious: female flowers are easily recognized by their cucumber-shaped ovary;
male flowers have a simple, straight stem. There are also some dioecious varieties. A female flower
can be pollinated by a male flower of the same plant (selfing), though the variety will quickly show
signs of inbreeding depression this way. Out-crossing is much more common and guarantees the
passing on of genetic diversity. Younger cucumber plants generally have more male flowers, with fe-
male flowers coming later, depending on weather and day length. Short days and low temperatures en-
courage the formation of female flowers.
Spatially isolate multiple varieties grown in the same year by at least 500 ft. (150 m) or use isolation
cages. The isolation distance depends on garden configuration, with the danger of cross-pollination de-
creasing when varieties are separated by tall plants like corn (maize) or pole beans. Such tall plants ad-
ditionally function as wind protection, which is appreciated by cucumbers (cukes love heat and calm
air). Otherwise, cucumbers (like squash) can be pollinated by hand. Closing flowers with tape can be a
