How to Grow…..
Cucumber
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
Plant name :
Cucumber - Cucumis sativus
Situation :
Full sun.
Size ( h x w ):
Up to 2m x 80cm
Spacing between plants :
30 - 60cm
Temperature requirements :
Optimum: 22 - 28°C Night temperature: 18 - 20°C
pH :
5.5 - 7.0
Germination time :
From seed, expect germination in 3 - 7 days, with temperatures around 20 - 30°C
Aquaponic method :
Deep Water Culture (DWC), Media beds.
HOW TO GROW
Growing in Aquaponic systems :
With their large root structure, cucumbers are ideal for growing in aquaponic media beds. Attention should be paid to not planting them to close to plumbing parts as the roots could block pipes. being a hungry plant, cucumber needs a good amount of nitrogen and potassium, so be careful with the quantities you plant so as not to starve other plants.
Growing Conditions :
Cucumbers love sunshine, and humidity, with warm nights, with the substrate around the 21°C mark. Higher concentrations of potassium will help increase fruit yields.
Growing Instructions :
Once your cucumber seedlings have 4-5 true leaves they can be transplanted to their growing spot.
If growing in a greenhouse it is recommended to pinch out the apical tips once the stem has reached 2m in height. Pinch out the tips of sideshoots two leaves after the female flower, or at 60cm on flowerless sideshoots. Do not forget to provide adequate support for your cucumber plants, the last thing you want is them sprawling everywhere.
If growing outdoors, pinch out the apical tip once the young plant has seven true leaves, you can leave the side branches to crawl over the ground, or train up a netting support or trellis, but non-flowering sideshoots should have the tips pinched out after seven leaves.
Harvesting :
Fruits usually form 2 - 3 weeks after transplanting, and plants can bear as many as 10 - 15 fruits during the growing season. Harvest every few days before the fruits get too large to allow good growth from the new ones.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Pruning :
Pests :
Just your regular bugs.
Diseases :
Watch out for powdery mildew, grey mould and cucumber mosaic virus.
IF YOU
HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PLANT, PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW. THANK YOU.
