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As the same as the ‘Basic Cucumber Growing Tips’, the ‘Arrangement of Cucumbers in the Garden’, ‘Cucumber Diseases and Pests’ and the ‘Pollination and Harvesting Tips’, posts were all posted by Sheng Yao and Jun Kong.

These information were all found on

http://www.cucumbergrowingtips.com/cucumbergrowingtips.html

You can also visit

http://www.cucumbergrowingtips.com/index.html

for information on types of cucumbers, cucumber troubleshooting, cucumber growing products and cucumber resources.

The same cucumber vine has both male and female flowers. The male flowers, also called the staminate flowers, develop first. These will quickly grow and drop without bearing fruit. The next flowers that grow will be a combination of both male and female (pistillate) flowers. This is when pollination takes place. Take into account that some cucumbers available today require special pollination and planting.

Remember that there is a need to stimulate the presence of bees in your garden to properly pollinate your vines. Using chemical pesticides can kill off the bees and prevent proper pollination. Consider a natural form of pest control instead.

Cucumbers are generally ready to harvest after about 60 days after planting. When to harvest also depends on the variety of cucumber that your grow.

The larger cucumbers grow, the more likely they are to loose their flavor or even become bitter. If your cucumbers begin to turn yellow, they are probably past due to harvest.

When you harvest, carefully inspect your plants (without stepping on the vines) and cut the stem about 3/8 of an inch above the cucumber itself. Once the cucumbers start appearing, harvest frequently to maximize the quality of the fruits.

Cucumbers unfortunately suffer from a variety of pests and diseases. Aphids, pickle worms, mites, and cucumber beetles are common pests tp be seen in the garden. Diseases needed to look out for are anthracnose, powdery mildew, downy mildew, bacterial wilt, and angular leaf spot.

The cucumber beetle is a particularly nasty pest that attacks plants early and also spreads bacterial wilt. Look for this pest as seedlings emerge. Also look for signs of bacterial wilt early on. Plants infected with bacterial wilt will droop and eventually die.

It is a recommend to use a natural pest control method to treat problems with your cucumbers. If you use chemical pesticides, you may be harming the bees that will fertilize your vines. Chemical pesticides can also harm other beneficial insects and soil organisms.

Cucumber starter plants are to be grown indoors up to 2 weeks before the process of planting. Remember to wait until all risk of frost has passed to transplant. It is also possible to plant seeds directly in the garden. Arrange the garden in small hills and plant around 4 seeds per hill. Separate the seeds by about 3-4 feet. The gardener can also ground the cucumbers in rows. Space the rows about 6 ½ feet apart, with the seeds about 2 ½ feet apart in the rows. Remember that some cucumbers varieties are suitable for container gardens.

Cucumbers are subtropical plants that require full sun and a decent amount of growing space in a garden (take this into account). If there is a short on space, vertical structures such as trellises can help make up for limited space in a garden. There are also a number of dwarf varieties if cucumbers are grown in containers.

Cucumbers are most comfortable when the average temperatures are around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant the cucumbers in the late spring or early summer when there is no risk of frost. Even a light frost can kill these plants.

Cucumbers are not picky about soils. However, make sure the soil is well-draining and has a pH of around 6.5. Add plenty of organic compost to your garden soil before growing cucumbers. This will ensure that they have the proper nutrients to grow strong and healthy cucumbers. Additionally, the soil will have the proper drainage to let your plants thrive when compost is added. Adding organic compost is really one of the best ways to improve both soil drainage and balance soil pH.

To further increase the productivity of the soil, it is recommend that you use an organic fertilizer and a Mycorrhizal root builder. These natural products will boost the plants’ immune systems and make them more resistant to pests and diseases. Mycorrhizal fungi are natural, beneficial fungi that create a sort of second root system for the plants, allowing them to make better use of water and nutrients. Use the Mycorrhizal root builder early in plant development, but wait to fertilize the plants until the flowers appear. To maximize fruit growth, apply the minimal amount of fertilizer needed.

Applying mulch to the garden can also help your cucumbers. The mulch will retain soil moisture, keep weeds from establishing, and can add nutrients to the soil. Use at least 4 inches of an organic mulch such as wood chips or bark. A permeable synthetic weed barrier can also help to retain moisture and keep weeds out of the garden.

This is the ‘Basic Cucumber Growing Tips’ posted by Sheng Yao.

Informations from:

http://www.cucumbergrowingtips.com/cucumbergrowingtips.html