Cucumber

The cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a widely cultivated plant in the gourd family Cucurbitaceae, which includes squash, and in the same genus as the muskmelon.

Location
Choose a sunny spot protected from strong winds. Outdoor cucumbers are far from hardy.
 * Outdoors

Soil
Do not grow plants in border soil. Use John Innes No.3 in 25cm (10in) pots or use growing bags.
 * Greenhouse

Ensure the soil is well drained and rich in humus. Prepare planting pockets 2 weeks before sowing seeds or planting. Dig a hole at the intended site of each plant 30cm (12in) deep and 30cm (12in) wide. Fill with a mixture of compost or rotted manure and soil. Leave a low mound at the top.
 * Outdoors

Sowing
Raise seedlings under glass maintaining 21-27°C (70-80°F). Place one seed edgeways 1cm (½in) deep in seed compost in a 7cm (3in) peat pot. Sow Feb-Mar for a heated greenhouse or Apr for unheated.
 * Greenhouse

Place one seed sideways 1cm (½in) deep in seed compost in a 7cm (3in) pot. Keep at 21-27°C (70-80°F) until germinated. Gradually harden off seedlings before planting in pockets outdoors. Disturb the roots as little as possible when transplanting. Water thoroughly.
 * Indoors

Sow 3 seeds 2.5cm (1in) deep at the centre of each prepared pocket. Cover with a large jar or cloche to speed up germination. When the first true leaves have formed, remove the two smallest seedlings.
 * Outdoors

Aftercare
Feed with liquid tomato fertiliser once the first fruits have begun to swell. Re-apply every 2 weeks.

Maintain temparature of 15°C (60°F) for ordinary varieties or 21°C (90°F) for all-female varieties.
 * Greenhouse

Maintain moisture, but avoid waterlogging plants. Keep air well ventilated, spray the floor to maintain humidity.

Train the stem up a vertical wire or cane. Pinch out side shoots 2 leaves after any female flower or at 60cm (2ft) if no female flowers form.

Remove all male flowers from ordinary varieties, fertilised fruit is bitter.

Pinch out the growing tip when the plants have developed 6 or 7 leaves. Side shoots will then develop. These can be left to trail over the ground or be trained up netting. Any shoots not bearing flowers should be pinched out at the 7th leaf.
 * Outdoors

Water around plants, not on them. Mist in dry weather.

Placing black polythene around the plants in summer before fruit formation will raise soil temperature, conserve moisture, keep down weeds and protect the fruit from rot.

Harvesting
Do not pull fruit to harvest; cut fruit once at a reasonable size. Cropping will cease if you allow fruit to mature and turn yellow on the plant.