Cucumber
Cucumber
Cucumbers require a site with full sun, good air circulation and well drained soil. Seeds started early indoors take about 4 weeks to produce a suitable transplant. Plant the seed 1 to 2 inches deep and 12 inches apart in rows 48 to 72 inches apart. Use 6 to 7 seed per hills spaced the same distance as rows. Cucumbers are sensitive to low temperatures so are not planted outside until late May. If the garden was not fertilized, use 1 cup of 5-10-10 per 50 feet of row. Apply the same amount of fertilizer when vines begin to run. Watering is important during fruit set and development. Cucumbers should never be allowed to wilt.
Harvest when fruits are at the desired stage of development. Development of mature fruit will reduce the number of other fruits vine produces.
Three possible causes of poorly shaped fruit are inadequate pollination, mosaic, and unfavorable weather.
Most of the flowers are male so set no fruit. Also, the first flowers produced are male.
Bitter fruit can be caused by large variations in temperature or by mosaic.
