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Planting cucumbers out

jo.milesjo.miles Posts: 10
in Fruit & veg
I was given a cucumber seeding which has grown so quickly and I think it’s nearly time to plant out. When I have read/watched info on doing this, it is advised to train the main stem up a cane/trellis. Mine doesn’t seem to have a main stem, the sun leaves are just growing from the base - I wasn’t told what variety it is. Does this mean it is a bush cucumber or is there any way that I can train it to grow vertically? I have too many veg plants and not enough space! 

Also, one of the leaves looks like it’s being eaten, does anyone know what this could be and any organic remedies? 

Thanks in advance! 

Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Are you sure it's a cucumber and not a courgette?
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • jo.milesjo.miles Posts: 10
    Oh no I hadn’t even thought of that! Now I look at this and my courgettes, they do look very similar!! Are there any obvious ways to tell? Complete novice gardener here! 
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    As seedlings they look pretty similar, but the way that yours is growing makes me think courgette. My cucumbers usually start wanting to climb fairly early but it might vary depending on variety.


    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    Looks like a courgette to me as it has no stem or tendrils searching to climb.
  • SkylarksSkylarks Posts: 379
    Looks like you’ve got a good few male and female courgette flowers as well. 
  • mrtjformanmrtjforman Posts: 331
    I would have guessed celery, but the consensus is courgette  :*

    Definetely not a cucumber
  • jo.milesjo.miles Posts: 10
    Well I think that’s confirmed! Novice gardener question - how do I tell between male and female courgettes and is it ok to have both?! I’m hardening them off at the moment so will be planting out next week.

    Upsettingly I knocked the flower off the largest fruit yesterday but I think it confirmed that it is a courgette, it’s very similar in shape (see pic)

    I already had too many courgette plants - will need to make space for another one!! Thanks for all of your help 
  • jo.milesjo.miles Posts: 10

  • SkylarksSkylarks Posts: 379
    jo.miles said:
    Well I think that’s confirmed! Novice gardener question - how do I tell between male and female courgettes and is it ok to have both?! I’m hardening them off at the moment so will be planting out next week.

    Upsettingly I knocked the flower off the largest fruit yesterday but I think it confirmed that it is a courgette, it’s very similar in shape (see pic)

    I already had too many courgette plants - will need to make space for another one!! Thanks for all of your help 
    See link for the difference and yes, you’ll need both as the males need to get jiggy with the females to produce courgettes  :)
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