Cucumber

bobloes · September 2020

Hi All,

I have had a relatively successful year with cucumbers. I have grown an unknown variety in the open on an upright frame and they have produced quite a number of fruits. I have learned this year that I should cultivate fewer plants or pick much earlier and more often. The cucumbers are in the main about 15cm long and have nodules on the skin. Now that I 'know' when to pick them I am loving the flavour and texture. Is there a particular variety that any of you grow which is closer in shape/texture to the commercial ones we get from the supermarkets. I apologise as I know that will raise your hackles and I have the feeling that another year and I will not consider non home grown ones but .......

Thanks again

Bob

rachelQrtJHBjb · September 2020

Not the answer you want but we grew these this year https://www.chilternseeds.co.uk/item_1359D_cucumber_crystal_lemon
Ours have had a fairly tough skin due to not getting enough water during the hot summer, but I peel them and the children eat them like apples. They slice nicely, too.

purplerallim · September 2020

I usually just buy two plants from the GC, but this year grew from seed. I grew Marketmore, but won't again as like yours they were knobbly and tough skinned. I have found if you have not much room or only need a couple of plants, that mini cucumbers work really well. The hubby loves them in his pack up, they are great in sandwiches and salad, and you can even use them to make soup!

amancalledgeorge · September 2020

There was a feature on the best cucumber varieties in the RHS's The Garden magazine...my Burpless Tasty Green did well and would recommend it if you don't mind a few odd shaped fruits.

strelitzia32 · September 2020

The knobbly ones like marketmore are usually outdoor cucumbers. To get cucumbers that look like the supermarkets, you'll need to grow an indoor variety, I like Emilie. I think - but don't quote me - that supermarket cucumbers are usually Telegraph variety. Best to just choose a variety you like the taste of though - appearance matters less than taste (for me, at least).

But well done on getting lots of good tasting fruit on your first go!

bobloes · September 2020

Thanks very much for all your suggestions and information. eg growing indoor variety - I do not have the space. And the idea of mini cucumbers - never thought of that. And finally name of the week must go to Burpless Tasty Green. Does what it says on the can?? Thanks again - report follows next September. Cheers.

Bob

amancalledgeorge · September 2020

Ha!ha! The Burpless has been a nice one in practice too, gave one to the neighbours and they were exclaiming how tasty it was. They haven't been too large a plant and it's a true outdoor variety, it's pimply but not particularly furry, give them a try next year @bobloes

Skandi · September 2020

An indoor variety should manage in a cold frame, the cues will just be a bit bent from being on the ground. don't get any of the telegraph types, you have to pick off every single male flower to stop them being bitter, I made that mistake this year and just gave up. I also had planted 5 mini cucumbers and if you leave them they get just as wide as a standard cucumber but only about half as long. they have the thin smooth skin that a "shop" cucumber has as they are that type. I've grown several different F1 cues and they all are about the same in my experience.

BobTheGardener · September 2020

I can recommend any of the 'telegraph' and similarly named (related) F1 varieties like 'telepathy', which will give you long 'supermarket' types, and lots of them! They do need growing under glass, but are prolific.

Cucumber

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