Forum home› Fruit & veg
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Cucumber Query Again!!

Kitty52Kitty52 Posts: 186
in Fruit & veg
Growing Beta Alpha and La Diva cucumbers.  How do I know when they are ready to pick?  I have one of each at the minute but the skins are bit 'spiky'.

Posts

  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    They are ready when they are ready. Doesn't sound very helpful but when they look like the ones pictured on the seed packet (size and colour) then they will be ready to pick.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I grow Mini-Munch which is similar to La Diva.
    I pick them when they look big enough - usually about 4-6", but sometimes I'll pick one when it's only 3" if that's all that's on the plant. 
    It's only when they start to look a bit fat that they're not quite so good.
    You'll get the hang of it once you start picking some.
    As @steephill says it's not easy to put into words.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    I don't know about La Diva but I think the Beth alphas are recommended as a smallish cuke to pick - something in the nature of 6 inches or so ?  They are pretty prolific once they get started tho so if they look mature enough to you, pick them.  As @steephill says, they're ready when they're ready.  
    They have a few spikes when young but the fruit becomes smoother as they grow.  The spikiest ones IME are the Ridge types for outside growing but even they can be smoothed off when rinsed after picking.
  • Kitty52Kitty52 Posts: 186
    😂 thanks! First time I’ve grown mini ones. Off to pick now…. 
  • Kitty52Kitty52 Posts: 186
    Mmm Ive picked one and cut it open to try.  Nice and moist but the seeds are more 'prominent' than in other cucumbers.  Hard to describe - they aren't hard but more noticeable if that makes sense.  
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Maybe you left it a bit too long to pick?
    It's not something I've noticed with Mini-Munch or Cucino which I used to grow, but no longer available
    I pick them about this size-


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    You've probably left it a bit long then, try the next one when it's a bit smaller.
  • Kitty52Kitty52 Posts: 186
    Thanks.,
Sign In or Register to comment.