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CULTURE: Cucumbers require a rich, well-drained soil in pH range 6 to 7. Water availability is important in the early seedling stage and in the fruiting stage. Seeds require a temperature of at least 68 deg. F (20 deg. C) to germinate.
DIRECT SEEDING: Sow seeds l/2 to 3/4" deep. Final spacing should be 6" apart in rows 3 to 5' apart.
TRANSPLANTS: Sow seeds l/2" deep, 2 to 3 seeds per pot. Cut off weak seedlings at the base. Seeds germinate best at 85 to 90 deg. F (29 to 32 deg. C). Maintain seedlings at 75 deg. F (24 deg. C) or better. Harden plants before setting out, and take care not to disturb roots when transplanting.
HARVEST: To maintain good production, harvest fruit daily.
SOLAR GREENHOUSE NOTES: Grow cucumbers on a trellis to make use of vertical space. Use mildew resistant varieties, and hand pollinate.
DISEASES: Although scab is not usually a problem in the Mid-Atlantic region, two fungus diseases, powdery mildew and downy mildew, are common. Powdery mildew occurs during hot, dry spells, whereas downy mildew occurs during wet, cool spells near the end of the growing season. Mosaic virus causes a yellow and green mottling of the leaves and reduces plant vigor. Anthracnose, a fungus disease, is most common during mid- and late season, and during dry weather. Dark brown spots on the leaves and round sunken spots on the fruit are evidence of anthracnose. Another fungus, angular leaf-spot, is common during cool, wet weather. Symptoms of angular leaf spot include interveinal browning and small circular spots on the fruit. Bacterial wilt causes sudden dramatic wilting and death of the vines. Use resistant or tolerant varieties, practice good sanitation, and crop rotation, and pay attention to proper growth requirements.
INSECT PESTS: Bacterial wilt is carried by spotted and striped cucumber beetles which infect the plants while they are feeding. Control cucumber beetles with pyrethrum or rotenone as long as beetles are common. Reemay cloth will keep beetles from vines. Remove Reemay when female flowers open.
SEED SAVERS: Isolate varieties by 1/8 mile for home use. Isolate a minimum of 1/4 to 1 mile for pure seed.
PACKET: 2 g unless stated (about 59 to 78 seeds, depending on variety) sows 20'.
KEY TO CUCUMBER DISEASE AND PEST TOLERANCE: Known disease or pest tolerance is indicated in brackets after the variety name. Since many factors affect disease and pest tolerance, results may vary from region to region. Resistance to specific insects is only partial.
- als = Angular leaf spot
- an = Anthracnose
- bw = Bacterial wilt
- cmv = Cucumber mosaic virus
- cub = Cucumber beetles
- dm = Downy mildew
- pm = Powdery mildew
- scab = Cucumber scab
- spm = Spider mites
- tls = Target leaf spot
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