CucumberCucumis sativus

Cucumber

Cucumbers

1. Cucumis esculentus
2. Cucumis muricatus
3. Cucumis sativus f. albus
4. Cucumis sativus var. vulgatus

1. Slicing cucumber
2. Pickling cucumber
3. Gherkin

1. Cuke
2. Green cucumber

1. Umurken
2. Kümmerling

1. Cucumern

1. English cucumber
2. Persian cucumber

1. Gurcke

1. NameGurke

   Languagede

   Shared with

   1. Dill

   Clarification

   Dill is often referred to as 'Cucumber herb' (Gurkenkraut) in German.

1. Cucumber seeds
2. Cucumber varieties

1. Tracheophyta
2. Angiospermae
3. Eudicotyledonae
4. Rosidae

Gourd family

1. Cucumis melo
2. Citrullus lanatus
3. Cucurbita pepo

1. Fruit

The cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is an indispensable summer garden classic, prized for its hydrating, refreshing fruits and its immense growth rate.

Originally from India, the cucumber spread to Europe via antiquity and was named Vegetable of the Year in 2019/2020.

1. Tasksowing

   Label

   Indoor sowing

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 4

   Conditionwarm_indoor

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Use individual pots to minimize repotting stress.

1. Taskharvest

   Label

   Harvest

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 7
   2. 8

   Conditionready_for_harvest

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Do not let fruits grow too large to avoid bitterness.

Sunny and sheltered from wind

Warm and humid (greenhouse ideal)

Loose, humus-rich, and deep

Incorporate plenty of compost or well-rotted manure.

Daily, in heat mornings and evenings

Lukewarm rainwater preferred

Base fertilization with compost, then liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks after fruit set.

Good neighbors: Dill, beans, peas, lettuce. Bad neighbors: Tomatoes, potatoes.

Maintain a 4-year rotation gap to prevent soil exhaustion and wilt diseases.

1. Sucking insects
2. Slugs

1. Mildew fungi
2. Wilt diseases

1. Use of resistant varieties.
2. Water only with tempered, standing water.
3. Ensure adequate ventilation in greenhouses.

Regularly check the undersides of leaves for pests.

1. Slugpowdery-mildew

   Severitymedium

   Conditions

   1. Dry and warm weather
   2. Fair-weather fungus

   Affected parts

   1. Leaves
   2. Stems

   Prevention

   1. Choose resistant varieties
   2. Maintain planting distance

   Organic control

   1. Spray milk-water mixture (1:8)
   2. Wettable sulfur

1. Symptom

   Sudden wilting despite moist soil

   Possible causes

   1. Fusarium
   2. Verticillium
   3. Root_rot

   First checks

   1. Check stem base for rot
   2. Inspect root health

1. Germination
2. Leaf development
3. Vine development/Climbing
4. Flowering
5. Fruit set
6. Fruit ripening

Very rapid growth in warm temperatures; short-day plant.

Monoecious, sometimes purely female (gynoecious) in hybrids.

June to September

July to October

3-15 kg per plant depending on type.

Every 2-3 days for continuous yield.

1. Desired fruit size reached
2. Uniform green color
3. Skin has a slight sheen (Slicing cucumbers)
4. Spines easily rub off (Pickling cucumbers)

Separate from the stem with scissors or a knife; do not pull off.

Short-term storage (cool pantry)

7 to 14 days at 10-12°C.

1. Pickling (vinegar)
2. Fermenting (brine)
3. Mustard pickles

1. Raw consumption
2. Preserving

Slicing cucumbers mostly raw; pickling cucumbers only processed. Skin is edible on organic produce.

1. Fruit
2. Flowers

1. Leaves (hairy/rough)
2. Roots

Caution with bitter-tasting fruits; these contain toxic cucurbitacins and must not be consumed.

Very well suited; classic for salads and cold soups.

Seed maturity only at over-ripeness (yellow/brown fruit). Let seeds ferment in pulp for 2-3 days, wash, and dry.

Crossing possible with other cucumber varieties, but not with zucchini or pumpkins.

1. Scientific nameCucurbita ficifolia

   Name

   Fig-leaf gourd

   Reasons

   1. Cold tolerance
   2. Resistance to Fusarium wilt

1. High-wire system
2. Umbrella system
3. Vertical trellis

Grafting onto pumpkin rootstocks improves nutrient uptake and cold resistance in early outdoor cultivation.

The large yellow flowers are an important nectar source for bees and bumblebees.

Never water with cold tap water; this causes stress and bitter fruits.

Vertical growing saves space and prevents powdery mildew.

Prepare indoor sowing starting in April.

Main harvest time and mildew monitoring.