cucumbers.......

[james747]

hi everyone, why do my cucumbers curl up?? i have burpless tasty green ones and all the ones that have been produced have all curled into a complete circle!!!!
what is going on!?!?

many thanks

james

[valmarg]

Don't know James, unless they have come across an obstacle that has prevented them from growing straight, ie the edge of the pot.

The important thing is - do they taste all right?

valmarg

[james747]

nope there just hanging there!! nothing in the way. There fat one end then thin in the middle then fat the other end in a perfect circle!
Haven't tried to eat one yet i dont think there ready.

[vikkib]

Can we have pics?

I have no idea what the answer is but I'm very curious to see the little fellas!!!

[james747]

here ya go...........

[Alison]

Wow, never seen any do that! Mine just seem to go pretty straight but suppose as long as they taste good then there's no problem and at least they're a talking point! Pity that That's Life isn't on anymore, they would have loved your photo!

[vikkib]

Blimey!

That is impressive!

Google says...

"The curling could be due to poor pollination... Cucumber fruits are composed of three interior segments or locules. For the cucumber to grow straight, all the seeds in each locule need to be properly pollinated. If one of the locules doesn't develop normally (because of improper pollination or physical damage to the fruit while it's still young) and the other two continue growing, then the cucumber will be curled. Growing cucumbers on the ground can also cause curling."

Maybe this could be the reason?

[james747]

thanks vikkib, there on the ground because im still clearing my allotment of weeds so they've been in pots for a while. I guess i'll have more success next year.
They do make me laugh though!! I'll take it off 2moro and see if it's any good!

[SMS6]

Someone told me recently that cucumbers shouldn't need to be pollinated?? Infact he said that the reason you remove male flowers is so that they don't that's what stops them going bitter.

[Alison]

This one again - some cucumbers need pollinating and some shouldn't be. Check what type you have before you remove male flowers cos if you get it wrong you won't get any fruit. These ones are Burpless Tasty which is one of the ridge type that require the male flowers.

[james747]

Do you think the plant will produce more "normal" fruits if i take off the cucumbers that are curling??

[solway cropper]

Interesting topic. I got a 'double yolk' cucumber this year. By that I mean it was oblong in shape like two cukes grown together side by side. It had two line of seeds growing through it but only one outer skin. The shape was ideal for fitting in sandwiches which is where it went otherwise I'd have some pics to show you. I think the only people who worry about 'normal' fruit are the European Commission.

[gojiberry]

I understand that the EU has relaxed the rule on how straight a cucumber has to be before it can be sold. Not however to the extent of James's. Still as long as it doesn't taste bent you'll be alright.

Ian

[james747]

A little update, I cut it off today and it tasted quite nice actually!! I was thinking it would look awful inside but it was nice and juicey and how a cucumber should look like! Maybe i can persuade big food shops to take these on?!?!

[21again]

I had two small tasty burpless plants and so gave one to my mother in law.

The cucumber that is growing on mine is about 8" long and very straight, the one on hers is like yours, it has curled around like a horseshoe and isn't as thick as the one I am growing.