Gherkins outside?

[HeyWayne]

I love gherkins - and flicking through the Marshalls catalogue last night looking for some seeds I spotted Gherkin seeds that appear to be possible to grow outside.

The variety 'Bimbostar' (if that's not a good enough reason to buy them anyhoo then I don't know what is?!) state 'A remarkable all female gherkin which produces an enormous crop of seedless fruits perfect for pickling and also delicious in salads. Strong growing, early and resistant to gherkin disease

The text above seems to be more generic (though there are no other gherkins listed) and doesn't state anything specific about growing under glass.

Anyone any ideas? I'd love to grow them if they're an outdoor plant!

[binley100]

I'm trying gherkins this year as well cos I just lurve 'em. As far as I'm aware they grow outside , mine will be anyway. Seeds are sown in april.

[Creemteez]

I'm sure I saw gerkins grown outside on an episode of The Big Dig last year.
I planted six seeds and five of the little b@ggers have come up, so as I can't throw anything away some of them will have to go outside - like it or not!

[rana]

I've always grown them outside (Condor - if I remember right), you would need a damned big greenhouse to grow them under glass!

[binley100]

I'm sure I saw gerkins grown outside on an episode of The Big Dig last year.
I planted six seeds and five of the little b@ggers have come up, so as I can't throw anything away some of them will have to go outside - like it or not!

.and you'll now have plenty of space to grow them in

[Creemteez]

.and you'll now have plenty of space to grow them in

Excuse me while I gloat.....

[Incy]

I grew marshall's 'bimbostar' gherkins in my greenhouse and frankly they were fairly rubbish. They didn't crop particularly well and succumbed very quickly to some kind of mildew problem so I definitely wouldn't describe them as very disease resistant. I did trty one plant outside, but it shrivelled up and died before it got to the fruiting stage.
This year I am trying 2 varieties bought in France. I will do a trial with some in and some out of the greenhouse. They are supposed to grow outside so here's hoping they do better than the bimbostar did.

[HeyWayne]

I grew marshall's 'bimbostar' gherkins in my greenhouse and frankly they were fairly rubbish. They didn't crop particularly well and succumbed very quickly to some kind of mildew problem so I definitely wouldn't describe them as very disease resistant. I did trty one plant outside, but it shrivelled up and died before it got to the fruiting stage.
This year I am trying 2 varieties bought in France. I will do a trial with some in and some out of the greenhouse. They are supposed to grow outside so here's hoping they do better than the bimbostar did.

Oh pooh. I placed an order at lunch.

[sagegreen]

Have only grown a variety of gherkin called Adam (Organic Gardening Cat') outside in a large pot against our back wall with no problems at all. I have always been pleased with the results from Marshall's seeds though and 'Bimbostar' looks a good bet to try in their catalogue!

[Incy]

Oh pooh. I placed an order at lunch.

Can you cancel it? I'll happily send you the rest of mine or a few of the french ones (much more generous packet sizes over there).

[Alison]

I grew some from Lidls outside last year. Got given 4 seeds, planted them all and they all germinated. Planted 2 properly and the other two just sat around outside in 5" pots. Forgot all about them and when I remember I discovered that they'd grown, flowered and produced small fruits. To be honest, they were a doddle and coped very well outside.

[pipscariad]

I grew some from Lidls outside last year. Got given 4 seeds, planted them all and they all germinated. Planted 2 properly and the other two just sat around outside in 5" pots. Forgot all about them and when I remember I discovered that they'd grown, flowered and produced small fruits. To be honest, they were a doddle and coped very well outside.

This is excellent news - I bought a packet of gherkins from Lidl on a whim (just so cheap I couldn't resist ), and wondered if I would be wasting my time, but this looks very hopeful.

(HW - if you'd like to try some alongside your Bimbo's , PM me your addy and I'll send you some, there's plenty in the packet )

[HeyWayne]

I love this place!

[Incy]

So Wayne, can I expect a pm with your address and which ones you want. The choice is:- Cornichon Parigyno Hybride F1
Cornichon vert Petit de Paris
Gherkin Bimbostar
You're welcome to some of any or all of the above.

[susieq100]

I bought some cheap gherkin seeds from Lidl or maybe Aldi last year - started them off in the greenhouse, but they were like a magic beanstalk and grew and grew, so I moved them outside. I had loads of fruits - enough to pickle 8-10 jars and put some in bread and butter pickles. I was really disappointed with my pickled ones - MUCH too vinegary - I am going to try again this year with a pickling mixture of half water, half vinegar. The gherkins themselves were great and dead easy. They were on the patio in containers - patio is south facing. So go for it!