when to harvest cucumbers

[AdeyT]

Just got the one plant (sorry I'm not sure on the variety, will look on the packet when I get home). The plant has about 4- 5 cucumbers on, all quite small 3 inch long and half inch diameter, apart from one at the bottom of the plant which is growing fast. It is approx 10 inch long and 2 inch diameter.
My question is, when is best to harvest, I'm sure that I have read somewhere that it is better to not let the cucumbers grow too big, I'm assuming supermarket size?
Also would I be right in thinking that if the largest one is harvested then the other cucumbers will grow, maybe in turn?
Appreciate any advice.

[Tomatoking]

Just got the one plant (sorry I'm not sure on the variety, will look on the packet when I get home). The plant has about 4- 5 cucumbers on, all quite small 3 inch long and half inch diameter, apart from one at the bottom of the plant which is growing fast. It is approx 10 inch long and 2 inch diameter.
My question is, when is best to harvest, I'm sure that I have read somewhere that it is better to not let the cucumbers grow too big, I'm assuming supermarket size?
Also would I be right in thinking that if the largest one is harvested then the other cucumbers will grow, maybe in turn?
Appreciate any advice.

Hi AdeyT

It will depend on the variety , mine are Telepathy and grow from 15" to 20" but it is a large cucumber variety. I would say yours at 10" will be fine to eat now, and it really will help the others grow if you cut it off.
If some are left too long on the plant they do go to seed but you will see the end of the cucumber swelling, they usually taste ok at this stage but you have to remove the seeds.

Mr TK

[ddiogyn]

@Tomatoking

Hallo - RE: 'ripe' cucumbers - in your experience, does letting a cucumber or cucumbers become yellow on the vine dramatically reduce productivity of the plant, as i've read that they shouldn't be allowed to go to seed as the plant will shutdown production? Thanks Oh and sorry OP for hijacking your thread!

[Tomatoking]

@Tomatoking

Hallo - RE: 'ripe' cucumbers - in your experience, does letting a cucumber or cucumbers become yellow on the vine dramatically reduce productivity of the plant, as i've read that they shouldn't be allowed to go to seed as the plant will shutdown production? Thanks Oh and sorry OP for hijacking your thread!

I would only do that at the end of the season, if I was going to save one for seed.
I do not think it would shut down production totally, but you will find that a cucumber can support only a certain number of cucumbers at one time, quite a few actually. As you probably would have noticed if there are too many the new ones turn yellow very small and need to be cut off.

I do try to harvest mine as early as possible to stop this happening, although a certain member on here has had a 23" cucumber so I am trying to beat that, so one will have to stay on the plant longer than normal.


God should I have said member and 23" cucumber in the same sentence.

[ddiogyn]

God should I have said member and 23" cucumber in the same sentence.

LOL that would've completely passed me by had you not mentioned it. Though am sure some other, more smutty-minded, member would've brought attention to it

[ddiogyn]

Oh and thanks for replying! I have another question: what are the signs that a cucumber is about to reach the point of no return? Mine, when immature all have streaks of yellow in them... And size seems to be an unreliable guide, as those growing further up the vine appear to be growing long and thin, whilst those lower down were short and stubby? Thanks!

[Tomatoking]

Oh and thanks for replying! I have another question: what are the signs that a cucumber is about to reach the point of no return? Mine, when immature all have streaks of yellow in them... And size seems to be an unreliable guide, as those growing further up the vine appear to be growing long and thin, whilst those lower down were short and stubby? Thanks!

I think again it is variety, there are some short stubby ones, Mine only turn yellow in parts when they are over mature.
I tend to pick mine then they are the same width to about 3/4 of the way down.
If they go fatter at the bottom first, then they are going to seed and should be picked, as that is the point of no return.

[snakeshack]

I usually try to pick mine when the sides have become parallel and about 8-10 inches long for the larger cucs (burpless tasty green)and the mini ones at about 3-4 inches

[AdeyT]

Thanks for all the replies, going to pick today