Ist time cucumber grower

[cazgas]

Hi
New here, and new to vegetable growing. I was given 2 cucmber plants, only one has survived and is going to be planted and grown on a trellis, I have seen articles saying that you should take off the firts 5 or 6 runners and then let them go up the trellis. Can anyone give me any advice on this and also, what do they mean by runners?
Sorry if this is a stupid question. Any advice appreciated.

Thanks
Neil

[Ringo Grumio Nibbler]

I would like the same advice

[smallblueplanet]

Me too, never heard that before. I've only grown cukes in the greenhouse and we just let them ramble...thinning out the leaves when they get a bit overgrown or tatty.

[WendyC]

Cucumbers don't produce runners (in the same way that strawberries do) If you are growing a variety that produces both male and female flowers you do need to remove the male flowers to avoid pollination. Female flowers have mini-cucumbers behind the yellow flower. If the females are pollinated the cucumbers are bitter. Hope this is some help.

[smallblueplanet]

...If you are growing a variety that produces both male and female flowers you do need to remove the male flowers to avoid pollination. Female flowers have mini-cucumbers behind the yellow flower. If the females are pollinated the cucumbers are bitter...

I've never done this, nor had it happen. Maybe its the variety I grow? But anyway I believe for outdoor varieties you need pollination & therefore both female and male flowers.

[Bren In Pots]

Its like Smallplanet says it just depends on the variety I grow Marketmore cucs up a trellis outside and they need both male and female flowers leaving on for pollination, on the other hand my Tanja in the greenhouse have the male flowers removed.

[Florence Fennel]

I'm trying again this year with Marketmore outside. Last year I was disappointed with the yield, but I don't think the buckets I had them in were big enough so this year, bigger buckets and a better climbing frame.

[WendyC]

Sorry assumed we were talking indoor cucumbers. Interesting thought though why will one grow without pollination and one needs pollination? Still not sure what was meant by removing runners as in original post.

[Potstubsdustbins]

`Runners?` maybe side shoots some varieties throw side shoots and I believe the advice is pinch it out after two cumbers have shown.

Colin