Outdoor Cucumbers

[forkinweeds]

Just wondered if anyone could help?

I've just bought a small outdoor cucumber plant. It doesn't state what variety it is on the label and I've not grown cucumbers before. It does say on the label that the stems can be trained to climb on a suitable support. Anyone have any ideas about this? What kind of support does it need and how much room will it take up?

I've only got a half plot and I'm rapidly running out of room! If they could grow up rather than out that would be great! Haven't got a clue!

If anyone has any pics of how they grow and train their outdoor cucumbers that would be fab.

[Sebbster]

hi forkin,

I grow my outdoor variety (Burpless Tasty Green which give 9" long cucumbers)) up canes and trellis in my back yard where it is nice and sunny, If you dont support this kind they will not be straight as they will not hang free. Depending on your variety you may find they grow 1 metre or so high, but luckily for you they wont take up much space widthways.

Is there a picture on your cucumber label ? I ask because alot of outdoor varieties have ridges on them and if we can identify it, we could give more exact info.

[forkinweeds]

Thanks Sebbster,
There is a picture, it looks almost flat with a couple of ridges, but not as many ridges as I have seen in some books. It does say on the back of the label 'Information and picture are a guide only'... not very helpful!

[Geo]

This is a good idea...http://tinyurl.com/2a7ab4

Maybe you could make something similar....

Scroll down and click on the Cucumber Trellis...

Geo..

[SuzieP]

Hi
I'm growing cues for the first time this year too - and on half a plot like you. I've nabbed an old rose arch and placed it so it spans the path between two beds with its feet in each bed. I'm growing mine up that, one plant each side.

[Mrs Dobby]

Brilliant idea that Geo, thanks for sharing it, methinks I'm going to make a Heath Robinson version tomorrow on our plot!

[forkinweeds]

Hey, that frame is great. Gonna see if I can make one... it's a bit pricey at nearly £70! Like the fact that you can grow lettuce, etc underneath.

Excellent, I'll give that a go! Thanks!

SuzieP... I'm doing that with runner beans. Should look fab and great to walk through once it's all grown, plus it adds a bit of height to the plot. Difficult to fit everything in on a half plot isn't it.

Thanks for all your advice everyone!

Keep diggin!

[Alice]

Some great ideas there Geo.Thanks for letting us see them. Will keep them in mind for the future.

Forkinweeds, your outdoor cucumber will take as much space as you would need for a plant in a 12" pot. So give it a width of 15"to 18 ". For support. if you stick a stout cane well stuck into the ground, beside it, and tie your cucumber to it as it grows, it should be OK.

[Mrs Dobby]

Well, we made a Heath Robinson version of the cucumber ramp yesterday, out of canes, string and netting, forgot to take the camera with us so I'll see if we can get a piccy today and post it later on!

[Geo]

Did you take a pic?..Mrs Dobby

Geo..

[Mrs Dobby]

Yep, got them taken today, and built a Mk2 version today, this time double sided, so you can grow cukes up both sides! (methinks I'm going to have a cucurbit glut this year!

Pics show the Mk1 and Mk2 versions, and you can see them again at the side of the 3rd piccy!

[Geo]

looking forward to seeing Qs on the frames..Great job Mrs D

Geo..

[Mrs Dobby]

looking forward to seeing Qs on the frames..Great job Mrs D

Geo..

Thanks Geo, tho we'll have to see whether they work yet, but as we are in our first season of growing I'm willing to try anything!