Table of Contents
- cucumbers
- outdoor cucumbers
- Mini Cucumbers
- pickled cucumbers
- special crops
- Cultivation in the greenhouse
- pot culture
- climbing aids
- frequently asked Questions
How much space a cucumber needs when planting depends on the variety and the culture. With a few tricks, the distance between the plants can be reduced and the cultivation area can be used optimally.
In a nutshell
- Pickled cucumbers require the smallest planting distance
- Outdoor cucumbers need a lot of distance
- space can be saved by using a trellis
- when growing in a greenhouse, the planting distance should be increased
cucumbers
Cucumbers absolutely need a climbing aid and should only be planted in protected locations. A cultivation in the greenhouse is not absolutely necessary, since there are also varieties that develop well outdoors. A planting distance for cucumbers of 40×40 centimeters should be maintained.
Tip: Pinch out snake cucumbers in good time and pull them out on a maximum of three shoots. This also means you need less space.
outdoor cucumbers
Outdoor cucumbers grow along the ground and therefore need a lot of distance. So that they can spread well, there should be at least an area of 100×40 centimeters.
Tip: Both fruits and flowers become heavily soiled after a heavy rain. Using a mulch film for outdoor cucumbers to grow along will keep the plants cleaner.
Mini Cucumbers
It's often thought that mini cucumbers take up less space than other types of cucumbers. Mini cucumbers do not grow as tall as snake cucumbers, but rather have a wider growth habit at a lower height. This should keep even more distance. For mini cucumbers, a distance of 50×50 centimeters is ideal.
pickled cucumbers
at pickled cucumbers It is a special form of the outdoor cucumber. The gherkins have a squat growth, but produce a lot of fruit. They have the advantage that they do not take up much space outdoors. Young plants are usually planted in groups of three with a distance of 30×30 centimeters to the next group.
special crops
There are now many different ones cucumber species and exotics are becoming increasingly popular. Some species can be cultivated very well in a greenhouse, but are also suitable for protected cultivation or cultivation outdoors. The distance varies greatly between cultures.
Choice of species:
- Horned cucumber (Cucumis metuliferus): 120×40 cm
- Inca cucumber (Cyclanthera pedata): 50×50 cm
- Mexican mini cucumber (Melothria trilobata): 50×30 cm
- Snake gourd (Trichosanthes cucumerina): 60×60 cm
- Sponge cucumber (Luffa cylindrica): 100×80 cm
Cultivation in the greenhouse
Almost every kind is also suitable for cultivation in greenhouses. The only exceptions are outdoor and pickling cucumbers. Although cultivation is possible in a greenhouse, due to the high temperatures, the fruits tend to grow very quickly, which is why the cucumber is overripe within a few days.
When cultivating in the greenhouse, you should definitely keep the planting distance, because the cucumber is a heat-loving plant and tends to grow strongly there. It would be ideal if you increased the distance between the plants by 10 - 20 cm. A trellis is indispensable in the greenhouse, so that the space can be used optimally. You should also pinch out side shoots and let a maximum of three to four shoots grow.
pot culture
Mini cucumbers, for example, are suitable for growing in pots. If they are grown individually in a pot, it should have a capacity of at least 20 liters. A pot size of 40 liters would be better. When choosing a pot, it is important that it is of sufficient width and depth. A pot with a depth of at least 30 centimeters is ideal.
climbing aids
Climbing aids are a good way to save space when planting cucumbers. In principle, every type of cucumber can be raised with a climbing aid, but not every type develops tendrils equally well. Therefore, some species have to be helped by being tied to the climbing aids.
suitable climbing aids for cucumbers are:
- twisted metal rods
- grid
- wooden sticks
- nets
- branched branches
With species that form tendrils well, such as the Inca cucumber or the Mexican mini cucumber, it is sufficient if you provide the plants with a rope that they can grow up. Surfaces with a rough structure such as wood are better accepted by the cucumbers.
frequently asked Questions
Cucumbers form so-called adventitious roots on the trunk. It's an advantage if early cucumber plants are planted a little deeper than they were previously growing, so they develop more roots with which to absorb nutrients. This does not apply to grafted varieties. They may only be planted up to the point of grafting, since the positive effects of the rootstock are no longer given if roots form above the graft.
The denser the plants are, the greater the competition for water and nutrients. If you cannot avoid planting cucumbers densely due to lack of space, you should water and fertilize more frequently. With some varieties, the yield can still be lower due to the strong competition.
It takes time for cucumber plants to start yielding and take up all the space. It is a good choice as an intermediate culture, between the cucumber plants dill or to sow lettuce. Preferably choose fast-growing varieties such as lettuce or cut lettuce so that the cucumbers have enough space later.