Cucumber varieties

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by Baalmaiden, Apr 21, 2025.

  1. Baalmaiden

    Baalmaiden Gardener

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    I have just sown Wautoma and Marketmore cucumbers. I haven't had much luck with cucumbers in the past, being lucky to get 2 or 3 indoors or out. The best crop I have had in the past was gherkins. A friend says she had the same problem in the past and now grows in containers so I am going to try that. Both types were seed I already have but if I am more successful this year I might try a new variety, Any recommendations?
     
  2. Goldenlily26

    Goldenlily26 Super Gardener

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    I have grown Telegraph Improved and Mini Munch, in pots in the greenhouse and they have always done well for me. A lot depends on the weather and zzzzy things. I tried growing pickling cucumbers on top of the compost heap one year, they loved it. I had to pick each day to keep the fruit coming. Am going to repeat this year.
     
  3. Emptyheadtime

    Emptyheadtime Gardener

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    I only grow outdoor types as I don’t have a greenhouse. I tried Suprina from DTBrown and laDiva from premier seeds last year and they did ok giving me about 10+ each, I think laDiva gave more. I find my out door ones can be hit to miss depending on the weather though. My biggest problem is getting them to germinate in the first place and found only new seed works as anything left over, open, from the previous year just doesn’t germinate for me,
     
  4. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    Cucumbers prefer a humid shadier position. That's the opposite to tomatoes, so if you are growing them in the same greenhouse put the cucumbers to the north side and find ways to increase humidity for them.

    I only grow all female f1 varieties and aside from watering and feeding they are pretty much trouble free. Train them up till they hit the roof, removing side shoots, then pinch out the top and let the resulting side shoots flop down from there.
     
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    • Pete8

      Pete8 Super Gardener

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      I grow 1 cucumber every year in a 22L pot in my greenhouse next to my tomatoes.
      I usually get a huge harvest from it.

      The best ever was Cucino in 2017 and I harvested 294 cucumbers from 1 plant!
      That variety is no longer available, so I now grow mini-munch.
      It's not as prolific but I usually get 100+ from 1 plant.

      upload_2025-4-21_10-46-10.jpeg
       
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      • Adam I

        Adam I Gardener

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        Wow, hundreds! Victoriana seems to sell a variety called Cucino. Might have to try it.

        Im growing a white cucumber called Itachi and a pale green called Delistar this year. We grew "Telepathy" in the last years and got a few huge 1kg fruits from it, but 300 smaller ones is even more impressive.

        I grew LaDiva outside once and it really struggled so didnt attempt it again, perhaps it needs humidity?
         
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        • Philippa

          Philippa Gardener

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          I've found Beth alpha to be a good variety ( best in a GH ) - the fruit is smooth and smaller than the likes of Telegraph which I've also grown.
          If outside, I find the ridge ones the most adaptable - again the fruit is shorter and has a fairly prickly skin.
           
        • Pete8

          Pete8 Super Gardener

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          Yes - I've noticed since 2018 the only place seed is available now is from Victoriana.
          But that makes me suspicious.
          In previous years Cucino was very widely available (it has an RHS AGM), but since 2018 it's only available from Victoriana.
           
          Last edited: Apr 21, 2025
        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          I've been growing the variety Carmen the last 6 years
           
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          • Baalmaiden

            Baalmaiden Gardener

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            I am most impressed and intimidated!! I have indeed grown them in the greenhouse with tomatoes and have put them at the shadier end. However that is the door end so is probably colder but maybe I will mist them as well as grow one in a container. The rest I'll try in containers outside.
             
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            • Spruce

              Spruce Glad to be back .....

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              Tried lots in my greenhouse

              telegraph never lets me down
               
            • AnniD

              AnniD Gardener

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              I've had great success with "Picolino" :smile:.
               
            • Pete8

              Pete8 Super Gardener

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              I grow my cucumber at the opposite end to the door at the end of a row of 8 tomato plants.
              It thrives there.
              When it gets really hot it'll sometimes need watering more than once a day even in a 22L pot.
              I do use greenhouse blinds over the south-facing side of my greenhouse all summer long.

              One thing to bear in mind when planting in its final position is to plant it so the crown of the plant (where the stem meets the roots) is just a little higher than the surrounding compost.
              Cucumbers can get crown rot in humid conditions, and planting so the crown is a little higher keeps too much moisture from gathering around the crown.
               
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              • JWK

                JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                Good point, careful watering is also required until the plants establish. Keep water away from the stem. I sink in a plastic bottle with the end cut off, makes a funnel to target water to the roots and avoid splashing.
                 
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                • Goldenlily26

                  Goldenlily26 Super Gardener

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                  I put my cucumbers into their final pots at the Eastern end of my greenhouse, train them up canes until they reach the apex then train them along a cane I have tied the length of the ridge of the greenhouse. The tomatoes grow up the sides of the greenhouse and then up the roof to the ridge when I pinch them out. The cornichons I left to trail along the ground as I have 2 layers of weed matting down which did seem to discourage slugs etc.
                   
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