cucumber support

I,m growing cucs for the first time. They're indoor variety and about 2ft high. They look healthy and are starting to fruit but I am unsure how to sopport them, I have a strong cane supporting the main stem but they send out long tendrils so I'm wondering shoud I have some sort of framework too. Do they bush out or is the fruit all off the main stem. Would appreciate some advice.

Thanks Sheelagh

 

It probably depends on variety, but mine mostly go straight up a cane (the height of, and tied to, the roof of the greenhouse). They send out a few side shoots but they don't grow very long. I train them alone the ridge of the greenhouse when they get to the top of the cane.

The Fruit are heavy, so the cane needs to be stout, but the Cucumber stem doesn't seem to have a problem supporting the fruit.

General advice is to remove the first few fruits :( as once they reach maturity the plant will stop producing more - until you pick them, then it will start again, which will cause a delay of 2 weeks or so. Mine have all done that this year:(

My plan next year is to castrate!! half my plants in this way, and take an early crop off the other half. Depends how many Cucumbers you have, perhaps?

 

My plan next year is to castrate!! half my plants in this way, and take an early crop off the other half. Depends how many Cucumbers you have, perhaps?[/quote]

Ouch! sounds painful.
I only have two plants and they're a mini variety so I'd like to keep them both going as long as poss. Also, I'm giving it a go in my plastic greenhouse thingies (1 per thingie) so much less roomy than a lovely greenhouse. How big should I let them get before I take them off, bearing in mind that full size is possibly only 6-8"??

Sheelagh

 

If you are going to take them off until the plant is a bit bigger you need to take them off straight away. I don't know for how long ... its was JWK who told me this tip, hopefully he'll be along in a minute ...