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How to Care for Ridge (Outdoor) Cucumbers
(page 3)
How to
Prune Ridge (Outdoor) Cucumbers
Cucumber plants will produce too much leafy growth at the expense of
fruit if they are not pruned. When the plant has produced six sets of
leaves on the main stem pinch out the growing tip with your finger
nails or secateurs. This will encourage the quick growth of side shoots
and therefore fruit. Train the side shoots which then grow over the
ground or up a trellis (read the seed packet for instructions on the
variety you have chosen).
As the plant begins to form cucumbers, pinch out the
side shoots one set of leaves beyond the forming fruit. This will
encourage quicker fruit growth. Don't remove any flowers, fruit will
form from pollinated female plants.
Care of Ridge (Outdoor) Cucumbers
Cucumbers require
a constant supply of water and will need hand-watering if conditions
become dry. To help retain moisture in the soil keep weeds away and
mulch with well-rotted compost or black plastic. When watering, keep the
main stem dry to help prevent disease. Feed the plants
with a high nitrogen liquid fertiliser when the fruits begin to form
and continue doing this at two week intervals. If the plant requires
support, regularly tie in any growing stems. Consult the seed packet for
the variety you are growing.
Harvest ridge (Outdoor) Cucumbers
Ridge cucumbers will start to crop from early autumn onwards, possibly
earlier if they have been given cloche protection in the beginning
stages. Cucumbers taste best when young so don't let them stay on the
plant too long. They are probably best harvested when they are around 20
cm (8 in) long.
If the fruits are laying on the ground when growing,
place some glass or plastic below the fruit to protect them from pest
and disease.
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