Cucumber

Cucumber growing tips will help you grow a big crop of long green beauties. Eat what you can and simply pickle any surplus. Growing and eating this vegetable is fun and good for your health.

Cucumbers grow on a vine and in most regions thrive during summer. However, in the tropics, they are at their best in winter, when conditions suit them most. That said, some varieties grow well all year round in the tropics.

There are almost 100 varieties of cucumber grown around the world. One of the best varieties to grow in the tropics is called ‘Suyo Long’. There are other varieties that also handle the tropics.

Cucumber growing tips for beginners

How to Grow Lebanese Cucumbers on a Trellis

Either plant on mounds or near a trellis that the vine can grow up. We grow our vines sprawling along our fence.

Cucumber Trellis

Cucumber vine on a trellis is less susceptible to disease. In addition, when your cucumbers are ready to harvest, they will be at a convenient height for you.

As the vine grows, simply (and gently) train the new growth in the direction you want the vine to grow.

Cucumber Growing Tips from Seed

Cucumber growing season Australia

In Australia, our tips the best time to grow cucumbers depends on the region:

1. Temperate and Subtropical Zones (e.g., Sydney, Brisbane)

• Sowing Time: Spring to early summer (September to December).
• Harvest: About 8-10 weeks after planting.
• Cucumbers love warm weather, so once the threat of frost has passed and the soil is warm, they can be sown directly outdoors.

2. Tropical and Coastal Regions (e.g., Northern Queensland)

• Sowing Time: Almost year-round, except for the hottest summer months.
• Harvest: 6-8 weeks after planting.
• In tropical areas, cucumbers do best in autumn and early spring as the milder temperatures help prevent them from drying out too quickly.

3. Cooler and Alpine Regions (e.g., Tasmania)

• Sowing Time: Late spring to early summer (October to December).
• Harvest: Around 10 weeks after planting.
• A good cucumber growing tip for Tasmania is to start seeds indoors in early spring if outdoor temperatures are still too cool, then transplant seedlings after the last frost.

For all regions, cucumbers thrive in well-drained soil with plenty of sun and regular watering, especially during flowering and fruiting stages.

How Long do Cucumbers take to Grow

Cucumbers are ready for harvest from 50 to 70 days after planting. They taste best when harvested during the immature stage. Do not let cucumbers reach the yellowish stage as they become bitter.

Depending on their use, harvest on the basis of size, noting some varieties or cultivars mature faster than others. Harvest according to the variety and the intended use:

Fresh Slicing (Bush)

• Salad Bush Hybrid – 57 days to maturity
• Bush crop – 55 days to maturity
• Fanfare – 63 days to maturity

Fresh Slicing (Vine)

• Burpless hybrid – 62 days to maturity
• Straight Eight – 58 days to maturity
• Sweet Success – 54 days to maturity
• Sweet Slice – 63 days to maturity
• Diva – 58 days to maturity
• Marketmore 76 – 68 days to maturity

Pickling

• Bush Pickle – 48 days to maturity
• Calypso
• County Fair – 52 days to maturity

Cucumber Growing Tips Australia

We grow in the Australian tropics, but the same rules apply in tropical locations around the world.

Cucumber Growing Conditions

Cucumber grow into quite large vines, so make sure they have space to grow. Plant them in a loose, organic soil where they will get plenty of sunlight.

Fertilising 

Use a fertiliser containing nitrogen, phosphate and potassium. Be sure to apply the fertiliser to the base of the plant so you do not burn the leaves.

However, very high feeding of nitrogen will see your cucumbers send their energy into growing more vines, leaves and shoots, when what we really want is more flowers and fruits. 

Hence, cucumbers need moderate nitrogen and high phosphorus and potassium, so an organic plant food with the first number lower than the last two (like 3-4-6) would be the best.

Watering

Cucumbers love water, so the odd torrential downpour will not worry them. Indeed during the tropical dry season they may need more water than nature can supply. During periods when there is no rain, make sure you give them a daily water.

Cucumber Growing Tips for Pest and Diseases

Insect pests and diseases are more of a problem during the wet season. This is due to the hot humid conditions.

The major pests in the tropics are leaf eating beetles, aphids and caterpillars. So you can pick these off your vine at home, or if the challenge is bigger you can use an insecticide.

Regular application of ‘white oil’ can help address these pests. Indeed white oil is an effective organic pesticide that you can make at home.

Harvest

Harvest with a knife or snippers and cut the stem above the fruit. Pulling them off can damage the vine.

How to Grow Cucumbers from a Cucumber

Here are our cucumber growing tips to grow cucumbers from a store-bought cucumber:

1. Collect the Seeds: Select a fully ripe cucumber as it will have seeds that are more likely to germinate. Cut the cucumber open lengthwise and scoop out the seeds into a bowl. Rinse the seeds under cool water to remove any pulp.
2. Ferment the Seeds: Place the rinsed seeds in a jar or bowl with water and let them sit for 2-4 days. This fermentation process helps to remove the gel coating on the seeds and kills off potential diseases.
   Stir daily, and when some seeds begin sinking to the bottom, they’re ready. These sinking seeds are generally the healthiest and most viable for planting.
   Rinse the seeds again and spread them on a paper towel to dry for a few days.
3. Prepare for Planting
   Once dry, the seeds are ready for planting or storage. If you’re planting immediately, start indoors if it’s still too cold outside (ideal soil temperature for cucumbers is around 21-26°C or 70-80°F).
   Fill seed-starting trays or small pots with well-draining potting mix. Plant 1-2 seeds about half an inch deep in each container.
4. Germinate the Seeds and transplant them at appropriate spacing. Simply follow the care and maintenance advice mentioned earlier.

If you’re using a store-bought cucumber, there’s a chance it might be a hybrid variety, which means the seeds may not produce cucumbers identical to the original. But it’s still a great way to start new plants!

How to Grow Cucumbers in Pots

Most aspects of growing cucumbers in pots is the same as outlined above. You will still need a trellis for the vine to grow on. It could be a fence, tree or even the railing of your balcony.

You will also need to water more regularly if you are growing in a pot. Alternatively, you could consider growing in a wicking bed or pot so your plant will have access to water, even if you are away for a long weekend.

How to Grow Lebanese Cucumbers in Pots

This process is no different. Simply follow the same cucumber growing tips we have already outlined in this guide.

Cucumber Growing Tips – Health

Good growing practices can produce that many cucumbers that it is impossible to eat them all. Many growers pickle those they cannot eat, so they will keep and be enjoyed later. Eating them is not only enjoyable, it has many health benefits.

Weight Loss

This tasty low calorie vegetable is great for weight loss. In addition, it is enjoyable to eat, filling and mainly water!

Fibre

All of the water in cucumbers and the fibre, means eating a lot of them can help you keep hydrated and also help with constipation.

Immune System

Cucumbers have vitamins A, B, C, K, as well as copper, manganese, and potassium. Consequently, this makes cucumber a great food to eat to boost your immune system.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants like the beta carotene in cucumbers help to combat free radicals in your body. These free-radicals can damage cells and can lead to disease, so eating cucumbers can help you stay well.

Prebiotics

Cucumber is a great source of prebiotic fibre that will have a positive effect on your gut health.

Thank you for reading our cucumber growing tips.

Other Tropical Vegetables

• Capsicum
• Eggplant
• Jicama
• Kangkong
• Malabar Spinach
• Pak Choi
• Perpetual Spinach
• Pumpkin
• Snake Beans
• Sweet Potato
• Tatsoi

Relevant Content

• Grow Food at Home
• Tropical Herbs
• Tropical Fruits

Tropical Gardening