If you’re considering planting cucumbers, you might wonder what the different cucumber plant stages are. The cucumber plant goes through four growing stages – the germination stage, the seedling stage, the flowering and fruiting stage, and the harvesting stage.
We’ll explain the cucumber plant stages in more detail, explain the difference between vining and bush cucumbers, and answer some frequently asked questions about them.
Germination Stage
This is where the seed begins to sprout and grow roots, bursting through the seed coat and germinating. The germination time depends on the temperature, usually three to ten days. Germination usually happens within three days if the temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit and above. Germination occurs more slowly at cool temperatures. If the temperature is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, seeds will not germinate.
Seedling Stage
The next growth stage occurs at the seedling level. It is at this point that the first leaflets, called cotyledons, begin to grow. The plant then develops its true leaves and begins depending on photosynthesis for its nutrients.
Soon after that, the cucumber sprouts new leaves and the vines lengthen. You should loosely attach the cucumber vines to something, such as a railing or fence if you are growing them vertically. Connect the vines to the frame with flexible ties after they grow about one foot long.
Flowering and Fruiting Stage
Most cucumbers produce male and female flowers, also called staminate and pistillate. A male flower usually blooms several weeks before a female flower and eventually drops off the vine.
Pollen-covered sticky tubes form the male flower’s center, whereas the center of female flowers contains an ovary. Pollination will result in cucumber fruits. There are usually ten male flowers to every one female blossom. During the fruit’s development, it’s crucial to water regularly and fertilizes appropriately.
Harvesting Stage
Most types are ready to harvest 50-70 days after planting, depending on the variety. The outer skin should still be green unless you are growing a yellow-skinned cultivar. Overripe cucumbers taste bitter and have a tough texture. By snipping cucumbers from the vine, not tearing them, you will prevent damage to the vines.
Cucumber Types: Vining vs. Bush
Almost all kinds of cucumbers have long vines or bushier vines that make them shorter. You will need enough space in your garden to grow the proper plants. To prevent disease, air circulation is necessary.
The back of the seed package makes it simple to determine a variety’s growth habits. In addition to describing the variety’s essential characteristics, it also describes the vines’ characteristic size, as well as whether they have a bush or vine growth habit.
A vining cucumber can be big, sprawling, and require a lot of space to grow, depending on its cultivar. Vine lengths as long as 10 feet are possible with some varieties, but five to six feet is more typical. Vining varieties can be grown vertically on a trellis or fence. It is recommended that you space vine seeds or hills approximately five feet apart when planting multiple types of vines.
Bush types produce shorter vines than vining types, making them better suited to pots. For those with a small garden who want something smaller and easier to maintain, bush varieties are perfect. Bush varieties also bear fruit earlier than vine varieties. Plant them about two feet apart.
FAQs
How long do they take to grow?
The time between sowing the seeds and harvesting the fruit depends on several factors. Germination takes up to 10 days in cooler temperatures, and seeds won’t germinate below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Seeds germinate best when the soil temperature is at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, the temperature in the garden should reach 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Additionally, the cultivar you’re growing will affect when the fruit matures. Some varieties take about 50 days to develop, while others take 70 days. Each cultivar’s seed packet will list the days until harvest and the size of the fruit.
How deep do they grow?
There are several plants in the Cucurbiaceae family, including cucumbers, melons, squash, and gourds. Plants in this family don’t want their roots disturbed. When transplanting a plant to your garden, you can bury the entire peat pot without disturbing the roots. Therefore if starting seeds early, you should start them in peat pots.
There is one main taproot at the base of the root system, which extends two to three feet deep. In addition, the plant’s primary roots draw water and nutrients closer to its surface, allowing it to flourish and grow. Because cucumber’s primary root network is fragile, it’s important not to damage it.
Is it possible to grow cucumbers on vines?
Whether they’re referred to as bush cucumbers or vine cucumbers, all cucumber varieties are vine-grown. The main difference between bush and vining types is their size.
Depending on the cultivar, bush varieties produce vines that average 24 inches long. As a result, they grow well in containers or for those without enough space to grow larger vines.
Alternatively, vining varieties can grow ten-foot vines, but most cultivars have vines that are between 5 and 6 feet long and need a larger area to spread out. Although they can be grown in containers, they will require climbing structures, such as trellises, arbors, or fences.
That’s what you need to know about the cucumber plant stages and the different types of cucumbers. When deciding whether you want to grow cucumbers, the most important thing to consider is how much space you have. If you have less space, you’ll want to choose a bush variety rather than a vining variety since it requires less space.
Also, consider when you want to plant the seeds – make sure you plant them at a time when they’re going to be able to get warm enough to germinate. If you can do that and take care of your cucumber plant during the rest of the stages, you’ll have some delicious cucumbers when they’re ready to harvest.