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How to Grow Greenhouse Cucumbers
How to Grow Greenhouse Cucumbers. The parthenocarpic cucumber is a type of cucumber vine that produces only female flowers and produces greenhouse cucumbers without the need for pollinators, such as bees, that provide fertilization by moving pollen from male to female flowers. Because they produce fruit without pollination, parthenocarpic cucumbers...
The parthenocarpic cucumber is a type of cucumber vine that produces only female flowers and produces greenhouse cucumbers without the need for pollinators, such as bees, that provide fertilization by moving pollen from male to female flowers. Because they produce fruit without pollination, parthenocarpic cucumbers are a popular cucumber for greenhouse production where the growing system is closed for pest and disease control. The seed for parthenocarpic cucumbers costs more than ordinary cucumber seed but the germination or sprouting rate is higher and the chance for disease or pest problems is greatly decreased in a closed system.
Things You'll Need
Closed greenhouse system
Parthenocarpic cucumber plants
Source of water
Vegetable fertilizer
Planting pots
Trellis, string or other growing support
Sterilized potting medium
Order or buy seeds from a reputable seed source. Look for the term "parthenocarpic" or "gynoecious" in the description.
Prepare a greenhouse system that has heat for cold days and air circulation for warm days. The optimal temperature for cucumber seed germination is 85 degrees F, and the optimal temperature for growing cucumbers is 77 degrees F. The greenhouse system cannot allow any bees or other pollinators to enter the greenhouse. If parthenocarpic cucumber blossoms are pollinated they will produce misshapen fruit with a bitter taste.
Plant seeds in sterilized potting medium. A potting mix that contains peat moss, vermiculite and a low level of fertilizer helps get cucumber plants off to a good start. It does not contain any actual soil. Using garden soil or regular potting soil will invite disease into the greenhouse because soil contains harmful bacteria and fungal diseases. Move the plants into larger containers after they have three or four pair of true leaves.
Allow 5 feet between rows and 2 feet between plants. Add a trellis, string or other growing support. Cucumber vines can reach 10 feet or more without pruning.
Fertilize with a fertilizer specific to cucumbers or vegetable plants. Fertilize according to the schedule recommended on the fertilizer container. Keep soil levels moist. Allowing cucumbers to dry out to the point of wilting will adversely affect yield and taste.
