cucumber 2008

[Kirsten]

I've got a baby one!!!

http://i32.tinypic.com/k3aasp.png

[Riz]

congrats...

my you are a dark horse aint ya, growing all these lovely stuff. I was going to grow some cuces this season but i left it too late.. I am glad you did though..

hope it gets big green and healthy for ya...

[Riz]

Watch carefully now for aphids and whiteflies feeding on the bottom of your cuk....

[Kirsten]

Aphids attack CUCUMBERS too? damn... I thought I had finally gotten rid of them from my tomatoes and apple... it's constant warfare here and I seem to lose a lot :(

I finally got around to loading a lot of pictures yesterday, haha :) the cucumbers plants are pretty old - I think we started them back in March and kind of just forgot about them - but they didn't do much for a long time, until I poured in some compost tea and then they just started to shoot skywards!

[Riz]

Yeah, thats what i have read up about it on the interweb, but i have never grown cuces before so.....

so have you ever pickled cucembers ? do you pickle at all !! i am getting intrested in it..

[Kirsten]

I love pickles, though I have absolutely no experience with making them myself!! This is my first year growing cucumbers, so I'll be happy with any kind of edible fruit. I guess if worst comes to worst I can feed the leaves to my rabbit...

Let me know how your pickling goes!

[Kirsten]

I got to eat a wonderfully fresh cucumber salad yesterday, with two big cucumbers about as long as my hand :)

I kept watching that cucumber (pictured above) and it really wasn't growing at all, so I was getting pretty frustrated... until I went to water down at the roots and my hand brushed against something big and smooth... and that's how I found a big crisp cucumber waiting for me :)

[Riz]

http://www.planetganja.com/highsociety/images/smilies/GreenThumbs.gif its always cool when you get a suprise like that :)

well done :)

[Kirsten]

On the vine :) (http://i38.tinypic.com/33ttk48.jpg)

Picked and ready to eat! (http://i36.tinypic.com/mltk7s.png)I know the other two are a little small, but I needed enough to put together for a dish :)

[~Obsidian~]

Cool! I'd like to plant some cucumbers next year perhaps, left it too late this year :/

[Riz]

they are perfect cucembers for pickling,
the ones we get in uk are the long slim cucembers ( i dont know the name) and sometimes they taste waxy thats what i have noticed anyway. So defintey ill be trying the kind you have been growing instead :)

[Kirsten]

The funny think about the cucumbers is that they grow super spiky leaves and vines. I'm thinking of planting my cucumbers around the edges of my garden next year to use as a fence, maybe it'll get rid of the squirrels? I let my rabbit run loose in the garden every once in awhile since she likes to nibble on the plants (just a little of course, I need some to eat) and she stays far, far away from the cucumbers plants (which is hard because they grow so fast and invade everything in sight... on the other hand, I'm hoping that they might keep the squirrels away from the tomatoes.)

[~Obsidian~]

What if the squirrels steal the cucumbers? :p

[Riz]

The funny think about the cucumbers is that they grow super spiky leaves and vines. I'm thinking of planting my cucumbers around the edges of my garden next year to use as a fence, maybe it'll get rid of the squirrels? I let my rabbit run loose in the garden every once in awhile since she likes to nibble on the plants (just a little of course, I need some to eat) and she stays far, far away from the cucumbers plants (which is hard because they grow so fast and invade everything in sight... on the other hand, I'm hoping that they might keep the squirrels away from the tomatoes.)

A roof top sniper would help..:)

I have some friends in the states and some of them use "squirrel cages" made out of chicken wire.. ill see if i can find a pic later.. I've heard mixing a solution of water and hot chili pepper and spraying the developing fruits with it will deter the squirrels. But you have to apply it regularly, especially after it rains.

I will be getting the cucember seeds for next season to grown in my veg patch..

[Kirsten]

aww but the squirrels are cute, I don't want to hurt them :( even if they do steal food...

I'm a little worried about the chili deterrent because I've heard horror stories of squirrels getting it into their eyes and then scratching their eyes out trying to get it out. This sounds a little far-fetched for me, but I don't want to risk it :( I had a pet squirrel when I was little, so I'm still rather attached to them.

[Kirsten]

they are perfect cucembers for pickling,
the ones we get in uk are the long slim cucembers ( i dont know the name) and sometimes they taste waxy thats what i have noticed anyway. So defintey ill be trying the kind you have been growing instead :)

We get these horrible cucumbers from the grocery store in the US - they're practically rubbery and when you squeeze them the ends are almost mushy. A friend visited me from China and was outraged at the cucumbers we have here - supposedly what we have here is what they throw out as "unsellable" in Chinese markets.

[Riz]

kirsten the cucembers you grew are they called "boston heirloom" by any chance ?

[Kirsten]

I really wish I knew, because I'd love to plant them again! My mother bought them and planted them before I started coming over to take care of her garden, and sadly she doesn't remember :( Sorry!

[Stealth]

Cool! I'd like to plant some cucumbers next year perhaps, left it too late this year :/

Same here. Kirsten maybe some tips? those are looking mighty fine :)

[Kirsten]

thank you stealth :)

I think it might be too late to start from seed this year (unless you're somewhere where it'll stay warm for a long time!) - it took mine at least a good two and a half months to start producing. One thing I noticed though was that even after I got the seedlings out of the pot and into the ground, hardly anything happened for a couple of weeks... then I started watering with compost tea and they started shooting straight up. So maybe I could have hurried the harvest a little if I'd been feeding them properly... good luck :)

[~Obsidian~]

Will cucumbers climb an arch?

[Riz]

yes i think they will or a pole or better still a trellis :)

[~Obsidian~]

Cheers! One is beginning to get nutty and ambitious :eek:...

[Kirsten]

They will climb ANYTHING, trust me. ;) Including window screens, other plants, probably people if you stand there long enough....

[Azman]

Assalamualaikum and good day to all

my name is azman and i'm from malaysia. as requested by ~Obsidian~ at the introduction page, a few pictures of my japanese cucumber.

1. http://img28.picoodle.com/img/img28/3/8/31/f_Cuke2008090m_ae78e34.jpg (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/3/8/31/f_Cuke2008090m_ae78e34.jpg&srv=img28)

2. http://img34.picoodle.com/img/img34/3/8/31/f_IMG0005m_a832399.jpg (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/3/8/31/f_IMG0005m_a832399.jpg&srv=img34)

3. http://img27.picoodle.com/img/img27/3/8/31/f_IMG0002m_650664e.jpg (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/3/8/31/f_IMG0002m_650664e.jpg&srv=img27)

The pictures was taken today (01/09/2008).

This is my first attempt to grow vegetables. The growing media is 50% coco coir and 50% compost. The seeds were planted on 21/07/2008.

I got the information on how to grow cucumber from the pamphlet issued by the Malaysian Minister of Agriculture which is currently encouraging Malaysians to grow their own vegetables in their lawn or in a container (for those does not have lawn) to cope with the current price hike due to the increase fuel price.

By the way, we Malaysian muslims start fasting today.

Wassalam.

[Riz]

mashallah.. they look healthy and green, when do you think the cucembers will be ready i can see the little yellow flowers though :) did you use any fertilizers or nutrients ?

good luck and please keep us informed..

[~Obsidian~]

Azman, they look nice MashAllah!

[Riz]

:flower34:bump:flower34:

[Azman]

mashallah.. they look healthy and green, ? when do you think the cucembers will be ready i can see the little yellow flowers though :) did you use any fertilizers or nutrients ?

good luck and please keep us informed..

Thanks Riz..

1. i think around 10 to 14 days the cucumbers will be ready.. inshaallah

2. yes i'm using granular fertilizer (N12:P12:K17:MgO2 + TE).

:D

[Riz]

great..

they look really healthy aswell, make sure you take some pics of the cucembers :)

were did you get the white plastic bags from ? you have great climate in malayasia to grow tropical fruit.

i am impressed its your first time growing veg.. you are doing a great job brother....

[~Obsidian~]

i am impressed its your first time growing veg.. you are doing a great job brother....

Ditto ^^ you really seem to know your stuff MashAllah!

Are those white sacks kind of like the rubble sacks that builders have?

[Azman]

were did you get the white plastic bags from ? you have great climate in malayasia to grow tropical fruit.

i bought it from a local agriculture supply store. the shop has its own website (http://www.sabakagro.com.my/oscomm/catalog/index.php?cPath=26_77&sort=2a&page=2) but its in Malay language.

[Azman]

Are those white sacks kind of like the rubble sacks that builders have?

The white sacks is made from polyethelene (PE). here in Malaysia we called it polybag. normal polybag is black coloured but the maker add white dye to make it white plus an anti-UV coatings (claimed by the salesman at the shop where i bought the polybag)

[Riz]

cool..

the bags look good, i will be hoping to get bags like that for the garden next season inshallah.. they will come handy to grow spuds inside them and a host of other things.. azman please keep us informed regards the cucembers as i have never grown them and i plan to next season..

[Azman]

Assalamualaikum and good day to all..

Alhamdulillah. These two pictures were taken today (06/09/2008 at 7.35 am Malaysian time).

http://img37.picoodle.com/img/img37/3/9/5/f_20080906Imgm_6cc599e.jpg (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/3/9/5/f_20080906Imgm_6cc599e.jpg&srv=img37)

http://img33.picoodle.com/img/img33/3/9/5/f_20080906Imgm_bab067d.jpg (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/3/9/5/f_20080906Imgm_bab067d.jpg&srv=img33)

previously I posted that I will wait 10 to 14 days before harvest but from the look of the current development, maybe I have to harvest it early but I'm still not sure when is the perfect time to harvest it.

Do I have to wait until the cucumber skin become smooth (I can feel some tiny thorns on the skin) or do I have to wait another 5 to 6 days ?

Please help me on this matter..

Wassalam

[~Obsidian~]

Walaykum Salaam!

Your plants look great, when you got this advice pack from the government did it give you any pointers on when to harvest or a picture of the end result? I would personally harvest them when I thought they were ready..... Sorry I'm not much more help than that.

[Riz]

Azman they look great..

you can take a few of and eat them just to see, its as simple as that :)

[Kirsten]

I would definitely harvest those - if you take too long to harvest them the seeds in the middle will get really big and hard, and if you keep picking them the plant will keep producing more :)

In my experience, the thorns don't come off when they're ripe (except for a few asian varieties...) ... I think the ones in the supermarket have just lost them due to handling.

[Riz]

Azam..

What are the temps right now in malaysia, does it get really cold in october onwards till spring ?

[Azman]

Azam..

What are the temps right now in malaysia, does it get really cold in October onwards till spring ?

generally Malaysia is a tropical country means rain and shine all year round but currently we are entering heavy rain season and some areas in the northern region are evacuated due to flood.

it is cold due to the rainy season.. during this time the minimum temperature is about 24 degree Celsius.

[Riz]

it is cold due to the rainy season.. during this time the minimum temperature is about 24 degree Celsius.

wow..

we dont get them temps through the summer :sky11:

[~Obsidian~]

Yeah we do :p we've had 35+ this summer, but thats the best its been and only for a few days. Otherwise it's been anywhere between 10 and 30, normally around 15/17 nowadays.

But wow, if thats your lowest temp you guys are lucky! You could probably grow the stuff that we can only grow during summer

Edit: around my area we did anyway, not sure where Riz is :)

[Riz]

so azman..

did you harvest the cukes yet !??!

[Azman]

so azman..

did you harvest the cukes yet !??!

sorry for my late reply...

yes Riz.. i harvested the cukes about 10 days ago and i managed to get about 4 kg of cukes from all trees and its tastes great; alhamdulillah.

But now three of the cucumber plants died and i believed that root rot causing it and it is due to heavy downpour in the evening for past 7 days..

Although i am a bit disappointed but i am happy because i think i did great for a first timer in gardening.. :)

[~Obsidian~]

sorry for my late reply...

yes Riz.. i harvested the cukes about 10 days ago and i managed to get about 4 kg of cukes from all trees and its tastes great; alhamdulillah.

But now three of the cucumber plants died and i believed that root rot causing it and it is due to heavy downpour in the evening for past 7 days..

Although i am a bit disappointed but i am happy because i think i did great for a first timer in gardening.. :)

Ahh thats a shame. But you most definitely have done very well!

[Riz]

yes Riz.. i harvested the cukes about 10 days ago and i managed to get about 4 kg of cukes from all trees and its tastes great; alhamdulillah.

But now three of the cucumber plants died and i believed that root rot causing it and it is due to heavy downpour in the evening for past 7 days..

Although i am a bit disappointed but i am happy because i think i did great for a first timer in gardening.. :)

Well i think you did well, and your next season grow is going to bigger and better.. what else are you planning of growing ? we can discuss it here http://www.muslimgrower.com/discussionforum/showthread.php?p=2119#post2119

[Kirsten]

My dad called to let me know that he took down the cucumber vines since they were dying and not producing anymore... and he found a THREE AND A HALF POUND cucumber. He actually took it up and weighed it and showed me over the webcam - that thing is giant!!

[~Obsidian~]

:eek: is that heavy? I have no concept of weight :o
Was it super-fat and extra long? Can we get a picture or has it been demolished already?

[Riz]

:eek: is that heavy? I have no concept of weight :o
Was it super-fat and extra long? Can we get a picture or has it been demolished already?

if you consider 3 bags of sugar which we get in uk thats around 3 pounds in weight.

[Kirsten]

So I'm home for a few days, and my sister has been updating my little chart titled "Cucumber Count 2008" on the fridge... apparently we got NINETY-SEVEN cucumbers this summer. I'm impressed! I can't wait to plant more next year!

[~Obsidian~]

...WOW :eek:

How many plants did you plant? Thats fantastic!! Somebody remind me of when I can plant mine!!!

[Kirsten]

A LOT, lol. It wasn't until after all of them were in the ground and happily climbing the fence that someone told me I should only have planted 2. Seriously, I think there were about 13, and I'm sure I could have gotten way more cucumbers if I picked them earlier, like I was supposed to - I've read that you're supposed to pick them 6 times a week, but we were so tired of eating cucumbers EVERY day for dinner, lunch, and breakfast that sometimes I left them there a little longer!

Obsidian - we started our seeds inside around April and planted them outside in May. We started getting cucumbers around mid-June, I think.

[~Obsidian~]

Thats so cool! My brother loves cucumbers so hopefully I'll be able to keep him stocked next year :D Although I wonder what they'll be climbing...:D

I'm excited now!!

[Kirsten]

Yeah I think I'm going to have to make my dad build them a trellis of some sort... last year they were climbing the screen windows and we were afraid they were going to tear them with the weight of the cucumbers...actually come to think of it, I need him to build one for the beans anyway!

[~Obsidian~]

:D I'd love to build one of those too!...ooh...I should get some wood from uni :D

[Kirsten]

Beware, cucumber vines/leaves/fruit can be really spiky. I did think about trying to fashion some squirrel deterrent from them. :D

[~Obsidian~]

Bring it on :D Most it'll do is slightly annoy the cats...and that's about it :D How deep does the soil hafta be for the cuke vines? Because I was wondering if I could plant them in the buckets and fashion a trellis between them all for the vines to climb

?

[~Obsidian~]

I bought some cucumber seeds today! Couldn't decide what else...not plus gotta make some moneys first (payday! yay!) can't wait to grow these! My brother loves cucumbers, want to see him pick one and eat it inshaAllah :tree-huggin:

Gonna have about 20 plants...is that too much? I'm thinking of giving a few away

[Kirsten]

I bought some cucumber seeds today! Couldn't decide what else...not plus gotta make some moneys first (payday! yay!) can't wait to grow these! My brother loves cucumbers, want to see him pick one and eat it inshaAllah :tree-huggin:

Gonna have about 20 plants...is that too much? I'm thinking of giving a few away

I had 13 and got around 90 cucumbers, up to 3-4 a day and I think I lost at least that many due to inadequate watering/not picking them as often as I should have (the more you pick the more they grow) before I really knew what I was doing. So unlike you really really really like cucumbers I would suggest a few less :)

[~Obsidian~]

:D I thought so!
Cheers