How To Sow & Grow Cucumbers

Sowing

• Sow under protection in pots late April-early May by placing seeds on end, blunted end pointing downwards in compost; simply push into compost until out of sight.
• Protect newly sown seeds from mice. Mice are notorious for 'sniffing out' seed of this nature.
• Water thoroughly and germinate at a temperature of 75°F (24°C).
• When seed leaves are developed reduce temperature to around 65° - 70°F (18º - 21°C).

Planting Out & Growing On

Removing Male Flowers

You only need to remove the male flowers on all female hybrid varieties of Cucumber.

The reason for removing the male flowers is that all female varieties of cucumber have parthenocarpic flowers (meaning they produce fruits without being fertilised). However, just because they do not need fertilising does not mean that they cannot be fertilised - and should they be pollinated by male flowers the resultant fruits can taste sharper and more bitter - and will contain seed.

In the first instance, the thing to remember is not to panic - if you do not remove the male flowers the fruits will be perfectly edible - and probably sweeter and more tasty that a supermarket cucumber! To identify the male flowers, simply look 'behind' the flower - if there is a tiny fruit present this is a female flower so leave; if there is no fruit remove as it is male.