Cucumis sativus ( Sweet Burpless Cucumber ) is an annual vegetable climbing plant native to India. Cucumbers are usually harvested in Summer and are eaten raw or used in salads. Sweet Burpless Cucumber is a bitter-free variety that produces fruits up to 30 cm (12 inches) long in under ten weeks. It is also more pest and fungus resistant and sweeter tasting than the store varieties. Burpless varieties are hybridized to produce less seeds which are commonly associated with flatulence.
Burpless cucumbers have a thinner skin than most other varieties and can often be seen in supermarkets with plastic film covering them.
The Sweet Burpless Cucumber variety has a mixed reviews across the internet. Most agree that the cucumbers taste great but many are saying that their plant yields are low. But cucumbers can be a complex vegetable to grow and have several factors that can improve the harvest size.
Growth
Sweet Burpless Cucumber is a creeping vine that reaches heights of up to 60 cm (2 feet). They grow well during the warmer seasons and are often harvested during summer. Cucumbers are frost sensitive and require plenty of water. In colder climates, it can be an advantage to sow seeds early indoors or in a greenhouse.
Cucumbers are often attacked by insects such as aphids, white flies, spider mites and their very own cucumber beetles. Companion planting can assist with some of these pests as can a mix of Peppermint Essential Oil (3 drops into 1 litre) sprayed directly into the soil.
6 Quick Tips on Growing Cucumbers
- Wait until it is consistently over 15°C / 59°F before sowing or transplanting outdoors. Temperatures below this can stunt their growth or weaken the vines.
- Start with soil that is nutrient-rich in compost. Cucumbers are heavy feeders and experts suggest giving them plenty to start off with. And add some more regularly.
- Full sun. So often cucumbers are thrown into the garden bed with lots of other vegetables. And because they only reach a short height 60 cm (2 feet) can easily be crowded out by taller plants.
- Cucumbers need support. Using a trellis allows the vines to stretch out, keeps the fruits off the ground and takes pressure off the plant when fruits are getting heavy.
- Cucumbers require lots of water, experts suggesting up to 2.5 cm (one inch per week) and more during hot periods. Try to water the ground as fungus is more prevalent on plants with wet leaves.
- Bees. Probably the most important tip here. Although cucumber flowers are bright yellow they aren’t as attractive as others in the garden. Adding lots of highly scented companion plants nearby will increase the number of flowers pollinated. Check out the companion plants under the Germination Instructions tab.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Cucurbitaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate to Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
15 to 35°C / 59 to 95°F
SOIL TYPE:
Compost, nutrient rich soil.
LOCATION:
Full sun
HEIGHT:
Up to 60 cm’s (2 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 30 cm’s (1 foot)
pH:
6.0-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Annual
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
High
POLLINATION:
Bees.
MATURITY:
Average 8-10 weeks
GERMINATION RATES:
85-90%
GERMINATION TIME:
5-10 days
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 80
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Store a 4°C (fridge) for 5 years.
FACTS ABOUT CUCUMIS SATIVUS (Sweet Burpless Cucumber)
Cucumbers have been cultivated for at least 3000 years and originated in India. Written records place the humble cucumber in France during the 9th century, England in 14th and reached North America by 16th century.
They are marketed as either burpless or seedless, as the seeds and skin of other varieties of cucumbers are said to give some people gas.
An old wives’ tale claims that if you plant your cucumbers before sunrise on the first day of May while wearing your pyjamas, no bugs will eat them.
Eating raw cucumber on a hot day can help cool down the blood.
