Cucumber Botany and Production

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary origin of cucumbers?

  • India (correct)
  • Greece
  • Italy
  • Egypt

Which ancient text mentions cucumbers as food?

  • Epic of Gilgamesh (correct)
  • The Iliad
  • Divine Comedy
  • Aeneid

Which of the following cucumber types produces only female flowers?

  • Parthenocarpic
  • Beit Alpha
  • Egyptian
  • Gynecious (correct)

What was one of the methods used in ancient Rome to protect cucumbers during winter?

<p>Moving under mica (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the optimal temperature for cucumber seed germination?

<p>84°F (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which is a significant trait to consider when selecting European/Dutch cucumber varieties?

<p>Disease resistance (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of cucumber cultivation is most susceptible to powdery mildew?

<p>Beit Alpha (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which production system is NOT commonly used for cucumbers?

<p>Aeroponics (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these cucumber types lends itself well to multi-fruit packaging?

<p>Beit Alpha (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How much does a cucumber seed typically cost?

<p>$1.00 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What temperature range is optimal for day growth of cucumbers?

<p>75-80 °F (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended frequency for harvesting cucumbers?

<p>3-4 times a week (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is critical for managing cucumber postharvest quality?

<p>Shrink wrapping the fruits (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum night temperature cucumbers should be exposed to?

<p>65 °F (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which practice is NOT mentioned as a form of pruning or training cucumbers?

<p>Leaf trimming (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the expected weight of cucumber production per plant during the harvesting period?

<p>20-25 lbs/plant total (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the critical temperature to avoid chilling injury in cucumbers?

<p>50 °F (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of light is particularly beneficial for keeping cucumber seedlings compact?

<p>Red LEDs (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which disease is the biggest issue for cucumber crops?

<p>Powdery mildew (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

At what length are Dutch cucumbers typically harvested?

<p>12-14 inches (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Cucumber Origins

Cucumbers originated in India and have been cultivated for over 3,000 years. They were introduced to Europe by ancient societies.

Cucumber Scientific Name

The scientific name for cucumber is Cucumis sativus.

Protected Cucumber Culture

Ancient Romans grew cucumbers in raised beds, moved under coverings (e.g., mica) during winter, and used oil-covered cloths for protection.

Modern Greenhouse Cucumbers

Modern greenhouse cucumbers often have milder flavor compared to field-grown ones. They are frequently seedless (gynecious, parthenocarpic).

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European/Dutch Cucumber Types

European/Dutch cucumbers are common, known for disease resistance, and specific fruit sizes and plant habits.

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Beit Alpha Cucumbers

Beit Alpha cucumbers are smaller, suitable for specific packaging (e.g., multi-packs), and less prone to bruising than European/Dutch types. More susceptible to powdery mildew.

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Cucumber Production Systems

Two main cucumber production methods are bags/slabs and Dutch/BATO buckets. NFT is sometimes used.

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Cucumber Propagation

Cucumbers are propagated by seed. Seed can be very expensive.

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Ideal Cucumber Germination Temp.

The optimal temperature for cucumber germination is 84°F (first 2-3 days).

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Cucumber in Ancient Texts

Cucumbers were mentioned in the Epic of Gilgamesh (ancient Mesopotamian text) and the Bible, suggesting ancient use as food.

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Cucumber Ideal Temperature

Day temperatures between 75-80°F, night temperatures above 65°F. Do not exceed 85-90°F during the day.

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Cucumber Light Requirements

Cucumbers need high light, but some varieties tolerate lower light conditions. Supplemental lighting is often beneficial.

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Cucumber Transplant Readiness

Transplant cucumbers when they have 3-4 true leaves.

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Cucumber Harvesting

Harvest cucumbers frequently (3-4 times a week) for best results. Aim for 12-week yield.

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Cucumber Postharvest Care

Cucumbers are sensitive to ethylene and chilling; wrap fruits to protect quality from yellowing. Store above 50°F.

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Cucumber Mineral Nutrition

Cucumbers are heavy feeders and need proper mineral nutrition.

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Cucumber Sucker/Tendril Management

Remove suckers and tendrils from cucumbers to promote fruit growth and prevent overcrowding.

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Cucumber Fruit Thinning

Thin fruits to promote better fruit growth, ensuring focus on ideal produce size and quality.

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Cucumber CO2 Requirements

Supplemental CO2 is often helpful for cucumbers just as it is with other vegetables.

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Cucumber Typical Yield

Cucumbers can produce 1-3 lbs per plant per week for a 12-week period, with estimated total yield between 20 and 25 lbs per plant.

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Study Notes

Cucumber Botany and Production

  • Scientific name: Cucumis sativus
  • Family: Cucurbitaceae
  • Latin origins: "cucumis" = cucumber, "sativus" = cultivated
  • Originates in India, cultivated for over 3,000 years
  • Introduced to Europe by Greeks or Romans.
  • Mentioned in the Epic of Gilgamesh (2100-1800 BC)
  • Also mentioned in the Bible as a food of the Egyptians

Controlled-Environment Production

  • Roman Emperor Tiberius had cucumbers year-round.
  • Historical methods included raised beds on wheels, mica coverings, and oil-covered cloths
  • Modern greenhouses differ from field-grown cucumbers, generally milder flavor.
  • Most modern cultivars are seedless (gynecious, parthenocarpic).
  • European/Dutch cultivars are popular for disease resistance, fruit size, and plant habit.
  • Beit Alpha cucumbers are smaller, better for multi-fruit packaging, less prone to bruising.

Production Systems

  • Primary systems: bags/slabs and Dutch/BATO buckets.
  • NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) used to a limited extent.

Propagation

  • Propagated by seed (expensive, ~$1/seed).
  • Optimal germination temperature: 84°F (first 2-3 days), lower to mid-70s°F after radicle emergence.
  • Supplemental light is useful (red LEDs for compact seedlings, HPS more economical).
  • Transplant with 3-4 true leaves.

Cultivation Practices

  • Sucker removal, tendril removal, fruit thinning, canopy management.

Environmental Needs

  • Warm-growing crop (day temps 75-80°F, max 85-90°F, night temps not below 65°F).
  • High-light plant, supplemental light often beneficial.

Mineral Nutrition

  • Cucumbers are heavy feeders.

CO2 Enrichment

  • Supplemental CO2 helpful, best management practices to be determined.

Harvesting

  • 12-week harvest period expected, 1-3 lbs/plant weekly, 20-25 lbs total.
  • Frequent harvesting (3-4 times/week).
  • Dutch cucumbers harvested at 12-14 inches, USDA Grade mandates 11 inches min.

Postharvest Handling

  • Thin skin is good for eating, bad for postharvest quality.
  • Shrink-wrap to maintain quality.
  • Sensitive to ethylene, yellowing can occur.
  • Chilling injury below 50°F.

Key Issues

  • Second most popular greenhouse vine crop.
  • Powdery mildew is a major disease concern.
  • Postharvest management crucial for retaining fruit quality.

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