A MASTER LESSON IN GROWING CUCUMBERS

Whilst showing the workshop attendees around our Aquaponics system on 15 November 2014, Janika one of the attendees offered some advice on how to properly maintain the cucumber plants for maximum yield. 

Myself and the other attendees were totally mesmerised for over 30 minutes whilst we listened and watched Janika pruning the plants and showing what to look for, what to do and what not to do.

Janika, spent a few years on a cucumber research farm in the Northern Cape near the Orange River, testing different varieties of cucumber plants for maximum yield. They eventually came across a variety, with a single plant producing 42 cucumbers, and an average of 28-32 cucumbers per plant.. That is incredible, when you take it that most commercial cucumber farmers only average 20 cucumbers per plant. Take into account however, that these yields were achieved in a research environment under controlled conditions and planted in soil. The Northern Cape area where they were situated also offered a unique and perfect climate for growing cucumbers. In more moderate climates, cucumber farmers have to spend money in heating, pest and fungi control. 

The first question she posed was what we were going to do once the plant reached the top of the existing trellis twine. Of course, we had no idea that a cucumber plant can grow up to 9 metres long.  The solution was to erect some vertical poles around our grow beds and then wrap the cucumber plants around them, whilst extending the trellis twine as the plants grow. In this way the plant can grow to its full length.

The other rule highlighted by Janika was to prune all leaves, flowers and cucumber off the bottom one third of the plant. This helps the plant shoot forward on top and grow to its maximum length. This ratio of pruning must be maintained on a daily/weekly basis. Another reason for pruning the bottom 1/3 is that it helps minimize and even prevent possible fungi growth and diseases. 

The climber shoots (called tendils) that attach themselves to the trellis twine and to plants nearby must also be pruned on a daily basis as they are not needed in a commercial setup

It thus makes sense that the longer the plant is allowed to grow, the more cucumbers it will produce.

If the variety being grown does not require for pollination transfer, then the male flower can also be pruned.

THE  MALE FLOWER

THE FEMALE FLOWER

We were also making the mistake of allowing the cucumbers to grow too big. The particular variety of cucumber we are growing should only be allowed to grow for as long as there are ridges on the skin. Once the cucumber grows past the ridges area, it is time to harvest.

READY FOR HARVEST

TOO BIG (bigger is not better )

THE MASTER CLASS IN PROGRESS

WORKSHOP PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT JANIKA HAD TO SAY

We have since applied the pruning techniques that we were taught and now look forward to seeing the yields going forward. We will post photos on our Facebook fanpage and Twitter page from time to time.

In our aquaponics setup, we will be focusing on taste quality and nutrition, and growing them as fast as possible for increased profits. 

Thank you Janika !!!