Origin Of Cucumber
Cucumber with botanical name Cucumis sativus is a widely cultivated creeping vine plant in the Cucurbitaceae gourd family that bears cucumiform fruits used as vegetables. Cucumber originated from South Asia; it has become a widely grown fruit on most continents.
There are three main cucumber varieties: slicing, pickling, and burpless/seedless, within which several cultivars have been created. Cucumbers are a global fruit as they are being traded in the worldwide market. Cucumbers are annual plants; their lifecycle only lasts for a season.
Nutritional Composition Of Cucumber
A 100 gram cucumber contains the following nutrients:
- Calories 15
- Total Fat 0.11g
- Sodium 2mg
- Total Carbohydrates 3.63g
- Protein 0.65g
Preferred Botanical Name: Cucumis sativus
Preferred Common Name: Cucumber
Medicinal Properties And Uses Of Cucumber
Cucumber has many medicinal properties and uses. Below are some of their most important uses:
- Antioxidants such as flavonoids and tannins are present in cucumbers; they prevent the multiplication of harmful radicals and lower the risk of chronic diseases.
- About 96% nutrient composition in cucumbers is water which means that cucumbers promote hydration and add to the fluid needs required by the body.
- Cucumbers are good low-calorie toppings for many dishes because they are low in calories and high in water – these components aid weight loss.
- Eating cucumbers may prevent diabetes-related complications and may lower blood sugar levels.
- Eating cucumbers may prevent constipation and increase regularity because of their fiber and water content.
How To Grow Cucumber
Requirements on how to grow cucumbers is written below:
Yield Information Of Cucumber
Cucumber yields differ with varieties, such as the pickling species producing about 5 pounds of cucumbers per plant. A healthy slicing species yields about 6-ounce per plant. Approximately cucumber plants will take about 50 to 70 days from sprouting to harvesting.
A cucumber plant may produce about 1-3 pounds of fruit weekly during the highest point of harvest. A well-managed crop in a harvest period of 12 weeks can yield a total of 20-25 pounds of cucumber per plant.
Nursery And Transplant Requirements Of Cucumber
Propagation of cucumbers is by seed. They are mostly planted in mounds or hills, and the space between each mound is 1 to 2 feet. Each mound has 2 to 3 seeds, but they are reduced to one plant once the plant reaches 4 inches in height. In cold weather, warm the plants by covering the hill or mound with black plastic.
Mulching the area is important to reduce pest infestation and prevent moisture escape. Use straw, chopped leaves, or other organic materials to mulch.
Cucumber is being transplanted carefully about three weeks after planting when seedlings grow leaves. Transplant seedlings carefully with a good amount of soil to prevent transplant shock.
Soil And Sun Requirements Of Cucumber
The type of soil suitable for planting cucumber is a well-drained, loose, sandy-loam soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0. Cucumbers do well in fertile soil; they are usually planted in about 6 inches high beds. Plant your cucumbers on beds where tree roots will not have the upper hand on the water and nutrients.
Cucumbers need warmth and lots of light. Combine compost and aged manure with the soil before planting. Seeds should be planted to a depth of 2 inches and penetrate the soil 6 to 8 inches deep.
Also, make sure to plant in good soil, which will give the soil the nutrients it requires, and it should be moist and well-drained, not oversaturated, nor too compacted.
Watering Requirements Of Cucumber
Cucumber plants require a high amount of water. The plant’s growing period may have enough rainfall; prolonged dryness may also occur during this period hence the need to provide manual irrigation. Water the plants frequently every week. Cover the soil to prevent evaporation of moisture.
Do not be fast in watering plants in the morning or early afternoon and avoid the leaves so that leaf diseases do not have a chance to grow, which would damage the plant. To maintain the foliage dryness, you can water plants with a soaker hose or drip irrigation.
Water frequently when seedlings appear and increase to a gallon weekly after fruit develops.
Planting And Spacing Requirements
Directly planted cucumbers are planted on hills 90 – 120 cm apart. A few seeds are planted on a ridge, and after that, plants are thinned to 2 or 3 plants. They can also be planted in rows 1-2 meters apart and thinned to 30 cm between plants. Plants seeds 1 inch deep.
Space 1 inch deep planted seeds about 2 to 3 feet apart in a row. Depending on the variety, vines trained on trellis should be spaced 1 foot apart.
Harvesting Of Cucumber
The first cucumber harvest should occur within 40-60 days after planting. Cucumbers for immediate consumption are harvested while they are still young; depending on the varieties, they can be harvested 7 to 14 days after flowering. Ensure that cucumbers do not get too large; as fruits may taste bitter.
Harvest lengths of some varieties of cucumbers are:
- Slicing varieties are harvested at 6 to 8 inches long.
- Dills varieties at 4 to 6 inches long
- Pickling varieties at 2 inches long
- The large burpless cucumbers are due for harvest when the fruit is 10 inches long.
Harvest cucumber before its seeds become hard; immature cucumbers that are uniformly green, firm, and crisp are the best to eat. Do not let your cucumbers stay too long on the vine; hence lower plant productivity may occur, their skins become tough and yellow, which may cause fruits to have a bitter taste.
When plucking cucumbers, ensure to leave a one-inch stem attached to the cucumber to prevent the stem from rotting in storage. The simplest way to do this is by cutting off the vine with a sharp knife or pruners. Twisting or pulling on the vine may damage the plant.
Some cucumber plants are prickly, so you should wear gloves when harvesting them. If there are many spines on the cucumber, rub a cloth or vegetable brush along the length of the fruit to remove them.
Storage of Cucumber
Hence cucumbers are 90% water; wrapping them to retain moisture will be the most suitable storage method. Refrigerated cucumbers can last for 7 to 10 days when properly stored. Generally, the lasting duration of fresh cucumber is 2 weeks if properly stored and depending on the storage temperature.
Storage Of Cucumber Seeds
Cucumber seeds are allowed to dry and then stored in a cool, dry place. It can be stored for up to two weeks when in the right condition.
Diseases And Pests Of Cucumber
Alternaria Leaf Blight
This fungi disease causes yellowish-brown spots on leaves, large necrotic patches, and leaves to curl. Control Alternaria leaf blight by using crop rotation, reducing the period of leaf wetness.
Anthracnose
This is a fungal disease, and symptoms include brown circular lesions with yellow edges on leaves, lesions dry out, and drop out of leaves. It can be controlled by planting resistant varieties and practicing crop rotation.
Downy Mildew
Oomycetes cause downy mildew. It causes downy purplish mildew on the upper side of the leaves and a yellow spot on the left. It can be controlled by avoiding overcrowding of plants and avoiding overhead irrigation.
Bacterial Leaf Spot
This bacterial disease causes water-soaked lesions on plant leaves, yellow patches on leaves, and translucent lesions with a wide yellow halo. It is controlled by planting disease-free seeds, avoiding overhead irrigation, and watering plants from the base instead to reduce the spread of diseases.
Conclusion
Cucumbers are a smart and flavorful choice. Boasting a significant amount of antioxidants, they not only refresh and revitalize the body, but also aid digestion and assist with maintaining a healthy weight. Furthermore, packed with essential vitamins and minerals, cucumbers offer a boost to skin health, reduce inflammation, and support detoxification. And with their high water content, these versatile veggies are great for keeping the body properly hydrated and potentially reducing the risk of chronic conditions.
Not only do cucumbers have cancer-fighting properties, but they also promote heart health by keeping blood pressure in check. In addition, their invigorating flavor and adaptability make them a valuable component of a well-rounded eating plan, providing a host of benefits for physical and mental wellness while also elevating the taste of any dish.