Cucumbers need protection and warmth. That's why they feel particularly comfortable in the warm, humid greenhouse climate. How can you optimally prepare the greenhouse for cucumber plants? What should you pay particular attention to when growing, caring for and harvesting under glass? And which types of cucumbers are suitable for under glass?
How do I successfully grow cucumbers in the greenhouse?
In order to optimally grow cucumbers in the greenhouse, it is recommended to prepare the greenhouse, choose the right varieties, care for them well and pay attention to diseases and pests. Snake cucumber 'Helena', Fitness, Picolino and Silor are good varieties for greenhouses.
Whether outdoor cucumbers or greenhouse cucumbers – you can grow both on the windowsill in mid-April. Sowing in the greenhouse is possible at the beginning of April. Outdoor cucumbers are only allowed in the garden in mid-May after the Ice Saints.
What types of cucumbers to grow in the greenhouse?
Recommended greenhouse varieties include the snake cucumber Helena or the following F1 hybrids:
- Snake Cucumber Fitness
- Mini cucumber Picolino
- Mini cucumber Silor
F1 hybrids refer to the first generation of a cross. Seeds that reproduce the characteristics of the mother or father plant. The yield of hybrid plants is usually higher and they are more resistant to diseases than non-hybrids.
Preparing the greenhouse correctly
Young greenhouse cucumber plants are sensitive to soil temperatures below 10° degrees. If you want to plant cucumber plants in the greenhouse in April, you should insulate it with bubble wrap (€34.00 on Amazon). And possibly equip it with a heater.
Even if cucumbers prefer warmth - on hot days they need shade under glass. To do this, wires for the shade fabric are stretched under the roof. Before you can plant greenhouse cucumbers, it is recommended to loosen the soil and improve it with substrate or 3 to 5 liters of compost per square meter.
Special care for greenhouse cucumbers
You can grow young cucumber plants in the greenhouse from a height of 20 centimeters. Whether in a pot or on the ground, the planting distance between the cucumber plants should be approximately 60 centimeters and the row spacing should be 1.5 meters. As soon as the cucumber plants grow upwards, twist the climbing cords from the roof in a spiral around the cucumber shoot and rewind them again and again. Also important: pinch out the tips in good time before the cucumber plants reach the greenhouse roof.
Cucumber plants are very thirsty, but cannot tolerate waterlogging. They are also sensitive to lime, chlorine and s alt. Therefore, fertilize cucumbers organically. Pale or yellow leaves can indicate nutrient deficiencies. Cucumbers that fall off on their own suffer from lack of water or strong temperature fluctuations.
Preventing diseases and pests in the greenhouse
Balanced humidity and resistant cucumber varieties or refined cucumbers are the safest protection against typical greenhouse cucumber diseases and pests such as spider mites and aphids. Regular inspection of the undersides of leaves and adhesive boards prevents this. If pests are discovered early, they can be combated with beneficial insects or other environmentally friendly plant protection measures.
Harvesting and storing greenhouse cucumbers correctly
Your reward for work? From June onwards, cucumbers can be harvested in the greenhouse up to four times a year. Young, small cucumbers taste better and you can harvest them earlier. This means that new fruits grow back faster. The cucumbers are ripe when the skin feels smooth. To harvest, cut off the stem above the cucumbers. It is best to store the cucumbers at 13° degrees.
Tips & Tricks
Are you tired of cucumbers? Then place cucumber slices on your skin as a moisturizing mask and enjoy the cosmetic fountain of youth for free ?