Snake cucumbers - one of the most popular vegetables - taste refreshing, have few calories but are full of vitamins and minerals. When growing snake cucumbers, a distinction is made between outdoor cucumbers and greenhouse cucumbers. This means they grow better and produce more flowers and fruits.
How to successfully grow snake cucumbers?
Greenhouses and open ground are suitable for growing snake cucumbers. After the ice saints, place the plants in a wind-protected, sunny location, use trellises and remove unnecessary shoots to promote flower and fruit formation.
The right snake cucumber for every taste
You can choose between classic long cucumber or short midi snake cucumber. Generally high-yielding varieties are the F1 hybrids with a long harvest period. Some are also free of bitter substances and resistant to mildew.
- Bella F 1 – bitter-free snake cucumber
- Paska F 1 – Midi snake cucumber, for balcony or outdoors
To obtain resistant, more robust plants, you can graft cucumbers yourself or purchase grafted cucumber plants.
Snake cucumber cultivation in greenhouses and outdoors
Snake cucumbers only sprout at temperatures above 10°. Below this they grow only slowly and the harvest is smaller. This is why snake cucumbers grow more successfully in the greenhouse. Don't forget: Install climbing aids and shade under the roof before cultivation.
After the Ice Saints, snake cucumber plants are allowed outdoors. Whether in a bed or a planter, the location should be protected from the wind and sunny. Place the plants a good half a meter apart in the prepared bed or planter. Depending on the weather, warmth and care, they quickly spread along the ground or grow upwards under cover. Don't forget the climbing aid. Maximizing snake cucumbers promotes increased flower and fruit production.
Snake cucumber cultivation on the balcony
You can grow snake cucumbers on the balcony in a bucket or pot that is at least 20 liters in size. Fill the planter with substrate or potting soil, plant cucumbers, attach them to a trellis and place them in a sunny, wind-protected location.
Snake cucumber harvest time
It only takes a good two weeks after flowering until you can harvest the first snake cucumbers. Don't let them turn yellow because then they will be overripe and lose their flavor. It's better to harvest a little earlier.
Tips & Tricks
Snake cucumbers slip on plant sticks and break off. Especially when ripe fruits weigh down the vine. Therefore fasten at short intervals of 10 centimeters. Or not just vertically up, but up and down a trellis.
