In a greenhouse, cucumber plants can be grown particularly well at a constant temperature and optimal humidity, protected from pests and harvested several times. In order to achieve the maximum yield, you should pay attention to the special features under glass when growing and caring for suitable cucumber varieties.
How do I successfully grow cucumber plants in the greenhouse?
To successfully grow cucumber plants in the greenhouse, choose locations protected from the wind and prepare the soil with compost, manure and bark mulch. Use bitter-free F1 hybrid cucumber varieties and offer climbing aids. Make sure there is sufficient temperature, lighting and water regularly.
The optimal location and soil for greenhouse cucumbers
Greenhouse cucumbers are sensitive to drafts. Therefore, do not plant directly at the door, but in an area protected from the wind. How to prepare the greenhouse soil for the cucumber plants:
- Loose the soil
- mix in straw-rich manure and compost
- Add bark mulch
Cucumber plants thrive in alkaline soil with a pH value between 5.5 to 7.5. To neutralize acidic soil, it is recommended to pour lime powder before planting cucumbers in the greenhouse.
The right choice of variety for cultivation in the greenhouse
Bitter-free and seedless F1 hybrid cucumber varieties thrive particularly well under glass and, as purely female-flowering plants, do not require fertilization. Germination takes 5 to 10 days:
- Euphya F1 – tasty and fast growing
- Sudica F1 - aromatic fruits up to 35 centimeters long
- Conny F1 – smaller, high-yielding snack cucumber, also suitable for pickling
If you practice mixed culture and use both male and female seeds, you should ventilate the greenhouse more often and make sure that insects fertilize the flowers. Or transfer male pollen to female flowers yourself with a cotton swab.
Special care and trellis under the roof
Cucumber plants love warm, humid conditions. They react sensitively to temperatures below 10° degrees. Therefore, only plant in an unheated greenhouse from May onwards. If you want to cultivate cucumbers all year round, you should insulate them with bubble wrap when it's cold (€34.00 on Amazon) and equip the greenhouse with heating and additional lighting using UV plant lamps.
Also important: Water cucumbers regularly and correctly. Fertilize cucumber plants organically weekly during the main growing season as they need additional nutrients.
Suitable climbing aids guide the cucumber plants upwards into the light so that the shoots grow faster and produce more flowers. Before the shoot tip hits the greenhouse roof, it should be trimmed or guided back down. To promote fruit formation, simply pinch out the side shoots in good time.
Diseases and pests
Although the greenhouse offers more protection compared to outdoors, diseases such as spider mites and aphids lurk in special greenhouse cucumbers. The cause is excessive humidity, waterlogging or wet leaves.
Always harvest time
Harvest garden-fresh greenhouse cucumbers correctly. Organic cucumbers up to four times a year - it's worth it and will delight every hobby gardener.
Tips & Tricks
Hot feet after gardening? It's best to cut a cucumber from the fridge into slices, place it on your feet and leave it for 10 minutes. This refreshes and revives tired legs.
