Cucumbers are a popular and
refreshing vegetable. They are the storehouse of nutrition and have many
surprising health benefits. Especially, there is no alternative to eating
cucumbers for weight loss. Besides, cucumbers are an excellent ingredient in
making salad. However, you can grow cucumbers in your home garden for
toxin-free fresh vegetables and valuable nutrition. In this article, I have
shared everything you need to know about how to grow cucumbers in pots.
So, to know the best tips and tricks for growing cucumbers, you should continue
reading the article from first to last.
The Best Beginner's Guide to Grow Cucumbers in Pots
Before growing cucumbers, you
should know the basics such as the best time to plant cucumbers, suitable soil
and pots and top cucumber varieties for pots. Now let's learn about these step
by step.
Best Time to Plant Cucumbers
The best time to plant
cucumbers is between April and June. But planting time may vary depending on
your location. If you are in warmer regions, you will plant cucumbers in early
April. And, if you are in cold regions, you will plant them in early June or in
late May.
Suitable Soil for Cucumbers
Cucumbers grow well in
well-drained and fertile soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Usually, sandy loam or
loamy soil is needed to grow cucumbers.
Ideal Pots
The pots of 12-18 inches are
ideal for growing cucumbers. If there are no holes in the bottom of the pots,
make two holes in each pot for a good drainage system.
Right Cucumber Varieties for Pots
If the seeds are good, the
fruits are good. So, to grow cucumbers, you have to know about the right
varieties of cucumber seeds. The best cucumber varieties for pots are- Here are
10 of best cucumber varieties growing in pots are- Bush Champion,
Spacemaster 80, Patio Snacker, Mini Munch, Picklebush, Salad Bush, Bush Crop,
Muncher, Bush Pickle and H-19 Little Leaf. From these varieties of cucumbers,
you will collect anyone.
How to Grow Cucumbers in Pots
Step-by-Step Guide
Seed collection
To grow cucumbers, you have to
collect good seeds. If the seeds are not good, you will not get a good yield.
So, collect cucumber seeds from a well-known seed store. In this case, you must
see the expiry date on the cucumber seeds packet. You will also collect seeds
from the varieties mentioned above.
Pot Setting
If there are no holes at the
bottom of the pots, make two holes in each pot. Then give two small brick
pieces on the holes. Then give one inch of small brick pieces or pebbles and
one inch of white sand on the two small brick pieces. Finally, press them with
your right hand. Now your pot is set. In this way, you will set up all the
pots.
Soil Preparing
To prepare the soil for
growing cucumbers, you will take 40% pure garden soil, 10% white sand, 25%
compost and 25% cow dung. Then mix them properly. Now your suitable soil for
growing cucumbers is ready.
Pot Filling with Prepared Soil
Take a pot and keep prepared
soil in it little by little. Then press it with your hand. Continue
keeping soil till filling the pot with soil. At last, keep two inches empty on
the top of the pot. In this way, you will fill all the pots with soil. Now all
of your pots are ready to sow cucumber seeds or plant cucumber seedlings.
Seed Germination or Seedling Collection
To grow cucumbers in pots, you
can germinate seeds or collect cucumber seedlings from your nearest nursery. If
you want to germinate cucumber seeds, follow the steps below;
- Take seeds according to your needs.
- Keep them in direct sunlight.
- Cool them.
- In the evening, soak them underwater.
- In the morning, take a prepared pot and bury each seed half an inch deep.
- Cover all seeds with light soil.
- Spray a little water on the topsoil of the pot.
- Cover the pot with polythene.
- Keep the pot in a shady place.
- Within a weak, all the seeds will germinate.
- After germinating seeds, Keep the pot in sunlight little by little every day
- After 3-4 days, keep the pot in direct sunlight.
When the seeds are one month
old, transfer them in other pots.
Planting Cucumbers in Pots
Whether you can germinate
seeds or collect seedlings from a nursery. Now you have to plant cucumber
seedlings. To plant cucumber seedlings in the pots, you will take a pot, make one-inch
hole in the middle of the pot, keep a cucumber seedling in the hole, cover the
roots with soil and water the roots lightly. In this way, you plant all of your
seedlings. Finally, keep all the pots in a shady place for 3 days. After 3
days, keep them in direct sunlight.
Caring for Cucumber Plants
- Watering: When
the topsoil of the pots turns dry and white, water it properly. But don't
supply excessive water.
- Supporting: When
the cucumber plants are one foot long, bury a stick in each pot and tie the
cucumber plants with rope. When they are 3-4 feet long, make trellises
with nets and help to rise up them on the trellises.
- Cleaning Weeds: If
there are weeds on the topsoil of the pots, clean them without touching their
roots because their roots are very sensitive.
- Fertilizing: Organic
fertilizer is better for cucumbers. So, soak dry cow dung or the skin of the
vegetables for a week. Then take a glass of water from the soaked water. Then
mix 10 glasses of normal water with it. Then give one glass of that water in
each pot and see the magic. Your cucumber plants will grow and grow. And you
will get a bumper yield.
- Pruning: When
any leaves turn dry and yellow, prune them. Besides, to get a good
yield, cut the heads of cucumber plants when they are one foot long on the
trellises.
- Controlling Diseases
and Insects: Powdery mildew, downy mildew and bacterial wilt are the main
diseases of cucumbers. To control them use disease-resistant varieties and
proper spacing. Besides, you can use fungicide every week. And, beetles,
aphids and spider mites are the main culprits of cucumbers. To prevent them
apply neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Harvesting Cucumbers
Usually, depending on the variety,
cucumbers are ready to harvest 50–70 days after planting, So, harvest cucumbers
when they are firm, green, and reach the desired size, specially 6–8 inches for
slicers or 2–4 inches for pickling varieties. Harvest early in the morning for
freshness. To harvest cucumbers, use a sharp knife or shears to cut the stem,
keeping a small portion attached.
Storing Cucumbers
To store cucumbers, keep them
unwashed in a plastic bag in the refrigerator's drawer. Maintain a temperature
of 50–55°F to avoid chilling damage. Keep them away from ethylene-producing
fruits like bananas or apples to prevent spoilage.
FAQ
What are the nutrients in cucumbers?
Cucumbers are
a storehouse of valuable nutrients. They contain sugar, dietary fiber, protein,
vitamin D, Thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), migraniacin (B3), pantothenic
Acid (B5), vitamin B6, folate (B9), vitamin C, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium,
phosphorus, potassium, sodium, manganese, iron, zinc, fluoride and water
content.
What are the nutritional benefits of cucumbers?
Cucumbers are a great tonic for weight loss. Besides, they remove toxins from the body, fulfill the shortage of daily vitamins, keep skin glowing, help in digestion, increase the power of the eyes, refresh hair and nails, and relieve gout and headache.
Finally, cucumbers are the
best vegetable for weight loss. There is no alternative to cucumbers in salad.
So, if you try a little, you can enjoy them fresh by growing them indoors in
pots. However, from this article, you have come to know how to grow
cucumbers in pots. Now grow cucumbers and enjoy homemade fresh
cucumbers.
If you have anything unknown
about growing cucumbers in pots, share it in the comment box.
