Cucumbers need shelter and warmth. That is why they feel particularly comfortable in the warm, humid greenhouse climate. How to optimally prepare the greenhouse for cucumber plants? What should you pay particular attention to when growing, caring for and harvesting under glass? And which cucumber varieties are suitable for under glass?

In the greenhouse, cucumbers can be harvested up to four times a year

Whether outdoor cucumbers or greenhouse cucumbers - you can grow both on the windowsill in mid-April. Sowing in the greenhouse is possible as early as the beginning of April. Outdoor cucumbers are only allowed in the garden in mid-May after the ice saints.

What varieties of cucumbers to grow in the greenhouse?

Recommended greenhouse varieties are, for example, the cucumber Helena or the following F1 hybrids:

  • 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. Hybrid plants tend to have higher yields and are more disease resistant than non-hybrids.

Prepare the greenhouse properly

Young plants of greenhouse cucumbers 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. And possibly equip with a heater.

Even if cucumbers prefer warmth - on hot days they need shade under glass. For this purpose, wires are stretched for the shading fabric under the roof. Before you can plant greenhouse cucumbers, it is advisable to loosen the soil and improve it with substrate or 3 to 5 liters of compost per square meter.

Special care for greenhouse cucumbers

From a height of 20 centimeters you can grow young cucumber plants in the greenhouse. Whether in the tub or on the ground, the planting distance between the cucumber plants should be about 60 centimeters and the row spacing 1.5 meters. As soon as the cucumber plants climb upwards, twist climbing cords from the roof around the cucumber shoots in a spiral and wind them again and again. Also important: pinch off the tops in good time before the cucumber plants reach the greenhouse roof.

Cucumber plants are very thirsty, but do not tolerate waterlogging. They are also sensitive to lime, chlorine and salt. Therefore fertilize cucumbers organically. Light or yellow leaves can indicate nutrient deficiencies. Cucumbers that fall off on their own suffer from a lack of water or severe temperature fluctuations.

Prevent diseases and pests in the greenhouse

Balanced humidity and resistant cucumber varieties or grafted cucumbers are the best protection against typical greenhouse cucumber diseases and pests such as spider mites and aphids. Regular checking of the underside of the sheet and adhesive panels prevent this. If you discover pests at an early stage, you can fight them with beneficial insects or other environmentally friendly plant protection measures.

Harvesting and storing greenhouse cucumbers correctly

Your wages of work? From June, cucumbers can be harvested in the greenhouse up to four times a year. Young, small cucumbers taste better and you can harvest them earlier. As a result, new fruits grow faster. The cucumbers are ripe when the skin is smooth to the touch. To harvest, cut off the stalk above the cucumber. It is best to store the cucumbers at 13 ° degrees.

tips and tricks

Tired of pickles? Then put cucumber slices on your skin as a moisturizing mask and enjoy the cosmetic fountain of youth for free 😉

Category:

Vegetable garden