cucumber vine are a democratic vegetable that add a fresh , crispy element to salads , sandwiches , and more . While they grow well outdoors , cucumber also thrive when cultivate in a greenhouse environment The operate setting allows you to grow delicious cucumbers throughout the season If you ’re wondering “ can you grow cucumbers in a greenhouse ? ” , the answer is a resonant yes ! Here is a stark guide to successfully raising cucumber hydroponically or in grow bagful inside your greenhouse .
Overview of Cucumber Plants
Cucumbers ( Cucumis sativus ) are a wide cultivated vining veggie belonging to the Cucurbitaceae or gourd family . The plants create cylindrical green fruit that are eat up fresh or pickle .
Most cucumber varieties require a long warm grow season and are sensitive to frost . They prefer consistent wet and grease pH between 6.0 - 7.0 . Cucumber vines can sprawl 6 feet or more across the garden .
There are three main type of cucumbers suitable for indoor greenhouse rise
Slicing cucumbers – Standard larger fruits for fresh feeding and salads .
Pickling cuke – Shorter and blocky for pickling into dills , gherkins , etc .
English or gourmet Cucumis sativus – Long , flimsy , and about seedless .
Many heavyset President George W. Bush or dwarf varieties are also ideal for containers and lowly greenhouse spaces .
Benefits of Growing Cucumbers in a Greenhouse
Cucumbers develop exceptionally well in greenhouse environments . Here are some fundamental advantages :
Extended time of year – originate cucumbers earlier and longer than outdoors .
Frost protection – sustain optimal warm temperatures inside .
Pest protection – Prevent insect harm under cover .
Space efficiency – Grow vertically with trellis to maximise area .
grime dominance – cautiously manage wet and nutrients .
Plant aegis – Shelter seedling and transplants .
A nursery allows you to grow cucumbers for months past the normal out-of-door range . You also avoid pestilence and disease military issue common when growing cucumber outside .
Selecting Greenhouse Cucumber Varieties
Many cucumber cultivars are bred specifically for optimize greenhouse carrying out . idealistic glasshouse varieties include :
Mini cucumber – ‘ Mini Munch ’ , ‘ Picklebush ’ , etc .
English or European – ‘ Diva ’ , ‘ Passandra ’ , ‘ Cumlaude ’
Bush or dwarf – ‘ flourish ’ , ‘ Salad Bush ’ , ‘ Vert Petit ’
Parthenocarpic – ‘ Green Fingers ’ , ‘ Sucy ’ , ‘ Corinto ’
Slicers – ‘ Tasty Green ’ , ‘ Sweet Slice ’ , ‘ Burpless ’
American picklers – ‘ Calypso ’ , ‘ Carolina ’
Look for varieties resistant to powdery mould , cucumber mosaic virus , and other common diseases when arise in an enclosed greenhouse quad .
Growing Cucumbers Hydroponically in a Greenhouse
One excellent method acting for greenhouse Cucumis sativus is hydroponic cultivation . Here are tips :
begin seeds in propagation cubes then transplant into net pots fill with a well - drained medium like perlite or vermiculite .
rank net pots into holes cut in the palpebra of a hydroponic source to suspend plant above the nutrient solution .
Use an aquicultural alimentary expression diluted to strength commend for cucumbers . Maintain optimal pH and EC .
Consider a top - provender DWC system for easiest management of nutrients and body of water .
gearing vines vertically using chain , cages , or trellis . Prune aggressively .
Provide coherent quick temperatures around 75 ° degree Fahrenheit . Ensure high humidity floor .
Growing Cucumbers in Grow Bags in a Greenhouse
satiate 10 - 15 gal grow bag half full with a lightweight potting mix amend with compost or coir .
Sow 2 - 3 seed per bag , thinning subsequently to the strongest seedling .
H2O when top inch of dirt feel dry . Use a limpid fertilizer per package rates every 2 - 3 calendar week .
Train vines up bowed stringed instrument attached to overhead supports . Prune side shoot for honorable fruiting .
Pollinate female flowers by gently stir vine daily if no pollinator have glasshouse access .
supervise for uncouth pest like aphid and disease like powdery mildew .
Ensure grow bags are placed in full sun and have drip trays underneath to prevent waterlogging . trellis vertical save space and affirm heavy yields .
Caring for Greenhouse Cucumbers
Once seeded or transplanted , greenhouse cucumbers need :
daylight temperature of 75 - 85 ° F , around 60 ° F at night . Provide a warmth source if ask .
coherent wet in the root zone , allowing soil to partly dry between tearing .
temperate fertilization with a balanced liquid works food or in aquicultural root .
mess of lineal sun for at least 8 hours daily . Supplement with grow lights if light levels are depressed .
upright melody circulation from fan to tone industrial plant and prevent fungal disease .
Vertical supports for vining varieties to get upwards . Prune off side shoots for best fruiting .
supervise plants closely for blighter like whitefly and disease like powdery mold . Take disciplinal action promptly in the enclosed glasshouse space .
When to Harvest Greenhouse Cucumbers
Cucumbers are ready for picking when :
fruit are firm , snappy , and bright green ( or mixed bag color )
Cucumbers turn over idealistic sizing for the assortment , ordinarily 6 - 8 in long
Skin is thin and free from blemish , pits , yellowing , etc .
Seeds within are still soft before full maturation
peak end is rounded , not pointed
expend a precipitous tongue or pruners to carefully snip cucumbers from vines , hold some root word . Handle lightly to avoid bruising . Harvest oftentimes to encourage more yield production .
Expected Cucumber Yield Per Plant
A exclusive healthy cucumber vine plant grown in optimal glasshouse conditions can yield :
10 - 25 fruit per bush or dwarf variety
25 - 100 cucumbers per vining plant life
Actual yields calculate on glasshouse space , education method acting , pruning technique , and cultivar planted . Trellised vining flora spaced expeditiously will achieve the high productiveness .
Troubleshooting Common Cucumber Problems
develop cucumbers in a greenhouse avoids many outdoor issues but problems can still arise .
Slow growth – Ensure daytime temperature of at least 75 ° F and provide subsidiary lighting if short sunshine .
Flowers fall down off – Improve pollination by shake vine daily to pass around pollen . Low humidity cause flush drop .
Misshapen fruits – Insufficient pollination lead to curiously - shaped cucumbers .
Bitter taste – Overripe fruits turn acrimonious . Harvest on a regular basis at proper untried stages .
Powdery mold – Improve air circulation and reduce humidness stage . Use sulphur fungicides if stark .
Monitor closely and quickly remedy any issues for good glasshouse cucumber wellness and productiveness .
Storing the Harvest from Greenhouse Cucumbers
Freshly picked nursery cucumber will store :
1 workweek when refrigerated in a plastic bag
Up to 5 day at cool room temperature
Several months when pickle , fermented , frozen , or send away
Enjoy Cucumis sativus immediately after harvest home for premium relish and texture . The skin do not need peeling unless prefer . Rinse under nerveless piddle before eating or processing .
Top Tips for Greenhouse Cucumber Success
Select varieties optimise for greenhouse originate like ‘ Diva ’ , ‘ Fanfare ’ , etc .
Maintain quick Clarence Day and night temperature around 75 - 80 ° F .
Prune and trellis vine vertically to relieve blank space and ameliorate fruit .
Pollinate female flowers by mildly shaking plants day by day .
Use tank farming or quality potting mix in grow bag .
Irrigate consistently and fertilize plants each week .
reap ripe yield frequently to advance more production .
With the right practices , a greenhouse leave ideal growing conditions to generate abundant cucumbers season after season .
FAQs about Growing Cucumbers in a Greenhouse
Can you successfully grow cucumbers year round in a greenhouse?
Yes , with supplementary lighting and heat , glasshouse cucumbers can produce all year . productiveness declines in wintertime but greenhouse experimental condition extend the season liken to outside .
Is pollination needed for greenhouse cucumber plants?
In most cases , pollination is needed to produce the fruit , unless planting parthenocarpic mixture . Indoor bee or manually shaking vines distributes pollen to female flowers .
How much space do cucumber vines need in a greenhouse?
Bush types demand 1 solid feet . For vining plants , allow 3 straight feet when trained vertically . Ramps or overhead support structure maximize quad efficiency .
Is it better to grow cucumbers in containers or hydroponically in a greenhouse?
Both methods work well . aquiculture offers more restraint but containers with a quality potting intermixture are low maintenance . guarantee adequate funding either way .
Conclusion
Cucumbers are a rewarding veggie to add to your greenhouse . When cater with ample warmth , light , vertical reenforcement , and proper guardianship , cucumber plants will flourish in a greenhouse . Both shadow potted plant life and vertically trained vining plants grow abundantly within the protected confines of a nursery . With so many varieties optimized for greenhouse culture , it ’s easy to savor overbold Cucumis sativus direct from your indoor garden .
