Botanical name | Cucumis sativus |
---|---|
Plant Care |
![]() Deciduous
Deciduous – Sheds Its Leaves Annually ![]() Full Sun
Full Sun – Prefers 6 or more hours of sun per day. ![]() Frost Hardy
Frost Hardy – Can Handle frost without damage. ![]() Moderate Watering
Moderate Watering – Requires Regular Watering. ![]() Pruning Required
Pruning Required – Needs to be Pruned. ![]() Non Indigenous
Non Indigenous – Exotic to South Africa. |
Categories | |
Common name(s) | Cucumbers |
Origin | |
Planting instructions | Sow seed directly into the soil where they are to mature.Sow four to five seeds in each basin or planting station and cover with 15mm of soil.When seedlings are ±100mm tall, thin out to three to four plants per basin.They are creeping vines that generally need a trellis or supporting frame, but can also be grown in rows or basins 300mm across and ±1m apart.If grown on a trellis or fence, tie the young vines to the trellis until the tendrils have developed enough to cling on their own. |
Maintenance | Keep basins free of weeds and water well during dry weather.Feed every two weeks with liquid fertilizer once flowers appear. |
Soil conditions | Prepare the soil well by digging in plenty of compost and/or well rotted manure, plus a handful of general fertilizer per basin or running metre of row. |
Uses | Cucumbers are used in salads and sandwich fillings. |
Interesting planting ideas | Cucumber can be grown up fences, over pergolas, up sunflower stalks, and love to be near beans, lettuces, radishes and green peppers. Also, they release a root secretion which inhibits weeds. |
Interesting info | Recommended variety: Sweet Crunch is very productive, with smooth-skinned fruit (12 – 15cm long) and a superior flavour. It is mildew-tolerant. |
Common pests and diseases | Aphids, red spider mite and pumpkin fly. (To control pumpkin fly, use a bait solution of Malathion combined with 100g sugar per litre of water.) Powdery and downy mildew in moist weather conditions. |
Harvest | Fruits should be ready for picking 8-10 weeks after sowing.Pick regularly, before the pips start to harden. |
Yield | Six plants should yield enough for a family of four.Sow every six weeks in the season. |
Cucumis sativus (Cucumbers)
- Botanical name: Cucumis sativus
- Common name(s): Cucumbers
- Categories: Fruits and Vegetables
Plant description:
When grown naturally outdoors, cucumbers are warm-season vegetables that utilize crosspollination to produce fruits.
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Botanical Pronunciation: KOO-koo-mis sa-TEE-vus
Cucumis sativus requirements and features

Moderate Maintenance
Requires moderate maintenance.