How Can I Increase My Cucumber Harvest?

Did you choose a compact cucumber variety for growing in containers?

Did you choose a large container for growing cucumbers?

Did you use a high-quality well-draining potting soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0?

Did you provide your cucumbers a warm soil and at least 6 to 8 hours of full sun?

Do you water your cucumbers consistently and evenly?

Do you feed your cucumbers regularly during growth?

Did you use trellis to support your cucumber plants?

Do you search for pests and diseases regularly?

Bush varieties of cucumbers are known to perform well in pots since they are short, compact, and easy to grow as compared to vining ones. Examples of bush cucumber varieties include Salad Bush Hybrid, Bush Champion, Space master, Hybrid Bush Crop, Baby Bush, Bush Pickle, and Potluck.

Cucumbers are deep-rooted plants so they need containers that will offer enough depth for the roots to grow. Bigger pots hold more potting soil, which in turn retains water for a longer period. A single cucumber plant requires a space of approximately 10 inches deep and wide. Based on how many cucumber plants you want to grow, you can calculate the size of the container you need.

Cucumbers require a high-quality well-draining potting soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Most commercial container mixes are designed to have an ideal pH of 7.0 which is within the recommended range for cucumbers. But in case you aren't sure of the pH of your mix, you should have it tested by a laboratory or local extension office.

Container-grown cucumbers need warm soil and at least 6 to 8 hours of full sun to thrive.

Do not leave the soil or mix to dry as this will inhibit growth and might lead to bitter cucumbers. The potting mix should remain moist but not soggy since too much wetness usually exposes your cucumbers to infections. A simple way to check if the soil is dry is by sticking your finger in it and if it feels dry then it’s time to water your plants.

Cucumbers are heavy feeders so add a slow-release all-purpose fertilizer into the potting mix before planting. Feed your cucumbers with a diluted or half-strength fertilizer in about 2- 4 weeks after planting. This should be done once every week during the growing period to improve crop performance. Use either a commercial cucumber fertilizer or an organic fertilizer like liquid kelp or fish emulsion.

Cucumbers do not require a trellis, they do benefit from it. Trellising allows the cucumber to climb along the trellis from the start so your plants do not sprawl all over the ground. In addition, the plants on a trellis have most of their leaves exposed to more sunlight and this translates back to higher yields and improved fruit quality. The key thing to note when using trellis is to ensure you have a strong trellis system that can withstand strong wind.

Depending on the variety, cucumbers take approximately 50 to 70 days to reach maturity. Harvest the cucumbers while they’re still small and tender by cutting them off the plant using sharp pruners or knives. Pick the fruits more often to encourage more fruits.

At least once a week, examine your cucumbers for pests and diseases. Check the foliage, especially the lower leaves for leaf spots and holes. Look over the fruit for damage, soft spots, or cracks. Any sign of pests or diseases should be observed as soon as it appears so you can deal with them timely and accordingly. The most common diseases in cucumbers are bacterial wilt, anthracnose, downy mildew, and powdery mildew. The most common pests in cucumbers include thrips, cucumber beetles, and aphids.