Cucumber is a widely cultivated plant in the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae. It is a creeping vine that bears cucumiform fruits that are used as vegetables.
Varieties
Palomer, Ashley, woodland crisp, London long green, danora F1, Early fortune, Colorado, Poisett, Yellow fellow, Hybrid victory.
Ecological requirements
Altitude: 400-600m above sea level
Rainfall: at least 500mm annually
Soils: well drained sandy loam, silty or clay loams rich in organic matter with ph 5.5-7.5
Temperature: 21-280C
Land preparation
Done early, remove all weeds and stumps. Harrow the field to a fine tilth.
Planting
Sow directly in the main field on raised ridges 15-20cm high and 90cm between the ridge tops. Space the plants 90cm between the ridges and 60cm between plants. Plant 3-4 seeds per hill and twin to two plants after emergence. Seed rate range from 2.5-3kg per hectare
Fertilizer and manure application
During planting apply 200kg DSP per hectare and 15 tons of organic manure per hectare.
Top-dress with 100kg CAN per hectare when plants are 15cm in height, then 200kg per hectare CAN when the plants are about to “run” and later a similar dose during flowering.
Pest management
Melon fly: spray young fruits with insecticide egdecis
Tobacco white fly: use suitable insecticide
Aphids: spray using recommended insecticide
Disease management
Downy mildew: spray with suitable fungicide egridomil
Powdery mildew: :spray with suitable fungicideeg score
Anthracnose: practice crop rotation, use suitable fungicide egrodazim
Angular leaf spot :practice crop rotation and use certified seeds
Harvesting
Starts 50-80 days from date planting dates for 2-3 months. Harvest the fruits when firm, deep green and well developed to a length of at least 15cm and diameter not more than 6.8cm. Fruits should not be left to ripen on the vines as they will cease to bear. Yield is up to 50 tons per hectare.