Kitchen Garden Forum

I sowed some 'gherkins' (Adam) and cucumbers (The ones free with KG) about a month ago in the house (no greenhouse) and had the fear of God put in me by the tips in KG about growing them and not alterting their temperature too much.

There are now about 7 or 8" tall. I did attempt to start harden them off a couple of weeks ago in the warm period and they didn't like it so I brought them back in. They are now starting to flower in the house.

Am I molly coddling these plants? Should I just stick them outside in the daytime and see what happens? I am a bit concerned that they are growing too quick in the house withoug enough time to harden off before being planted outside.

I have already lost two Adams already with them breaking in the strong wind and last year had no success at all so I am a bit senstive about my cucumber growing.

Also, can I get the Adam to 'Climb' in the same way as the regular cucumbers, should they live that long?

I also hear Potatoes and cucumbers are good companion planting. Anyone had experience of growing them on supports between their rows of potatoes?

If this helps, I live in Manchester.

I guess if they're flowering they really do need to be hardened off fairly quickly although they would flower anyway in a greehouse as there's a risk that the roots will rapidly become restricted which could impact on their growth. Do you have any l.5 litre square empty mineral water bottles could cover them with if the weather turns colder outside? Even a very large plastic pot upturned might protect them at least at night. I planted mine outdoors yesterday but they're only about 4 inches high and I'll keep them covered for a while yet. If you're worried about losing them, why not plant half of them outside and hedge your bets?

Hey people.

Cucumbers are probably the least hardy of all the common veg plants we grow.

Outdoor types still want to be kept above 16c all the time ideally. i don't know how you plan to do this with cloches. all looks like sheer folly to me!

You can keep them in the house. harden off during the day at start of june. plant out week or two later.

pot up into bigger pot now if you worried about becoming root bound.

I think Dewwex is right - cloches will not get you anywhere.

Remember next year to sow later. For indoor (polytunnel) cucumbers I follow the late Bernard Salt's rule "Sow when the cherry trees are in full bloom, which this year was 21 April. My cucumbers are potted on already and are a happy 3 - 4 inches high, and will be planted as soon as I get their bed ready. Then will romp away.

My radical solution for you is this - sow again now. Outdoor cucumbers (including gherkins) are commonly sown late spring/early summer (i.e. end of May /beginning of June). Sow and grow them as you did the last lot; by the time they are big it will be warm enough to harden them off and plant out. You will get cucumbers and gherkins, I promise - a bit later, but better than none at all.

Alan