Rare Cucumber Survival Story

  • 14 Replies
  • 4292 Views
*

Optimistic Gardener

  • Experienced Member
  • ***
  • Location: South Warwickshire
  • 333
Rare Cucumber Survival Story
« on: August 20, 2012, 11:45 »
I'd like to announce that I think I have a cucumber that isn't suicidal, which I think must be pretty rare.

Having had 4 mini cucumbers off it, I then had to lop the top third off it earlier last month due to the dreaded grey mould (see earlier posts)...then I had to go away for a weekend a few weeks ago and came back to find that my capillary matting system had dried out and the cucumber had almost dried to a crisp and was near death.

I had to cut it all back to the last two remaining healthy leaves, water, feed and pray.  I am pleased to report that it is making a come back and has two further sets of healthy leaves on it and a very healthy looking growing shoot as well. I'm not sure if I'll get many more cucumbers before the end of the season but at least it hasn't died....well not yet!!! :tongue2:

*

mumofstig

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Kent
  • 57877
Re: Rare Cucumber Survival Story
« Reply #1 on: August 20, 2012, 11:46 »
a rarity indeed! there are not many cukes with a will to survive  ::)  :lol:

*

sunshineband

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Reading, Berkshire
  • 32056
  • Tallest Sunflower prizewinner 2014
    • A Little Bit of Sunshine
Re: Rare Cucumber Survival Story
« Reply #2 on: August 20, 2012, 12:03 »
Well done you  :D
Wisdom is knowing what to ignore - be comfortable in your own skin.
My Blog
My Diary
My Diary Comments

*

shokkyy

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Swindon
  • 2299
  • Mishka
Re: Rare Cucumber Survival Story
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2012, 00:45 »
Mine have reached the roof of the tunnel and are now most of the way across it to the other side. Nice thing about them is you don't even have to bother tying them in really, just a gentle hint with a bit of string and they eagerly bound across. Took them long enough to start growing and cropping, but once they did they went completely berserk. Luvly cucumbers too, really juicy.

*

Growster...

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Hawkhurst, Kent
  • 13162
Re: Rare Cucumber Survival Story
« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2012, 06:47 »
Great news this, usually cucumbers just get sowed gently, potted on with care, then planted and decide to give up a minute later...

However, this year seems to be so different, and yesterday, Mrs Growster went out into the road to give seven away to anyone who would listen!

Monty Don says fry them, so we may well do that as well...

*

Auntiemogs

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Isle of Sheppey, Kent
  • 2786
Re: Rare Cucumber Survival Story
« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2012, 07:54 »
Or you could make some fridge pickles Growster. Had great success with mine (put in some sliced onion and a few slices of chilli pepper too).  :tongue2:
I would rather live in a world
where my life is surrounded by mystery
than live in a world so small that my mind could comprehend it...✿~ Harry Emerson Fosdick

*

Growster...

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Hawkhurst, Kent
  • 13162
Re: Rare Cucumber Survival Story
« Reply #6 on: August 21, 2012, 08:41 »
Or you could make some fridge pickles Growster. Had great success with mine (put in some sliced onion and a few slices of chilli pepper too).  :tongue2:

Hey, that sounds great Moggie!

Any special method involved at all?

*

Auntiemogs

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Isle of Sheppey, Kent
  • 2786
Re: Rare Cucumber Survival Story
« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2012, 09:03 »
Here you go Growster...
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=97473.0

Going to make another batch today (the sweet version), was dead easy and the chilli spiced it up to perfection.   :tongue2:

I grow the small cukes to I quartered them lengthways (will halve them next time for a bit more crunch) and left the skin on, added a thickly sliced onion and a sliced aji pepper. Will post a piccie when I make the next batch.  :)

*

New shoot

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Reading
  • 18324
Re: Rare Cucumber Survival Story
« Reply #8 on: August 21, 2012, 09:08 »
Morning Growster  :)  Auntiemogs has some good recipes for you there, but this thread reminded me of these which I made loads of last year - couldn't leave them alone  :blush: 

Sweet/sour cucumber fridge pickle - from the River Cottage perserve book

1kg thinly sliced cukes
3 small thinly sliced onions
herbs/chilli/flavourings of your choice
250g granulated sugar
1tbsp salt
200ml cider vinegar

Mix and leave to marinate overnight, them transfer to jars or plastic storage boxes in the fridge.  Keeps 2 weeks.

Must go see if the greenhouse has any cukes for me now  :lol:

*

compostqueen

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • 16597
Re: Rare Cucumber Survival Story
« Reply #9 on: August 21, 2012, 09:53 »
I too had a kamikazi cuc which has rallied, recovered and is fruiting wonderfully. It looks horrible but I can live with that  :)

I'm growing Cucino and they're great as the plants are very compact and don't rampage all over the greenhouse as some varieties of mini cue do  :)

*

Optimistic Gardener

  • Experienced Member
  • ***
  • Location: South Warwickshire
  • 333
Re: Rare Cucumber Survival Story
« Reply #10 on: August 21, 2012, 09:56 »
My "hero" cuke is the Diva variety.  I had lots of success with it last year.  Thanks everyone for your messages and recipies - I shall look forward to trying those out.

OG

*

Growster...

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Hawkhurst, Kent
  • 13162
Re: Rare Cucumber Survival Story
« Reply #11 on: August 21, 2012, 14:48 »
Here you go Growster...
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=97473.0

Going to make another batch today (the sweet version), was dead easy and the chilli spiced it up to perfection.   :tongue2:

I grow the small cukes to I quartered them lengthways (will halve them next time for a bit more crunch) and left the skin on, added a thickly sliced onion and a sliced aji pepper. Will post a piccie when I make the next batch.  :)

These are great Moggie, thank you so much!

We don't ever use any sugar in anything here, and the green tomato chutney stayed fresh for as year just by leaving it out of the recipe!

I reckon this will work without sugar too (he says hopefully...;0)

*

Growster...

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Hawkhurst, Kent
  • 13162
Re: Rare Cucumber Survival Story
« Reply #12 on: August 21, 2012, 14:50 »
Morning Growster  :)  Auntiemogs has some good recipes for you there, but this thread reminded me of these which I made loads of last year - couldn't leave them alone  :blush: 

Sweet/sour cucumber fridge pickle - from the River Cottage perserve book

1kg thinly sliced cukes
3 small thinly sliced onions
herbs/chilli/flavourings of your choice
250g granulated sugar
1tbsp salt
200ml cider vinegar

Mix and leave to marinate overnight, them transfer to jars or plastic storage boxes in the fridge.  Keeps 2 weeks.

Must go see if the greenhouse has any cukes for me now  :lol:

Are you back yet, News?

Thanks for this, as above to Mogs, it won't have any sugar, and I don't see why it shouldn't last OK!

*

New shoot

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Reading
  • 18324
Re: Rare Cucumber Survival Story
« Reply #13 on: August 21, 2012, 15:20 »
I'm back Growster, after another taming of the greenhouse jungle session :ohmy:

Finally hacked my way to the back where the cuke is and emerged triumphant with 2 fruits. Also got a side order of a whole compost bag of thinned out tomato side shoots and leaves for the compost heap, plus an aubergine and a big bowl of tomatoes  :D

Now got foliage in my hair and am stained an interesting shade of green from the toms but hey ho  :lol:

*

Growster...

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Hawkhurst, Kent
  • 13162
Re: Rare Cucumber Survival Story
« Reply #14 on: August 21, 2012, 20:21 »
I'm back Growster, after another taming of the greenhouse jungle session :ohmy:

Finally hacked my way to the back where the cuke is and emerged triumphant with 2 fruits. Also got a side order of a whole compost bag of thinned out tomato side shoots and leaves for the compost heap, plus an aubergine and a big bowl of tomatoes  :D

Now got foliage in my hair and am stained an interesting shade of green from the toms but hey ho  :lol:
Ha ha ha News!

Whenever I've fiddled around in the toms, my hands send the hand-washing water bright green, and I look like a Mekon (you're too young for that memo...)!

;0)



xx
Peppers, toms survival chances ?

Started by adri123 on Growing in Greenhouses & Polytunnels

8 Replies
3466 Views
Last post April 07, 2014, 18:41
by Headgardener22
xx
Pumpkin & cucumber

Started by mickmick on Growing in Greenhouses & Polytunnels

3 Replies
2063 Views
Last post September 02, 2013, 21:38
by mickmick
xx
Cucumber damage

Started by 4th season allot on Growing in Greenhouses & Polytunnels

3 Replies
2881 Views
Last post June 12, 2011, 19:06
by mumofstig
clip
Cucumber Disease

Started by argonaut on Growing in Greenhouses & Polytunnels

8 Replies
3606 Views
Last post July 17, 2020, 14:40
by JayG
 

Page created in 0.131 seconds with 40 queries.

Powered by SMFPacks Social Login Mod
Powered by SMFPacks SEO Pro Mod |