[Russell Atterbury]

I have two cucumber plants that I need to decide on a route for them to grow. I only have the choice of along the ground, behind pots of pepper plants, or on an horizontal string about 9 inches in front of the bottom of my tomatoes, which being in raised beds would make the cucumber string between 10 and 15 inches off the ground. By the time the cucumber will be ready to trail in front of the toms I would expect the tomato plants to be a good height and maybe all the leaves on a level can be removed. The cucumber are the small variety. Any advice would be great from such an experienced lot as you all.

[mumofstig]

No where you can put in a cane/string for them grow upwards? That's what they really want to do..

[Russell Atterbury]

The poly thing that I constructed is built entirely from thick branches I collected, difficult to explain but basically on one side of the walkway I only have a height of about 24 inches and I can't use that and cross the walkway in direction of the toms. So I have a big pot at the far end of the thing on the lower side and my only choice is to run around on the ground or in front of the toms. The cucumber are a late addition, outvoted by females. I could leave cucumber out, they repeat on me terribly. But that is the situation now, on the ground or slightly rising in front of tomatoes. Do you see a problem with both mumofstig?

[snowdrops]

What variety of cucumbers are they would they maybe grow outside?

[Russell Atterbury]

Apparently they would grow outside also, but we tried it last year and the weather we get proved quite terminal for them, tomato also. That was the main reason for getting this construction up. I have seen on YouTube that on the ground is a last resort, in front of the toms they would rise slightly with a run of about 8 foot.

[Russell Atterbury]

I thought a couple of photo's might help people to see how things are.

[JayG]

I'd train them behind the tomatoes on a diagonal string, cane, or whatever so they gain height as they come towards your camera position. They would be quite close to the wall but they wouldn't mind that - they can get scorched by too much sunlight.

Congratulations on your resourcefulness and ingenuity in building the PT!

[cc]

I would like to join in and a ask similar question. Height 32" width 27"
How do I make them spread left and right? Is the height sufficient?

[Russell Atterbury]

Great idea JayG, I think you have nailed the problem, and doing it that way I can squeeze two separate strings/poles in for the plants. It will be interesting this year, just to see how it all pans out, what with the Parsnips and all.

[JayG]

I would like to join in and a ask similar question. Height 32" width 27"
How do I make them spread left and right? Is the height sufficient?

It no doubt depends on variety to some extent, but GH cukes I've grown have all easily reached from one end to the other of the 8' length of the GH (and then taken off amongst the tomatoes!)
I'd consider training them up the wire mesh and then rig up a string back along near the roof and train them along that. Don't rely on the tendrils holding up the cukes - a bit of tying in to the mesh would prevent a mishap.

Hope you don't mind me pointing out that your plant is wilting - looks like it needs a drink!

[snowdrops]

Russell on seeing your pictures I agree with J, behind the toms against the wall. I’d go with a wire or strong string horizontally from one end to the other perhaps 2 to 3 ft up to start with with perhaps a 2nd a foot higher for if you get lots of growth then you can train it along & back or a trellis type frame & let it do its thing but as J says do tie it in as they can get quite heavy & the last thing you want is it collapsing & taking the toms out .

[Russell Atterbury]

I don't lavish praise easily, but you guys deserve it, all of you, and I hope it works out for experienced member also.