'Socrates' F1 cucumber...

Were trying these this year, and after the obligatory demise of one plant (that's what they're supposed to do of course), we have five plants growing well in pots in the greenhouse.

We've had the first fruits recently, and they're gathering their strength for the next crop, but what I can never understand, is whether I should have pinched them out after a few leaves, or left them,as I have, as a long stem, which I eventually twist up twine to the greenhouse roof.

So, are you a 'stopper', or a 'twister'?

i'm growing them for the first time this year. just twisting until they reach the middle of the tunnel, when they there i'll nip the tip out.

i'd agree with totty about the side shoots. i thought i'd leave the side shoots to it as there's so many horror stories about cucumbers. i had a double theory that the less i mess with them the less chance there is i'll kill them. and i was assuming i'd loose up to half to rot so the side shoots could make up for the thinning crop when they did die on me. now going absolute nuts, non died, can't even see where i'm watering, too many shoots to train them all up the stem/ string.

next year i will either try the mesh idea and let them get on with it, or cut the side shoots and train. prob try half and half and see what gives a better crop. still trying to learn as quick as pos.

I have found that for lots of the small types, leave them to go wherever they want. If large specimens are being grown grow em on the one stem.

Totty