Can you grow cucumbers from cucumbers? The short answer to this question is yes, you can grow cucumbers from a cucumber. But, you need to know a few important things before planting the cucumber. Make sure that the cucumber is not grown from the hybrid varieties. This is because fruits or generally plants that are grown from hybrids do not produce the same plants as their parent. And even when they grow into true plants like their parents, they may not produce fruits or they may go back or revert to a previous version of the parent plants.
Likewise, if the cucumber is an open-pollinated variety, the seed can grow into a new true cucumber plant but it can take some time to germinate. This is because there is a gelatinous protective layer that coated the cucumber seeds, which helps prevent the cucumber seed from germinating.
Additionally, planting seeds from cucumber scraps that are bought from grocery stores may sometimes not germinate. This is because the cucumbers are sometimes harvested before the seeds become fully ripe or matured.
Therefore, if you want to grow cucumbers from cucumber, always make sure that the seeds inside are fully matured.
With this information in mind, here is a step by step guide on how to grow cucumbers from cucumber:
Getting the seeds from the cucumber
Here is a step by step guide to removing seeds from cucumber:
Find cucumbers with matured seeds: look for cucumbers that have fully ripe seeds from your kitchen scraps the fresh ones that you just bought from stores.
Remove the seeds from the cucumber scraps or the store-bought cucumbers: divide the cucumber into two halves using a clean knife. Use your fingers or spoon to scoop or remove out the seeds and the flesh from the cucumber. Place the seeds and the pulp in a clean container with some water.
You need to ferment the mixture of the cucumber seeds and pulp for about 1-3 days to separate the pulp from the seeds. When the fermentation is finished, decant the seeds by adding more water to the container. Store the pulp and seeds mixture until the lightweight seeds and pulp are on the top surface of the water. The seeds that float on water are not viable while those seeds that sink are viable seeds.
Collect the seeds that settled on the bottom of the container and rinse them in water. Spread the seeds on a tray or newspaper and dry them in a well-ventilated and dry place for about 48 hours.
Read also: How To Grow Garlic From Scraps (12+Q & A About Growing Garlic)
Growing cucumber seeds in a container
If you want to grow cucumber in the container, you need to be specific in choosing the containers. Not all containers can be used for growing cucumbers.
Here is a step by step guide on how to grow cucumbers in containers:
Choose a large container: select and use a large pot for growing your cucumbers. Cucumbers grow well in large containers with enough soil, so cucumbers can grow enough extensive root systems to support rapid growth and abundant yields of cucumbers. Choose a pot that is 20 quarts.
Add the quality potting mix in the pot: use a well-drained, well-aerated, and fertile potting mix. Do not use garden soil as this soil can become soggy when water is added and compacted when dry out.
Choose the right time for planting your cucumber seeds: cucumbers love warm, ventilated, and moist weather. So, do not plant your cucumber in the spring unless you are starting the seeds indoors. Plant your cucumbers seeds in the summer at least 2 weeks after the last spring frost.
Plant the cucumber seeds: bury about 2-4 seeds 1-inch deep down the potting soil. Water the seeds to keep the soil moist. keep the container in full sun and well-ventilated area. Add a slow-release granular fertilizer. After 1-2 weeks, the seeds will start to germinate. If all the seeds germinated, thin the remaining seedlings and leave only one or two stands.
Feed your cucumber plants: feed your cucumber with slow-release fertilizer before germination and then turn to liquid fertilizer when they started establishing new roots and leaves.
Take care of your cucumbers: water the top few inches of the potting soil when dry out. Do not over-water. Just water enough to keep the potting soil moist.
Read also: How To Grow Zucchini From Scraps And Seeds
Growing cucumbers on the grounds
Here is a step by step guide on how to grow cucumbers on grounds:
Prepare the garden spot: loosen the soil by digging a 12-inch layer of the garden soil. Remove large stones, roots, rocks, and off plants from the soil. Mix in a 3-inch layer of compost into the soil. Prepare raised beds of 12 inches each. Leave 16 inches between rows.
Plant the cucumber seeds: you need to sow 2-4 seeds per hole. Leave at least 16 inches of space between holes. Cucumbers are vines, which can be grown in verticals. Arrange trellis for the plants when they started growing into plants.
Water the garden soil and seeds: immediately after planting seeds, you need to water the seeds and soil to keep them moist. Moisture is necessary for germination. But, while watering is important avoid flooding your garden as this can cause pests and diseases.
Take care of your garden: take care of your harden by timely watering and applying fertilizer. Watch for pests and diseases, and control them. (Tip: learn more on how to take care of your garden.)
Read also: How To Grow Carrots From Scraps And Seeds In 8 Easy Steps
Related Questions
How long do cucumbers take from seed to harvest?
Under normal conditions, cucumbers can take 55 to 70 days to become fully ready after germination.
Can you grow cucumbers from store-bought cucumbers?
Yes, you can grow cucumbers from store-bought cucumbers but the problem with store-bought cucumbers is that sometimes the fruits can be harvested before the seeds mature. And immature seeds do not germinate when planted.
How many cucumbers do you get per plant?
Under normal conditions, a healthy cucumber plant can yield up to 5 pounds of cucumbers per plant.
Conclusion
In this article, I looked at how to grow cucumbers from cucumber or seeds. I hope you will find the article helpful. Let me know if you have any questions.
