Growing cucumbers vertically has the benefit of eliminating the usual problem of fruit rot that is connected with cucumber cultivation. It occurs when fruits are left in wet soil over an extended period.
Allowing cucumber vines to grow vertically enhances air circulation around the plant, which helps to keep fungal infections at bay. Cucumber plants have a sprawling propensity, therefore growing them vertically allows their leaves to gather more sunlight, resulting in a healthy plant with huge cucumbers. Another significant advantage is that the fruits may be harvested more readily and on time.
Reasons For Growing Cucumbers Vertically
Cucumbers cultivated on the ground (horizontally) often take up 10-20 square feet of space, with the plant sprawling over the surrounding surface. Smaller, bushier types, on the other hand, take up only a third of the space but make fewer fruits.
Climbing vine-type types are more fruitful, and they only take up 1-2 square feet of space when grown vertically, climbing up a trellis or cage.
How To Grow Cucumbers Vertically
The following are the detailed steps taken on how to grow cucumbers vertically.
Picking a Trellis and a Container
If you’re cultivating cucumbers vertically in containers, use containers that are at least 12 inches deep and wide; for a non-bushier vining variety, choose a much larger 18-inch pot.
The number of cucumber plants you can grow in one of these containers is determined by the variety. Vining kinds grow tall and send out long roots, necessitating a large container, whereas bushier varieties grow short and may be planted in regular pots.
Size of the Trellis
Pick a good trellis that is 5 to 6 feet tall and stable. Use an “A-frame trellis” if you’re growing climbing plants so the plant can effortlessly climb up and down. To guide the vines, you can also use coir ropes.
Cucumber Growth and Planting
Seeds can be sown directly on the ground or in tiny pots. 2 cm of soil should be used to bury them. After seedlings have germinated and developed a few true leaves, transplant the healthiest of them into a larger pot or frost-free ground in the spring or summer, preferably when the soil temperature is at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius).
Cucumbers can be grown all year if you reside in a tropical or subtropical area. Cucumbers, like tomatoes, are heavy feeders, so prepare your soil thoroughly before planting them in the ground by mixing in well-rotted manure and compost.
Cucumbers Grown Vertically: What You Need To Know
The following are the requirements for growing cucumbers vertically.
Position: Cucumber prefers a warm, sunny position with little wind, but adequate air circulation is required. Cucumber is a South Asian vegetable that dislikes temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 C). Cucumbers thrive best around 60–95 degrees Fahrenheit (15–35 degrees Celsius).
Soil: It likes soil that is well-drained, loose, and deep, with a high organic matter content and a neutral pH. Use your potting mix combined with high-quality compost or organic cattle manure in pots.
Watering: The secret to a successful cucumber harvest is frequent and thorough watering. It’s because its fruits have a high moisture content. Avoid soaking the foliage when watering, as this can foster fungal diseases.
Mulching: If you’re growing cucumbers in your garden, mulch around the bottom of the plant to boost the soil’s capacity to absorb water.
Fertilizer: Mix an all-purpose slow-release fertilizer into the soil at the time of planting. When the plant begins to flower, add old manure as a side-dress and a balanced liquid fertilizer according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Conclusion
I hope you find this article helpful. I would like to hear from you. So, let me know if you have any questions about growing cucumber vertically.
