Cucumber, 'Marketmore'

Germination

Suited to indoor and outdoor cultivation. Sow indoors Feb-May for indoor cropping or later transplanting out May-Jun. Sow 3 seeds vertically, 10mm deep, into 8cm pots of free draining moist seed compost. Propagate 20°C. Germination takes 7-10 days. Protect seedlings from direct sunlight to prevent scorching. Thin to strongest seedling asap. Grow plants on until they are large enough to handle. Reduce temp. to 15°C and grow on, keep compost moist not wet. If keeping in greenhouse allow 2 plants per growbag. If planting out acclimatise for 7-10 days. Plant in rows 90cm apart. Prefers rich soil with plenty of organic matter. Can be sown directly May-Jun.

Growing

Water regularly and thoroughly. This ridge type cucumber can be pinched out at the mainstem after 5 leaves have formed to encourage sideshoots. Requires pollination by insects. Do not remove male flowers from this variety. Train up supports with 45 cm spacing. For ground maturing lay straw or plastic to keep fruit clean with 90cm spacing.

Cultivation

Harvest regularly to encourage new growth. Pick fruits while young and tender, older fruits can become bitter. Best harvested in the morning when cool.