Someone gave me a cuke seedling... now what?

KathyDC · June 1, 2020

Hi all!

A friend just left a cucumber seedling on my porch, which is very sweet ... but ... I typically only grow tomatoes, peppers, and sometimes the odd lettuce, basil or other herb.

I have no idea what to do with this thing!

Any suggestions for DIY growing supports with what I have on hand? Am I completely nuts to think I can stick it in a grow bag with a tomato cage? Help!

Kathy

slugworth · June 1, 2020

was it labeled?
cukes look like squash
I have grown cukes in hanging baskets,which is fun.

KathyDC · June 1, 2020

No label, he just said it was a cucumber...

slugworth · June 1, 2020

Cukes are fun.
Once it gets bigger you can clone it to increase your "family"
Last year 1/2 my cukes were cloned plants.
With hanging baskets you can see from a distance if any are salad ready.
They will grow along wires also for a dramatic effect.

kath · June 1, 2020

A grow bag and tomato cage will work just fine.

I grow them along a cattle panel trellis, attach with tomato clips when necessary.

Father'sDaughter · June 2, 2020

I plant them at the edges of my raised beds and let them grow down over the sides. My father has been known to plant them in the pots where he grows small fruit trees and let's them grow over the sides of the pots and sprawl.

KathyDC · June 2, 2020

I think I am going to try a bag-and-cage. I may set it near my fence, and see if I can tie it up to the fence if it gets real wily.

ddsack · June 2, 2020

Quote:

Originally Posted by kath

A grow bag and tomato cage will work just fine.

I grow them along a cattle panel trellis, attach with tomato clips when necessary.

Now why didn't I think of that! I keep poking the vines where I want them to go, and they refuse to stay! I have plenty of old used clips around. Thanks, kath!

slugworth · June 2, 2020

I can't let them sprawl,or else mice will taste them.
I grow the long chinese type,if I let them sprawl,they end up like horse shoes.

kath · June 2, 2020

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddsack

Now why didn't I think of that! I keep poking the vines where I want them to go, and they refuse to stay! I have plenty of old used clips around. Thanks, kath!

You're welcome, dd! I use them for weak asparagus stalks, too.

June 1, 2020	#1
KathyDC Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Suburban Washington, DC (Zone 7A) Posts: 347	Someone gave me a cuke seedling... now what? Hi all! A friend just left a cucumber seedling on my porch, which is very sweet ... but ... I typically only grow tomatoes, peppers, and sometimes the odd lettuce, basil or other herb. I have no idea what to do with this thing! Any suggestions for DIY growing supports with what I have on hand? Am I completely nuts to think I can stick it in a grow bag with a tomato cage? Help! Kathy

June 1, 2020	#2
slugworth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: connecticut,usa Posts: 1,152	was it labeled? cukes look like squash I have grown cukes in hanging baskets,which is fun.

June 1, 2020	#5
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	A grow bag and tomato cage will work just fine. I grow them along a cattle panel trellis, attach with tomato clips when necessary.

June 2, 2020	#6
Father'sDaughter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MA/NH Border Posts: 4,919	I plant them at the edges of my raised beds and let them grow down over the sides. My father has been known to plant them in the pots where he grows small fruit trees and let's them grow over the sides of the pots and sprawl.