CUCUMBER

Climatic   and   soil   requirements:

Cucumber also known as Cucumis sativus in botanical name  requires warmth, moisture, and nutrients. It prefers a fairly loose soil enriched with organic manure. Cucumber may not do well in highly compacted waterlogged clay soil.

Cultivation:

Seeds are grown straight into permanent beds or ridges. They germinate, grow, and produce fruits, which are harvested. The sowing of the seeds should begin at the end of the rainy season (about October). The seeds are shown on previously prepared sandy beds. Two rows of seeds are sown per bed. A spacing of 10cm between rows and 60cm between seeds is used. Planting depth not more than 2cm. When sowing is completed, the ridges are covered with dead grasses (mulching).

Germination: 

Germination of cucumber seeds occurs 3-4 days after sowing. They soon develop climbing aids called tendrils and start to climb. Hence, it is important that adequate support is provided for the seedlings in advance.

Diseases:

The mildew fungi affect cucumber. Badly infected plants should be pulled up and burned to avoid the spread of the infection. Fungicide could be used to treat infected plants.

Harvesting:

Cucumber fruits mature in about two months after the seeds are sown. The fruits are harvested by plucking manually.

Importance:

It is cultivated for its juicy and crisp fruit, which can be eaten raw. It can be used as an important ingredient in the preparation of vegetable salads. It is rich in vitamin C and mineral salts.