parts of a cucumber plant

What are the parts of a cucumber plant?

The cucumber plant is a tender annual with a rough, succulent, trailing stem. The hairy leaves have three to five pointed lobes, and the stem bears branched tendrils by which the plant can be trained to supports. The five-petaled yellow flowers are unisexual and produce a type of berry known as a pepo.

What are the tendrils on a cucumber plant?

In 1865, Charles Darwin noted that the spiraling tendrils of the cucumber plant allow it to act in un-plantlike ways. By reaching for and grasping a support, then hoisting it toward the sun, tendrils allow the plant to move. Once tethered, the tendrils coil into a helix, shown in this video.

Is cucumber a stem or root?

Cucumber is usually considered a vegetable because of how it's used in the culinary world. However, as it grows from flowers and contains seeds, it's botanically a fruit. Regardless of its fruit or vegetable status, there are countless ways to enjoy cucumber in your cooking or beauty routine.

What are the spots on my cucumber leaves?

Pseudomonas syringae on cucumbers causes dark spots on the leaves. Look closely and you'll find that they are water-soaked lesions. ... These blotches stop growing when they encounter major veins in the leaves. That gives them an angular appearance, which is why the disease is sometimes called angular leaf spot.

Should I pinch off cucumber flowers?

A: Pinch off the flowers if you want more stem and leaf growth – especially if the plant is young. You can remove flowers on the bottom so the plant will focus more on the top cucumbers (this will keep cucumbers off the ground too).

Why are cucumbers called cucumbers?

The word "cucumber" comes from the Latin name "cucumis." Three hundred years ago, the English called it "cowcumber." Cucumbers originated in India between the northern part of the Bay of Bengal and the Himalayan Mountains.

Can I cut cucumber vines?

Pruning cucumbers helps maintain the balance between vine growth and fruit production. Prune outside branches, leaves, flowers and fruit as needed throughout the growing season. Begin trimming cucumber vines by removing any dead or damaged portions. ... Trim off all shoots that branch from the main vine stem.

How long does it take for a cucumber to grow after flowering?

It mainly depends on variety, weather conditions, nutrients etc., Generally cucumber plants take approximately 55 to 70 days from germination to harvesting stage.

Are pickles made from cucumbers?

1. Pickles are Cucumbers. Crunchy, sour, salty or sweet – pickles all start the same way, as cucumbers! ... After they are picked they are washed and then soaked in a pickling solution often made with water, salt, spices and vinegar.

Which plant stem do we eat?

Humans most commonly eat the seeds (e.g. maize, wheat), fruit (e.g. tomato, avocado, banana), flowers (e.g. broccoli), leaves (e.g. lettuce, spinach, and cabbage), roots (e.g. carrots, beets), and stems (e.g. asparagus, ginger) of many plants.

How do you pick a good cucumber?

Look for firm cucumbers, without blemishes or soft spots, which can indicate they have started to rot. They should be dark green without any yellow spots, which develop as the cucumber is getting overly ripe. At that point, it will often produce off-flavors and odors.

What are small cucumbers called?

Gherkins, also called cornichons, or baby pickles, are small cucumbers, typically those 2.5 to 12.5 centimetres (1 to 5 in) in length, often with bumpy skin, which are typically used for pickling.

What does blight look like on cucumbers?

Look at the leaves for small brown spots with yellow rings around them that grow to entirely brown spots about 3/4 inch wide, a sign of alternaria leaf blight. Other signs of alternaria leaf blight include brown, upward-curling leaves, and brown rings with several concentric yellow circles.

What do cucumber plant leaves look like?

Cucumbers. The oval seed leaves of emerging cucumber and squash plants look very much alike, but the cucumber's true leaves will be triangular and lobed with a fuzzy surface and serrated (toothy) edges. As the cucumber vine develops, its delicate-looking but tenacious tendrils will grip and climb anything in their path ...

What is wrong with my cucumbers?

» Angular leaf spot, bacterial wilt, Phytophthora crown and root rot, and powdery mildew are important diseases on cucumber.

What can you not plant next to cucumbers?

Two plants to avoid planting near cucumbers are melons and potatoes. Sage is not recommended as a companion plant near cucumbers either. While sage shouldn't be planted near cucumbers, oregano is a popular pest control herb and will do well as a companion plant.

Why are my cucumbers flowering but not fruiting?

The female flower cannot produce the pollen needed to cause the fruit to develop and is dependent upon insect (or human) pollinators to transport the pollen from the male flower. The male flowers begin forming before the female flowers form. So, it is possible to have cucumbers blooming, but not producing fruit.

How do you get a female cucumber to flower?

You can increase female flowers in cucumber by planting more Gynoecious species of cucumber. Gynoecious species of cucumber produces only female flowers. Therefore, growing more of Gynoecious will result in many female flowers of cucumber. The more female flowers your cucumber has, the more fruits it will produce.

What are the best cucumbers for eating?

Lemon. Best to pick: This cucumber is best picked when it's about the size of a tennis ball or tight fist. Like the name suggests, these cucumbers resemble a lemon; rounded with thin, marbled yellow skin. With a light, mild taste and crispy texture, lemon cucumbers are best eaten on their own or sliced in a salad.

What is the benefit of cucumber to man?

It's high in beneficial nutrients, as well as certain plant compounds and antioxidants that may help treat and even prevent some conditions. Also, cucumbers are low in calories and contain a good amount of water and soluble fiber, making them ideal for promoting hydration and aiding in weight loss.

Is a cucumber a squash?

Cucumber is cucumis sativus and summer squash is cucurbita pepo. Although they are in the same plant family, they are different genera and species and they will not cross. However if you grow different varieties of cucumbers, cucumbers will cross with one another. And summer squash will cross with other summer squash.