How to Grow and Care for Lemon Cucumbers
06.11.2023 - 13:23
/ balconygardenweb.com
/ Suyash
Lemon Cucumbers, as the name suggests, look like citrus, which makes them quite a unique addition to any garden! Here are all the growing details.
Native to India, lemon cucumbers (Cucumis sativus ‘Lemon’) are climbing vegetable vines from the Cucurbitaceae family. They have an appearance similar to a lemon in color and size. However, they do not have a citrus flavor.
The plant can climb up to 6-8 feet tall and features bright yellow blooms in mid to late summer and early fall that gives way to yellow cucumbers the size of a small tennis ball. They have a cool, crisp texture with a mildly sweet taste suitable for pickling and salads.
Sow seeds in a good-quality seed-starting or well-draining potting mix. Water well and keep the pot where it gets plenty of bright but indirect light.
You can start the seedlings indoors 2-4 weeks before the last frost date. For outdoors, plant the seedlings directly in the soil after the danger of frost has passed.
Cucumbers love a warm location with a minimum of 6-7 hours of direct sunlight daily. Do not choose a shady and windy spot, as it will result in leggy growth with fewer or no fruits.
Remember, the more sunlight the plant gets, the better it will be for the number and quality of cucumbers.
Lemon Cucumbers prefer well-draining and loose soil with plenty of organic matter and neutral pH. For containers, enrich the soil with good-quality compost or organic cattle manure.
Regular and deep watering is the key to getting a productive cucumber harvest. If you want the best quality and juicy cucumbers, keep the soil slightly on the moist side all the time. Water the plant when the topsoil feels a little dry to the touch.
While watering, avoid wetting the foliage as it may encourage fungal diseases