Cucumber comes in hundreds of varieties for growers to choose from and it’s known for its pickling and slicing use. If you’re interested in trying out some bush cucumber variety, then we’ve got you covered here.
Cucumber plants are easy to grow and they can be grown in the ground, raised beds, containers, or even hydroponic systems. They are one of the most beloved homegrown vegetable plants.
Not all cucumbers are the same and there are so many cucumber varieties to choose from. Selecting which kind of cucumber variety is one step to growing cucumber successfully.
Cucumber plants grow in two ways and they are bush and vining. For the purpose of this article, we will be focusing more on bush cucumber varieties. So, read on to learn more on this.
Cucumbers Plants
Cucumber plants are easy plants that can be grown or added to your vegetable garden. Cucumbers originate from India and they have a cousin known as bitter melon which is still a staple as of today.
Cucumbers have been cultivated for over 3,000 years and they are known as one of the oldest crops to be grown in a controlled surrounding.
Generally, cucumbers can be divided into 3 categories which are slicing cucumbers, pickling cucumbers, and seedless cucumbers.
- Slicing cucumbers are thick-skinned smooth types of cucumbers and are used for slicing and eating fresh. They are long and tender and non-bitter skin. Hence, they are the sweet type.
- Pickling cucumbers are short cucumbers with blocky and bumpy skin used for pickling.
- Lastly, we have the seedless cucumbers also known as burpless cucumbers.
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Cucumber Bush
Cucumber usually grows in two forms which are vining and bushy. Bush cucumber (Cucumis sativus) has been bred to occupy only a short space with very short vines and has been made to produce an abundant result. Therefore, the variety of bush cucumber allows you to plant them in a small space while enjoying plenty of yields.
Bush Type Cucumbers
The majority of the bush cucumbers only need about 2 to 3 square feet per plant. Their requirements are almost the same as vining cucumber type and they will mature in about the same period.
Bush-type cultivars include pickle bush, bush champion, salad bush, parks bush whopper, and space-master.
Planting Bush Cucumber
Planting cucumber requires fertile soil and they will grow rapidly so far they get constant watering and warmth. Most of the cucumbers variety available in nursery gardens is vining plants. So ensure you search for the word ‘bush’ in the seed pack or somewhere.
You can plant bush cucumber variety in both containers and a small garden.
Planting In-Ground
Select a planting site with full sun as cucumber requires warmth and lots of light. Once the danger of frost has passed, turn over your
If you’re making use of heavy clay soil, one part of sand should be dug into every 5 part
Soil temperature should be measured with a
Next, insert one bush cucumber seed in each hole and cover it with about a quarter-inch of
Spacemaster Cucumber Seeds, 100 Heirloom Seeds Per Packet, Non GMO Seeds
Alternative Planting Method
Another way is to dig 4 inches holes with a trowel then slowly bring out the seedlings you’ve purchased from the nursery containers.
Ensure the
The seedlings of the bush cucumber should be thinned once they’ve grown four true leaves or once they attain a length of 6 inches. Remember to continue watering.
Ensure you water daily if the weather is hot and the
Container Planting
You can also grow bush cucumber in a container or pot. Select a container or pot of about 12 inches in diameter with drainage holes. The container should be filled with potting
Then 3 bush cucumber seeds or 3 bush cucumber seedlings should be planted in the container
Benefits Of Growing Bush Cucumber Variety
Here are the benefits of growing bush cucumber variety:
- If you’re short of garden space then bush cucumbers variety will be ideal for you.
- They are perfect for container gardening.
- With their small bushy size, they will give rise to plenty of yield. They will also not overwhelm your garden with too much cucumber than you can handle.
- Bush cucumber variety is ideal for gardeners that don’t want to go through the stress of bumper crop or unusually large crops production.
FAQ’s
What are bush cucumbers?
Bush cucumbers (Cucumis anguria) are a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, which also includes melons, gourds and squash. It is closely related to watermelons, but differs in that it is a herbaceous perennial plant rather than a woody shrub. It has long been cultivated for its edible fruits, known as cucumbers, which are used in salads and sandwiches, pickles, and even as a cooking ingredient.
The plant is an herbaceous perennial growing from a taproot, with a thick, woody stem up to tall and in diameter. The leaves are arranged alternately along the stem, each with a broad, heart-shaped blade long and wide, and are covered in a thick, soft, white down. Small white flowers form on the upper part of the stem, between the leaves. The fruit is a long cylinder about long with four or five seeds. The flowers appear in early spring and the fruits ripen from late summer to autumn. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and China, and has also become naturalised in Florida, Texas and California.
It has long been cultivated for its edible fruits, known as cucumbers, which are used in salads and sandwiches, pickles, and even as a cooking ingredient.
What varieties are bush cucumbers?
ush cucumbers are also called summer cukes, pickling cukes and pickle cukes. They are sometimes referred to as Japanese cucumbers, but that is a misnomer. Pickle cukes are very small (1/8 - 1/4 inch) and have a thinner skin than most other cucumber varieties. They are a type of bush cucumber and are often grown for pickling purposes.
Will bush cucumbers climb?
bush cucumbers (Lepidosperma) can climb. They do this by means of their long, thin tendrils, which are very sensitive to touch and also have a strong grip. When a bush cucumber climbs it extends its tendrils in all directions, then bends them back at an angle of 45 degrees and attaches them to the nearest support. The tendrils then spread again, and so on.
How big does a bush cucumber get?
The Bush Cucumber is the largest member of the cucurbit family and can grow up to 30cm in length. The leaves are heart-shaped, with five leaflets and a tapering point, and the flowers are yellow and funnel shaped.
How are they eaten?
They are most commonly eaten raw, pickled or used as a garnish. A lot of people toss them into salads as part of a healthy vegetarian meal.
Additional Say
Bush cucumbers are ready for harvest in about 40 to 70 days from planting. Harvesting depends on the size you want and how you plan to use them.
The bush cucumber plant is a great cucumber variety to grow if you are bothered about space and you want maximum production. So, you can always enjoy growing bush cucumber variety for your gardening pleasure.
Eunice is an enthusiastic gardener with a passion for growing beautiful flowers. She loves nothing more than spending time in her garden, tending to her plants and enjoying the outdoors. Eunice has been gardening for over 15 years and has developed a unique style of landscaping that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. She is especially fond of growing roses and enjoys experimenting with different varieties and colors. Eunice takes great pride in her garden and often shares the fruits of her labor with friends and family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading gardening magazines and attending local horticulture events. Eunice is passionate about her hobby and is always eager to share her knowledge and experience with others.
