Cucumis sativus aka Cucumber
Taxonomy
Cucumis sativis, commonly known as cucumber, is an annual vine and widely cultivated plant in the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae. It is a creeping vine that bears cylindrical to spherical fruits, known as cucumbers, which are used as vegetables. There are three main varieties of cucumbers – slicing, pickling, and seedless – and many different types of cucumber are grown commercially and traded on the global market. The cucumber originates from Himalaya to China (Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi) and N. Thailand and now grows on most continents. Cucumbers grow best in full sun and moist, rich, well-drained soil, and can be grown vertically on a trellis or wire fence to increase air circulation and prevent diseases. Fruits of cucumbers consist of 95% water, are roughly cylindrical with tapered ends, and can grow up to 24 in. Botanically, the cucumber is classified as a pepo, a type of botanical berry with a hard outer rind and no internal divisions.
Common names
Cucumber, Garden Cucumber, CucumbersHow to care for Cucumber
Difficulty
If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Cucumber is a great choice to test your gardening skills.
Water
Cucumber should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Cucumber loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
Cucumber requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Garden Cucumber is always in the right place to thrive.
Toxicity
Cucumber is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.
Humidity
The Cucumber does not need extra humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their root system, making soil watering the best way to provide humidity to your plants.
Region of origin
Cucumber’s native range is Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
More info:
Wikipedia
