Peruvian Cucumber (Cyclanthera Pedata)

Peruvian Cucumber (Cyclanthera Pedata) — variety description

Peruvian Cucumber (Cyclanthera Pedata) (Cucumis sativus) is an annual vegetable of the Gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). An exotic climbing annual with delicate greenish-white flowers and ornamental, edible fruits.

The fruits are tender, with a mildly sweet flavour, suitable for salads, cooking or pickling.

The plant is easy to grow and bears abundantly during the summer and early autumn months.

The cucumber is the best-loved summer vegetable for salads and pickling. Gherkins are specially selected for preserving — crisp, with firm flesh and a small seed cavity.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 90%
• Pack size: 1 g
• Seed origin: Poland
• Sowing: April and May; direct or seedlings
• Harvest: July and August
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Peruvian Cucumber (Cyclanthera Pedata)

Peruvian Cucumber (Cyclanthera Pedata) seeds are sown in April and May. The crop is harvested in July and August. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Peruvian Cucumber (Cyclanthera Pedata)

• Sowing method: direct or seedlings
• Depth: 1.5–2 cm
• Spacing: 30–40 cm in the row, 100–120 cm between rows (or on a trellis)
• Germination: 4–8 days at 22–28 °C
• Position: sunny spot

Seedling method: Sow the seeds in containers or seed trays 4–6 weeks before planting out. Sowing depth: 1–2 cm. Soil: Light, well-drained and rich in nutrients. Germination temperature: 20–25 °C. The seeds germinate in 1–3 weeks. Transplanting: When the young plants reach 10–15 cm in height and there is no risk of frost, plant them outdoors 50–70 cm apart, providing supports for climbing.

Sow in warm soil, when nights are above 12 °C. Cucumber wants constant moisture — water with warm water without wetting the leaves. Grown on a trellis, it gives more and cleaner fruit.

Harvest and use

Pick often — gherkins at 5–9 cm, salad types at 15–25 cm. Large fruits left on the plant stop new ones from setting.

Frequently asked questions

When should Peruvian Cucumber (Cyclanthera Pedata) be sown?

The recommended sowing months are April and May. Sowing method: direct or seedlings.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 90%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.

Why are cucumbers bitter?

Bitterness (cucurbitacin) appears with uneven watering, cold water and heat. Water regularly with room-temperature water.

When are cucumbers sown?

Directly outdoors from early May to June; for seedlings — from April, 3–4 weeks before planting out.