Artist Cucumber (F1 Hybrid 45 Days)
Artist Cucumber plants produce perfectly sized little gherkins for putting up crisp, uniform pickles. An early parthenocarpic variety, producing all female flowers, guaranteeing an abundant crop all season. The skin has fine spines and if a couple get hidden, growing a bit large, they make a great slicer too. Intermediate resistance to Cucumber Mosaic Virus and Powdery Mildew.
PLANTING
Cucumis sativus
Germination: 4-10 days
Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 70-85ºF
Seed Sowing Depth: 1/2-1" deep
Sowing Indoors: 3-4 weeks before the last frost. Provide 70-85ºF soil temperature. Sow 2-3 seeds per cell/pot. Sowing into individual biodegradable peat/cow pots reduces root damage when transplanting. Transplant 36-48" apart after the last frost.
Sowing Outdoors: Sow after the last frost when the soil temperature is over 70ºF. Sow a few seeds every 36-48".
Harvest: Check and pick every day to keep the harvest flowing.
Tips: Artist Cucumber should be planted in fertile soil, amended with compost or well-rotted manure, and kept well watered. Trellising the vines allows for good air circulation, takes up less space, and provides shade for heat-sensitive crops like lettuce. They benefit from growing on black plastic and by using row covers for weed, insect control, and more rapid growth.