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Cucumber |
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The cucumber belongs to the Cucurbitaceae (gourd family). The cucumber belongs to the genus Cucumis of which there are 20 to 25 species found mostly in Asia and Africa. Only two Cucumis sativus (cucumber) and Cucumis melo (melon, muskmelon and persian melon) are of commercial importance in North America. It is an annual trailing or climbing vine usually with flowers of both sexes on the same plant(monoecious). |
| Current market hybrids are produced on genetically gynoecious lines(all female blooms). Commercial seed lots have up to 10% of a monecious variety to provide sufficient pollen for fruit set. European greenhouse cucumbers set fruit without pollination (parthenocarpic). The cucumber is native to the northwest of India and has been cultivated there for at least 3000 years. The cucumber was known in France in the 9th century and was common in England in 1327. |
| Cucumbers are very sensitive to cold temperatures and may be killed at 1°C. It has a minimum germination temperature of 16°C, an optimum germination range of 16°C to 35°C, with an optimum germination temperature of 35°C, and a maximum germination temperature of 40°C. Soil temperatures at planting must be at least 10°C for table cultivars and 13°C for gherkin cultivars. Planting must be delayed until all danger of frost is past. Windbreaks are essential for early production of this crop. |
Cucumbers are an important crop in the Atlantic area though market potentials may not be large. On the fresh side there is a strong demand for the product as it is a salad vegetable but processing cucumber markets have declined. The greatest potential would seem to be to extend the season by earlier production (use of plastics) and to look for speciality markets.
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Special fruits for this week
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Kiwis kiwifruit will be fairly large and plump with thin "fuzzy" brown skin (Read more) |
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Pineapple
Pineapple fruit is native to the Asian tropics, with a delicate and fresh fragrance
(Read more) |
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