Variety Characteristics
This is a large local variety cucumber (fruits average about 20 cms length). The fruits are white, fragrant, crunchy, and good tasting. Very productive, good weight of fruits.
Soil and Climate
Prefers sandy loam soil with good drainage, likes sun, best grown in the rainy season (starting May, June).
Planting Suggestions
Prepare planting holes in advance by mixing one planting trowel of compost or aged manure with the soil per hole. Plant 3-4 seeds in the prepared holes. Once 2 leaves are showing, thin out to leave only the 2 healthiest seedlings in each hole. Allow 60 x 80 cms between rows. Once 20-25 days old, prepare a trellis to allow the plants to climb.
Care
Fertilize 2 times, 1st at 15-20 days and again at 35-40 days before flowering. Use compost or aged manure. (observe the crop to see if enough fertility if not may fertilize again) When watering, should water evenly in the right amount, not leaving them dry or over watering (observe the planting soil).
Pests and Diseases
No disease problems found. However some pests biting the fruits. For minor pest problems may removed by hand, for more serious, use wood vinegar solution to spray the plants
Harvesting
Starts 60-65 days after seeding
Seed Saving
After about 90-95 days, the fruits will become yellow in color and ripen. Harvest these fruits and keep the fruits another week to allow the seeds to take as much of the nutrients as they can from the fruit. This will yield seeds that are full (turgid) and healthy. Then cut the fruits lengthwise to get the seeds out. Let this (seed pulp) sit another 1-2 days and (to help allow the seed gel to come off) then clean the seed (rinsing) to remove all of the gel (If not all of the gel is removed the seed may easily become mouldy.) Seeds that fall to the bottom of the container they are rinsed in are good seeds. Pour the seeds on a screen and then wash them again using a small amount of dish soap (dish soap will help kill bacteria.) Rinse them again in clean water to remove any soap residue. Then put them in the shade to dry off a bit before sundrying the seeds another 2-3 days. Put the seeds back in the shade to cool off. They may then gradually be packed in paper bags. Bags should be marked with the name of the variety, day, month, and year of harvest. Fold this paper bag and put into a plastic bag. Keep in the refrigerator for better longterm germination and minimal seed respiration. If so stored, can keep for over 2 years.
