The white fleshy lemon cucumbers are still a rarity in the garden bed. But here we will tell you how to grow lemon cucumbers.
Lemon cucumbers (Cucumis sativus 'Lemon') are still something very special in Germany. That's why you can't find them in many gardens yet, even though they can give every garden salad an exotic touch with their fresh, fruity taste.
Her round growth habit, which has a striking lemon-yellow skin, is particularly interesting. And since the peel is ideal for consumption, the lemon cucumber can also be used to add a little color to any salad dish.
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Because of their high water content, the slightly sweet-tasting lemon cucumbers are also ideal as a thirst quencher and can therefore - like an apple - also be eaten during sports or on excursions.
Growing cucumbers - How it's done
You can either grow the lemon cucumber yourself from seeds (germination time approx. 1.5 weeks), or buy it as seed bags or plants from specialist shops. A location in full sun and as sheltered as possible from the wind guarantees good plant growth and excellent maturity. On top of that, the lemon cucumbers prefer a nutrient-rich soil that is as loose as possible.Self-cultivation:
In the case of self-cultivation, the seeds should be sown in pots on the window sill from mid-March (room temperature between around 15 and 20 degrees) or from May (after the ice saints) directly outdoors. In both cases you have to press the seed (about 3 seeds) about 2 centimeters deep into the soil. When planting outdoors, however, make sure to leave a planting distance of about 80 centimeters.
Container plant:
You can of course also plant lemon cucumbers in tubs and keep them on the balcony (directly on the wind-protected house walls). In this case, however, plant stakes inserted all around should ensure the stability of the cucumber plants. Lemon cucumbers also thrive in a greenhouse.
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You have to supply lemon cucumbers - kept in the tub - with complete fertilizer while they are growing. In the garden bed it is sufficientcompletely, if necessary, work in horn shavings or compost around the plants again.
As soon as the plants develop snake-like outgrowths and form their fruit close to the ground, you should use a low trellis (tie the shoots up slightly) so that the fruits lose their gripping. But you can also put straw or mulch under the plant. The fruits can then dry thrive on it.
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If you use bark mulch, sufficient moisture is stored in the soil, which in turn is optimally released to the plant.
Important: always water cucumbers correctly
You should only water lemon cucumbers when necessary, because too much moisture promotes diseases. You must also avoid waterlogging when watering. Furthermore, you should never water lemon cucumbersfrom above
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On hot days, you should water the lemon cucumbers in the morning and/or evening if possible. Watering in direct midday sun is not recommended.
Harvest lemon cucumbers
Lemon cucumbers are cared for in about the same way as conventional cucumbers. After their yellow blossom, the initially green colored fruits form, which you can harvest from around the end of June, beginning of July until well into September. The ripeness of the fruit can be easily recognized by the lemon-yellow color of the peel.
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If you harvest the first fruits early, more new cucumbers will form. Also, harvesting early in the morning ensures that the cucumbers remain bitter-free.
The lemon cucumber is about the size of a lemon when it is harvested. Cut into fine slices (always cut the gherkins, but do not slice or grate them), you can then use them to decorate any dish, including various desserts. The lemon cucumber is also an ideal accompaniment to fish dishes.
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