Growing cucumbers on a trellis can be a unique task. Vining cucumbers can be a spectacular space saver, great for planting and growing at the side of the house or in a sizeable pot off your porch.
Vining cucumbers can grow horizontally or vertically. Some let the vines reach out, growing along the ground. Others like to help the vines cling to a trellis. It only takes 1 to 2 trellises to yield a good harvest. You can plant directly in the ground around your trellises and add a little mulch; or you can plant in a large pot after inserting your trellis.
Tip: Like other plants, a cucumber plant is sensitive to temperature. It is best to plant when the soil surrounding the plant can keep a temperature in the range of 70-degrees.
A cucumber plant itself does not demand a great deal of attention. In factor, growing cucumbers on a trellis will not demand much upkeep from you at all. Trellises keep the fruit clean. You can easily support 2 to 3 vines on a 12- to 18-inch diameter cage. Wire fencing or hog wire can be used to fashion trellises.
Fertilizing can be handled a few different ways depending on your preference. You can use liquid food approximately every 2 weeks, or a granular, slow-release fertilizer. If using a container and your potting soil has a time release fertilizer, no additional fertilizer will be needed.
A cucumber plant can be male or female. You can tell difference by their flowers. Female plants have a small flower that swells at the base. The swelled base indicates a female plant because the makings of the cucumber are inside. It is important to have both a male and female plant so that the fruit properly pollinates and produced.
Tip: The fruit enlarges quickly once it appears. Check your plant daily so you can harvest as soon as the fruit is ready for picking.
Growing cucumbers on a trellis can be a great project to involve the kids in! They are sure to enjoy helping the vines climb through the wire, and will love picking the fruit as well.
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