|
06-13-2011, 12:51 PM
|
|
|
|
Location: Moon Over Palmettos
5,978 posts, read 19,026,870 times
Reputation: 5086
|
|
|
So we planted a cucumber plant for the first time last month. That vine is crazy filled with flowers. This morning I noticed a fruit, about the size of a big dill pickle. My hubby does not know when it's okay to pick it off the vine. Is there a recommended size? Basically, how do we know when it's ready to be picked? Does it change color, get soft, any other sign we should watch out for?
|
|
06-13-2011, 01:28 PM
|
|
|
|
1,019 posts, read 2,790,735 times
Reputation: 682
|
|
The size and color will depend on the type of cucumber, but generally speaking they should be about 5 to 8 inches long and firm. If you still have the card that came with the plant I would check that because size may vary. You can always pick them smaller (for example if you where going to make pickles) but whatever you do just don't let them get too big, they can be very bitter.  |
|
06-13-2011, 01:36 PM
|
|
|
|
Location: Where the sun likes to shine!!
20,544 posts, read 29,291,163 times
Reputation: 88869
|
|
Congratulations on your first cucumber  . Do you know what kind you have? Pickling cucumbers are grow to about 4" and regular cucumbers grow to about 6-8".
I don't really pay attention to size. I pick them when I want them or need them. The smaller they are the smaller the seeds |
|
06-13-2011, 02:01 PM
|
|
|
|
Location: Bella Vista, Ark
77,784 posts, read 99,151,339 times
Reputation: 49147
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by younglisa7
Congratulations on your first cucumber . Do you know what kind you have? Pickling cucumbers are grow to about 4" and regular cucumbers grow to about 6-8".
I don't really pay attention to size. I pick them when I want them or need them. The smaller they are the smaller the seeds |
We do the same, we don't want them full of seeds so like the little ones. OP, if it is any size to speak of it is ready, depending on what you want. It is not like say, a tomato that has to be ripe or a pepper that has to be ready or a piece of fruit.
Nita |
|
06-13-2011, 02:23 PM
|
|
|
|
10,135 posts, read 26,311,215 times
Reputation: 8363
|
|
|
you pick them based on the size you want. they will continue to grow (within the parameters of their hybrid) until you pick them.
|
|
06-13-2011, 08:25 PM
|
|
|
|
Location: NC, USA
7,084 posts, read 14,302,375 times
Reputation: 4018
|
|
|
Dang, how large I let them get depends upon what I intend to do with them. For sandwich slices I let them get a bit larger than a yellow squash, for refrigerator pickles, it's the same, for sweet pickles I don't let them get more than 4 inches long.
|
|
06-13-2011, 09:23 PM
|
|
|
|
8,895 posts, read 7,821,660 times
Reputation: 13900
|
|
|
It probably depends on what kind of cucumber it is, to be sure. Unless it's a pickling cuke, I would say wait until it's skin is nice and dark and fairly plumped out.
|
|
06-14-2011, 05:12 AM
|
|
|
|
Location: On the Chesapeake
41,689 posts, read 54,322,019 times
Reputation: 56166
|
|
|
If most varieties start to yellow it's too old. Of course there are yellow varieties.
|
|
06-14-2011, 06:37 AM
|
|
|
|
Location: Moon Over Palmettos
5,978 posts, read 19,026,870 times
Reputation: 5086
|
|
|
Very helpful everyone! Thanks! Looking forward to our first cuke!
|
|
06-14-2011, 09:57 AM
|
|
|
|
Location: Philaburbia
39,996 posts, read 70,698,560 times
Reputation: 64399
|
|
|
Before it rots!
Seriously, you can harvest them anytime you want. They don't get ripe the way a tomato gets ripe.
|
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
|
|
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
