CULTURE AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

  In typical commercial operations, cucumbers are grown in polyethylene-mulched beds with drip irrigation. Water and nutrients inputs are closely monitored and adjusted with drip irrigation. The plastic mulch helps control weeds, improves efficient use of water and fertilizer, and reduces incidence of fruit rots. Yields of ground culture are 40-80% of those obtained with mulch culture. Cucumbers are susceptible to damage from wind and need the protection provided by windbreaks in wind-prone areas. Examples of commonly used windbreaks include 'Tropical Coral' Tall Erythrina (Erythrina variegata L.), and wild cane (Saccharum spontaneum moentai). Other suitable windbreaks may also be used. Where annual windbreaks are used, an in-field rotation may be conducted for the following crop by rototilling the row where the windbreak was grown, planting in the row, and preparing the bed in that area.

      Time to Plant

    In Hawaii, cucumbers are planted year round from sea level to 3,000 feet (0-1000 m) elevation, and from April to October at elevations above 3,000 ft (1000 m). Often cucumbers at high elevations become bitter in the winter season.