Whether outdoors, in a greenhouse or in a raised bed, cucumber plants grow tall and need supports for optimal growth. A cucumber trellis protects the plants and fruits from pests and fungal diseases and should definitely not be missing for some varieties. It also saves space and ensures more order in the vegetable garden. Read on to find out more about the benefits and the different variants.
Which cucumbers need climbing help?
Not all cucumber varieties climb, so a climbing aid is not always necessary. So it depends on the variety. Species that do not thrive without climbing support include, for example, cucumbers and cucumbers. Nevertheless, it is often advantageous to also use ground-growing species such as outdoor cucumbers andTie pickling cucumbers to a trellis. You'll find out why in the next section.
That's why trellises etc. are useful for cucumber plants
Are you wondering why you should bother setting up a trellis for your cucumber plants? While some cucumbers can grow on the ground, there are many benefits to planting them on a trellis. Here are five reasons whyvertical cultivation of cucumbers:
- As cucumber leaves grow taller, they have better access to sunlight, and this can increase fruit production.
- If the cucumber plants are on a trellis, it is easierAvoid wetting the foliage. This is important because splashing water can spread diseases. And although the leaves will still get wet when it rains, they will dry more quickly if they are grown on a trellis and not too close to the ground.
- You save space by not growing space-consuming cucumber plants on the ground.
- It's easier to keep an eye out for pests and diseases with espaliered cucumbers.
- Plants grown vertically produce fewer misshapen fruits. They are also easier to spot and harvest (no bending or slouching).
What climbing aids are there for cucumbers?
From purchased trellises toself-made climbing aids, the options for a cucumber climbing aid are diverse. You can choose between different materials and fastening options. The available space also plays a crucial role. In principle, narrow climbing aids such as nets, ropes and wire are perfect for cucumbers. The material of the climbing aid should be a little rough to ensure a good hold. The best options therefore include wood, rope or metal or wire. Here is an overview of the most common climbing aids:
- Trellis or wooden trellis – This variant allows the plants to develop both in height and width. This way the yield is optimized. Ready-made trellises are easy to install - you should simply stick the stakes into the ground.
- Ropes – If cucumbers are planted in the greenhouse or near the wall of the house, rope is a good climbing aid. Its rough surface makes it easier to attach the tendrils to it.
- Nets and wire mesh – A trellis net also offers the cucumber plants plenty of space for attachment. However, it requires a little more effort to install because you should first anchor posts in the ground and then attach the net or wire to them.
- Spiral rods – This variant is suitable if you only want to guide the cucumber plants upwards. This is usually the case when the available space in the garden or on the balcony is very limited.
You should pay attention to this when choosing a cucumber climbing aid
For growing cucumbers vertically, you can use any type of support. However, there are a few things to consider when choosing the perfect trellis.
- Height – The shoots can grow very long, so you should think about the height of the trellis. It should be high enough to give them plenty of room, but not so high that you can't reach the fruit at the top. You can read more about the correct height below.
- Strength – The vertical structure you choose for espaliering cucumbers also needs to be strong enough to support the weight of the cucumbers. Although the tendrils are quite light, they can quickly become very heavy when the fruit is ripe.
- Airflow – Make sure the support you choose is open enough so that the vines are not held in a tight cluster. They need plenty of air supply to prevent fungus and disease. Plus, it's much harder to get to the vines when they're crowded together.
How high should a cucumber trellis be?
Cucumber trellises can be between 90 and 180 cm high. The plants grow quickly, but their growth can be easily controlled.
Different types of cucumbers grow to different heights. Research the plant you want to grow so you can tailor the size of the trellis to your plant.
Most varieties can be grown on a trellis 150 to 180 cm high. But also take your own height into account. If a cucumber plant grows on a plant pole that is too tall, you may have difficulty reaching the fruit at the top!
When do cucumbers need climbing support?
It largely depends on whether you plant young plants outdoors or in a greenhouse or plant the seeds directly in the ground. With the second variant, you can wait some time until the seeds germinate and sprout from the ground. In the case of young plants, attach the selected climbing aid immediately after planting.
Attaching to the trellis
Cucumbers do not initially attach naturally to a trellis or trellis. They must be trained by wrapping them around the wire or string or tying them with soft plant ties, but not with ties with wire in the middle. Then they climb independently. Do this twice a week initially. When the shoots have reached the top of the trellis or trellis, they can bend over and hang down to a distance of 60 to 90 cm from the ground.
Tipp:After the gardening season is over, you can store the trellises and clean and reuse them next year.
