Cucumbers for 2011...

gryffin · February 18, 2011

Here's a list of what I'm thinking about trying this year:

Already ordered:
Lemon (novelty)
Iznik (miniatures for snacking and possibly for indoor growing next winter)

Others I'm considering:
Diva or Super Zagross or Mirella (main crop)
Mini White
Poona Keera

Any thoughts on what to choose? Thanks! I use them in salads and for refrigerator pickles.

kath · February 18, 2011

I don't make pickles but like to eat them plain and in salads and I like them sweet and not bitter so I don't need to peel. Of the ones you've mentioned, I've tried Lemon, Poona Keera, Diva, and Super Zagross. The last 2 are the only ones that made it back on a regular basis.

fortyonenorth · February 18, 2011

Last year I grew Marketmore 76, Lemon, and Boothbys Blonde. Lemon and BB were too seedy for our liking. Marketmore was ok, but overall it wasn't a great year for cukes here. I"m going to try Diva and Poona Keera this year.

Kathy - it sounds like you weren't crazy about PK - any comments?

kath · February 18, 2011

That was a surprise and a disappointment. It took longer to produce-not good when trying to stay ahead of the cuke beetles, wasn't as productive, wasn't as sweet and had a bigger seed cavity.Tried it both early and later when it turned color more, but it just wasn't a winner for me.

gryffin · February 18, 2011

Hmm. I definitely don't want fruits with a big seed cavity- I'm already thinking Lemon will disappoint me in that regard.

rnewste · February 18, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by gryffin

Hmm. I definitely don't want fruits with a big seed cavity- I'm already thinking Lemon will disappoint me in that regard.

If you don't like a big seed cavity, then I would go with Diva and Sweet Success.

Raybo

kath · February 18, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by gryffin

Hmm. I definitely don't want fruits with a big seed cavity- I'm already thinking Lemon will disappoint me in that regard.

Then I'm pretty sure it will.

It's so cute on the outside, but when you cut it open you won't like what you see.

If you find Diva is a winner for you, it will be seedless if grown without other cukes around.

b54red · February 19, 2011

I agree with Raybo if you want little or no seed cavity go with Diva and Sweet Success. Sweet Success is much larger and much more productive for me but Diva has an incredible flavor but needs to be picked smaller to prevent seeds. I grew Poona Keera last fall for the first time and loved them. I didn't let them get very big nor did any of them stay on the vine long enough to get brown. They are strange looking but mine had almost no seeds and were very sweet and mild.

biscgolf · February 20, 2011

diva rules as a slicer...virtually never gets bitter...
i like alibi as a pickler...super prolific...

barefootgardener · February 20, 2011

Poona Kheera's do fab. for me in my climate and soil conditions....My favorite cucumber..very productive, no disease and eat with skin and all..sweet and mild..fantastic for salads, eating fresh and for fridge pickles. Pick before they get to big..Been growing it for the past four years..

Outside of lemon, I have not grown the others on your list..

chancethegardener · March 2, 2011

Hi gryffin, Iznik variety you are growing is a delicious Turkish variety. I wonder where you got the seeds from... If you liked Iznik, then you should definitely try "Baby Persian (Green Fingers)" sold by Renee's seeds. It is crunchy and delicious, and I am growing it this season, too.

**Mischka** · March 3, 2011

Another vote for Poona Kheera here. Easy to grow, highly productive and never bitter.

I've grown other varieties and had success but they usually give me an upset stomach after eating them. Not so with PK, so I stick with this variety.

Marko · March 3, 2011

Every year I grow Burpless tasty F1 and Suhyo. This year I'll grow also Diva and Poona Kheera and as I see from your comments it was a good choice.

lhspirited · March 3, 2011

I like Diva too.

One to consider is Dragon's Egg. They are available at Baker Creek. They do better for us than lemon. They are earlier and more prolific and tasty too. Pick them about the size of a large egg, and don't let them get too huge.

gryffin · March 3, 2011

I had considered the Baby Persian (Green Fingers) from Renee's Garden, but I'm not sure what else to order to make their minimum!

I got my Iznik from Jung's. I'm looking forward to trying it!

February 18, 2011	#1
gryffin Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 229	Cucumbers for 2011... Here's a list of what I'm thinking about trying this year: Already ordered: Lemon (novelty) Iznik (miniatures for snacking and possibly for indoor growing next winter) Others I'm considering: Diva or Super Zagross or Mirella (main crop) Mini White Poona Keera Any thoughts on what to choose? Thanks! I use them in salads and for refrigerator pickles.

March 3, 2011	#12
Mischka Tomatoville® Administrator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Bay State Posts: 3,207	Another vote for Poona Kheera here. Easy to grow, highly productive and never bitter. I've grown other varieties and had success but they usually give me an upset stomach after eating them. Not so with PK, so I stick with this variety. __________________ Mischka One last word of farewell, Dear Master and Mistress. Whenever you visit my grave, say to yourselves with regret but also with happiness in your hearts at the remembrance of my long happy life with you: "Here lies one who loved us and whom we loved." No matter how deep my sleep I shall hear you, and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail.

March 3, 2011	#14
lhspirited Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 14	I like Diva too. One to consider is Dragon's Egg. They are available at Baker Creek. They do better for us than lemon. They are earlier and more prolific and tasty too. Pick them about the size of a large egg, and don't let them get too huge. __________________ Laura www.growgreatvegetables.com

February 18, 2011	#2
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	I don't make pickles but like to eat them plain and in salads and I like them sweet and not bitter so I don't need to peel. Of the ones you've mentioned, I've tried Lemon, Poona Keera, Diva, and Super Zagross. The last 2 are the only ones that made it back on a regular basis.

February 18, 2011	#3
fortyonenorth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 1,150	Last year I grew Marketmore 76, Lemon, and Boothbys Blonde. Lemon and BB were too seedy for our liking. Marketmore was ok, but overall it wasn't a great year for cukes here. I"m going to try Diva and Poona Keera this year. Kathy - it sounds like you weren't crazy about PK - any comments?

February 19, 2011	#8
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	I agree with Raybo if you want little or no seed cavity go with Diva and Sweet Success. Sweet Success is much larger and much more productive for me but Diva has an incredible flavor but needs to be picked smaller to prevent seeds. I grew Poona Keera last fall for the first time and loved them. I didn't let them get very big nor did any of them stay on the vine long enough to get brown. They are strange looking but mine had almost no seeds and were very sweet and mild.

February 20, 2011	#9
biscgolf Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 353	diva rules as a slicer...virtually never gets bitter... i like alibi as a pickler...super prolific...

February 20, 2011	#10
barefootgardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Michigan Zone 4b Posts: 1,291	Poona Kheera's do fab. for me in my climate and soil conditions....My favorite cucumber..very productive, no disease and eat with skin and all..sweet and mild..fantastic for salads, eating fresh and for fridge pickles. Pick before they get to big..Been growing it for the past four years.. Outside of lemon, I have not grown the others on your list..

March 2, 2011	#11
chancethegardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: WV Posts: 604	Hi gryffin, Iznik variety you are growing is a delicious Turkish variety. I wonder where you got the seeds from... If you liked Iznik, then you should definitely try "Baby Persian (Green Fingers)" sold by Renee's seeds. It is crunchy and delicious, and I am growing it this season, too.

March 3, 2011	#13
Marko Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Slovenia, Europe zone 7b Posts: 300	Every year I grow Burpless tasty F1 and Suhyo. This year I'll grow also Diva and Poona Kheera and as I see from your comments it was a good choice.