Poona Kheera - Page 2

Suze · July 12, 2008

Dean, they may not always get that "typical" rounder shape for you, just my experience. I've found I can get a variety of shapes throughout the season.

What I generally look for with this particular variety is either a color change from a lighter color than green or cream-green and/or size. Also keep in mind that you can pick and eat cukes at any size. If in doubt, I prefer to err on the side of picking slightly smaller ones for the best flavor and tenderness.

What I do *not* do with Poona Kheera is let them start fully getting russet brown like a potato, as IMO that is too ripe and the skin gets tough and the seeds get kind of large. Might make for a pretty/interesting pic or appearance, but they are really much tastier and tender at an earlier stage.

SunnyK · July 16, 2008

I am also growing them this season. I am so glad that AndreyBY posted those pictures as I would have never had the nerve to let them stay on the vine once they started turning potato color....now I will let them get a bit of the russet on them before picking them....what an adventure!!LOL!

And, by the way, beautiful pictures

feldon30 · July 17, 2008

Here's a pic from Suze's last year of Poona Kheeras she picked. The one in the top left is about as ripe as they are allowed to get.

And remember to water cukes substantially more than tomatoes.

DeanRIowa · July 22, 2008

How long will these cucumbers continue to produce?

Mine have been producing for two weeks, I am wondering if they will continue for another 1 1/2 months, right up to the first frost?

thanks,
Dean

**Mischka** · June 5, 2009

Bumping this thread to see who is growing this marvelous, hardy cucumber this season.

I've been growing this variety for many years and it wouldn't be summer with some of these on the table.

I like to mix equal parts sugar and vinegar (start with 1 cup of each) and then slice up a few Poonas and add them to the mixture. I let them sit overnight most of the time, but sometimes I can't resist and eat them after a only a few hours of marinating.

For those of you looking for seeds, Johnny's Selected Seeds is carrying them this season.

Click here to go to the Poona Kheera ordering page at Johnny's

montanamato · June 6, 2009

I am growing it for the first time....The seedlings are as vigorous as the hybrid seedlings I started...I am placing the cukes in a raised bed this year and covering with row cover to keep bugs and heat off....Hoping for a bumper crop as my kids eat so many fresh, I have had to make pickles from baby zucchini the last few years...
I grew a cuke about 6 years ago that turned russet too...It was longer and twisted, seeds from Sand Hill....I can't recall the name, but it doesn't get near the accolades Poona Kheera does .....After this cold snap passes I am planting the seedlings out....
I also have Edmondson, Mongkut f1, and Calypso f1 growing...

Jeanne

entangled · June 10, 2009

I'm growing Poona Keera for the first time this year. Planted the seeds on May 24 and they are growing strongly. The only other cucumber I'm growing is Sumter.

I'm eagerly awaiting the first cuke.

duajones · June 10, 2009

I grow Poona Kheera every year now. It is always productive and one of my favorites for fresh eating. I even pickled some this year

cottonpicker · June 10, 2009

This is my first year growing Poona Kheera and looking forward to it. Have three other cuke varieties growing also.

OmahaJB · June 10, 2009

First time growing it here. Read good things about it in the seed catalogs, and of course on TV. I planted several of those and a couple other varieties. They weren't growing fast so when I saw some Boston Pickler plants at HD that were much larger I bought one of those as well. Should have plenty during the summer. Looking forward to comparing them. The best reviews I've read so far on the ones I have are for Poona Kheera and White Stallion. We'll see...

PNW_D · August 3, 2009

Happy camper so far with this one ... just starting to russet ... I'm growing three in a large container

DeanRIowa · August 3, 2009

The Poona Kheera cucumbers after last year have been added to my 'must grow every year' list.

Dean

**Mischka** · August 3, 2009

Isn't it nice to be able to grow this wonderful OP cucumber and not have to rely on anyone else to produce fresh seed for future growing seasons?

It's really great to read that others here are also enjoying Poona Kheera. I hope to read more updates from fellow members, too.

June 5, 2009	#20
Mischka Tomatoville® Administrator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Bay State Posts: 3,207	Bumping this thread to see who is growing this marvelous, hardy cucumber this season. I've been growing this variety for many years and it wouldn't be summer with some of these on the table. I like to mix equal parts sugar and vinegar (start with 1 cup of each) and then slice up a few Poonas and add them to the mixture. I let them sit overnight most of the time, but sometimes I can't resist and eat them after a only a few hours of marinating. For those of you looking for seeds, Johnny's Selected Seeds is carrying them this season. Click here to go to the Poona Kheera ordering page at Johnny's __________________ 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.

June 10, 2009	#23
duajones Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Corpus Christi,Texas Z9 Posts: 1,996	I grow Poona Kheera every year now. It is always productive and one of my favorites for fresh eating. I even pickled some this year __________________ Duane Jones

June 10, 2009	#24
cottonpicker Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: SE PA..near Valley Forge Posts: 839	This is my first year growing Poona Kheera and looking forward to it. Have three other cuke varieties growing also. __________________ "Strong and bitter words indicate a weak cause". Victor Hugo

August 3, 2009	#28
Mischka Tomatoville® Administrator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Bay State Posts: 3,207	Isn't it nice to be able to grow this wonderful OP cucumber and not have to rely on anyone else to produce fresh seed for future growing seasons? It's really great to read that others here are also enjoying Poona Kheera. I hope to read more updates from fellow members, too. __________________ 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.

July 12, 2008	#16
Suze Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 3,027	Dean, they may not always get that "typical" rounder shape for you, just my experience. I've found I can get a variety of shapes throughout the season. What I generally look for with this particular variety is either a color change from a lighter color than green or cream-green and/or size. Also keep in mind that you can pick and eat cukes at any size. If in doubt, I prefer to err on the side of picking slightly smaller ones for the best flavor and tenderness. What I do not do with Poona Kheera is let them start fully getting russet brown like a potato, as IMO that is too ripe and the skin gets tough and the seeds get kind of large. Might make for a pretty/interesting pic or appearance, but they are really much tastier and tender at an earlier stage.

July 16, 2008	#17
SunnyK Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Stratford CT., Z6 or new for 2013 Z7 Posts: 126	I am also growing them this season. I am so glad that AndreyBY posted those pictures as I would have never had the nerve to let them stay on the vine once they started turning potato color....now I will let them get a bit of the russet on them before picking them....what an adventure!!LOL! And, by the way, beautiful pictures

July 22, 2008	#19
DeanRIowa Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: 5a - NE Iowa Posts: 416	How long will these cucumbers continue to produce? Mine have been producing for two weeks, I am wondering if they will continue for another 1 1/2 months, right up to the first frost? thanks, Dean

June 6, 2009	#21
montanamato Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Montana Posts: 1,038	I am growing it for the first time....The seedlings are as vigorous as the hybrid seedlings I started...I am placing the cukes in a raised bed this year and covering with row cover to keep bugs and heat off....Hoping for a bumper crop as my kids eat so many fresh, I have had to make pickles from baby zucchini the last few years... I grew a cuke about 6 years ago that turned russet too...It was longer and twisted, seeds from Sand Hill....I can't recall the name, but it doesn't get near the accolades Poona Kheera does .....After this cold snap passes I am planting the seedlings out.... I also have Edmondson, Mongkut f1, and Calypso f1 growing... Jeanne

June 10, 2009	#22
entangled Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Central Virginia Z6b Posts: 2	I'm growing Poona Keera for the first time this year. Planted the seeds on May 24 and they are growing strongly. The only other cucumber I'm growing is Sumter. I'm eagerly awaiting the first cuke.

June 10, 2009	#25
OmahaJB Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Toledo, OH Posts: 1,821	First time growing it here. Read good things about it in the seed catalogs, and of course on TV. I planted several of those and a couple other varieties. They weren't growing fast so when I saw some Boston Pickler plants at HD that were much larger I bought one of those as well. Should have plenty during the summer. Looking forward to comparing them. The best reviews I've read so far on the ones I have are for Poona Kheera and White Stallion. We'll see...