What Should I Do with My Overgrown Cucumbers?
Asked by GardenGnome23
I'm a first-time cucumber grower and totally underestimated how large these plants can get! I started with a small 30-inch trellis, then upgraded to a 48-inch one. However, they're already reaching the top and I'm not sure what to do next. Any suggestions on how to handle my overgrown cucumbers?
Answers
If you want to keep them smaller, you can pinch the tips. But trust me, getting a larger trellis will yield more fruits next time as the new growth is super productive!
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You can let the cucumbers spill down the other side of the trellis. I grow mine on a fence trellis, and while some vines go straight up, others spread out along the ground. Just keep in mind that it might be trickier to spot the fruit, and they may curve as they grow, but it’s generally fine to let them sprawl!
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I had no idea cucumbers grew this big! Just planted mine, and now I’m freaking out! These plants are like little monsters with massive leaves!
BeginnerBotanist88: Right? I was totally unprepared for the size of those leaves! It's like they take over the garden.
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Your plants sound huge! I faced a similar issue with a short trellis, so I added extra posts and string to extend the height by about 1.5 feet. Now they’re almost at the top again, but I plan to let them go wherever from here!
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SproutSavant99: I do the same! Once they’ve outgrown my setup, I just let them stretch and sprawl wherever they want.