Cucumis sativus 'Carmen'

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cucumber 'Carmen'

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cucumber 'Carmen' Michael John Day
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A high-yielding cucumber with good disease-resistance. 40cm long, straight, mild-flavoured fruits are produced on climbing plants from late summer into autumn. Best grown under glass

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1C

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cucurbitaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Climbing
Potentially harmful
Pets: Bitter fruit can be TOXIC if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Cucumis is a genus of twining plants with tendrils which includes cucumber, melons and gerkins. Around 30 species are native to Africa and 25 to India, Southeast Asia and Australia.
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Transfer young plants into large pots of good quality compost or into the greenhouse border. Water little and often to keep the growing medium evenly moist. Feed evert 10-14 days with a balanced liquid fertiliser. Provide wires or canes for the plants to climb up. See 'growing cucumbers' in vegetable cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Edible fruit

Pruning

Pinch out the growing point when it reaches the greenhouse roof. Pinch out the tips of side shoots two leaves beyond a female flower (which has a tiny fruit behind it). Pinch out the tips of flowerless side shoots once they reach 60cm long

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

May be susceptible to cucumber mosaic virus and powdery mildews