Cucumber Sonja was originally called Tanja. It is an organically grown cucumber variety with a delicious flavour. The cucumbers reach a length of approximately 25 - 30 cm. Cucumber belongs to the same family as melon, pumpkin, zucchini, and gherkin. This is the Cucurbitaceae family. Like its relatives, cucumber is classified as a fruit vegetable. It can be eaten whole, including the skin. Cucumber grows best in a very sheltered, warm location outdoors or in an unheated greenhouse. Remove the top shoots of the plant once 2 - 3 fruits have developed. This encourages better yields and prevents too many fruits from forming on a single plant, which may not ripen properly. These crisp, refreshing cucumbers are very tasty.
Cucumber is a very healthy and versatile vegetable. It can be cooked, steamed, braised, stir-fried, eaten raw, baked, included in casseroles, salads, or grilled. Sliced cucumber also makes a healthy snack or refreshing treat. In summer, cucumbers can be used to make a cooling cold soup. Avoid heating cucumbers for more than 10 minutes, as they will lose their crunchiness. Cucumbers are high in water content and also contain antioxidants, fiber, omega fatty acids and protein. Like most vegetables are cucumbers low in calories. Cucumbers provide a variety of vitamins, including A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B11, B12, C, D, E, and K, as well as minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, iodine, potassium, copper, magnesium, manganese, sodium, selenium, and zinc. Cucumbers pair well with many foods, including lettuce, bell peppers, cheese, chicken, salmon, apple, carrot, mint, chives, onion, eggs, rice, tuna, pasta, shrimp, potatoes, paprika, radish, beef, and nuts. Home-grown cucumbers have much more flavour than store-bought ones. They can be stored outside the refrigerator for up to 2 - 3 days. Cut cucumbers should be wrapped in plastic or aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Non hardy annual.
Indoor sowing: end of March - middle of May
Outdoor sowing: May - June
Germination: 5 - 10 days
Germination temp.: 20 - 22 °C
Sowing depth: 1 - 1½ cm
Transplanting seedlings: At least 3 weeks after sowing soiltemp. 15 - 18 °C
Plant spacing: 80 - 100 cm
Plant position: sunny (greenhouse)
Harvest period: July - October
Sow indoors from March on in separate pots filled with moist potting soil. Sow 1 seed per pot approx. 1 - 1½ cm deep and sow the seed sideways to prevent rotting. Cover the seed with a layer of potting soil. Keep the germination temperature at a minimal of 20 °C. Put the pots somewhere warm. Keep the temperature as even as possible and don't let the temperature drop during the night. Keep the soil moist in the pot, but not too wet to prevent rotting.
Transplant the seedlings on a warm, sheltered, well-manured spot with freedraining soil, after approx. 3 weeks. Cucumbers are sensitive for root damage, so be carefull with their vulnerable rootsystem when you plant them out. Put your cucumberplants in a greenhouse or outdoors on a very sunny and sheltered plot.
Sow outdoors from the beginning of May, when there's no longer any danger of nightfrosts. Sow on a very sunny, sheltered spot with freedraining soil. Sow 2 seeds per hole approx. 2 cm deep and cover the seeds with a layer of soil. Thin the seedlings, when they're large enough to handle to 1 strongest per hole. Keep them 80 - 100 cm apart. Keep weedfree.
Cucumbers need a lot of space, sunlight, water, fertilizer and time to prosper. Give them a good amount of compost about 2 months prior to sowing. Give your plants a sturdy and large support. Harvest your cucumber by cutting them of the plants with a knife. Harverst regurlarly to ensure the growing of new cucumbers. You can store your cucumber for a couple of days outside the fridge on a cool spot. Give the plants, when the fruits are starting to grow some liquid tomato fertilizer every week. Give them every couple of days enough water. Water extra during dry-spells.
