Growing Tips for Dragon's Egg Cucumbers

Planting and Spacing

• Like other cucumbers, the "Dragon's Egg" cucumber produces long vines that may reach a length of 10 feet or more. Space "Dragon's Egg" cucumbers 8 to 15 inches apart in rows spaced 5 to 6 feet apart or plant two to four cucumber plants in a container with a trellis. These vining plants are well-suited for growing vertically, which makes care and harvesting easier and improves yield by two to three times, reports the North Carolina State University Extension.

Watering

• Cucumbers prefer evenly moist soil. Water your "Dragon's Egg" cucumbers deeply once or twice a week, or whenever the soil feels dry 1 inch below the surface. Moisten the soil to a depth of 6 inches, or water those in containers until water runs freely through the bottom of the container. Typically, cucumbers require 1 inch of rain a week, but those grown in containers require more frequent watering, as the soil dries quickly in containers. Cucumbers' need for water increases during blooming and fruiting, when dry soil can cause a bitter flavor.

Mulching

• Mulching your cucumber plants creates a weed barrier and keeps the soil moist, too. Apply a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch under your cucumber plants. Organic mulch, such as grass clippings or straw works well. Some prefer to use black plastic or landscape fabric. Black plastic can be applied two weeks before planting to warm the soil and give your cucumbers a good start.

Fertilizing

• Cucumbers are heavy feeders, especially during blooming and fruiting. Side dressing cucumbers approximately one week after blooming and again in three weeks gives them the nitrogen they need to produce abundant fruit. Sprinkle a narrow band of 33-0-0 fertilizer, at a rate of 1-1/2 ounces per 10 feet of row, approximately 4 to 6 inches from the base of the plant.