Texas Cucumber Varieties

Slicing Varieties

• For slicing, cucumber varieties recommended for Texas include Poinsett 76 (Cucumis sativus 'Poinsett 76'), an heirloom fruit that is long, dark green that grows to about 7 inches to 8 inches long. Straight 8 (Cucumis sativus 'Straight Eight') produces 8 inch, uniform, dark green, smooth, slightly striped fruit with white spines. Sweet slice (Cucumis sativus 'Sweet Slice') is a productive hybrid with a sweet flavor. The fruits are long and tapered, averaging 10 to 12 inches in length. Another tasty slicer is Sweet Success (Cucumis sativus 'Sweet Success'), a hybrid burpless variety that grows 12-inch, nearly seedless fruit.

Pickling Varieties

• If pickling's on your mind, check out Carolina (Cucumis sativus 'Carolina'), a plant that produces generous numbers of medium-green fruit. Another choice is Fancy Pak, a medium, dark-green pickling variety whose fruit are best harvested when 4 inches long. National Pickling (Cucumis sativus 'National Pickling') produces 6-inch to 7-inch thin-skinned fruit that easily takes in the pickling spices. Calypso (Cucumis sativus 'Calypso') is a high-yield, early-yield pickler that produces in about 52 days.

Planting Cucumbers

• Cucumbers need warm temperatures, an easily-met requirement in Texas. Plant after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has begun to warm. Plant seeds or seedlings on ridges. Drop three or four seeds in groups every 12 to 14 inches down the row. In smaller gardens, you can plant 3 to 4 seeds in hills that are 4 inches to 6 inches high. Cover the seeds with 1 inch of fine soil. If your garden doesn't have space to let the cucumbers vine along the ground, install a cage or trellis for vertical growth.

Caring for Cucumbers

• Fertilize your cucumbers generously for maximum production. Apply about 1 tablespoon of a 10-10-10 fertilizer per plant. Soak your cucumber plants well with water each week if it doesn't rain. Use a Bacillus thuringiensis-based insecticide or sulfur to combat pests. Commercial Bt preparations vary, so consult package directions for application rates. Neem oil will help combat fungal diseases. Mix 70 percent neem oil at the rate of 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) per gallon of water. Thoroughly mix solution and spray all plant surfaces until completely wet.