Kinds of Cucumber Plants

Regular Slicing

• Types of regular slicing cucumbers include burpless varieties, which do not have a bitter outer skin and have a sweeter taste. Other regular-size slicing cucumber varieties include Poinsett, Ashley, Marketmore 76 and Straight 8. These cucumber plants require a longer maturation period than pickling cucumbers, with a harvest time of approximately two months, according to the University of Illinois Extension. You may harvest regular slicing cucumbers when they reach between 6 and 10 inches in length. If you let your cucumbers grow to giant sizes, you may end up with a tough interior texture, not suitable for consumption.

Miniature Slicing

• Miniature slicing cucumber varieties grow on compact cucumber plants, perfect if you have limited space in your garden. Types of miniature slicing cucumbers include Fanfare, Salad Bush and Bush Crop. Cucumbers on these miniature plants may reach up to 8 inches in length. These cucumbers also require harvest times of about two months. Fanfare and Bush Crop cucumber plants have natural disease-resistant properties, according to the University of Illinois Extension.

Pickling

• Types of cucumbers used for pickling include Carolina, Chipper, Bush Pickle and Explorer. Pickling cucumbers mature quicker than slicing varieties, with average harvest times of around 45 to 50 days, according to the University of Illinois Extension. Once your pickling cucumber crop comes in, check for maturity every day and harvest on a regular basis, so that the vine continues to produce new cucumbers.

Considerations

• Pests and diseases that may affect cucumber plants include aphids, cucumber beetles and bacterial wilt or fungal diseases. Planting a resistant variety may minimize damage caused by disease. The University of Illinois Extension recommends removing and discarding deformed cucumbers, cucumbers exhibiting a yellow color and cucumbers that have soft spots. You may use a trellis or wire mesh to support the growth of cucumber vines.