Vegetables: Armenian cucumbers not thin and long

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naturally30 Surprise, AZ August 25, 2009 05:19 PM	Can anyone tell me why my armenian cucumbers are growing to look more like the shape of a yellow squash instead of a long and thin shape? I have them growing on a trellis because I have read they do well on a trellis. However, as they grow larger they start to get bulbous at the end. Has this happened to anyone?
1lisac Liberty Hill, TX (Zone 8a) August 25, 2009 06:53 PM	Can you post a picture? I'm growing those also and I'm wondering if it might be uneven watering or cross-pollination? Where did you get your seeds? We call them burpless cucumbers but they are really melons. Lisa
naturally30 Surprise, AZ August 26, 2009 12:50 PM	Lisa, thanks for replying. It could be uneven watering since we did get some rain recently but normally they are on a drip system. I bought the seeds at Target and they are Ferry-Morse Seed Co. brand. The packet says they are Armenian Yard Long cucumbers. I live in Surprise, AZ and the plant stopped producing when our nighttime lows were in the 90's, but now that the lows are in the 80's they are producing again. Are your cucumbers very light green like mine? I understand they are a melon and the first one I picked was the same shape as in the picture and it tasted more like an unripe honeydew than a cucumber to me. What's interesting is I grew honeydew melons in the same spot last year or the year before (I can't remember exactly). View Larger
locakelly Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9a) August 26, 2009 01:40 PM	n30 - I grew Armenians this year as well. They produced exceptionally well up until July when it got really hot. The coloring of your's looks right; mine were longer and thinner, more tapered on the ends. They are a really pale green color. They can grow up to 24" long, but I picked mine when they were just over 12" maybe. They were very good - tasted like a mild version of a regular cucumber. How long is the one in the picture? You may have gotten the weird flavor because it was not ready to pick? The ends will sometimes taste bitter or strange as well. If yu cut the ends off the rest of it should taste fine. Some of mine grew on a trellis and some on the ground, but they retained the long tapered shape either way. They grow really well here and can handle the heat better than regular cukes, probably because they are truly a melon. Hope this helps! Kelly
1lisac Liberty Hill, TX (Zone 8a) August 26, 2009 02:09 PM	Mine are a darker green and much thinner. I got my seeds from Baker Creek Heirlooms Rareseeds.com. and are METKI DARK GREEN SERPENT Asian Melons They taste like regular cucumbers to me. Mine produced well until the record breaking heat but now they are blooming like crazy and I have 7 that I just picked so they are doing better then ever. It is still really hot but a little cooler at night. So I guess I have no idea why yours are the shape they are, wish I could be more help. Lisa
naturally30 Surprise, AZ August 26, 2009 03:13 PM	Kelly - good to know that you are having success here in AZ with the cucumbers! I didn't measure the cucumber but I would say it's 12" or very close to that. I don't know when I should pick it either. If I leave it on the vine, how large should I let it get? Maybe the seeds I bought are not so good and a cross with a honeydew or something? I have about 4 to 5 other cukes forming so I will see what shape they turn into! Thanks for your help! Lisa - thanks for letting me know the seed company you bought yours from. Maybe I'll check out their website. Natalie
locakelly Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9a) August 26, 2009 04:50 PM	Natalie - they are very good and should do well for you here. The seed packet I have says they can reach up to 24" (2 feet!) long, but I never waited that long. It says best picked between 12 and 18". I think by trial and error you will be able to tell when to pick them. The more you pick the more they will produce. A couple I left until the stem end looked like it was shriveling and just cut that end off and they tasted great. If they start to lose color and turn yellowish they are getting too old. I know they like consistent water as well, and the rain we get in our summer "nonsoon" can wreak havoc on the garden. After all, how consistent can it be if you get bombarded with a whole bunch of rain for 30 minutes every 3 months - lol?!?! My seeds came from Botanical Interests, my favorite little seed company. They are a family run company out of Colorado. Nice folks and great germination rate on the seeds. http://www.botanicalinterests.com/store/shop.php I usually order online, but I know Baker Nursery on the east side carries their seeds.
1lisac Liberty Hill, TX (Zone 8a) August 26, 2009 05:29 PM	Kelly-Thank you for posting that website I have added it to my favorites. I'm always looking for new a different seed sources. Another suggestion for a Veggie that does well in the heat is Thai Red-Seeded Longbean. Unlike the regular snap beans they thrive in hot weather and the seem to have a lot less problems with insects and spider mites. Natalie-According to the discription in the Baker Seed Catalogue they can grow up to 3' but should be picked at 18" or sooner. Lisa
locakelly Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9a) August 26, 2009 05:37 PM	Hi, Lisa. I'll have to check out the longbeans. Interesting! Always looking for something that will prosper in this furnace - lol. My veggie beds are raised, so I can get away with planting things like beans a bit earlier, plus I have shade cloth for the beds as well. Usually I can get a decent harvest before the worst of it hits and then again in the fall. One of my buddies here tried the yardlong beans this summer. They did OK, but I wasn't too impressed with the taste.
1lisac Liberty Hill, TX (Zone 8a) August 26, 2009 05:42 PM	Yes, they taste a little different, but I thought they were good. My youngest son loves them and eats most of them before I get any. As crazy as this sounds I don't really like to eat veggies (love tomatoes, but they are a fruit) I make myself eat them because I know they are good for me. I love to grow them though. Lisa
locakelly Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9a) August 26, 2009 05:47 PM	I like to grow them and eat them - lol. My kids don't quite get the logic of loving to eat them yet, but they do pretty good. It's easier to convince them veggies are good when they're growing in your backyard! Besides brussel sprouts, I don't think there's a veggie my family won't eat. Oh, except maybe turnips...
1lisac Liberty Hill, TX (Zone 8a) August 26, 2009 05:52 PM	I completely agree, kids are much more likely to eat veggies they have helped grow. My youngest son loves them all, which I'm glad about, but how he can stomach radishes is a mystery to me. Lisa
Jim41 Delhi, LA September 16, 2009 12:52 AM	Hi Kelly, I liked that site you posted. Got carried away and order $13 worth of seed. Now if I can just get it to grow.
locakelly Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9a) September 16, 2009 09:06 AM	Jim - I have had pretty much 100% germination with their seeds! Great little company, and I like the fact they are family owned. You can buy their seeds at one ofthe better nurseries here, but I usually order online for the selection. Granted they don't have the variety some companies do, but I am very happy with their seeds.
Jim41 Delhi, LA September 16, 2009 01:55 PM	I like the prices. A lot cheaper than Johnny's where I was looking. Will still have to buy some of the other seed from them that I want.
locakelly Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9a) September 16, 2009 01:57 PM	And wait 'til you get their seed packets! They are beautifully illustrated and contain a wealth of info both inside and outside the package!
Jim41 Delhi, LA September 16, 2009 01:59 PM	I liked there web site. Got more useful info than any seed company I looked at. Just wish they would take pay pal. Hate to use a credit card. Got to go to another funeral today. Third one this week. Talk to you later.
dipsydoodle Newcastle upon Tyne United Kingdom September 23, 2009 04:48 AM	I can't help why they have grown that way...however remember the ones you see in the shop are picked for their size and shape - they don't sell the ones that are mangled and don't look very nice. Most of my strawberries this year didn't look very nice (shape wise) however...their taste was fantastic; much nicer than the strawberries which looked nice. We have a small greengrocer shop which sells veg and fruit which isn't "normal" shape - it's about 1/3rd of the price and the stuff tastes so much nicer.

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