Seeds, Cucumber Green Dragon (West Coast Seeds)

Green Dragon cucumber seeds produce vines with substantial fruits to 28cm (11") long. The fruits have linear indentations and tiny white spines that can easily be brushed off using a tea towel or similar cloth. Thin, dark green skins cover really tasty flesh that is burpless and never bitter. Green Dragon performs well both outdoors and in the greenhouse, but provide a trellis in either case so that the fruits can hang as they grow for better straightness. This variety is hybrid resistance to Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV), powdery mildew, downy mildew, and scab. For container growing, choose pots at least three to five gallons per plant, with fertile soil and good drainage.

Matures in 60 days

Season Warm season

Exposure Full-sun

Timing
Cucumbers need very warm soil to germinate. If direct sowing, wait until mid-June. If weather turns cool and wet after that, just re-sow. Or start transplants indoors in individual peat or coir pots 3-4 weeks before transplanting out into warm soil. If starting indoors, use bottom heat. Transplant when the plants develop their third true leaf. If the plants are too big, they may experience transplant shock. Optimal soil temperature for germination (and transplanting): 15-30°C (60-85°F).

Starting
Sow 3-4 seeds 2cm (1″) deep in each spot you want a plant to grow. Thin to the strongest seedling. Space plants 23cm (9″) apart in rows 90cm (36″) apart.

Companion Planting
Plant cucumbers beside asparagus, beans, Brassicas, celery, corn, dill, kohlrabi, lettuce, onion, peas, radish, and tomatoes. Avoid planting near potatoes and sage. Both corn and sunflowers can act as a trellis for cucumbers to good effect. Dill will help cucumbers by attracting predatory insects, and nasturtiums is said to improve the flavour and growth of cucumbers.