Notes on my Parthenocarpic Cucumber Trials
This is my second year experimenting with parthenocarpic cucumbers, and this year I also planted a parthenocarpic zucchini called Golden Glory. Parthenocarpic squash and cucumbers are the result of traditional breeding techniques. The breeders wanted to develop cucumbers with higher numbers of female flowers. This led to the development of varieties that only produce female flowers, and do not require pollinators. Obviously, this is very useful when growing cucumbers inside greenhouses, or under row covers.
Parthenocarpic Cucumbers and Squash
The squash pests are particularly bad in my area, and so I like the idea of varieties I can grow inside my pool enclosure, cucumbers that do not need pollinators.
Last spring I grew Arkansas Little Leaf with seed purchased from Southern Exposure. The cukes were delicious! This is a pickling cucumber, but I used them in everything. They were seedless with small seed cavities, which made them particularly good for Tzatziki sauce.
This season’s cucumber, Katrina, was supposed to hold up well in high temps. This wasn’t an honest comparison with Little Leaf because I got such a late start planting. However, it did produce well into July. I will confess that I prefer the flavor and texture of Little Leaf. I did not have very much success wit the Golden Glory Zucchini. Part of the issue could have been the late start, or maybe the plant needed more space.
Suyo Long is a parthenocarpic cucumber from China that is gaining popularity in Florida’s challenging summer growing conditions. I think it would be a bit too vigorous for my screen room setup, but others may want to give it consideration in the garden.
Diva is a parthenocarpic cucumber that I grew in the garden at our old house, with great success. We didn’t have the pest issues over there that drove me to try my current setup. I am giving Diva a try inside the screen enclosure this fall.
Here is an excellent video on YouTube about Parthenocarpic cucumbers You can find the Beit Alpha cukes discussed at Baker Creek. I intend to give them a try next spring.
