Growing Cucumber Plants

Cucumbers do not have to be staked but it is best to do so to protect against crawling bugs. I have also planted them in cinder blocks placed against a chain link fence and it worked beautifully. The vines attach themselves to the fencing and all you have to do is water and watch them grow. I also found that planting Spanish thyme next to the cucumbers acts as a deterrent to bugs as they do not like the scent of the thyme

Hi,
just want to tell you I am in my third year of planting my Cucumbers in a large patio pot... on the ground never worked for me.

I insert a tall pole in the center of the Pot a few days after planting. I tell you the cucumbers grow fantastically huge with Miracle grow for veggies and I yield 16 or more to a patio pot. I tie them to the poles with Stockings to prevent cutting into the Vine itself. Last year they were 12 foot tall. A more beautiful plant you never did see.

My neighbors were in awe.
Watering is very important daily. They are mostly in the sun till about 6 in the evening. Make sure the pots are huge ... one to a Pot.

I have the most luck with sweet slice and burp less cucumbers.
Hopefully this will help someone with a great yield like I have.
Jaye

Although some people have had success letting the cukes lie on the ground, you might be better off staking them up on sturdy poles to avoid rot.

The folks who have successfully grown cukes (or any similar crop) on the ground succeed because they have the time to check daily for signs of rot, and turn the growing cuke carefully if they see signs (white spots, soft spots, brown spots...). If you have the time to do that, then grow them on the ground.

LOL, of course, staking brings along its own set of problems, mainly weight of the growing cuke (or melon, squash, and other large fruit/veg) pulling it clean off the stem! A lot of gardeners who use super feeds (which causes the extra heavy fruit/veg) also use old panty hose to create a net, wiring or tying the netted fruit/veg to the stake.

From what my father used to do, he had them on the ground and they turned out wonderful. I'm sure you'll be fine.