Kings Seeds Cucumber Telegraph Improved

Cucumber is a traditional salad vegetable which can be produced either in a glasshouse or outdoors. The long green types in the shops can only be grown with the aid of a heated glasshouse, but other types are quite at home in your vegetable plot or produced earlier using cloches, cold frames or polytunnels.

The gardeners choice, Telegraph Improved is the nearest old variety to a glasshouse type. Producing medium long dark green fruits it can be grown outside, under glass or polythene tunnels or in a cold frame.

When to Sow Telegraph Improved Cucumber Seeds
February to May.

Where to Sow
Sow seed on edge to prevent rotting 1.5cm (1/2") deep in individual 9cm (3 1/2in) pots under glass at a constant day and night temperature of 21°C.

What to do Next
As soon as the seedlings have formed 3 true leaves, transplant into 15cm (6") pots. When the plants are about 10cm (4") tall, plant out into final positions into large pots or growbags underglass. Provide some form of support and tie in stems as required. Male flowers (those with no fruit behind) should be removed as soon as they appear.

Maturity
July to September.

Handy Tip
cucumbers prefer a moist atmosphere, spray the floor of the greenhouse with water regularly during hot weather to maintain humidity, but give good ventilation to avoid disease.

Nutritional Values
Low in calories high in potassium avoid peeling as skin is rich in carotenoid antioxidant.