Clinton News-Record, 1985-4-17, Page 62Cucumbers may be
The liberation of the cucumber is a story
with a definite feminine flair. While the first
blooms opening in traditional varieties are
males, it is the separate female blossoms that
set the fruit. Poor fruit set is often due to
overproduction of the male flowers on the
cucumber vine.
The liberated cucumber defies nature
with its production of all or nearly all female
blossoms. Expect much higher production
when you plant the liberated ladies Victory
and Slicemaster, both recently developed Fl
hybrids.
Hybrid varieties of cucumbers have more
virtues than vigor, however. The "new"
cucumbers also have disease tolerance in
their green genes. Old-time troublers like
mosiac, mildews and leaf spots appear less
frequently in plantings of disease tolerant
genetically programmed hybrids.
What else is new in cucumbers? Hybrids
for postage -stamp gardens. little Pot Luck
needs only a 18 to 20 -inch area to produce
bumper crops of 6 to 7 -inch fruit, in a record
50 days! This diminuitive dynamo does just
as well in hanging baskets and containers.
Pickling varieties can be distinguished
from slicers by their heavy production of
crisp, pickle -sized fruit at one time. Be ready
to fill the jars or crocks in 48 days when you
plant Peppi.
Some important tricks for the best cukes
involve culture. The cucumber is a warm -
season plant. Do not transplant too early in
the season. The cucumber has a big appetite,
too. Make sure you have plenty of organic
material in the form of compost or well -rotted
manure in your planter or garden before
setting out the cuke. Fertilize again mid-
season.
If natures does not keep soil moist, water
your cucumber planting thoroughly each
week. Make sure your sprinkler or hose
delivers at least one inch of water or your
cucumbers may end up with hour -glass
figures'.
Cucumbers may be the ultimate edible
vine. Trellis your plants on fences, pole
supports or even against the garage wall. If
you have extra tomato cages, use them for the
cukes. Gravitational pull makes straighter
fruit when you use this suggestion from the
cucumber bag of tricks.
Prompt picking is also essential for all
types of cucumbers. A few overripe fruit will
keep the plant from continuous production.
This liberated lady also has another prejudice
to dispel. Members of the cucumber family
will not crossbreed with melons and squash.
(And plant breeders have included enough
male blossoms to keep her company, she
quietly adds.)
Proper and sturdy tools
make gardening easier
by Bob Fleming
Horticultural Research
Institute of Ontario
Pick up a garden catalogue, weekend
newspaper, or any magazine in the spring,
and you are bound to find colorful ads for
garden aids - either tools to lighten the work
or gadgets to help you grow bigger and better
plants.
There is no doubt that sturdy properly
maintained tools, make garden chore's easier.
But regardless of the tool, good garden sense
in the long run produces the best returns. A
soil test to determine your garden soil needs
is one of the best and least expensive gadgets
you can buy. Sampling kits are available from
your local Ministry of Agriculture and Food
1
Test drive our
1985 model
dish
from General Instrument for the
ultimate in performance
and quality.
office. A soil test cost only $1.
Fertilizers may be considered gadgets to
many new hobby gardeners, but, once you
have a soil test, fertilizers become useful
tools. Contents must be listed on the
container - nitrogen, phosphorus and potash
in that order. For example, a turf fertilizer is
usually high in nitrogen for green foliage
(10-6-4, 12-6-3 ), while a garden fertilizer has
equal quantities (10-10-10) or more root and
fruit -producing elements - phosphorus and
potash (5-10-15 or 5-20-20).
Plant starter kits, self -watering planters,
green thumb gloves and rubber kneelers
make some garden chores more convenier;(
but none guarantees success. Proper sou
(Continued on Page 29
ultimate
VARIETY
Peppi
aurpless *26
Pot Luck
Slicemaster 1
r
'SHAPE
'�`•`
is A
J
`/ 1,
TYPEPlckinq
Pickling
Slicing
S1 c ng
Slicing
LENGTH
3 4
9 /0
6 7
7 8
DIAMETER
I , . 2 ' .
1' : 2'
2' .
2-2'
MATURITY
48 days
70 days
50 days
55 days
NOTESSmall
GynoeciouS
Early
plant
size
Monoecious
Stake for
best results
Monoec,ous
Spreads
only 18.20
Very
productive
Gynoecious
Producer
of No 1
quality
fruit
GENERAL
INSTRUMENT
SATELLITE TV SYSTEMS
LEASE TO OWN
215 Victoria Street (Hwy. 4 South)111111
•
CLINTON 482-7021 •
0.
tis.
se�`��
We haves,®
• V MOBILE HOMES up to
(72ft x 14ft)
DOUBLE WIDE HOMES up to
(60ft x 26ft)
*MODULAR HOMES
"SPLIT ENTRY HOMES
*TRI -LEVEL HOMES
*TWO STOREY HOMES
(These homes meet building codes)
Make an appointment to discuss
your needs. Ask for Doug Morgan at
482-7066.
Lots available at FIVE SEASON ESTATE ADULT
COMMUNITY. R.R. No. 2 Rayfield or
also the location of your choice.
MORGAN'S MOBILE HOMES
343 Victoria St.,
P.O. Box 430
CLINTON, 4827066
Closed Sundays