West India Gherkin Cucumber (Heirloom, 65 days)

The West India Gherkin Cucumber is a 1793 Heirloom. Although this variety has been sold in the US since the early 1800’s, we suspect it will appear unique to most home gardeners. The leaves don’t resemble cucumber leaves at all; they look like watermelon leaves. Vines are long and bear multitudes of small oval fruit which are exceptionally spiny. Used for unusual and good tasting pickles, the West India Gherkin Cucumber will also add a bit of a surprise to a salad.  

 20 seeds

PLANTING

Cucumis anguria

Germination: 4-10 days

Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 70-85ºF

Seed Sowing Depth: 1/2-1" deep

Sowing Indoors: 3-4 weeks before last frost. Provide 70-85ºF soil temperature. Sow 2-3 seeds per cell/pot. Sowing into individual biodegradable peat/cow pots reduces root damage when transplanting. Transplant 36-48" apart after last frost. 

Sowing Outdoors: Sow after last frost when soil temperature is over 70ºF. Sow a few seeds every 36-48". 

Harvest: Check and pick every day to keep the harvest flowing.

Tips: The West India Gherkin Cucumber should be planted in fertile soil, amended with compost or well rotted manure and kept well watered. Trellising the vines allows for good air circulation, takes up less space and provides shade for heat sensitive crops like lettuce. They benefit from growing on black plastic and by using row covers for weed, insect control, and more rapid growth.