Cucumbers are grown successfully in greenhouses in different climates.  Economic yields are obtained in both hot and cool temperatures (from 8°C to 37°C). Under extreme conditions, heating and ventilation are required. 

Environment

Day Length: Parthenocarpic cucumbers are not sensitive to day length.

Humidity: Cucumber plants grow well in relatively high humidity (65-85%). They suffer in extremely dry weather. In dry conditions, increasing humidity should be considered.

Light: Cucumbers develop well under high light intensity (250 to 1000 watts/sq meter). In higher light intensity, shading is required. Lack of light (below 100) severely decreases plant development.

Soil type: Adaptable to many types of soil, provided the soil has a fairly deep profile and a pH of 6.5-7.5.  Calciferous and alkaline soils require constant follow-up of microelement levels.

Planting layout

Plant population should be decided according to the season and the characteristics of the particular variety.  Average plant population in spring and summer is 2.4-2.6 plants per m².  When planting in double rows, row spacing should be 50 –60 cm, and bed spacing 1.8 meters (center to center), and spacing along the row 35-40cm. During winter and autumn, plant population decreases to 1.8-2.2 plants per m². 

Water demand

Evapotranspiration monitoring is the most reliable information source for planning a proper watering scheduling. Crop coefficient for cucumbers changes according to three growth stages: from planting to flowering: Kc- 0.3-0.4, from flowering to first harvest: Kc- 0.5-0.6, and until the end of growth: Kc- 0.6-0.9.

Irrigation

Cucumbers are irrigated by drip, one dripline per row.  Spacing between drippers is 35-40 cm, according to plant spacing.

Fertigation

Fertilizer application levels should be adapted to growing stage, soil type and climate. Fertilizer dosages should be applied according to soil and irrigation water analysis.

Intensive planting of greenhouse crops in soil requires pre-plant fertilization based on soil analysis, followed by continuous supplemental fertilization.

Cucumbers on substrate media

The above article presents cucumber cultivation in soil.  Cucumber cultivation on substrate media, which requires a different approach, will not be discussed here.