Sharon bought a little potted plant at the local gardening centre a month or so ago. It was a baby cucumber. The man said it would produce lovely little sweet cucumbers. With a price tag of only a pound and sitting looking all lonely on its own she bought it. “I felt sorry for it and I have never had a baby cucumber plant before,” she says.
The man said it should be kept inside, as it was rather delicate. After a good drink of water things started to happen. It stood up and two big leaves appeared. Then the stem started to grow fast. After about a week it looked so happy that it was put outside. This was a mistake as, within a couple of hours, the plant was making it very clear that it was not happy, with droopy leaves and a hangdog appearance. So it was quickly brought inside again and put back on its spot on the north-facing window ledge in the kitchen.
That was fine, and within another couple of hours everything was cheerful again. Since then, the stalk has shot up, more and more leaves have appeared, bamboo sticks were tied together to make a bit of a frame and long tendrils started to wind themselves along it for support. The knots and curls they make are fascinating. These tendrils can move inches in a few hours – which is racing along in plant time.
Now yellow flowers have appeared and behind each is a tiny little cucumber – about 15 of them so far. The plant likes lots of water, no doubt it is being used to fill the cucumbers. Sharon watches and waits and is looking forward to lots of dainty little cucumber sandwiches as summer really gets into its stride.
“I am so happy that my first cucumber is such a success,” says Sharon. “Perhaps my fingers are green after all. The little cucumbers will be ideal for our summer salads.”
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