Cucumber Growing Masterclass: The Secret to Perfect Cucumbers

[@joanies6778]

Love growing cucumbers. I was never really into pickles until I started growing cucumbers. Now I make kosher dill spears, sweet and sour sandwich pickles, and relish. Nothing like home grown and home made!

[@GrowVeg]

So true! 😀

[@derhaas8652]

i feel like growing cucumbers is also one of the most rewarding and fun to watch vegs since once the plant has developed, they just keep coming in on a weekly basis.

[@looneygardener]

I was excited to get a crock for Christmas. Looking forward to making fermented dills!

[@mrs.robinson1828]

Brilliant video from one of KZbin's best gardening channels. Thanks Ben for sharing your in depth knowledge.

[@kida12]

For a bitter cucumber you can cut the vine end and rub it on the cut surface. A foamy white substance will be pulled to the edges of the rubbing area, and that is the bitter compound. Keep rubbing until the foam stops forming. Wash it all off and your cucumber will no longer be bitter.

[@GrowVeg]

This is a superb tip, thanks for sharing!

[@mikki3961]

I adore this man, his knowledge and enthusiasm is contagious! I love my cucumbers and the advice is stellar, thank you.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much for watching! 😀

[@jackiek4159]

Cucumbers are my favourite vegie to grow in the summer! Nothing like a home grown cucumber! 😍🥒💚

[@GrowVeg]

So true! :-)

[@artistlovepeace]

GrowVeg is sharing all good and honest advice.

[@TuttleScott]

Cucumbers is one of those plants I've never had problems growing. I just throw the seeds at the ground and soon I've got them coming out my ears. Kind of like squash or zucchini. I am going to try growing them up a trellis this year cause I always end up with 2 foot long monster cucumbers hidden under leaves.

[@karencarol]

I’ve never been able to grow them successfully. They seem to get overripe on one end, and undeveloped on the other.

[@meshab6049]

Lucky you. I get very little harvest from container plants

[@nolagirlhomestead]

Cucumbers are water hogs!!!! It's hard for me to commit to daily watering here in 9b So Louisiana

[@FM-ij7iu]

@@karencarolI recently learned that this can be because they weren’t property pollinated.

[@andrewsparrow6500]

Also just to add by following groveg I've been very successful and improving my tactics on growing this year.... This summer is going to the busiest and yet the most rewarding. All thanks to you Ben 😊

[@GrowVeg]

That is so lovely to read. Happy gardening! :-)

[@Elon_Trump]

This man is the Alton Brown of the Garden. Im hooked.

[@MichaelJosephJr934]

Alton Brown or Elton John?

[@annettebrdsgaard2645]

The next generation: Did you know, you can make cuttings. Just take a sideshoot or the topcut and put in water. It will pruduce roots in a couple of weeks and be ready to plant out. I live i Denmark. I do this in the beginning of July🌱

[@GrowVeg]

Great idea! 🥒

[@jamesbrock7908]

Seriously?! I have to give it a try!! My cucumbers dont produce fertile seeds, so I have to keep buying the seeds ever so often.

[@andreacoleman]

🤖

[@annettebrdsgaard2645]

@@jamesbrock7908 yes, I took the topcut les than 14 days ago and it has developer nice roots👍👍👍

[@eb1684]

@@annettebrdsgaard2645 What is topcut?

[@kijihigh6826]

I just grew cucumbers and they are so sweet. I have never tasted them so delicious. Always they have had a bland taste or bitter and sometimes hard to chew. Now they are moist, soft and sweet with a very nice crunch. Delicious. I am so happy. My first crop

[@GrowVeg]

That's really super to hear - makes all the effort growing them well worth it! :-)

[@SoulsJourney]

I always get such a kick out of your videos. The cucumbers on the eyes was great 😁 Just waiting for it to warm up here in Oregon before starting my cukes.

[@GrowVeg]

So pleased you enjoy the videos. Thank you for watching!

[@hackiehackerson]

my strawberries are really good this year. thanks for helping me through that mess. 😂 you're still the happiest guy on here

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much. Enjoy those strawberries! :-)

[@Brick-Morpork]

My Party Time cucumbers have been in sunken bed in the unheated tunnel for about 1.5 weeks now and they have grown at least 10x bigger than when I planted them out. Off to a great start!

[@GrowVeg]

Great job!

[@matthewhodgson2008]

Perfect timing, planting mine tomorrow.

[@handyhank1967]

How did they do??

[@annerichmond4263]

Thanks so much again for your fabulously clear and concise gardening instruction, tips and advice!

[@slashieboy]

I love this veggie guy so many great tips while watching good content, keep it up my friend big ups from Sweden

[@jagibaba]

I keep coming back to these videos for a info - refresher. How awesome your videos are!! Thanks a lot.

[@GrowVeg]

Thank you and Happy Gardening!

[@soltersortna]

I planned on starting my gardening today but sprained my ankle. Thanks for giving me some more knowledge so I’ll be better prepared for my unplanned late start in a week or two!

[@LittleKikuyu]

Get well soon! 😊

[@Toffnm]

That sucks, hope your ankle recovers very quickly!

[@GrowVeg]

Oh poor you. Hope you are fully recovered very soon!

[@43pandy]

Have never grown a cucumber but just watched your video very inspired you are very easy to watch nice on the eye 😊

[@vanhorntm]

My favorite variety is Wautoma. It was developed by the USDA and is burpless, bitter free, and resistant to a wide variety of diseases, including powdery mildew, which is my biggest problem. I grow in a climate with hot summers, and they continue produce even when temperatures get into the upper 90's Fahrenheit. You can pick small for gherkins, or let grow a little longer for snacking size or pickles. They're wonderfully prolific, and I like that I can save the seeds from year to year. I like the flavor so much I don't bother growing slicing types anymore and just plant enough for pickles and eating fresh. My bees love the blossoms and are always visiting them as soon as they open.

[@GrowVeg]

A great recommendation, thank you. 😀

[@debbiebolman2705]

I had never given it any thought to make a second sowing for cukes. Thanks Ben!

[@yooperlooper]

Your videos are always soooooo informative and easy to understand. This is a keeper since I like to grow cucs on my deck in pots.

[@Robvr-o4w]

Hello :) Do you have any tips for growing in pots on a deck? I am eager to try it out myself. Also, I wonder if you are from Northern Michigan? While I am not in the U.P., I am very far north, just in the lower mitten. If you are a Yooper, I assume our climate/growing conditions are the same/similar.

[@looneygardener]

I am growing Manny and Diva, both are spineless and parthenocarpic. I tried Diva last year and was very happy! Hardly a cucumber beetle in sight!

[@GrowVeg]

Hope you get a fab harvest. :-)

[@courtneybreaud806]

I planted 6 cucumber plants one plant has 5 cucumbers growing on them now. I planted March 21st I am in Louisiana so our last frost date was March 15th

[@GrowVeg]

That’s a great result already! 😀

[@LittleKikuyu]

I personally love Mexican mini cucumber. Incredibly productive and strong way into autumn in my area (Northern Germany) 💚 They taste slightly lemony and add a nice tang to every dish 😊 I discovered them last year and I never want to be without them again. 😅

[@GrowVeg]

Great recommendation, thanks. :-)

[@monicali2608]

Danke für den Tip!

[@JV-dx5uv]

Awesome series!!👍 Cant wait for the fruit bush episodes !

[@digital_crickets]

Your enthusiasm is infectious! Thanks for the tips here. I've got China Jade and Indian Snake cucumbers taking off in my Summer garden, and can't wait to taste them both.

[@GrowVeg]

How exciting - hope you get to enjoy a great crop. :-)

[@cherrylwegner6292]

MY FAV.....peel and thin slice a cuc, add equal parts sugar , white vinegar , heavy cream and minced fresh dill or green onions ....such a refreshing side !!!! adjust amounts to your liking !!!! cheers Cherryl from Canada

[@GrowVeg]

Yummy! 😋

[@cherrylwegner6292]

@@GrowVeg I also do this recipe with fresh , crisp leaf lettuce , dress the lettuce just minutes before serving ! enjoy.........PS don't tell anyone but I drink the left over dressing straight out of the bowl , after the meal is over when no one is looking !!!! SHHHHH

[@emkn1479]

Thank you for the list! We have so many pests that want to destroy our plants, I’m planning to plant them within insect netting this year, using only parthenocarpic varieties.

[@fornloeg]

Your videos are really informative and the way you do it is really wholesome, love everything about it, thank you for being who you are ❤

[@Robvr-o4w]

So very well said!!!

[@our-days-are-short8254]

I'm growing cucs fo the 1st time this year, so this is perfect info. Thanks,

[@jagibaba]

We are starting our first cucumbers this year - I'm so excited for it because our kids absolutely adore them (which is in itself reason to celebrate, I didn't like 🥒 as a kid ... In fact I am growing to like themnow, thanks to my kids 😃😃😃) and so they are going to grow them in their little garden beds - with the help of THE best gardening teacher on KZbin!!! ❤ Thank you so much for this masterclass - it just came at the best possible time (having a bit of April snow outside so gardening is on a few days break now) and we are already diligently taking notes!! 🥒

[@GrowVeg]

So delighted to read you're starting your first cucumbers this season. Great stuff! I'm sure you'll get a fantastic crop. Happy gardening! :-)

[@MikkisoXTRA]

"What does your milk bring to the yard?" HAHA!!! See what you did there 🤣

[@babyroot3479]

Lol apparently it brings less powdery mildew. 😂

[@GrowVeg]

Glad my terrible sense of humor was picked up! ;-)

[@LittleKikuyu]

@MikkisoXTRA I don’t understand the joke 🙈🙈🙈 I‘m not a native speaker. Would you mind explaining? (I love a good pun) 😂😆😅

[@babyroot3479]

@@LittleKikuyu its an old dumb song titled: "My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard " you probably can listen to it on KZbin. 😂

[@tanyakilbane7636]

Now I’m gonna have that song in my head for the weekend. Thanks!

[@kimstockwell721]

My first time growing cucumbers, thanks for this very informative video.

[@stephenfriesen7636]

I can’t get over how great this video is. Perfect range of truly useful information. Bless you dear brother

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much Stephen - delighted you found the video helpful. Enjoy those cucumbers! :)

[@lorrainedurgee1761]

What a great video - very detailed -thanks .

[@isalabby]

i bought a cucumber plant on a whim and now i determined to make it flourish

[@ChrisReher]

Wonderful! Thanks. I've had trouble with bitter and overly curled cucumbers these past few seasons. It gets very hot here very quickly, so I suspect heat stress. I may try a little shade cloth mid-day.

[@MyFocusVaries]

Someone advised me that consistent watering is the key

[@GrowVeg]

Yes, a little shade may help if it's really hot around midday/early afternoon. And keep them well watered. :-)

[@moirad6579]

Awesome video... thanks so much. Have not grown cucumbers before so this was exactly what i needed. Appreciate you covering cucumber beetles even though they are not an issue where you live

[@alice_rabbit8345]

I grow lemon cucumbers and they’re wonderful!

[@Robvr-o4w]

Are they sour (but not bitter) with large seeds encased in enormous "jelly sacks"? They were my favorite as a kid, and I would love to find the same or a similar variety!!

[@puregameplay7916]

carpet beetles plagued my spaghetti squash last year, but I still got quite a few nice squash. One thing to note, they are EXTREMELY bitter. If you crush them, simply washing your hands with soap isnt enough. I ate after, licked my thumb, and almost gagged from the bitterness that was obviously from the beetle.

[@Kristen-603]

Lots of great info, thank you! Also, gorgeous greenhouse! I hope to have one someday

[@echognomecal6742]

I was taught they're called Lemon-Apple cucumbers & I LOVE them! Years ago I mentioned them to a friend...who thought I had somehow managed to hybridize the 3! The confusion that ensued...the explaining... "You can't...you...no...but one's a VINE, the others are TREES! How could...I...no, but...but...but citrus!..." "Well I don't knnnnow..." "We went to the same high school!!! You did better than me!"

[@GrowVeg]

That’s fantastic! :-)

[@PlantObsessed]

Great advice and as always beautiful photography. 🎉🎉

[@andykyriakides2144]

Thanks for the Greek lesson Ben .

[@paulmaine]

I retire in a couple of months and going to try to grow lots of things, I’ve subscribed for your handy videos, thankyou

[@GrowVeg]

That's really great to hear. Thanks for subscribing. And happy growing! :-)

[@derhaas8652]

i've just stumbled upon this channel and your style of content perfectly fits my needs.. thank you so much alr, I'm most likely going to be binge watching your videos for the better part of the upcoming season. Also you're a really cool and entertaining creator, keep up the great work! Greetings and much love from Germany

[@GrowVeg]

What kind words, thank you so much. Happy gardening! 🧑‍🌾

[@thomassimmer5186]

This is my first experience with your channel. I love it. Great information and really energetic, upbeat, and charming presentation. I rarely subscribe on first visit, but this time its a no brainer. Thank you!

[@GrowVeg]

Thank you so much - and a very warm welcome to the channel!

[@jaytoney3007]

This year is a Bread & Butter pickle making season. I am growing two types of cucumbers, Katrina, and Beit Alpha. I am only growing six plants, as both are parthenocarpic. I pickle, snack, and eat salads with cucumbers, and six planta are going to produce more cucumbers than I can eat. It is a good thing that I have family and friends nearby to pawn the excess onto. After this year, I'll know which cucumber varieties produce the best cucumbers and the quantity I can expect. If all goes as expected, I may cut the number of plants to three plants, giving me more room to grow shelling peas.

[@GrowVeg]

Always worth growing a few more plants… just in case. 😀

[@christinebrooks6364]

HibBen, great video on cucumbers with plenty of useful hints & tops too. Thanks for sharing and take care 😊

[@stephenfriesen7636]

Omg what an awesome video!! Thank you bro 🙏🏻 I feel so confident and ready for cucumbers in my garden this year 🤜🏻

[@ornellaap5029]

Thank you for video very interesting and usefull every time i see your video i want to run to my allotment in north london your entusiasm is contagius

[@gardentogrill970]

Great video, I have just sown mine just before this video popped up. Looking forward to more masterclass videos

[@markhignett4971]

Absolutely brilliant video, you cover literally everything. Thank you

[@juliehartley3652]

More very useful tips - thank you Ben. Love your cucumber eyes 😅👍

[@youtubecommenter4213]

absolutely get those parthenocarpic cucumbers, i've been growing them for a few years and the yield is so much better.

[@glow1815]

I only grow Asian cucumbers they're sweet no bitterness at all, it grow very fast. I picked and eat it as it grow the smaller the better. I had loads of it with just 3 seeds i sow.

[@purple_leaf5770]

Great video! I let my first group of cucumbers just keep growing and the largest ones were very bitter & 17in long! This year I’ll be letting them grow up instead of horizontal. Thank you

[@johndoh5182]

Looking at charts the fastest germination is between 75 and 80 F, based on number of seedlings that come up within a certain number of days at said temps. A lot of vegys, even some colder temp vegys do well between 75 - 77 F. For people who want to control soil temp, I suggest looking at different charts because there are some differences between charts. Peppers are kind of an outlier because they like a temp in the low - mid 80s.

[@webenbanu]

Thank you for this! I decided to experiment with winter sowing this year and used that method with almost everything I plan to grow this year. I have only a few jugs which haven't shown any germination at all, and my cucumber jug is one of them. I'd been worried that something was wrong with my seeds, but now I'm thinking that the nights are still too cool for them and they may yet sprout later!

[@chrisgait5533]

Excellent video!! My tip is, and I do this for cucumbers, gherkin, squash. I put the seeds in a moist square of Jcloth in zip bag in a sealed container by the boiler, an airing cupboard will work. I check twice a day and when there is approx 1/2 inch of root I'll transplant to a pot. This way I know the seed is viable. Happy gardening :-)

[@GrowVeg]

Great suggestion! :-)

[@joyscott374]

Hi Ben., first time out growing cues. I got Market more as a neighbour had these & they were lovely. I was so pleased that you done this masterclass. Along with all your tips I'm feeling much more confident. Thanks 👍

[@sharoncox1734]

Absolutely lost it at "What does your milk bring to the yard?" 😂 I wasn't expecting that amongst so much serious thoughtful advice about cucumbers

[@GrowVeg]

Haha - glad to have raised a smile! :-)

[@sosgardening]

Great tips, even for those in climates which aren't your own! I find my cucumbers are my most productive plants but you're definitely right, you have to keep your eye on them the most for the cukes which are hiding and maturing and the powdery mildew (I haven't had the beetles yet but i'm on Toronto so it won't be long). I let my cucumbers sprawl all over my fence and trim as much as possible and it definitely works, I need to pay more attention to my Zucchini however (courgette anyone?) as I always end up with a ton of powdery mildew :(

[@GrowVeg]

I think the milk solution trick should work on the courgettes too. And keep everything well watered of course! :-)

[@siennas2011]

Omg I needed this cuke masterclass! I bought a cucumber plant at Costco yesterday and left it outside overnight; huge mistake! The temperature dropped and now it looks dead 😵😩 I brought it inside this morning in hopes some heat and gentle air makes it come back to life. This is my 4th year growing season and everyday I learn something new but it doesn’t stop me from feeling like a jerk bag for having little brain cells yesterday and doing this my baby 😭

[@AstarteAnthro]

I felt this 100% 😂

[@siennas2011]

@@AstarteAnthro 😩😭

[@GrowVeg]

Don’t feel bad. Every day is a learning date for gardeners. :-)

[@DownButNotOutYet]

Good morning Ben, a well explained lesson on the planting of cucumbers. If the basic is correct then planting success must follow. As we are now at the end of Autumn, I will obtain a packet of seeds and have them ready for the Spring and then just let the cucumbers do their thing, growing! Have a good day, take care. Kind regards.

[@fionnaheller1873]

Thank you for sharing all your considerable expertise and experience. I love growing lemon cucumbers because they are so obliging. Even with giving as many away as the locals could stand I had vats of cucumber relish to jar and distribute around the locality/Christmas presents all winter - and we are still working our way through the cucumber soup I froze. This year I may be buried by them because I found a forgotten seed packet of the usual [green] variety that was well out of date and sowed the lot in addition to my lemon and a few green varieties, expecting nothing and every one has just germinated. I think I need another polytunnel, even after I give friends and neighbours as many plants I can persuade them to adopt.

[@GrowVeg]

Sounds like you’re a total cucumber growing pro!

[@fionnaheller1873]

@@GrowVeg I wish - it was an accidental experiment because my grandchildren always find unusual seeds to give me and the results were far more prolific than I anticipated!. It turns out a large number of people appreciate the cucumber relish so squeezing in more plants than is reasonable has its benefits. I can't bear to send the extras to a certain death so invested in a small overspill polytunnel. Lunacy obviously increases with old age. Thank you again for all your videos - I wish I had a tiny part of your knowledge and through your kindness I am borrowing it.

[@AstarteAnthro]

Thanks so much, my pretend Uncle Ben!!! 😅🎉❤

[@mr.obsidian8009]

good work very informative and friendly

[@LZH13067]

I was always under the assumption that cukes don't transplant well, so I've always started in either peat or cow pots...the latter is preferred. Will be trying your way this week! 🤞

[@FishBarWellingborough]

Thank you Ben for your sharing,it’s very useful

[@BabyCricket-Bug]

Just what I needed to know!! Thanks a bunch! I hope I can get some growing.

[@debradevine3949]

Great information! Thank you

[@yolande2296]

Expert advice. Thank you!

[@angelaphan3346]

Thx for the inspo, Ben! Just sowed some cucumber seeds :)

[@GrowVeg]

Nice one!

[@michlardot2215]

My cucumber soup 1 big cucumber with skin in slices, 1 smal handfull of cut up leek put under water with chicken stock let it cook for 10 a 15 min At Salt and peper if needed at 3 table spoons of cut up dille and about 150 ml of creem Let it simmer for 5 min, mixe the soup At slices of smoked samon before serving Enjoy😊

[@MyFocusVaries]

Wow. I've never heard of cucumber soup. Interesting.

[@vanessag6303]

That sounds fabulous!! My grandfather has an excellent green thumb for growing cucumbers, I'll try making him this soup when his cucumbers come in later this summer. 😊

[@tompearce3610]

Can do this with courgettes as well and liquidise. Very quick and easy soup and if you grow courgettes you always have too many!

[@TimJameson-jg8sl]

Sounds like world war two ration meal😂

[@tracycrider7778]

Yum❤

[@sparkoflight963]

You are funny!! Love the channel I am using most of your tips!!

[@ninadaya1695]

Wonderful information and tips! 🫶🏽

[@bob.fagg-bois657]

Bang on cue-cumber, i am planning on putting my cucumber seedlings into my greenhouse tomorrow, thanks for the tips.

[@devoutone1]

Thanks Ben! Great vid. Had no idea there were all female cucumbers. Living here in the Caribbean is ideal for growing cucumbers as the weather is constantly hot. Thanks also for the tip on powdery mild dew.

[@bobrobertsNotUrBob]

you should look into aspirin for mildew, not only did they find it helps protect the plant from it but it also increased the fruit count in tomatoes

[@GrowVeg]

Great tip, thank you so much!

[@Beaguins]

Excellent video, Ben! Last year was my first time growing cucumbers. They didn't like my weak sandy soil, but I'm determined to give them a better shot this year with plenty of compost and amendments. I love pickles!

[@GrowVeg]

Hope you manage to enjoy a fantastic crop this year. :-)

[@tonioyendis4464]

Excellent information!

[@marymarymillidweeb2661]

when you said that if 'female flower gets pollinated by a male flower it can make them bitter' i just about spit out my porridge! 😂😂

[@GrowVeg]

Glad to have raised a smile! :-)

[@kristigull]

Okay, you are just delightful. AND this is SUPER helpful and thorough; thank you!!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much! :-)

[@DebRoo11]

My cucumber beetles have been out of.control the last few years. They ruin my melons, squash, cucumbers ... Grrr. If you don't have them you're a lucky cat 😅 I'm insect netting everything this year. It looks horrible and is not as nice for a stroll through the garden but the way grocery prices are, now I'm not just gardening for fun

[@LittleKikuyu]

Here in Europe we don’t have them I think. But the slugs can be relentless. I encourage lots of birds and other wildlife to help with the slugs. Maybe that’s an option for the beetle problem too?

[@GrowVeg]

I hope you manage to thwart the cucumber beetles this year!

[@cwilson6880]

You need to get or borrow a few chickens Or Guinea fowl for season…they’ll be no pests left!

[@stuartsteel1]

The cucumber beetles have ruined my wife's melons as well. But she is nearly 50.

[@ddsherds87]

​@@cwilson6880there won't be many plants left either

[@veggiepatchideas]

Got mine cooking away in the polytunnel, great stuff Ben 🙏🙏🌱🌱

[@Mildret-ff7ts]

Hi Ben!I'm going to use your tips when Its summer in South Africa,I failed miserably this year trying to grow cucumbers,if it was not mildew it was something else,I never harvested any this year and my heart was very sore because I like pickles a lot

[@Testing329]

Gloria a ti,señor,por todo/ Viva Christo Rey

[@hevchip741]

Or cucamelon, great for lunch box. Baking soda helps with mildew

[@christopherjohnson9176]

Planted 4 cuke plants last year and only 1 survived transplant (I didn't harden off very well). That 1 plant with 0 pruning or trellis or care produced 6 cukes every 2 days. We couldn't keep up. This year I transplanted 5 and 3 are still hanging on to life but seem to have powdery mildew and too cold of weather. Knowing they're warm weather helps. I did grow these from seeds I harvested last year so maybe there were disease issues I wasn't aware of.

[@ThatBritishHomestead]

Love your channel ben! It's always so wonderful

[@eb1684]

Very good.

[@pedromunoz4468]

Oops I started mine 1 month ago 😅

[@arejetko]

I planted cukes from the same seed lot - one outside and one in the greenhouse. The ones from the greenhouse were inedible (very bitter, and never mind the rubbing trick). The one that grew outside produced fruit that looked the same but were sweet and delicious. However, you did give some good tips/explanations. Do you have a remedy for white flies? Most commercial sprays are too strong and tend to damage the leaves.

[@GrowVeg]

If whiteflies are in a greenhouse or tunnel you could use biological controls, which parasitise the whitefly. Another option is to vacuum them up every now and then, as you disturb them. More here: www.growveg.com/pests/us-and-canada/whitefly/

[@philliusphoggwick8299]

Nice video. I planted out too eagerly when they were too small small and the slugs are getting them...

[@GrowVeg]

Hope you manage to thwart the slugs eventually!

[@Juniper-d5b]

Just love your presentations 😎🙏💚

[@Jimmy.Plot.41.b]

Some very good information in this video Ben, thank you for sharing 👍

[@Vintage43]

I enjoyed your video. I have a limited area where I can grow cucumbers which leads to my question. I noted that you suggested to leave a lower "sucker' to grow an additional vine for more production. With this in mind, here's my question, do you think it would be more advantageous to use the extra "sucker" approach/single plant and prune as both grow or plant an additional seedling and remove suckers from both plants as they grow?

[@GrowVeg]

I think either way would work just fine. The advantage of growing to stems on the single plant is that it would save the cost and effort of raising an extra plant.