Parthenocarpic cucumbers - Little Leaf

I planted four Little Leaf cucumbers and they are growing, vining and blooming. I've not seen so many blooms on such a small vine. They have yet to start producing even a hint of a cucumber.


I also planted four Spacemaster cucumbers (not parthenocarpic). They have grown, vined and bloomed and I am seeing small cucumbers beginning to grow even though I have seen few pollinators.

Is a parthenocarpic cucumber like a squash with male/female blooms?

And did I make a mistake planting both in the same bed?

Tonight I am trying to figure out why they aren't producing and I read this... http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/2002/4-5-2002/cucumbers.html
This in particular caught my attention:

Partheoncarpic cucumbers will develop fruits with out pollination. If pollinated they will have seeds, hence the reason for isolation. If you don't mind seeds, then interplanting is not a problem. Little leaf was developed as a greenhouse variety, where parthenocarpic varieties rule.

Thanks for your response. That was what I figured on the seed. And I don't mind it. I also wasn't intending to save seed.

Reckon why the LL blooms haven't begun to deliver fruit?

Any thoughts anyone?

Hey Pod, I have no clue but I'm sorta having and wondering the same. I have about 20 Diva(Partheoncarpic) plants going. They're normally loaded with cukes at this point. I have some setting but see more than usual withering of flowers/fruits. Haven't experienced that before with Diva. It's always a workhorse for me. They're only doing ok so far. Has me a little stumped.

My Rocky's(Parthenocarpic) are starting to produce. No sign of withering fruits like I see on the Diva's. Maybe I got a some weak seeds of Diva this year? Whatever the reason, I'm glad I have other varieties stepping up for the mediocre fruit set of the Diva's.

I also have some Raider Cukes(Gynoecious) this year. They are loaded and I'm picking dozens every few days from 4 plants. There's not a male flower on any of my cuke plants. So how are these getting pollinated and setting fruit so well? Nobody in the area is growing cucumbers.

It certainly doesn't make sense to me but this is my first year with this type of cucumber. The LLs are loaded with blooms but only a rare cucumber.

The Spacemaster has less blooms and more cucumbers. If blooms are rewarding (and in a way they are) the Little Leafs win out. LOL

I think I should have planted more variety and it is probably not too late to start more as long as I keep them watered. I'll have to look at the types you mentioned. Thanks...

I grow LL. They are grown outside completely under cover. I just push the row covers back to harvest. At first they are full of only flowers, then all of a sudden, loaded with fruit. They are high producers once they get going. If pollinated, the fruits may be deformed although Thunder is much worse than LL for that problem.

Thank you for the hands on experience.
I do appreciate knowing what to expect from them and hopefully look forward to a good crop.

May I ask why you grow these under row covers?

Keeps the bugs away and also keeps them from cross pollinating with our Babylon cucumbers. The fruits are more uniform when no pollination occurs.

Thanks ~ I appreciate you sharing your experience.

Pod, how are the LL's coming along? Did all those blooms start producing?

Everyone, please remind me not to grow 16 cuke plants again. It's a good problem to have but I can barely keep up with them now. Already have 25 quarts of pickles in the fridge and been giving away dozens of fresh ones. Everyday I get home from work, I pick & pickle.

The Divas snapped out of their early funk and are producing like they normally do. The Rocky's are doing well still. The Raider's continue to crank out 25-30 every few days. Still no clue how they're getting pollinated with no male flowers anywhere....but who am I to question it? :)

3 more plates like this waiting to be pickled. Anybody have suggestions at what else I can do with an abundance of cucumbers? Dry them? (That actually doesn't sound very tasty).

Yum ~ what great success. Sadly, they don't keep long term unless pickled. The LLs are still full of blooms but few cucumbers. I am at a loss, the vines have spanned a four foot trellis and look healthy.

The Spacemasters have been far more productive and are in a more shaded spot but otherwise the same growing conditions.

Ray_Ders' Raiders sound like the one to try for next season ~ lol

HA! You know that's the reason I had to try them :) I just had too. But did not expect them to keep me busy after a long day at work. Great looking and great tasting too. Will definitely grow them again. They're cranking out twice the amount of my parthenocarpic cukes even without knowing how they are getting pollinated. I don't get it.

I'm equally perplexed at your problem. Healthy vines, full of blooms and few cukes? Maybe try shading/row covers like Calalily suggested?

Shade may well be the answer seeing as the Spacemasters are receiving more shade. Thanks much!