Cucumber vines can be long and need a lot of garden space but this one does not. Needing a couple of square feet, ‘Salad Bush’ does well in a small garden, containers and hanging baskets. In site of the plant’s compact size, the cylindrical fruits are 8” long and are crisp, full-flavored slicers. An added feature is the improved disease tolerance to come cucumber diseases including powdery and downy mildews, scab, cucumber mosaic virus, and target leaf spot. An All American Selection Winner in 1988 and still popular.
Days to Harvest: 57
Planting Date: about 2 weeks after last frost when soil and air temperature is at least 60 F. Avoid cold wet soil or germination will be poor.
Spacing: Direct sow 6-8 seeds ½-1” deep in hills; thin later to 3 plants per hill; space hills at least 2’ apart.
Germination: 7-14 days
Size: 6-8” H x 24” W
Light: Full sun
Water: Keep well watered during dry periods; at least 1/2″’/week.
Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained; add compost or well rotted manure to soil before planting.
Fertilizer: Side dress with high nitrogen fertilize when plants begin to vine.
Care: Snip cucumbers from bush when 8” or less with scissors.
Pests and Diseases: Susceptible to bacterial wilt, powdery and downy mildew, cucumber mosaic virus, scab, white flies, thrips, and target leaf spot.
Suitable for containers? Yes
Karen Meyers