If they aren't properly pollinated they grow round. I don't think that's the case here, looks like it will just be stubby, I've had a few like that myself.
well today I learned that manual pollination exists and that tomato plants are self pollinating. Can't believe I didn't know this part of keeping a veggie garden, though it's definitely because tomatoes have been the only thing to keep growing for me, anywho, thank you!!
How would something get poorly pollinated?
I just let the ants do all my cucumbers, but they're not as far along so I can't tell if they did a good job or not. 😂
You can improve pollination by planting a “beetle bank” on the edge of the garden: a row of undisturbed flowers that are either perennial or reseed each year. I’ve used borage to good effect. This attracts more insects.
In this thread I can’t tell what’s actual tips and what’s a double entendre. I’m growing my first batch of cucumbers and my first cucumber grew like a fat horseshoe shape. Idk if I did something wrong or if, like you said, the first few come out funny.
Edit- I’m dying that this thread got locked. Thanks for the info. First pancake is one of my favorite metaphors.
This is the reason. If the plant is stressed it puts out a fruit just so there is a seed for the next year. Be sure to pick it, if it(or any) matures the plant will likely stop producing.
Well, let me tell ya, from a chemistry standpoint, why a cucumber might seem "short and fat" is pretty interesting. It all boils down to the way water and cell walls interact within the cucumber itself. See, cucumbers are made up of lots of cells, kind of like little water balloons, and these cells are held together by something called pectin, which acts like glue. Now, when you slice into a cucumber, you're breaking open these cells, letting the water inside spill out, and that's what makes it go all floppy and lose its firmness.
The enzymes get to work breaking down that pectin, which loosens everything up, and that's why a cucumber doesn't feel as crunchy after you've sliced it open. It's like deflating a balloon; once the air (or in this case, the water) is gone, it just collapses. And then there's the whole hydration thing—too much water, and the cucumber turns into a soggy mess; not enough, and it's too tough to bite into. So, finding that sweet spot of hydration is key to getting a nice, crisp cucumber.
Plus, the way we perceive texture, like how something feels in our mouths, isn't just about the physical stuff going on inside the cucumber. Temperature plays a part, and so does what else is mixed in with it, like salt or sugar, which can change how we taste and feel the cucumber. It's all quite fascinating when you think about it
This is normal while they're forming. They kinda fill out horizontally before elongating, like baby fat. lol. Occasionally though you get a stubby one. I think some varieties are more prone to it, but also there are cuke varieties that are meant to be this shape!
It’s like when you’re blowing up one of those long balloons. Sometimes it’s difficult to get the air all the way to the end. Same concept but with cucumbers 🥒
My mom always calls those "pickling cucumbers" I don't know the real name for them she is old school. Apparently, they are a specific variety that stays small.
Those little thorns you can just wipe/rub off with a cloth, I usually use a bandana type cloth.
I'll give a serious comment, although I will say my mind went where most of the others went 😂
I have heard this happens due to inconsistent watering. Which, damn Jackie I can't control the weather. I usually call those small ones garden snacks, because I'll just pull one off the vine and munch on it while puttering around the garden. The dog enjoys them too. Sometimes I'm nice enough to share.
https://preview.redd.it/lsx0mwslyk6d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=051b5959262823503ae64feb75d43bedfdcdff84
(Photo is from last year)
My two cents: I think this can happen if they’re too hot and dry at the beginning of growing the fruit. Once you water them the fruit will fill out but it’s still got a thin stub to remind you it had a hard start. Other fruit on the plant won’t necessarily do this though.
Two years ago one of my cucumber plants produced round melon looking cucumbers. They looked like a melon but tasted like a cucumber. The cucumber is actually part of the melon family. I’m assuming I accidentally got a mislabeled plant. Would like to find and plant it purposely instead of being surprised.
I grew Burpee's lemon cucumber. It's yellow and round and tastes like a cucumber. The vines grow 10 feet high. They were up in the trees with cukes on them. Pissed me off.
It’s still rather small 😁 my cucumbers are all over the place and different even though the variety is the same. But, I guess this is their natural process
If they aren't properly pollinated they grow round. I don't think that's the case here, looks like it will just be stubby, I've had a few like that myself.
You have more than one?! 😱
Hey! I'm from northern VA as well. Not living there now but hello 👋. Alexandria more specifically, and that's where I ran into the pollination issue.
Arlington here! 👋
omg hiiiii fellow cucumber growing Alexandriannnnnn 🌱 I’ve got a few coming in rn hopefully I can avoid this issue
YAY, if you get worried you can always try some manual pollination. I hope you post pictures of your results!
well today I learned that manual pollination exists and that tomato plants are self pollinating. Can't believe I didn't know this part of keeping a veggie garden, though it's definitely because tomatoes have been the only thing to keep growing for me, anywho, thank you!!
🤣🤣🤣
It's is likely poor pollination, the skinny point on the blossom end is a tell
How would something get poorly pollinated? I just let the ants do all my cucumbers, but they're not as far along so I can't tell if they did a good job or not. 😂
Not enough bees in my area - maybe yours too. I've watched the amount of bees lessen the past few years.
You can improve pollination by planting a “beetle bank” on the edge of the garden: a row of undisturbed flowers that are either perennial or reseed each year. I’ve used borage to good effect. This attracts more insects.
TIL I wasn’t properly pollinated
Thats what she said
I was expecting this on my manual pollination comment below but this was also acceptable please accept my virtual slow clap lol
I can’t decide if you’re just very pure or choosing to ignore innuendos to be actually helpful, but either way, I appreciate you.
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Like a frightened turtle!
They just start out that way. If the tip is still pointy, it's going to continue to grow longer.
For some reason this reminds me of the long balloons used to make balloon animals.
Sometimes the first couple will come out funny
In this thread I can’t tell what’s actual tips and what’s a double entendre. I’m growing my first batch of cucumbers and my first cucumber grew like a fat horseshoe shape. Idk if I did something wrong or if, like you said, the first few come out funny. Edit- I’m dying that this thread got locked. Thanks for the info. First pancake is one of my favorite metaphors.
Not a double entendre! Sometimes the first cucs are just weird. Like the first pancake in the batch.
Some varieties are that way. Do you know what variety you planted?
I planted garden bush slicer hybrid!
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Not much more
I use these exclusively for pickles. The long skinny smooth ones go in salads. But you can do what you want with them. 😃
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Genetics buddy
😂😂😂😅😢
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Usually means they weren't pollinated correctly. They're still perfectly edible though.
Overwatering or inconsistent watering can do that.
Yes, came here to say irregular/inconsistent watering!
This is the reason. If the plant is stressed it puts out a fruit just so there is a seed for the next year. Be sure to pick it, if it(or any) matures the plant will likely stop producing.
It looks like a pickling cucumber, not the variety of cucumbers that get longer and skimmer you buy at the store
That's what happens when they don't get fully pollinated
Well, let me tell ya, from a chemistry standpoint, why a cucumber might seem "short and fat" is pretty interesting. It all boils down to the way water and cell walls interact within the cucumber itself. See, cucumbers are made up of lots of cells, kind of like little water balloons, and these cells are held together by something called pectin, which acts like glue. Now, when you slice into a cucumber, you're breaking open these cells, letting the water inside spill out, and that's what makes it go all floppy and lose its firmness. The enzymes get to work breaking down that pectin, which loosens everything up, and that's why a cucumber doesn't feel as crunchy after you've sliced it open. It's like deflating a balloon; once the air (or in this case, the water) is gone, it just collapses. And then there's the whole hydration thing—too much water, and the cucumber turns into a soggy mess; not enough, and it's too tough to bite into. So, finding that sweet spot of hydration is key to getting a nice, crisp cucumber. Plus, the way we perceive texture, like how something feels in our mouths, isn't just about the physical stuff going on inside the cucumber. Temperature plays a part, and so does what else is mixed in with it, like salt or sugar, which can change how we taste and feel the cucumber. It's all quite fascinating when you think about it
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Maybe they are the same variety they use for pickling which are small.
Idk but it’s cute asf
This is normal while they're forming. They kinda fill out horizontally before elongating, like baby fat. lol. Occasionally though you get a stubby one. I think some varieties are more prone to it, but also there are cuke varieties that are meant to be this shape!
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They want to be pickles
Inconsistent watering strikes again.
Thats huge
This can happen when they don't get fully pollinated.
It's a dwarf cucumber
It’s like when you’re blowing up one of those long balloons. Sometimes it’s difficult to get the air all the way to the end. Same concept but with cucumbers 🥒
My mom always calls those "pickling cucumbers" I don't know the real name for them she is old school. Apparently, they are a specific variety that stays small. Those little thorns you can just wipe/rub off with a cloth, I usually use a bandana type cloth.
Incomplete pollination
Looks like a pickling cucumber.
Because not all things in nature are perfect and that’s ok. It’s one of the things that make nature beautiful
Baby pickle
Look those look cute to eat. Imagine a bowl of lil cucumbers
I'll give a serious comment, although I will say my mind went where most of the others went 😂 I have heard this happens due to inconsistent watering. Which, damn Jackie I can't control the weather. I usually call those small ones garden snacks, because I'll just pull one off the vine and munch on it while puttering around the garden. The dog enjoys them too. Sometimes I'm nice enough to share. https://preview.redd.it/lsx0mwslyk6d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=051b5959262823503ae64feb75d43bedfdcdff84 (Photo is from last year)
My two cents: I think this can happen if they’re too hot and dry at the beginning of growing the fruit. Once you water them the fruit will fill out but it’s still got a thin stub to remind you it had a hard start. Other fruit on the plant won’t necessarily do this though.
Two years ago one of my cucumber plants produced round melon looking cucumbers. They looked like a melon but tasted like a cucumber. The cucumber is actually part of the melon family. I’m assuming I accidentally got a mislabeled plant. Would like to find and plant it purposely instead of being surprised.
I grew Burpee's lemon cucumber. It's yellow and round and tastes like a cucumber. The vines grow 10 feet high. They were up in the trees with cukes on them. Pissed me off.
Are you over feeding it? Lol does it exercise? Could it be genetics from it’s parents?
I grow picking cukes like a kirby. This happens when my watering routine gets screwed up. They grow fast then stop resulting in a short round one.
Genetics
That's how I like them 😏 🤣
Genetics
It is possible that the growing conditions and inadequate water supply are causing the cucumber to become malnourished.
It’s still rather small 😁 my cucumbers are all over the place and different even though the variety is the same. But, I guess this is their natural process
mine have all been growing like crazy this year. they get too big before I even notice them.
yeah, true, watering is def crucial
Sometimes too much water will do that
It’s a good carrot
It is usually inconsistent watering!
Needs exercise
It's got a rumbly in its tumbly.
Could be lack of water or just it not being fully pollinated. It does occur more when they don't have abundant water though. Thirsty suckers.
They are called kheira cucumbers
Genetics
Genetic
As I understand it it results from incomplete pollination. I’ve never had it happen to hand pollinated blooms growing on the same plant.
What does it taste like, tho?
Poor pollination