Once a very popular farmers’ market heirloom, nowadays, Çengelköy cucumber is hard to find in Istanbul, due to gentrification and loss of city gardens. However, we made sure to preserve this seed I remember from my childhood.
Çengelköy cucumber produces small, crunchy, and sweet fruits. Moreover, no need to peel the skin! Best when picked at 4”-5”of length. Small plants keep producing cucumbers for two months after the first harvest. 65-70 days to maturity.
Packet has min. 25 seeds
Commercially introduced by us in the U.S.
Phonetically pronounced: chan-gel-kooy (‘g’ as in good)
- Cucumis sativus
- Needs full sun
- Planting depth: 1/2″
- Sprouts in 7-10 days
- Ideal growing temperature: 70-90F
- Plant spacing: 18″
- Frost hardy: No
- Growth habit: Vining
- Growing tips: Start cucumber seeds indoors in seedling trays or small seedling pots in seed starting soil that has essential nutrients in it 3-4 weeks prior to last frost. Keep the soil moist for quick germination. Make sure to keep the young cucumber seedlings under good light to have strong plants with sturdy, healthy stems and leaves. Transplant to garden or a pot with ample space for roots to spread after last frost in well-drained, fertile soil. Feed your cucumber plants with liquid fertilizer once every two weeks. Water regularly especially in flower stage. Mulch and always water at plant base to minimize disease. Water regularly especially in flower stage. Reduce water when the fruits are maturing to improve flavor and sugar content. Mulch and always water at plant base to minimize disease. You can trellis cucumber plants to decrease disease pressure and improve air circulation. Cucumber thrives in a hot climate and does best in sandy soil with good drainage. Alternatively, to start cucumber seedlings, you can direct seed in ground after last frost. Note that it is possible for cucumber seeds to rot when they are direct-seeded if the soil is cool and moist before they can sprout so make sure the soil temperature is over 70F.
Laurie (verified owner) –
Beautiful cucumbers. Fair number. Susceptible to disease.
Chelsea H. (verified owner) –