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.
Randy Thompson (verified owner) –
Great flavor, great yield
Jessica (verified owner) –
Munire Nilson (verified owner) –
Larik (verified owner) –
I only grew two plants, and they were damaged by deer early on, but managed to survive. This cuke was flavorful and yummy, with a subtle fresh flavor. They have a thin skin which is very pleasant for salads, but I think it means they don’t keep on your counter as long as other varieties. This didn’t matter, because we ate them all right away:) Was a favorite at our house.
Erica Chao –
Cengelkoy thrived in my high tunnel. This is my first time successfully growing a persian style cucumber. We harvested July through October in the PNW. Amazing!
Anonymous (verified owner) –
I loved these cucumbers – they grew well for me in the Northeast US, and had a great flavor.
Irem Kurtsal (verified owner) –
I ate one before a blight got to them:( That one was delicious, like the ones back home. Darn blight, though.
Deborah (verified owner) –
Ahmet (verified owner) –
Great cucumbers, very prolific and tasty
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Cary Smith (verified owner) –
In a year of cucumber failures in my midwest garden, these were the only plants to survive and produce cucumbers for me and I give it credit for that! I can’t wait to try it again in 2023
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Lisa Millimet (verified owner) –
Excellent service. And once the snow comes and goes, I’ll hope for the same from the seeds.
Numan Dogan (verified owner) –
KATHLEEN GEIGER (verified owner) –
Hilary Woodrum (verified owner) –
Ipek D. (verified owner) –
Sirma CELIK (verified owner) –
Very happy with these seeds. This is our third year growing Cengelkoy variety. It was always sweet and crunchy. We live in Iowa (zone 5a). Due to changes in heat and rain, all other cucumber varieties got bitter but Cengelkoy never gets bitter. Always sweet, and easy to eat right away. We’ll continue with this product.
Bernes Karacay (verified owner) –
Amazing flavor but low yield in Florida Jacksonville.