In 2020, Libby Reed of Orange Star Farm (WA) shared various seeds with us that her brother-in-law, Muhammet Dalgın, who grew up in Adana had shared with her. Moreover, Dalgın knew a farmer from Kelahmet Village of Tarsus near the coast. Among the seeds that farmer had sent to Dalgın was a winter squash that I have been searching for years. Also, he received seeds for Kelahmet Long cucumber.
Long cucumbers are common in Turkey. Being one of those, Kelahmet Long is a flavorful variety that doesn’t get seedy and has just the right amount of juice and crunch. We have seen variable results with yield in various hardiness zones but overall, Kelahmet Long does really well as far as disease tolerance goes. Add that to the excellent flavor and texture of the fruits.
In 2025, this cucumber kept going and giving fruits in farmer friend Tom Wahlberg’s seed production field in Decorah, IA, despite the non-stop rain which, according to Walhberg, would kill any other varieties he has grown in the same garden.
Photos by Beth Wahlberg, Mehmet Öztan and Chris Smith.
Packet has min. 25 seeds
Commercially introduced by us
Phonetically pronounced:
- Cucumis sativus
- 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 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 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 plants with liquid fertilizer once every two weeks. Water regularly especially in flower stage. Mulch and always water at plant base to minimize disease. You can trellis the plants to decrease disease pressure and improve air circulation. Cucumber thrives in a hot climate and does best in sandy soil with good drainage. 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.
NEUTRAL. Didn’t grow this variety last year in my Peace and Unity Revival Garden at Reed’s Organic Farm in NJ but intend to this year.