Crop type: Cucumbers
Cucumis sativus ‘Emilie’
Common name: Cucumber ‘Emilie’
Crop slug: cucumbers
This Allotment Pro editorial draft summarises the cited RHS cultivar profile. Check the source and adjust cultivation decisions for local conditions.RHS cultivar profile
1 - Overview
‘Emilie’ is a reliable cucumber noted for consistently good performance. It produces almost entirely female flowers, allowing the plant to set a large crop of medium-sized, smooth-skinned cucumbers. The fruits combine good flavour with an attractive dark-green appearance and are harvested from July to October.
Good disease resistance adds to its dependable character under protection. The cultivar holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit and offers a useful middle ground between very long greenhouse cucumbers and short mini types.
2 - Size
- Ultimate height
- 1–1.5 metres
- Ultimate spread
- 0.5–1 metre
- Time to ultimate size
- 1 year
Support the trailing stems vertically to keep the fruit clean and make efficient use of space. The plant is shorter than exceptionally vigorous long-fruited greenhouse cultivars but still needs a strong frame.
3 - Growing conditions
- Suitable soils
- Loam, clay and sand
- Moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Soil pH
- Acid, neutral or alkaline
Use good-quality potting compost or fertile soil that drains freely while holding consistent moisture. Water little and often rather than allowing the root zone to dry and then saturating it.
4 - Position and hardiness
- Light
- Full sun
- Aspect
- South- or west-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- Hardiness
- H1c — suitable outside only in summer where temperatures remain around 5–10°C or warmer
Grow in a greenhouse, conservatory or another warm sheltered position. Protected cultivation gives the most dependable July-to-October crop and supports the warmth needed by this tender annual.
5 - Colour and seasonal interest
Trailing green foliage and yellow cucumber flowers frame the smooth, medium-length dark-green fruits. Because nearly all flowers are female, many display the small developing cucumber directly behind the petals. The uniform smooth skin differentiates ‘Emilie’ from rougher ridge cucumbers.
6 - Botanical details
- Family
- Cucurbitaceae
- Native to Great Britain and Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Trailing
- Name status
- Accepted
Genus
Cucumis is a genus of tendril-bearing twining plants that includes cucumbers, melons and gherkins. Species occur naturally across parts of Africa, India, Southeast Asia and Australia.
Safety
Bitter cucumber fruit can be toxic to pets if eaten. Do not offer bitter fruits to animals, and discard any cucumber with an abnormal bitter taste.
7 - How to grow
Cultivation
Sow in a heated greenhouse or in pots on a sunny windowsill, maintaining 21°C for germination. Pot young plants individually into 25cm containers of good-quality growing compost and maintain 12–15°C while they establish.
Water little and often to keep compost evenly moist, and apply liquid feed every two weeks. Provide vertical support, guide the trailing stems and keep the protected growing area well ventilated without exposing plants to cold draughts.
Propagation
Propagate by seed.
Suggested locations
- Patio and container plants
- City and courtyard gardens
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
Pinch out the main growing point when it reaches the top of its support. Shorten side-shoots to two leaves beyond each developing fruit, directing the plant’s energy towards its large crop.
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite under protection. Slugs and snails may damage plants grown outdoors.
Diseases
May be susceptible to cucumber mosaic virus and powdery mildew despite its generally good disease resistance. Maintain appropriate humidity, airflow and hygiene, and remove plants showing clear virus symptoms.