How to tackle aphids (greenfly or blackfly) and when to let nature deal with them for you.
Aphids, also known as greenfly or blackfly, are tiny, sap-sucking bugs that can occur on most plants, particularly on soft young growth. There are actually more than 500 species of aphid in the UK, varying in colour from green and black to also yellow, brown, and orange, and in size from 1 to 7mm long.
Aphids need warmth to flourish, so in the garden this limits their lifecycle to spring and summer. However, indoors in the home, greenhouse or conservatory, aphids can occur at any time of year. Many types of aphid feed only on specific plants, so an infestation on one plant doesn’t necessarily mean that it will affect all of your plants.
Bush cucumbers are a unique type of cucumber that have a compact, bushy growth habit rather than vining If you’re interested in growing these curious cucumber varieties, pictures can give you a great idea of what to expect In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore pictures of bush cucumber plants at all stages of growth along with tips for successful cultivation.
What Are Bush Cucumbers?
Unlike regular vining cucumbers that sprawl on trellises, bush cucumbers are more compact, shrub-like plants They are closely related to traditional cucumbers but only reach about 3 feet in height with a spreading, bushy form
There are a few different bush cucumber varieties to choose from. They produce small, irregularly-shaped cucumbers with bumps and spikes that are grown more for novelty than food production. The edible fruits are typically around 4 inches long.
Thanks to their compact habit, bush cucumbers are great options for small garden spaces. They also add unique visual interest to an edible landscape.
Photos of Bush Cucumber Seedlings
To understand the appearance of bush cucumbers, it helps to see pictures from early on. Here are some key things to look for with seedlings:
-
Emerging leaves are rounded with jagged edges and have a grayish-green, downy appearance.
-
Initially, the seedlings will have only cotyledons (seed leaves). True leaves will follow.
-
Young bush cucumber plants look very similar to regular cucumber seedlings with little distinction.
-
They will begin developing their more compact, bushy form as they mature.
Pictures of Mature Bush Cucumber Plants
As bush cucumbers mature, their growth habit becomes more obvious. Here are some features to look for:
-
Plants form short, shrubby bushes around 3 feet tall and wide.
-
The vines rarely need trellising or staking.
-
Large, deeply lobed leaves provide excellent texture.
-
Tendrils twist out from leaf axils.
-
Pale yellow, fringed flowers bloom in summer.
-
Oddly shaped green fruits with spikes/bumps start developing.
Photos of Bush Cucumber Fruits
The most distinguishing feature of bush cucumbers are the fruits. Pictures reveal their unique appearance:
-
Fruits are green with irregular, jagged shapes.
-
They are covered in small spikes and bumps.
-
Average size is about 4 inches long when ripe.
-
The prickly skin turns brownish at maturity.
-
Inside is crisp, juicy flesh with edible seeds.
-
Handling requires care due to the sharp spines.
Tips for Growing Bush Cucumbers
Now that you know what bush cucumber plants look like, here are some tips for growing success:
-
Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost. Transplant out after danger of frost passes.
-
Bush cucumbers need at least 8 hours of direct sun daily and warm temperatures.
-
Space plants 2-3 feet apart in fertile, well-draining soil amended with compost.
-
Water regularly to keep soil consistently moist but not soaked. Mulch helps retain moisture.
-
Fertilize every 2-4 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer or compost tea.
-
Harvest fruits for novelty value when they reach desired size. Wear gloves to handle.
Why Grow Bush Cucumber Varieties?
Here are some of the benefits of adding these unique cucumber plants to your garden:
-
Novel appearance – The odd fruits are great conversation pieces.
-
Compact size – Perfect for small garden plots since they don’t vine.
-
Pest/disease resistance – They tend to be less prone to problems than regular cucumbers.
-
Ornamental value – The large, deeply cut leaves offer fantastic texture.
-
Crop diversity – Bush cucumbers add variety and visual interest.
So if you’re looking to try something new, give bush cucumbers a place in your garden this season! Use the pictures and tips above to get familiar with their growth and care.
What should I do if I spot aphids?
A small number of aphids on a garden plant is rarely a problem. Birds will quickly pick them off and feed them to their young. However, in the veg patch, where you might be growing lots of the same plant together, or indoors where there are no natural predators, youll need to act quickly. Often, simply hand-squashing a small infestation is all that’s required. Be alert for early warning signs and inspect plants thoroughly – greenfly and blackfly can be hard to spot as they nestle in leaf joints and on the undersides of leaves. Often, the first warning sign on indoor and greenhouse plants is the sticky honeydew on the leaves beneath the initial cluster. Ants running up and down plant stems are another giveaway sign of greenfly in the greenhouse, as they ‘farm’ aphids and feed on their sweet honeydew.
Encouraging wildlife to control aphids
Many wild species eat greenfly and blackfly, and actually rely on them as an important food source. Aphid predators include birds, ladybirds, hoverflies, lacewings and earwigs. Ladybirds, hoverflies and lacewings lay eggs on plants infested with greenfly and blackfly and their young eat them at an astonishing rate – its thought that one ladybird can consume several hundred aphids over its lifetime. Wasps are voracious feeders of aphids, too, so instead of regarding wasps as villains, leave them alone to help control pests. In spring, aphid populations may rise to begin with as predator populations can be low, but later in the season these predator populations will be rising to get aphids under control.
How to Plant Bush Cucumbers : Garden Space
FAQ
How big does a bush cucumber plant get?
Bush cucumber varieties are compact and usually grow 1 to 2 feet tall. That makes them ideal for small spaces like patios, balconies, or container gardens. Unlike vining cucumbers, they won’t take over your garden.
What type of cucumber is a bush cucumber?
With its compact 90 cm vines, Bush Crop does not take up too much space in the garden, but its relative small size does not prevent it from producing lots of small pickled delicious gherkins ready in 45 days or slightly pointed table cucumbers when they reach 15 to 20 cm long after 60 days.
How to tell if cucumber is bush or vine?
How do I identify vining cucumbers versus bush cucumbers? Vining cucumbers grow on long vines, while bush varieties have a more compact growth habit.
Are bush cucumbers good for eating?
Bush Crop Cucumber is an annual vegetable plant that is commonly grown for its edible qualities. It produces dark green long cucumbers (which are technically ‘berries’) with light green flesh which can be harvested at any point. The cucumbers have a delicious taste and a crisp texture.