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Vegetable
Cucurbitaceae
'Antilles' cucumber
Cucumis anguria
Product code : JAREC-0059
Organic West Indian Gherkin is a surprising climbing plant that adds an exotic, whimsical, and generous touch to the vegetable garden. Highly productive, this variety quickly spreads its vigorous stems on trellises or on the ground, forming a living cover that enlivens summer crops with great vitality. Harvested young, its green fruits offer a tender, crisp, and mild flesh, without bitterness, with a flavor reminiscent of cucumber and a pleasant, slightly spicy note. In full sun, in rich, loose, and well-drained soil, it grows enthusiastically and rewards the gardener with regular harvests throughout the summer.
- Quantity
- About 30 seeds
- Exposure
- Sun
- Life cycle
- Annual
Discover the plant
Common nameWest Indian gherkin
FamilyCucurbitaceae
GenusCucumis
Specieswatermelon
TypeVegetable
Botanical nameCucumis anguria
Reproducible seedsYes
Heirloom varietyYes
West Indian Gherkin (Cucumis anguria). The organic West Indian Gherkin is an amazing climbing plant that brings a touch of exoticism, whimsy, and great generosity to the vegetable garden. Highly productive, this variety quickly spreads its vigorous stems on trellises or on the ground, forming a living cover that enlivens summer crops with great vigor. Harvested young, its green fruits offer a tender, crunchy, and sweet flesh, without bitterness, with a flavor reminiscent of cucumber and a pleasant, slightly spicy note. In full sun, in rich, loose, and well-drained soil, it grows enthusiastically and rewards the gardener with regular harvests throughout the summer.
Recommended sowing period: May to June. The depth to respect is 2 to 2.5 cm (0.8 to 1 in). Germination usually takes 5 to 10 days. For germination, keep the potting soil at 20 to 30 °C (68 to 86 °F). Sow cucumbers in individual containers if you start them indoors. Their roots take better when the root ball remains intact during transplanting. Do not let young plants age too long in a small pot. Plant them outdoors in warmed soil, then protect their recovery from the wind.
A trellis makes cucumbers easier to spot and limits their contact with the ground. Install it securely before the stems grow, then guide the first tendrils. On the ground, direct the vines to a clear area and keep an aisle for harvesting. Avoid letting shoots cross a path where they would be stepped on or moved with each intervention. Harvested young, its green fruits offer a tender, crunchy, and sweet flesh, without bitterness, with a flavor reminiscent of cucumber and a pleasant, slightly spicy note. In full sun, in rich, loose, and well-drained soil, it grows enthusiastically and rewards the gardener with regular harvests throughout the summer.
Sowing guide
It all startswith a seed.
Sowing depth
0.8 to 1 in. (2 to 2.5 cm)
Germination temperature
20 to 30 °C (68 to 86 °F)
Germination time
5 to 10 days
Sowing period
May to June
Propagation
Sowing
Growing method
Recommended sowing period: May to June. The required depth is 2 to 2.5 cm (0.8 to 1 in). Germination usually takes 5 to 10 days. For germination, maintain the potting soil at 20 to 30 °C (68 to 86 °F). Sow cucumbers in individual containers if starting them indoors. Their roots re-establish better when the root ball remains intact during transplanting. Do not let young plants age too long in a small pot. Plant them outdoors in warmed soil, then protect them from the wind during establishment. When direct sowing, identify the locations so you can weed without disturbing young roots. Cucumbers grow rapidly once warm weather sets in. Check for fruits hidden under the leaves so as not to let an overlooked one grow too large. Regular harvesting allows for tender skin and undeveloped seeds. Cut the stems instead of pulling on the vines. Water at the base and keep the leaves sufficiently spaced so they dry after rain. Leafy vegetables require harvesting adjusted to the plant type. Outer harvesting preserves the heart when you wish to continue production.
Soil and care
The right care,at the right time.
Care level
Regular during establishment, then adapted to growing conditions
Watering
Regular
Soil type
Rich, friable, and well-drained
Fertilization
Fertilization supports growth and takes into account the nutrients already present in the soil or potting mix. Use mature compost or a fertilizer suited to the crop, following the dosage instructions. Avoid using too many products, especially in a container where the roots occupy a limited volume. Water as needed after application and observe the foliage development before re-fertilizing.
Moisture
Moist soil during germination, no standing water; adjust thereafter to the crop's needs
Seasonal care
When harvested young, its green fruits offer tender, crunchy, and sweet flesh, without bitterness, with a flavor reminiscent of cucumber and a pleasant, slightly spicy note. Sow cucumbers in individual containers if starting them indoors. Their roots re-establish better when the root ball remains intact during transplanting. Do not let young plants grow too old in a small pot. Plant them outdoors in warmed soil, then protect them from wind during recovery. For direct sowing, identify locations so you can weed without disturbing young roots. Cucumbers grow rapidly once the heat sets in. Check for hidden fruits under the leaves to avoid letting an overlooked one grow too large. Regular harvesting ensures tender skin and underdeveloped seeds. Cut the stems instead of pulling on the vines. Water at the base and keep leaves sufficiently spaced so they dry after rain. Leafy vegetables require harvesting adjusted to the type of plant. Outer harvesting preserves the heart when you want to continue production. Very old leaves do not offer the same tenderness as young shoots. Rinse the harvest just before use or dry it carefully before a short stay in the refrigerator. In full sun, in rich, loose, and well-drained soil, it grows vigorously and rewards the gardener with regular harvests throughout the summer. Recommended sowing period: May to June.
Container growing
A garden,within reach.
Suitable for containers
Yes
Recommended pot size
A stable container with drainage holes, wide enough for the plant to spread out and deep enough for the roots
Choose a sunny exposure. Allow 1.5 to 2 m (5 to 6.5 ft) of space around the plant. For a potted cucumber, the support must be as stable as the pot. Secure it before planting and ensure it can withstand the wind resistance of the foliage. Provide a water reservoir accessible to the roots without stagnant water. Fruits are easier to pick when the stems are guided away from the support and the foliage does not form a compact mass. The organic West Indies cucumber is an astonishing climbing plant that brings a touch of exoticism, whimsy, and great generosity to the vegetable garden. This highly productive variety quickly spreads its vigorous stems on a trellis or on the ground, forming a living cover that enlivens summer crops with great vitality. Harvested young, its green fruits offer tender, crunchy, and mild flesh, without bitterness, with a flavor reminiscent of cucumber and a pleasant, slightly spicy note. In full sun, in rich, loose, and well-drained soil, it grows enthusiastically and rewards the gardener with regular harvests throughout the summer.
Bloom and dimensions
Its place,in your garden.
Mature height
12 to 20 in. (30 to 50 cm)
Width / spread
1.5 to 2 m (5 to 6.5 ft)
Foliage type
Seasonal foliage
Growth habit
Climbing
Bloom period
July to August
Fruiting
Harvested young, its green fruits offer tender, crunchy, and sweet flesh, without bitterness, with a flavor reminiscent of cucumber and a pleasant, slightly spicy note. In full sun, in rich, loose, and well-drained soil, it grows vigorously and rewards the gardener with regular harvests throughout the summer. Leafy vegetables require harvesting adjusted to the type of plant.
Harvest
60 to 75 days after sowing
Garden associations
In goodcompany.
Companion plants
In a diverse plantation, you can reserve neighboring sections for these plants: corn, beans, peas. The association here serves to organize space and harvests. Respect the height, light, and water needs of each plant, without crowding the foliage. Keep an aisle for watering and picking, then remove finished crops to free up space. This organization facilitates maintenance without promising protection against pests. A trellis makes cucumbers easier to spot and limits their contact with the ground.
Recipe idea
From the gardento your plate.
Edible parts
Young fruits
‘Antilles’ Cucumber Cuisine Idea: Cucumber Salad for Four Servings. Cut 400g of young fruits into thin slices, or in half for very small cucumbers. Mix with 125ml plain yogurt, 10ml lemon juice, and 10ml chopped dill. Add a small pinch of salt and stir gently. For a lighter version, replace the yogurt with 15ml olive oil. Serve chilled, shortly after assembly, to keep the skin and flesh crisp. Prepare ingredients with clean utensils and adjust the cut to the size of your harvest. This recipe highlights freshly picked parts: remove any damaged pieces before preparation. If doubling quantities, ensure enough space in the dish for even mixing or cooking. Promptly refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container and consume within two days. For a two-person meal, simply divide all quantities by two.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions,answered.
How to successfully sow West Indian Gherkin?
Recommended sowing period: May to June. Sow to a depth of 2 to 2.5 cm (0.8 to 1 in). Germination usually takes 5 to 10 days. For germination, maintain the potting mix at 20 to 30 °C (68 to 86 °F). Sow cucumbers in individual containers if starting them indoors. Their roots establish better when the root ball remains intact during transplanting. Do not let young plants grow too old in a small pot. Plant them outdoors in warmed soil, then protect their establishment from the wind. For direct sowing, mark the locations to allow for weeding without disturbing young roots.
Can 'West Indies' Cucumber be grown in pots?
Choose this exposure: sun. Reserve this spread around the plant: 1.5 to 2 m (5 to 6.5 ft). For a cucumber in a container, the support must be as stable as the pot. Attach it before planting and make sure it can withstand the wind resistance of the foliage. Leave a water reserve accessible to the roots without retaining stagnant water. Fruits are easier to pick when the stems are guided outwards from the support and the foliage does not form a compact mass. Organic West Indian gherkin is an amazing climbing plant that brings a touch of exoticism, fantasy, and great generosity to the vegetable garden.
When to harvest 'West Indian' Cucumbers?
When harvested young, its green fruits offer tender, crisp, and sweet flesh, without bitterness, with a flavor reminiscent of cucumber and a very pleasant, slightly spicy note. In full sun, in rich, loose, and well-drained soil, it grows vigorously and rewards the gardener with regular harvests throughout the summer. Leafy vegetables require harvesting adjusted to the type of plant. Picking from the outside preserves the heart when you want to continue production. Very old leaves do not have the same tenderness as young shoots. Rinse the harvest just before use or dry it thoroughly before a short stay in the refrigerator.
What sets the 'Antilles' Cucumber apart in the garden?
Organic West Indian gherkin is an amazing climbing plant that adds a touch of exoticism, whimsy, and great generosity to the vegetable garden. Highly productive, this variety quickly spreads its vigorous stems on trellises or on the ground, forming a living cover that enlivens summer crops with great vitality. Harvested young, its green fruits offer tender, crunchy, and mild flesh, without bitterness, with a flavor reminiscent of cucumber and a pleasant, slightly spicy note. In full sun, in rich, loose, and well-drained soil, it grows enthusiastically and rewards the gardener with regular harvests throughout the summer.
How to organize a planting of 'Antilles' Cucumber?
A trellis makes cucumbers easier to spot and limits their contact with the ground. Install it securely before the stems grow, then guide the first tendrils. On the ground, direct the vines towards a clear area and keep a path for harvesting. Avoid letting shoots cross a path where they would be stepped on or moved with each intervention. Cucumbers grow quickly once the weather warms up. Check for fruits hidden under the leaves so you don't miss any that might get too big. Regular harvesting ensures tender skin and underdeveloped seeds.
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