January 2024 - 26

VGN CONNECTIONS
Growing grafted cucumbers with cold-tolerant
rootstocks enhances plant growth under less-thanoptimal
soil temperatures and increases early-season
cucumber production in high tunnels. Harvesting seedless
cucumbers from grafted plants grown in an unheated high
tunnel is possible in April in southern Indiana. The yields
of grafted plants were significantly higher compared to
the yield of non-grafted plants until the soil temperatures
reach 70° F, the optimal level for cucumber production.
The adaptation of using the grafting technique for
cucumber production is low in the U.S. One challenge
is the availability of grafted cucumber plants. Although
grafting cucumbers does not vary much from tomatoes,
grafting cucumbers requires a stricter post-graft healing
condition. Without a well-controlled environment for
post-grafting healing, it is difficult for farmers to graft
cucumbers by themselves successfully.
Opportunities exist for specialized grafting plant
producers, but the companies must be able to meet the
needs of small-scale farmers who may require different
cultivars and shipping dates and with relatively small
orders. The grafted plants' size must also meet the needs
of high tunnel growers. Although grafted cucumber
plants can grow better than non-grafted plants under
low soil temperatures, they are less likely to achieve the
early season harvest advantage if small seedlings are
GROWING GRAFTED CUCUMBERS
WITH COLD-TOLERANT ROOTSTOCKS
ENHANCES PLANT GROWTH UNDER LESSTHAN-OPTIMAL
SOIL TEMPERATURES AND
INCREASES EARLY-SEASON CUCUMBER
PRODUCTION IN HIGH TUNNELS.
planted in less than optimal environments.
Poor performance of grafted plants in soils with high
salts also limits the adaptation of the technique for earlyseason
cucumber production. It is not unusual to find soil
fertility issues in high tunnels that have been in tomato
production for years. When farmers switch to growing
cucumbers in the soil, problems arise. Developing
and evaluating rootstocks under multi-environmental
stresses is becoming crucial for adapting the grafting
technique in high tunnel systems.
Wenjing Guan is a horticultural specialist at the
Southwest Purdue Agriculture Center. Her Extension and
research programs focus on developing and delivering
sustainable vegetable and fruit production practices
serving Indiana growers.
Cultivators designed for
Blueberries, Strawberries, and
Vegetables in Plastic Culture
There is a Berkeley Pump to fit your growing needs:
irrigation, packing shed or green house.
* Excellent weed removal provided by rolling cultivators
or disk gangs.
* Renovate Strawberries, cultivate Blueberries.
* Cultivate close to the edge of plastic.
* Toolbars include Hydraulic Width Adjustment.
* Very adjustable for use on many crops.
Hillside Cultivator Co. LLC
911 Disston View Dr., Lititz, PA 17543
Visit our web site: www.hillsidecultivator.com
or Call (717) 669-3158
26 | JANUARY 2024
website: www.springbrooksupply.com
e-mail: sbs@springbrooksupply.com
877-396-1956 toll free
11291 Lakewood Blvd., Holland, MI 49424
Call us for a FREE product catalog
http://www.springbrooksupply.com http://www.hillsidecultivator.com
January 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January 2024
