Cucumber Armenian
$4.95
Cucumis Melo v. Flexousus
- Seed Count 15
- Sweet Tasting
- Annual
In stock
Description
The Cucumber Armenian t looks like a long, curling cucumber, but it is, in fact, a variety of melon. That little detail often surprises gardeners, though once you grow or taste one, the resemblance to cucumber becomes clear. It has the same cool crunch and refreshing mild flavour that makes cucumbers so beloved, yet it carries a faint sweetness that hints at its melon heritage.
The fruit is long, slender, and elegantly curved, often twisting and looping across the soil in pale green spirals. When grown on the ground, it tends to curl naturally, forming shapes that can resemble a coiled snake or ribbon of light green zucchini. When given the chance to grow along a trellis or support, the fruits develop straighter, smoother lines, sometimes stretching to impressive lengths of up to 60 centimeters.
The skin of the Cucumber Armenian is smooth, thin, and tender. It can be bright green or slightly paler, and sometimes develops a gentle waxy sheen that catches the light. Unlike many standard cucumbers, there is no need to peel it—the skin is mild and pleasant to eat, adding both colour and texture to salads and dishes. The flesh inside is crisp, juicy, and pale green, with a subtle sweetness and very few seeds. This makes it perfect for anyone who prefers a cucumber that is less watery and more delicately flavoured.
It can be eaten raw, sliced into salads, or layered on sandwiches for extra freshness. It also pickles beautifully, holding its shape and texture even after soaking in vinegar or brine. The flavour is delicate enough not to overpower other ingredients, yet distinct enough to hold its own. When lightly sautéed or added to stir-fries, it softens slightly while keeping that pleasant crispness. Some even use it in chilled soups or as a crunchy topping for rice dishes.
It’s vines are vigorous and sprawling, producing an abundance of fruit throughout the warm months. The foliage is broad and slightly fuzzy, similar to that of melons, and it sends out long tendrils that eagerly climb any available support. On the ground, the fruits meander between leaves in lazy curves; on a trellis, they hang neatly, developing their long straight forms in the open air. Either way, they are quite a sight when fully grown.
The fruits seem to appear overnight, swelling quickly once the plant begins to produce. Their vibrant colour and elegant shape make them easy to spot among the leaves. Picked young, they are especially tender and mild, though even the larger fruits remain edible and flavourful.
It handles hot weather well, a trait inherited from its melon ancestry, and continues to produce even when temperatures climb. It’s less fussy than many cucumber varieties and keeps on giving long after other types begin to tire. In Australia’s warm and sunny climate, this makes it a dependable choice for both backyard gardens and larger vegetable plots.
| Method: Sow direct | Soil Temp: 16°C - 35°C |
| Cool Mountain: Oct - Dec | Position: Full sun |
| Arid: Aug - Feb | Row Spacing: 60 cm |
| Temperate: Aug - Feb | Planting Depth: 5mm |
| Sub Tropical: Aug - Mar | Harvest: 60 Days |
| Tropical: Apr - Aug | Plant Height: 2 m trailing |
🥒 Growing Cucumber from Seed in Australia
Cucumbers are warm-season climbers (or sprawlers, if you let them!) that love sunshine and rich soil. With just a little care, you can be picking fresh cukes straight from the vine in no time.
🌱 Sowing: In Trays vs. Direct
From Trays:
Starting in trays is ideal if your soil is still a bit cool, or you want a head start. Use biodegradable pots (like coir or peat) so you can plant the whole thing—cucumbers don’t like root disturbance.
- When: In most of Australia, start indoors in early spring (August–September) and transplant out after the last frost.
- How: Sow seeds 1–2cm deep in quality seed raising mix. Keep them warm (above 20°C) and moist but not soggy. Germination takes 5–10 days.
Direct Sowing:
Once the soil has warmed up to at least 18–20°C, you can sow directly outdoors. This usually means mid-spring to early summer, depending on your region.
- How: Sow 2–3 seeds per mound, 1–2cm deep. Thin to the strongest seedling after germination.
🌼 Tip: In cooler areas, use a cloche or row cover to warm the soil for a faster start.
🌞 Soil & Position
Cucumbers are heavy feeders and need rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter.
- Ideal pH: 6.0–6.8
- Sunlight: Full sun—at least 6 hours a day.
- Soil Prep: Mix compost, aged manure, and a little pelletised organic fertiliser into the soil. A raised mound or bed works well to improve drainage.
🌿 Cucumbers love warmth, so choose the sunniest, most sheltered spot in your garden.
🌿 Care & Maintenance
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially once fruit sets. Avoid wetting the leaves to prevent mildew.
- Feeding: Side-dress with compost or a seaweed-based liquid fertiliser every 2–3 weeks during flowering and fruiting.
- Support: Trellis your plants if you can—it saves space, keeps fruit cleaner, and improves air flow.
- Mulch: Add straw or sugarcane mulch to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
🌼 Companion Planting
Cucumbers are friendly little growers and do well with:
| Good Neighbours | Why They Help |
|---|---|
| Nasturtium | Attracts aphids away from cucumbers |
| Dill & Coriander | Attracts pollinators & predators |
| Beans & Peas | Fix nitrogen in the soil |
| Corn | Offers natural trellising support |
🚫 Avoid planting near potatoes and strong aromatic herbs like sage—they can inhibit cucumber growth.
🧺 Harvesting
- When to Harvest: Pick when firm, green, and about 15–20cm long (depending on variety).
- How to Harvest: Use secateurs or scissors to cut, rather than twisting, to avoid damaging the vine.
- How Often: Check daily—cukes grow fast and can turn seedy if left too long!
🌼 The more you pick, the more your plant will produce!
🐛 Common Issues & Fixes
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Powdery mildew | Humid conditions, poor airflow | Improve spacing, use milk spray |
| Yellowing leaves | Overwatering, nutrient deficiency | Check soil drainage, feed with compost tea |
| Misshapen fruit | Poor pollination | Hand-pollinate or attract more bees |
| Bitter fruit | Irregular watering, heat stress | Keep water consistent, mulch well |
🌸 Seed Saving Guide
Cucumbers cross-pollinate easily, so for true-to-type seed saving:
- Isolate one variety by at least 800m (or grow only one type).
- Let a few fruits mature fully on the vine—they’ll turn yellow and puffy.
- Harvest and scoop out seeds into a jar with water.
- Ferment 2–3 days to remove the gel coating (stir daily).
- Rinse and dry thoroughly on paper towel or mesh.
- Store in a labelled envelope in a cool, dry place. Viable for 5+ years.
🌼 Always save seeds from the healthiest plants for strong future crops.
🌿 Final Thoughts
Cucumbers are one of those garden delights that just keep on giving—fast-growing, rewarding, and so versatile in the kitchen. Whether you’re after crunchy salad varieties or petite pickling types, once they get going, they’re hard to stop.
🌞 A warm bed, regular water, and a little climbing support are the recipe for a summer full of cucumbers. And if it all goes a bit wild? That’s okay—it’s all part of the learning!
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Postage Charge
Orders under $35 attract a $4.95 shipping charge. Orders $35 and above have free shipping.
Order Times
Seed orders are normally dispatched within three business days. You will receive an email when seeds are mailed out.
Postage Days
Seeds are mailed out Tuesday to Friday at 1pm. Except for the Friday of long weekends.
Postage Times
WA 2-3 Days: SA,NT 3-5 Days: NSW, ACT, QLD, VIC: 5-7 Days
Carrier
We use Australia Post Letter Postage for the majority of orders
Not only are our seeds packed in recycled paper envelopes, we keep the theme going when we post out website orders. To protect your seeds from moisture and the letter box munchers (snails), we use a very special plastic free material made from plants. They are then put into recycled mailing envelopes. Green all the way 💚🌿
Delivery Guarantee
We take great care to make sure your seeds arrive safely. If your order is lost or damaged in transit, we’ll happily send a replacement. Unfortunately, we can’t replace or refund orders that arrive later than the estimated delivery date, as delays can sometimes occur that are outside our control.
Please note that all dispatch and delivery times listed are estimates only. While we do our best to post promptly, delivery timeframes can vary due to postal service delays, weather events, or other unforeseen circumstances. We’re unable to take responsibility for any loss, damage, or cost that results from a late delivery.
An order is not considered missing until at least 20 business days have passed from the postage date. You’ll receive an email once your seeds have been posted, letting you know they’re on their way. If you don’t see it in your main inbox, please check your Spam or Promotions folders as sometimes our emails like to hide there.
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