By late June, I began to recognize these Striped Carosello Leccese as being both beautiful and delicious. I additionally noticed that the fruit that was exposed to more sun would have darker stripes earlier in their development, while those that grew in more shaded areas would not show any dark bands until later in their development.
The way in which my Carosello grew has much to do with the available heat and light. The plants that had the most heat and light (near the greenhouse) grew much faster than those that were closer to the southern, more shady part of my garden. Additionally, the plants that grew on the southern side of the garden were more likely to be munched on by critters.
As you might have determined by now, I could not get enough of these carosello. Both to look at and to eat, these are a delight.
Speaking of critters, There were many times in which the woodlice (pill bugs) would eat off the flower end of the cucumber. For a while this became a big pain. The woodlice probably took about 6-12 fruit over the course of the first planting by this method.
One strange thing that occurred to multiple melon leaves that I grew this year were strange watering marks of the veins under the leaves. I’m not really sure why this occurs. It may have something to do with too much water in relation to nutrients or because of some other factor that I’m not familiar with. It may have something to do with a magnesium deficiency. If you happen to know anything about this, please let me know.
Additionally, the woodlice would burrow into the fruit from below and bite holes into the tender flesh. Though the fruit is exceptionally good in flavor (at least in my opinion) I have heard theories that the most healthy plants are able to defend themselves against small pests. I’m not sure if the problem with woodlice in my garden is because of a high population of these things from sifted compost or because there is some compound in the Carosello fruit that they are attracted to.
Part way through the first growout of this variety, I decided to start a couple more plants. I purchased some more seed and started some transplants, which I put into the soil with some sifted compost. Again, I was very grateful for all of the leaves I was able to harvest in the fall. By the spring, it significantly improved how everything grew.
As could be expected, the shortest Striped Carosello Leccese fruits were the first to expand and mature. The ones on the edge of the garden (where the most sun was) also developed some very dark bands.
As each type of Carosello matures differently, I would definitely like to explain a little. Sometimes vegetables that produce fruit early in their lifecycle do not taste as good as those that produce a high quantity of foliage prior to fruit production. This is not to say that all vegetables that produce a lot of foliage are much later than their faster counterparts (though they are faster overall). However, short season varieties of vegetables can sometimes lack a lot of flavor when compared with their slower-maturing counterparts.
Though the Striped Carosello Leccese is significantly faster to mature than the Painted Serpent (AKA Striped Armenian) it does mature a little slower than the Light Carosello Leccese. However, the texture, color and flavor complexity is much more developed in the striped Leccese than in the light Leccese.
For me, this is one of my all-time favorite cucumbers. I was amazed by its color, flavor, texture, juiciness and taste. Not that the taste was like a super-sweet melon, but that it was something that I could have again and again – without getting tired of.
 |
| Striped Carosello Leccese, June 24th, 2019. |
 |
| June 25th |
The way in which my Carosello grew has much to do with the available heat and light. The plants that had the most heat and light (near the greenhouse) grew much faster than those that were closer to the southern, more shady part of my garden. Additionally, the plants that grew on the southern side of the garden were more likely to be munched on by critters.
As you might have determined by now, I could not get enough of these carosello. Both to look at and to eat, these are a delight.
 |
| June 27th |
Speaking of critters, There were many times in which the woodlice (pill bugs) would eat off the flower end of the cucumber. For a while this became a big pain. The woodlice probably took about 6-12 fruit over the course of the first planting by this method.
One strange thing that occurred to multiple melon leaves that I grew this year were strange watering marks of the veins under the leaves. I’m not really sure why this occurs. It may have something to do with too much water in relation to nutrients or because of some other factor that I’m not familiar with. It may have something to do with a magnesium deficiency. If you happen to know anything about this, please let me know.
Additionally, the woodlice would burrow into the fruit from below and bite holes into the tender flesh. Though the fruit is exceptionally good in flavor (at least in my opinion) I have heard theories that the most healthy plants are able to defend themselves against small pests. I’m not sure if the problem with woodlice in my garden is because of a high population of these things from sifted compost or because there is some compound in the Carosello fruit that they are attracted to.
 |
| July 1st |
Part way through the first growout of this variety, I decided to start a couple more plants. I purchased some more seed and started some transplants, which I put into the soil with some sifted compost. Again, I was very grateful for all of the leaves I was able to harvest in the fall. By the spring, it significantly improved how everything grew.
 |
| July 4th - Almost as good as fireworks (= |
 |
| July 6th |
As could be expected, the shortest Striped Carosello Leccese fruits were the first to expand and mature. The ones on the edge of the garden (where the most sun was) also developed some very dark bands.
 |
| July 8th |
 |
| July 12th. Carosello going for a swim to ensure they are clean. |
As each type of Carosello matures differently, I would definitely like to explain a little. Sometimes vegetables that produce fruit early in their lifecycle do not taste as good as those that produce a high quantity of foliage prior to fruit production. This is not to say that all vegetables that produce a lot of foliage are much later than their faster counterparts (though they are faster overall). However, short season varieties of vegetables can sometimes lack a lot of flavor when compared with their slower-maturing counterparts.
Though the Striped Carosello Leccese is significantly faster to mature than the Painted Serpent (AKA Striped Armenian) it does mature a little slower than the Light Carosello Leccese. However, the texture, color and flavor complexity is much more developed in the striped Leccese than in the light Leccese.
 |
| July 20th - first harvest |
 |
| Back on July 18th, removing all lower leaves before succession planting. |
 |
| July 19th - Second Crop of Striped Carosello Leccese to transplant |
 |
| Old plants to compost. |
Another
thing to keep in mind about this variety is that there are different
lengths to choose from. As I have not stabilized the fruit length
(something I am considering as a option to select) the fruit comes in
various lengths from shorter to longer. The shorter fruit produces
earlier on shorter vines. So, if one still wanted to consume this fruit
to mature quickly, they would just grow the shorter Striped Leccese.
However, one very nice thing about having a variety of lengths is that –
at least for the home grower – this means that one variety planted at
the same time can produce a crop for a longer period of time with the
shortest fruit being produced first, the medium coming on second and the
longest fruit being produced at the end of the season.
 |
| July 31st - fruit from a remaining plant. |
 |
| August 8th. This is the little plant that was transplanted on July 1st. |
 |
| August 8th. These striped Leccese were sown earlier in the shade. |
For me, this is one of my all-time favorite cucumbers. I was amazed by its color, flavor, texture, juiciness and taste. Not that the taste was like a super-sweet melon, but that it was something that I could have again and again – without getting tired of.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Dear Gardening Friends,
I look forward to learning more about gardening with you. Your comments help me recognize that gardening is a life-long journey.
To advertisers: Note that this blog is concerned with gardening and gardening techniques. Please do not attempt to advertise here by leaving a comment. Depending upon how egregious the comment is, it may be deleted.