The Conquered Conqueror Cucumber

I received seeds of a parthenocarpic cucumber variety from the Seed Saver’s Exchange collection by the name of Conqueror. It was supposed to be an English variety that was parthenocarpic. English cucumber varieties are prized for being good to grow in greenhouses and parthenocarpic varieties would be ideal in those conditions because the vines produce fruit without pollination.

 

 

 

Unfortunately, something about the climatic conditions of 2023 along with a nearby pumpkin patch that overwintered cucumber beetle pupae all combined to make the situation for the Conqueror cucumber harvest dismal at best.

 

 

 

Every week I was fighting the cucumber beetles. I even purchased sticky traps that did not work and pheromones that didn’t work either. In the end, the endeavor was a nearly complete loss. I did manage to collect seed from one or two fruit, but the amount and quality of seed was much less than I would have anticipated in the number of plants that I was growing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, I will likely try growing the Conqueror Cucumber again. Hopefully this next time, they will at least be given a fighting chance.