By Beth11
Earthbox Cucumbers indoors under Fluorescent lights
Submitted on Sat, 2009/10/31 - 3:23pm
Last updated on Wed, 2009/12/16 - 9:26pm
Hi All,
Here's my try at growing cucumbers in an earthbox under fluorescent shop lights. Variety : Cucino. Started seeds in the Aerogarden on 10/18. Transplanted into the earthbox on 10/30. Earthbox was set up using these instructions http://www.earthbox.com/consumer/instructions.html. I used Miracle Grow potting mix, Espoma dolomite lime and earthbox fertilizer (standard, not organic). Standard shop lights, 3 fixtures (6 bulbs) set 11" from the growing surface.
Earthbox cucs 29 days. One cuc has a flower:
34 days: 40 days:
Day 59:
Sat, 2009/10/31 - 5:56pm
#2
Very cool! Do you have a rack to hang the lights from, or the ceiling?
Happy Halloween! 
Sat, 2009/10/31 - 8:47pm
#3
Hi All,
My seed starting area is a series of adjustable shelves that were salvaged from a bankrupt store. Chains are attached via eyehooks. I'll take a pix tomorrow. Had to use the camera batteries for a Halloween flying bat (a tradition in our neighborhood). Now:
Modification #1: I posted pix and then decided I should have the white side of the stretchy cover up.
Lesson learned #1: It is much, much easier to start out with the cover white side up instead of trying to change it after the plants are in. Poor transplants being mushed this way and that. Ended up cutting the elastic cover and duct taping it back into place.
Modification #2: I wanted the lights a little closer to the plants. Distance was a function of the length of the existing chain. I've added more chain so that the light is 7" from the plants.
Lesson learned #2: It is much easier to set the lights up before transplanting. The plants don't need the additional movement back and forth!
We'll see how this works out - obvious disadvantage is the lack of light. But I did get two cucs last year when I stuck one plant in with the swiss chard! Next challenge is how to train the plants.
Beth
Sat, 2009/11/07 - 7:24pm
#4
Hi All,
Well, the earthbox cucs are growing, but the new growth is a little pale. I don't think that the constant moisture is appreciated in a basement setting. I'm going to let the box dry out and top water from now on. I did give them a shot of Miracle grow bloom fertilizer to boost the nitrogen to the plants.
Sat, 2009/11/07 - 8:27pm
#5
Bummer, Beth. Good luck with the variations.
BTW, the picture says it's been moved or deleted on Photobucket?
Sat, 2009/11/07 - 10:21pm
#6
Pix try #2
Sun, 2009/11/08 - 12:58pm
#7
Thanks! They look nice! Admirably short. (Not straining for light.)
Sun, 2009/11/08 - 2:30pm
#8
I love this idea of yours Beth! I bet it works well!
Enjoy!
Tue, 2009/11/10 - 8:25pm
#9
Earthbox cucs doing well. Here's the latest pix - little cucs starting to form.
Mon, 2009/11/16 - 7:25pm
#10
Hi All,
Earthbox cucs doing really well. Short and stocky. One cuc is flowering.
Mon, 2009/11/16 - 10:28pm
#11
Ooh, nice, Beth! One month old, right?
What's the temperature like in your basement? I'm wondering how cool they might thrive.
Mon, 2009/11/16 - 10:32pm
#12
Hi Gisette,
The basement is heated. I'll stick the thermometer under there. It should be around 68 F, but may be warmer under the lights. I am impressed so far. Now, how to train them under the lights...
Beth
Sun, 2009/11/22 - 8:28pm
#13
Hi All,
Earthbox cucs looking real good. Multiple baby cucs forming! I'm liking this grow!
Sun, 2009/11/22 - 9:12pm
#14
Those look great, Beth! 
Mon, 2009/11/23 - 12:16pm
#15
Nice Beth, they look really good.
Mon, 2009/11/23 - 1:30pm
#16
Out of curiosity, Beth - how many cukes is one supposed to grow in an EarthBox? The GrowBox instructions said six for squashes/cukes, which is kinda mind-blowing in such a small area. And irrelevant indoors - you'd practically need a full-sun margin of 4' on each side of the box to give six cukes/squash room to rambol. Was just wondering.
Mon, 2009/11/23 - 5:52pm
#17
I LOVE the look of these plants Beth! They're doing so well under the lights!
Enjoy!
Wed, 2009/11/25 - 11:32am
#18
Hi All,
The earthbox instruction say six plants to a box. I'll never do that again outside. Four is plenty in full sun. Two inside seems OK. I'll probably end up clipping off growing tips since I don't want them to get too tall and have to raise the lights too far. I put a thermometer on the box. I can't believe it is 77 F under the lights! The basement is heated, but we keep the house at 67 F most of the time. I set the min/max to see how cool it gets at night. I've only watered once since planting. Humidity under there is 50%. I'm thinking of expanding the project. Can you say basement farm
Beth
Wed, 2009/11/25 - 12:30pm
#19
Wow, Beth, perfect conditions! Basement farm, indeed!
Wed, 2009/11/25 - 6:37pm
#20
Hi Gisette,
Checked the min temp - 65 F at night. Couldn't ask for a better temp range! Ag cuc isn't doing well, but I'm thrilled with this experiment so far. Lots and lots of baby cucs. I hope to beat Peat's 5 cucs!
Beth
Wed, 2009/11/25 - 8:15pm
#21
Sounds like you're going to do it!
Enjoy!
Fri, 2009/11/27 - 6:48pm
#22
Cucs at 40 days, still looking good. Many baby cucs, hoping they start to grow. I don't expect them all to mature, but I hope some (OK, alot!) do! A few leaf spots, but 99% healthy.
Sat, 2009/12/05 - 6:05pm
#23
Hi, Beth - are cucino cukes ... whatever the word is that means they have only female flowers and don't need pollination? I thought they were (based on seed price/ungenerosity...), but that's not mentioned at the seed companies I saw (reimer, tms, park).
Sat, 2009/12/05 - 6:20pm
#24
Hi Gisette,
Yup, parthenocarpic. The cuc plants are growing like crazy. I still haven't seen any babies that are getting bigger. I HOPE they will mature 
. I'll take pix tomorrow.
Beth
PS I'd love for you to try the monstuoso basil. It is a hoot to grow. I swear 6" leaves that are really tasty. I can't think of anything I'd like in trade at the moment - unless you have a source for the monkey flowes you grow (mimulus (sp?)). Can I send you some?
Sat, 2009/12/05 - 6:52pm
#25
Hi, Beth,
Ooh, looking forward to seeing them! Thanks re parthenocarpic. The description does sound like they'd be a much better choice for my indoor growing rig. I especially liked how it mentioned they don't mind cold. (Except to germinate - fair enough.)
I'd love to try the monstruoso basil! It sounds fun! Alas, I bought the mimulus seeds from Park, and they're really hard to share... They came pelleted in a little gel capsule to keep them dry, and the little green pellets disintegrate. Hard to mail. FWIW, they're cute, and bloom quickly, but the blooms don't last long.
Anything else I have that might interest you?
Mon, 2009/12/14 - 9:38pm
#26
Hi All,
Well, the cucino in the earthbox is not going to win a perfect plant award, but it is growing and setting cucs. I think two plants is too much under fluorescent lights. But that said, I'm pretty pleased for a first attempt - I will get cucs!
Beth
Mon, 2009/12/14 - 9:50pm
#27
They look gorgeous, Beth!
My package from Park just arrived today, and I planted 2 cucino cukes. Peat's cuke variety looked nice, too, but I needed some stuff from Park Seed, which has cucino. Also Judith's diva cucumber, but she said they didn't take to the trash can treatment.
Tue, 2009/12/15 - 2:15pm
#28
Hi, Beth - may I ask how many hours a day the lights are on?
Tue, 2009/12/15 - 7:30pm
#29
Hi Gisette,
Of course you may ask . 16 hours on, 8 off.
Beth
Tue, 2009/12/15 - 7:53pm
#30
Thanks. That's what Peat uses, too, and what I use... Just checking. 
Nice setup Beth, I'm looking forward to the results with this- should be good.