What are the sun requirements for Cucumis sativus 'Straight Eight'?

Cucumis sativus 'Straight Eight' is Straight Eight cucumber, a vining annual growing 72-96 inches (180-240 cm / 6-8 feet) on a trellis or cage. Straight dark green cylindrical slicing cucumbers 8 inches (20 cm) long and 2 inches (5 cm) diameter, maturing in 55-65 days from seed. Bright yellow 5-petaled flowers 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) — monoecious (separate male and female flowers on the same plant). In the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). An All-America Selections (AAS) winner from 1935 — one of the oldest continuously grown cucumber cultivars. Open-pollinated (heirloom): seeds can be saved. Requires bee pollination: poor fruit set without pollinators. Male flowers appear first — no fruit for the first 1-2 weeks of flowering. Harvest at 8 inches (20 cm) — overripe fruit (yellow, swollen) becomes bitter and seedy and inhibits new fruit set. Cucumber beetles (Diabrotica, Acalymma) transmit bacterial wilt (Erwinia tracheiphila): the primary disease concern. Consistent moisture — drought stress causes bitter fruit. Direct-sow after last frost when soil reaches 60°F (16°C). Not deer-resistant. Non-toxic (edible crop). Full sun. Tender annual. Growth rate is fast.

Native Range

Heirloom cultivar (AAS 1935). The species C. sativus is native to South Asia (India).

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens and containers of at least 5 gallons (19 L) with a trellis. Slicing cucumber. AAS 1935. Open-pollinated — save seeds. Requires bee pollination. Not deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Tender annual.

How to Identify

Identified by straight dark green cylindrical slicing fruit 8 inches (20 cm) on a vining plant with large palmate rough-textured leaves. Monoecious yellow flowers. Open-pollinated since 1935. In Cucurbitaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 8'

Width/Spread3' - 4'

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

Summer Fall

Summer (July-September). Bright yellow monoecious flowers — male flowers first, female flowers follow with miniature fruit at the base. Requires bee pollination. Fruit 55-65 days from seed.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Bright yellow, 5-petaled, 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm); monoecious (separate male and female flowers on the same plant); male flowers appear first in clusters, female flowers singly with a miniature fruit at the base

Foliage Description

Medium green, large palmate with prominent veining, rough-textured, 4-6 inches (10-15 cm)

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

55-65 days from seed

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6+ hours). Rich moist soil pH 6.0-7.0. Consistent moisture (bitter fruit from drought). Trellis or cage. Requires bee pollination. Cucumber beetles transmit bacterial wilt. Harvest at 8 inches — overripe fruit inhibits production. Non-toxic. Tender annual.