Family
Cucurbitaceae
Botanical Name
CUCUMIS sativus 'Endeavor'
Plant Common Name
Cucumber, Endeavor Pickling Cucumber
General Description
An early bearing cucumber, 'Endeavor' produces prickled, knobby fruits ideal for pickling. The cucumbers have few, small seeds in the sweet, crisp flesh. Resistant to mosaic virus and downy mildew, plants produce fruits about 53 days after sowing seeds. These cucumbers can be harvested small or when mature when they reach 12- to 15-inches long (30 to 40 cm). This variety yields straight fruits when grown on a trellis.
Asian in origin, cucumbers have been cultivated since ancient times. These frost-tender annual vines thrive in the warmth and sunshine of summer. They have large, broadly lobed leaves that are green and scratchy to the touch. When mature they produce yellow flowers that are either male or female. Pollen-bearing male flowers are produced first, followed by the fruit-bearing female flowers. The female flowers are easily recognizable by the bulbous ovaries at their bases.
Mature cucumbers are elongated or rounded, can be various shades of green and have small prickles on their skins. Some cucumbers are bred to be harvested young for pickles while others are raised to be harvested when more mature and used for slicing. Over ripe specimens turn yellow and have softer flesh and large, firm and inedible seeds, so it’s best to harvest them when they are young and crisp.
Grow your cucumbers in full sun and fertile, evenly moist, perfectly drained garden loam. After the threat of frost passes, sow cucumber seeds directly in the ground. If transplanting container-grown plants, take care to not damage their tender white roots unless they are root-bound. Root-bound plants can be saved only if their roots are gently teased apart before planting. Be sure to harvest fruits regularly, so they will continue to flower and produce fruit.
Cucumbers may be trained on a trellis or cage or allowed to ramble freely across the ground. 'Endeavor' is exceptional when vines do not clamber across the soil. Fresh or pickled, cucumbers are a favorite vegetable, and they are as easy to grow as they are tasty.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 1
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Sunset Zone
A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Vegetable
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
6"-10" / 15.2cm - 25.4cm
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Width
3'-12' / 0.9m - 3.7m
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Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Indeterminate
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Native To
Hybrid Origin, Southern Asia
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam
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Growth Rate
Very Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Vining/Climbing
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Seasonal Interest
Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Yellow
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Fruit Color
Green, Yellow Green, Dark Green
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Fruit Color Modifier
Spotted/Mottled
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Dark Green, Yellow Green
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
Yes
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Coarse
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
