Cucumbers were first domesticated in India over 3000 years ago from a spined, bitter, wild progenitor. The Suyo Long variety of cucumber is thought to have been cultivated in China as early as 100BCE and its spiny skin on the young fruits is reminiscent of its original wild relative. Under heatwave and drought stress, Suyo Long still produces multiple rounds of fruits and is generally a less finicky variety of cucumber. The breeding objectives of modern cucumbers for trellised greenhouse production with the priority being straight, smooth fruits can be traced back to a Victorian era obsession with controlling nature where gardeners would grow cucumbers in straight glass sleeves as curvy cucumbers were deemed not fit for human consumption (the name cucumber itself is thought to originate from "cow cumber" as cucumbers were seen in Victorian Englad as nothing more than cow feed). The straightening of the cucumber is reinforced by the globalization of agriculture that requires straight cucumbers that pack and ship well for export. Suyo Long will straighten with trellissing and pruning, but we love to let them sprawl allowing them to twist and curl into fun wild spirals!

Days to Maturity: 60 days to maturity.

Growing Tips: Suyo Long grows on long vines that can either be trellised or left to sprawl allowing the 18-24” long fruits to spiral and curl into a variety of shapes. This heirloom is highly productive without trellising/pruning and is great for outdoor growing.

When to Plant: Warm season annual. Direct seed in field after threat of frost has passed. If starting indoors, anticipate transplanting 3-4 weeks from emergence if using 50 cell trays. Plants are sensitive to transplant shock, take care not to disturb roots when planting.

Planting Depth: Sow seeds ½”-¾” deep

Spacing: 12” apart in row, 3-5’ between rows. Trellised plants can be planted more densely, for vigorous plant and seed production allow 5’ between rows.

Sun: Full sun, plants are tolerant to high temperatures

Water: Avoid overwatering at planting to prevent seed rot. Plants are fairly drought resistant but inconsistent watering may lead to uneven fruit shapes.

Grower: Shao Shan Farm, Sebastopol, CA