Question
QUESTION: About how big dose the cucumber normally get? And dose the leafs turn brown and die? The cucumbers seem like they are doing good I have one middle size one, but it is yellow should i pick it yet? All the rest are green and seem to be doing good I think.

ANSWER: Kathy:
The yellow cucumber is overripe and will not be any good. You can pick them anytime they are large enough for eating. How big they get depends on the variety. If you do not have a nursery tag, seed packet or catalog to tell you that, you can do an internet search on the variety. I believe there are a number of "burpless" cucumbers, I don't know if they are all the same size, but slicing cucumbers usually grow to about 6-7" before getting too seedy or overripe.

Elyse

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: you didnt say anything about the leafs turning brown and dieing. Is this normal in cucumbers? My cucumbers are maybe only 4or5in. long. And some are smaller should I wait too see if they get any bigger? Thank You.gej6t

Answer
Kathy:
Sorry. If all the leaves are turning brown then the plant is probably dying and it is too late to do anything. You could try watering it, but it is late in the season (depending on where you live), and it may just be spent. If that is the case, then I wouldn't wait too long to pick the cukes.

On the other hand, if it is only a few leaves then it could just be excess heat and nothing to worry about, as long as you are watering it adequately. How much depends on how hot it is by you, cucumbers require a lot of water, so it the weather is in the 80s or above every day, I'd water it 2-3 times a week, at least.

Elyse