Looking for a far out of the box cucumber? One of the sweetest cucumbers I have ever eaten is the Sikkim cucumber. They are far more shelf stable with their hard skin and look particularly eye catching with the skin texture. I would challenge market goers to guess what it was and always took pleasure in hearing 'dragon egg' so that is what I call this beautiful cucumber when pickled skin-out in a jar.
Overview:
Plant Type: Annual Vine
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Water Requirements: Moderate to high
Soil Requirements: Well-draining, fertile soil
Mature Size: 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) long fruit, 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 meters) long vines
Bloom Time: Summer
Special Features: Small, crunchy fruit with a sweet flavor, disease-resistant, good for small gardens
Maintenance: Low
Hardiness Zone: Sikkim Cucumber is an annual plant that grows best in warm temperatures and is often grown as a summer crop in USDA hardiness zones 9-11.
Additional Notes: Sikkim Cucumbers are gaining popularity due to its small size when desired picking and its' sweet flavor even when matured. It is also quite disease resistant. The fruit is best when harvested young and tender, and can be enjoyed fresh or used in recipes such as salads or pickles. I must add though that of all the varieties I have missed or forgotten on the vine, this is the most forgiving and still tasted great even after the skin became tougher. They are relatively resistant to common cucumber diseases such as powdery mildew and downy mildew. Sikkim Cucumber is a heat-loving plant and can tolerate hot temperatures, but they may require some shade in extremely hot weather. Regular watering and fertilization can help promote healthy growth and high yields. They are also suitable for small gardens or containers due to their compact growth habit.
With some persistent watering and a bit of shade I had these last far longer into the season that most. The fruits last longer on the vines as well. I would say this is a 'grow every year' cucumber but I have to alternate to not mix varieties until I get a larger property. Someday this will be a staple in my garden!
