How to Grow Cucumbers Without Dealing with Cucumber Beetles

TLDRLearn how to grow cucumbers without the nuisance of cucumber beetles. Plant burpless varieties that produce low levels of the chemical cucurbitacin, which attracts the beetles. Cover plants with insect netting to keep them off. Consider parthenocarpic varieties that don't require pollination. Follow these steps and say goodbye to cucumber beetle problems!

Key insights

🥒Plant burpless cucumber varieties that produce low levels of the chemical cucurbitacin, which attracts cucumber beetles.

🔒Cover cucumber plants with insect netting to prevent cucumber beetles from reaching them.

🌱Consider parthenocarpic cucumber varieties that don't require pollination for fruit set.

Exclusively grow burpless varieties to eliminate vulnerability to cucumber beetles.

🦋Be open-minded and try new varieties for a cucumber beetle-free garden.

Q&A

What chemical attracts cucumber beetles to cucumber plants?

Cucumber beetles are attracted to the chemical cucurbitacin, which is naturally produced by cucumber plants.

Do burpless cucumber varieties produce any cucurbitacin?

Burpless cucumber varieties produce cucurbitacin in reduced levels, making them less attractive to cucumber beetles.

Do parthenocarpic cucumbers require pollination?

No, parthenocarpic cucumbers do not require pollination as they can set fruit without fertilization.

Can I still grow my favorite cucumber varieties without attracting cucumber beetles?

Yes, you can find burpless and parthenocarpic varieties of your favorite cucumbers that are less attractive to cucumber beetles.

Will covering cucumber plants with netting affect pollination?

If you choose parthenocarpic varieties, pollination is not necessary. Otherwise, you may need to manually hand-pollinate the flowers within the netting.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Learn how to grow cucumbers without dealing with the troublesome cucumber beetles.

03:43Plant burpless cucumber varieties that produce low levels of the chemical cucurbitacin, reducing their attractiveness to cucumber beetles.

06:28Cover cucumber plants with insect netting to keep cucumber beetles away.

09:58Consider parthenocarpic cucumber varieties that do not require pollination for fruit set.