Seedless and Thin-skinned Cucumbers

Types of thin-skinned cucumbers

Thin-skinned cucumbers are a loose group, but they share tender skin and few or small seeds. Here's how the main types differ.

European (English). Long, slender, nearly spineless fruit around 12 to 14 in. long. Most are parthenocarpic, which means they set fruit without pollination, so they're typically grown in greenhouses or tunnels where bees are kept out. Pollinated fruit can become seedy and misshapen. The thin skin loses moisture quickly, which is why supermarket versions come shrink-wrapped.

Mini or snacking (Beit Alpha). Smooth, thin-skinned fruit picked at 4 to 6 in. Katrina and similar varieties are parthenocarpic and very productive in high tunnels and greenhouses, with sweet, crisp flesh and no bitterness. They're popular with kids and in lunchboxes, and many sell well at farmers' markets.

Middle Eastern. Short, smooth fruit with a slightly blocky shape. Gimlet and similar types are grown in fields or tunnels and stay crisp when picked young.

Asian (Japanese and Chinese). Long, slender fruits, often ridged or bumpy, with a crisp, sweet flavor and small seeds. Itachi is a white-skinned Japanese type. Asian cucumbers are generally grown on trellises, which keeps the fruit straight. Many tolerate heat well.

Picking the right type

For a heated greenhouse or a winter tunnel, European types give the most weight per plant over a long season. Minis are the easiest to sell, since shoppers can grab a bag for snacking, and they also do well in smaller tunnels. Middle Eastern types are a good match for field growers who want thin skin without the cost of a protected structure. Asian types handle summer heat and humidity better than most and suit growers in the South and lower Midwest. Many growers carry two types so they can cover both wholesale and farmers' market customers.

Growing tips

Trellis all of these types for straight fruit and better air circulation. Parthenocarpic varieties should be kept apart from bee-pollinated cucumbers, since cross-pollination causes seedy, misshapen fruit. Keep plants evenly watered, since moisture stress causes bitterness and poorly shaped fruit. In a greenhouse, prune to a single stem with an umbrella system for the highest yields. Most of our thin-skinned cucumbers carry resistance to powdery mildew and cucumber mosaic virus, among other diseases.

Harvest every day or two in peak season. Store at about 50°F, not colder, since cucumbers are sensitive to chilling injury. Wrap European types in film or sell them quickly, since the thin skin loses moisture in a day or two.