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How to Grow Cucumber, Burpless Suyo Long

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Cucumber, Burpless Suyo Long

Cucumis sativus 'Suyo Long'

vegetable

Suyo Long is a Japanese burpless cucumber variety known for its long, slender fruits (10-14 inches) with thin skin and crisp, sweet flesh that lacks the bitter compounds causing digestive discomfort. This high-yielding vine produces abundant cucumbers ideal for fresh eating, slicing, and Asian cuisine. The variety is disease-resistant and thrives in warm climates with consistent moisture.

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Example Cucumber, Burpless Suyo Long timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Cucumber, Burpless Suyo Long

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Cucumber, Burpless Suyo Long

    Around Jun 6

    ≈ 50 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Cucumber, Burpless Suyo Long dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum (8+ hours preferred)
💧
Water: Consistent moisture; 1-2 inches per week through drip irrigation or soaking. Water at soil level in early morning to prevent fungal diseases. Avoid wetting foliage.
📏
Spacing: 12 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 50-70 days from transplant
🌱
Planting depth: 1 inch for seeds; transplants at same depth as nursery pot

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
compost aged manure peat moss perlite for drainage

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 5-10; can be grown in zone 3-4 with season extension

3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

7-10 days

Cotyledons emerge, followed by first true leaves. Plants are delicate with tender stems.

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light (grow lights if indoors). Thin to strongest seedling if direct seeding. Maintain 70-75°F temperature.

2

Vegetative Growth

2-3 weeks

Rapid vine development with multiple leaf nodes; vines grow 6-12 inches per week in warm conditions. No flowers yet.

Ensure consistent watering and fertilize with balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) every 2-3 weeks. Train vines onto trellis or support to improve air circulation and reduce disease. Mulch around base to retain moisture.

3

Flowering

1-2 weeks

Yellow flowers appear at leaf nodes; male flowers emerge first, followed by female flowers (identified by small cucumber behind flower).

Maintain consistent watering to prevent flower drop. Switch to higher phosphorus fertilizer (5-10-10) to support fruiting. Ensure adequate pollinator access or hand-pollinate if needed in greenhouse settings.

4

Fruiting

3-4 weeks peak production

Small cucumber fruits develop rapidly from female flowers, growing 1-2 inches daily in optimal conditions. Fruits reach harvest size (10-14 inches) within 7-10 days.

Continue consistent deep watering; fruiting demands significant water. Apply balanced or slightly potassium-rich fertilizer every 10-14 days. Harvest frequently to encourage continued production. Support heavy fruit clusters with slings or netting.

5

Harvest & Decline

Until frost or end of season

Fruits mature continuously with regular picking. Vine productivity declines in late summer as temperatures drop or plants exhaust energy reserves.

Pick cucumbers at 10-14 inches for peak tenderness and flavor. Remove yellowing or diseased leaves. Continue feeding until frost. In areas with fall growing season, plants may revive with cooler temperatures.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

radish marigold nasturtium dill corn beans peas lettuce

Avoid planting near:

sage fennel aromatic herbs brassicas (in some cases)

Common Pests

  • Use row covers until flowering; plant trap crops (squash, melon); hand-pick adults; apply neem oil or spinosad; encourage beneficial insects.

  • Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur dust or potassium bicarbonate; remove infected leaves; ensure adequate spacing.

  • Use disease-resistant varieties when possible; improve drainage; apply copper fungicide; remove infected foliage; increase spacing for air flow.

  • Spray with strong water stream; apply insecticidal soap; use neem oil; introduce ladybugs and lacewings; reflective mulch can deter.

  • Increase humidity and mist foliage; spray with neem oil or miticide; remove heavily infested leaves; ensure adequate water availability.

  • Plant disease-resistant varieties; practice crop rotation (3-year minimum); remove infected plants immediately; improve drainage; sterilize tools.

Uses

🍳

Fresh Slicing & Salads

Culinary

Burpless Suyo Long cucumbers are ideal for fresh eating, slicing into salads, and sushi preparation due to their thin skin, crisp texture, and mild flavor. The thin skin eliminates peeling, making them convenient for raw consumption. [source]

🍳

Asian Cuisine

Culinary

The long, slender form and tender texture are traditional in Japanese, Chinese, and Southeast Asian recipes including cold noodle dishes, stir-fries, and pickled preparations. The burpless quality makes it ideal for dishes where whole cucumbers are served. [source]

🍳

Pickling

Culinary

While less traditional than pickling varieties, the firm texture and lack of bitterness make Suyo Long suitable for fresh pickles and refrigerator pickles with minimal processing. [source]

🏠

Low-Residue Digestibility

Household

Burpless varieties lack the bitter compound cucurbitacins that some find cause digestive discomfort or burping. The thin skin and tender flesh are also easier to digest than thicker-skinned varieties. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

Cucumber flowers provide pollen and nectar for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, supporting garden ecosystem health while improving fruit set through pollinator activity. [source]

Harvest Tips

Pick fruits at 10-14 inches long when skin is still thin and dark green for best flavor and texture. Suyo Long is at peak quality before reaching full 14-inch size. Harvest every 2-3 days to encourage continuous production. Twist gently at the stem or use scissors to avoid damaging vines. Morning harvest yields crispest cucumbers. Overripe fruits (swollen, yellow tinged) indicate plant stress and should be removed to redirect energy.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Suyo Long is a Japanese heirloom variety that has been cultivated for centuries; 'Suyo' refers to its sleek, elegant form resembling silk ribbons.
  • 🌱 Cucumbers are 95% water by weight, making them excellent for hydration, yet they require consistent watering for optimal growth—a seeming paradox that highlights the plant's thirsty nature.
  • 🌱 Burpless cucumbers lack the bitter compound cucurbitacin not through genetic mutation but through selective breeding for low levels of this naturally-occurring defensive chemical.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Full Sun Mulch pH Trellis True Leaves
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