Hybrid cucumber seed Tetsukabuto Rootstock

New! Rootstock for thin-skinned cukes. Excellent for grafting to Beit Alpha types such as Katrina, Socrates, and Poniente. Improves cold soil tolerance to enable earlier tunnel plantings. Also increases vigor and yield over a long season and has helped deter spider mites in our trials. NOTE: Flavor of some varieties may be affected by the graft. This effect is minimal with thin-skinned types, but more pronounced in others. Avg. 2,200 seeds/lb. SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cucurbita Maxima CULTURE: Fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0–6.8 is best. Plastic mulch and fabric row covers (AG-19 grade) can aide plant establishment and exclude insect pests during the seedling stage. Row covers should be removed when plants begin to flower. Poor fruit development may indicate insufficient pollination. TRANSPLANTING: Sow 2-3 seeds per 2" container or plug flat about 3 weeks prior to transplanting. Thin to 1 plant/container or cell with scissors. Harden plants 4–7 days prior to transplanting. After danger of frost has passed, transplant out according to the spacing recommendations for each variety. Handle seedlings carefully; minimal root disturbance is best. DIRECT SEEDING: Sow 2 seeds at the appropriate spacing interval for the variety's vine length, 1/2-1" deep. Thin to 1 plant per spacing interval after seedlings are established.