Pickle Plant: Guide to the Care, Growth, and More

The phrase “pickle plant” can spark some confusion. Do we mean a bizarre plant that looks like an incredibly small, wary cucumber? Or are we talking about the exact varieties of cucumber you can cultivate to make delicious pickles at home? It’s both. This guide will take you through both sides of the plant that produces pickles providing you with the necessary information to cultivate either the beautiful ornamental or perfect pickling vegetable.

If you’re a lover of succulents seeking a unique addition to your collection, or someone who is a gardener wanting to harvest your own cucumbers for pickling, you’ve found the right website. We’ll provide everything from the maintenance and maintenance of the succulent plant to choosing and cultivating the most desirable cucumbers to can for your adventures in canning. Prepare to dive into the wonderful and sometimes unexpected world of the plant that makes pickles.

Understanding the “Pickle Plant” Nickname

First, let’s clear up the main point of confusion. The nickname “pickle plant” is used for two very different types of plants.

1. The Pickle Plant Succulent (Delosperma echinatum): This is a small, low-growing succulent native to South Africa. Its charming, pickle-shaped leaves are covered in fine, hair-like spines, giving it a fuzzy, bumpy appearance. It’s grown purely for its unique ornamental value.
2. Pickling Cucumber Plants (Cucumis sativus): These are specific varieties of cucumber vines cultivated for their ideal size, texture, and flavor for pickling. They are garden vegetables grown for an edible harvest.

This article will address both, starting with the fascinating succulent before moving on to the garden vegetable.

The Pickle Plant Succulent (Delosperma echinatum): A Grower’s Guide

The pickle plant also known as the Ice Plant is a beautiful and low-maintenance plant that is perfect for collectors who are new and experienced alike. The plump stems, reminiscent of pickles, make it stand out when placed in a succulent planter, or hanging basket.

Ideal Growing Conditions

Making the right habitat is crucial to ensure the growth of Delosperma echinatum. As with all succulents it is attracted to conditions that resemble its natural habitat.

Light Requirements

Your pickle plant succulent craves bright light. An area that gets at minimum six hours of bright indirect sunlight per day is the ideal spot. An east-facing window is the ideal choice in indoor gardens. If you notice that the stems are getting spread out and brittle (a process known as Etiolation) is an obvious sign that your plant requires more sunlight.

Soil and Potting

It is essential to have a well-drained soil for succulents. Choose a succulent or cactus-specific plant potting mix. You can make your own mix by mixing equal parts potting dirt perlite, perlite along with coarse sand. This allows water to drain quickly, keeping the roots from being soaked and becoming rotten. Make sure you use a pot with drainage holes.

Watering Needs

The most frequent mistake made by succulents is to overwater. The plant that is picked has very little need for water. Apply this “soak and dry” method to water the soil thoroughly until the water drains out from the drainage hole, then let the soil dry completely before re-watering. Also, during the growth season (spring as well as summer) it’s possible to be able to water the soil every 2 or 3 weeks. In the dormant period (fall or winter) you can water less frequently, as little as every month, or lower.

Temperature and Humidity

This succulent is a fan of warm, dry climates. It thrives in household temperatures of 65-80 degrees (18-27degC). It is tolerant of lower temperatures but needs to protect itself from freezing, which can harm or kill the plant. The average humidity in the home is acceptable and does not need a humid atmosphere.

Propagation: Making More Pickle Plants

One of the most rewarding aspects of growing succulents is how easy they are to propagate. You can easily create new pickle plants from stem cuttings.

1. Take a Cutting: Using a clean, sharp knife or scissors, snip off a healthy stem that is at least 2-3 inches long.
2. Let it Callus: Place the cutting in a dry, shaded area for a few days. This allows the cut end to dry and form a callus, which prevents it from rotting when you plant it.
3. Plant the Cutting: Once callused, insert the cut end into a pot filled with well-draining succulent soil.
4. Wait for Roots: Do not water for the first week or two. This encourages the cutting to send out roots in search of moisture. After a couple of weeks, you can begin watering sparingly, following the “soak and dry” method. Roots should form within a month.

The Pickle Plant Succulent Flower

This quirky plant is blooming! If given enough light and the right maintenance, the plant will produce tiny daisy-like blooms. The succulent plant flower is usually white or yellow and is usually seen in the season of spring and summer. These vibrant blooms add a dimension of beauty to a plant already captivating. To encourage flowering, make sure your plant is getting plenty of sunlight throughout the growing season.

Common Problems and Solutions

• Mushy, Yellowing Stems: This is a typical indication of excessive watering and root decay. The soil should dry completely. If the problem continues it may be necessary to plant the plant again in new, dry soil. Also, cut off any roots that are black or mushy.
• Stretched, Sparse Growth: The plant isn’t receiving enough sunlight. Change it to a more sunny spot.
• Pests: Pickled plants generally resist insects, but they sometimes attract mealybugs and spider mites. If you find these pests, dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol to eliminate them, and then treat your plant with Neem oil.

Growing Pickling Cucumber Plants for Homemade Pickles

We’ll now shift our focus from ornamental to edible. If you want to create crisp, delicious pickles, then you must cultivate the right variety of cucumber. Although you can technically pickle any cucumber you want, some varieties are specifically bred to be used for pickling.

What Makes a Good Pickling Cucumber?

Pickling cucumbers differ from slicing cucumbers (the kind you’d put in a salad) in several ways:

• Size: They are typically shorter and blockier.
• Skin: The skin is thinner and often bumpy or spiny, which allows the pickling brine to penetrate more easily.
• Flesh: The flesh is denser and less watery, which helps them stay crisp after pickling.
• Seed Cavity: They have a smaller seed cavity.

Best Cucumbers to Plant for Pickles

If you’re ready to start growing your own, you can look for seeds or even starter plants of these best-performing cucumbers for pickling.

• Boston Pickling: An heirloom variety dating back to the 19th century. It produces an abundance of short, blocky cucumbers perfect for pickles.
• National Pickling: Developed in partnership with the National Pickle Packers Association, this is a reliable and highly productive choice. It’s known for its classic pickle look and crisp texture.
• Bush Pickle: This is a fantastic option for gardeners with limited space. It grows in a compact, bushy form rather than a long, sprawling vine, making it ideal for container gardening.
• Parisian Pickling: A French heirloom variety that produces small cucumbers known as cornichons. These are perfect for making tiny, gourmet pickles.

How to Grow Your Pickling Cucumber Plants

Growing cucumbers is a rewarding summer project. They grow quickly and, with the right care, will give you a bountiful harvest.

Planting

Cucumbers are warm-season crops. Plant them in your garden after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up to at least 70°F (21°C).

• Location: Choose a spot that gets full sun (at least 6-8 hours a day).
• Soil: They prefer rich, well-drained soil. Amend your garden bed with plenty of compost or well-rotted manure before planting.
• Spacing: Plant seeds or seedlings according to the package directions. Vining types will need plenty of room to sprawl, or you can grow them vertically on a trellis to save space and improve air circulation.

Watering and Care

Cucumbers are thirsty plants, composed of about 95% water.

• Watering: Provide consistent and deep watering, about one inch per week. Inconsistent watering can lead to bitter-tasting cucumbers.
• Fertilizing: Feed your plants with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer once they start to develop vines and again when they begin to flower.
• Trellising: For vining varieties, providing a trellis or cage is highly recommended. This keeps the fruit off the ground, which results in cleaner, straighter cucumbers and helps prevent disease.

Harvesting for Peak Pickling Quality

The timing of your harvest is crucial for making great pickles.

• Size Matters: Pick cucumbers when they reach the ideal size for your desired pickles. For gherkins or cornichons, pick them when they are just 2-3 inches long. For classic dill pickles, harvest at 4-6 inches.
• Don’t Wait: Do not let them get too large or yellow on the vine. Overripe cucumbers will have tough skin and large seeds, and they will produce soft, hollow pickles.
• Harvest Often: Check your plants daily once they start producing. The more you pick, the more the plant will produce. Use a knife or shears to cut the cucumbers from the vine, leaving a small piece of stem attached.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is the pickle plant succulent toxic to pets?
Delosperma echinatum is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. However, it’s always best to prevent pets from chewing on any houseplant.

2. Why are my homemade pickles soft?
Soft pickles can result from several factors: using overripe cucumbers, not trimming off the blossom end (which contains enzymes that cause softening), or using a brine that isn’t acidic enough.

3. Can I grow a pickle plant succulent outdoors?
Yes, you can grow Delosperma echinatum outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. In colder climates, it can be grown outdoors as an annual or brought inside for the winter.

4. How often should I harvest my pickling cucumber plants?
During peak season, you should plan to harvest every one to two days. Frequent harvesting encourages the plant to produce more fruit and ensures you are picking cucumbers at their ideal size.

5. Why are my pickle plant succulent’s leaves shriveling?
Shriveled leaves can be a sign of both under- and overwatering. Check the soil. If it’s bone dry, the plant is thirsty. If it’s damp, the roots have likely rotted from too much water and can no longer absorb moisture.

6. Do I need to pollinate my cucumber plants?
Most cucumber varieties require pollination by bees to produce fruit. If you have low bee activity, you can hand-pollinate by transferring pollen from a male flower to a female flower with a small paintbrush. Some varieties are “parthenocarpic,” meaning they produce fruit without pollination.

7. What’s the difference between a bush pickle and a vining pickle plant?
A bush pickle plant grows in a compact, contained form, making it great for small gardens or containers. A vining plant sends out long vines that will spread out over the ground or climb a trellis. Vining types often produce a larger harvest over a longer period.

Conclusion: Embrace the World of Pickles

It doesn’t matter if it’s the enchanting appeal of the soft, green succulent or the delicious crunch of a homemade pickle that you’ve grown yourself or a homemade pickle, the “pickle plant” offers something to every gardener. The succulent is a low-maintenance, visually stunning feature to any indoor garden, rewarding observant owners with its unique shape and bright flowers. However, the cultivation of pickling cucumbers will connect you with your food and provide an abundance of fruits that you can turn into an ingredient for your pantry.

We’ve addressed the unique needs of both plants including the soil and sun requirements of the Delosperma Echinatum, the most suitable cultivars and harvesting methods to harvest Cucumis Sativus. With this information you’re now able to grow the pickle plant that has caught your attention. Choose which route you’ll follow–either edible or ornamental–and begin your exciting journey into the realm of the pickles.