China Long is a hybrid cucumber that matures in just 50, 59 days, bringing early summer harvests to gardens across zones 2, 13. This sooyow-type variety produces slender fruits with thin, spiny skin that requires no peeling, simply wash away the spines and eat. Bred for heat tolerance and disease resistance, it thrives in full sun with moderate water and neutral soil (pH 6.0, 7.0). The vining plants reach 24, 36 inches tall and yield abundantly over the season, making it a reliable choice for both home gardeners and those new to cucumber growing.
Full Sun
Moderate
2-13
36in H x ?in W
—
High
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China Long stands out for its no-peel convenience; the thin skin and fine spines wash clean away, letting you enjoy the crisp flesh immediately. The early maturity window of 50, 59 days means you'll be harvesting before many other cucumber varieties even flower. Its exceptional heat tolerance and built-in disease resistance remove two of the most common barriers to cucumber success, while the prolific vining growth ensures continuous harvests throughout the warm season.
China Long is eaten fresh, straight from the vine or after a quick rinse to remove the spines. The tender skin and crisp texture lend themselves well to slicing for salads, pickling, and fresh snacking. Its quick maturity and prolific yields make it excellent for meal prep and preservation, whether quick-pickled or fermented. The burpless characteristics mentioned in related sooyow varieties suggest it digests easily, making it particularly suited for fresh eating.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 3, 4 weeks before your last spring frost in pots with warm soil (65, 80°F). Transplant into the garden only after the soil has warmed and all frost danger has passed. Hybrid cucumbers often establish faster when direct sown, so indoor starting is optional unless you're extending a short growing season.
Harden off seedlings over 7, 10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions. Transplant when soil temperature is consistently above 60°F and preferably closer to 70°F. Plant at the same depth they were growing in their containers and space 18 inches apart in rows 24 inches apart.
Direct sow seeds 1/2 to 3/4 inch deep into warm soil (65, 80°F minimum, ideally 70°F or warmer) after the last frost date. Sow seeds in hills or rows, spacing them 18 inches apart. Germination typically occurs within 7, 10 days in warm soil.
Pick cucumbers when they reach 6, 8 inches long and still feel firm and glossy to the touch. Harvest every 2, 3 days once production begins to encourage continued flowering and prevent overmature fruit from draining plant energy. The thin skin should feel smooth and slightly bumpy with fine spines, and the fruit should snap cleanly when bent. Regular harvesting over the 50, 59 day window and beyond will maintain steady yields throughout the season.
China Long's vining growth habit benefits from trellising or support, which improves air circulation and reduces disease while saving garden space. Train main vines up a trellis, stakes, or cage and allow lateral branches to develop naturally. You can remove lower leaves once the plant is established to improve airflow around the base. Pinching off shoot tips is optional and not necessary for this variety; the prolific flowering and fruiting habit produces plenty without intervention.
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