VegetableCucumber
Delikatesse Cucumber
Delikatesse Cucumber is a prolific open-pollinated heirloom that delivers abundant harvests of small, pale lime-green fruits dotted with delicate warts. Ready to pick in 60-69 days, these slender cucumbers reach 6-10 inches long but reward early picking with tender, crisp pickles. Hardy across zones 2-12 and equally at home in garden beds, containers, or greenhouses, this European heirloom brings both productivity and nostalgic charm to any growing space.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-12
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Growth Stats
48 in
Height
TypeVining
Spacing
18
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-12
Size
48in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
Pale lime-green skin studded with small warts gives Delikatesse a distinctive, almost jewel-like appearance that stands out among everyday slicing varieties. The real appeal lies in its flexibility: harvest at full size for slicing or pick young and tender for exceptional pickles. Abundant yields and reliable growth across an unusually wide hardiness range make this one of those rare varieties that performs equally well whether you're gardening in cool northern climates or warm southern zones.
Common Uses
Delikatesse excels as both a fresh slicing cucumber and a pickling cucumber, though its true calling emerges when picked small and tender for homemade pickles. The delicate flesh and thin skin make it particularly suited to crisp, traditional pickle preparations where a tender bite is essential. At full maturity, the cucumbers slice cleanly for fresh salads or chilled summer dishes, though their smaller size makes them less practical for thick-sliced applications.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings outdoors once soil temperature reaches 60-65°F and all danger of frost has passed. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before planting. Space transplants 18 inches apart in rows 48 inches apart.
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed to at least 60°F. Plant seeds 1 inch deep, spaced 6-12 inches apart, then thin seedlings to 18 inches apart once they develop their first true leaves.
Harvesting
Begin harvesting when cucumbers reach 6-10 inches long, though the variety's real magic emerges when you pick younger, smaller fruits at 4-6 inches for tender, crisp pickles. Check plants every 2-3 days during peak season, as cucumbers grow quickly and become seedy if left too long on the vine. Harvest by gently twisting and snapping the fruit from the stem, or use a knife to avoid damaging the vine. The pale lime-green skin will darken slightly as fruits mature; pick before they yellow for the best quality. Regular harvesting encourages continuous flower and fruit production throughout the season.
Pruning
Delikatesse's vining growth habit benefits from gentle training and selective pruning. Train main vines onto your support structure as they grow, tying them loosely with soft twine to prevent damage. Pinch off lateral shoots on the lower 12 inches of the plant to improve air circulation and reduce disease pressure. Remove any dead leaves or overly tangled growth that shades developing fruit, but avoid excessive pruning that could stress the plant.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Cucumis sativus
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Genus
Cucumis
Growth Habit
Vining
Native Status
L48 (I)HI (I)PR (I)CAN (W)
History & Origin
“Delikatesse is a European heirloom cucumber, part of the rich tradition of open-pollinated varieties that seed savers and gardeners have stewarded through generations. Its heritage speaks to the long history of cucumber breeding in Europe, where selecting for both fresh eating and pickling qualities created versatile kitchen staples. As an open-pollinated variety, Delikatesse represents the kind of seed-saving legacy that allows home gardeners to participate directly in agricultural continuity, saving seeds year after year without hybrid vigor loss.”