How to Grow Kakdi in Pots | Growing Indian Cucumber

Kakdi is one of the most famous Indian vegetables you can grow in the months of summer! Let’s have a look at how to cultivate it.

Kakdi is popular worldwide for its crisp texture and refreshing taste. It is a low-calorie vegetable and an excellent hydration source as it contains more than 96% water. Kakdi is also a good vitamin K, vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber source, making it one of the best options for simmers in India!

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Kakdi In English

Kakdi In English is popular as Cucumber though people call it by different names in different parts of the country.

Kakdi Information

Kakdi belongs to the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae. It is a warm-season vegetable that requires support to climb and can grow upto a height of 3-6 feet.

Indian Cucumbers are low in calories and consist mostly of water. They are a good source of several vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin K, Vitamin C, and potassium. They also contain antioxidants and small amounts of fiber. People also pickle them and add them to sandwiches and smoothies.

Botanical Name: Cucumis sativus

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How to Grow Kakdi in Pots?

To grow Kakdi in pots, purchase healthy seeds from the nursery and soak them in water for 24 hours.

Plant the seeds about 1 inch deep in a pot with a well-draining potting mix.
Water well and ensure it gets plenty of dappled sunlight.
Kakdi is a vining plant and requires support to climb. Install trellises, stakes, or cages to support the plants.

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Requirements to Grow Kakdi in Pots

Sunlight

Cucumbers need full sun to grow and produce the best yields. Plant them in a location that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. If your garden is not in a sunny spot, use reflective materials such as white fabric or aluminum foil to reflect more light onto the kakdi plants.

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Soil

Indian Cucumbers prefer well-draining, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. The ideal soil should contain plenty of organic matter, such as compost manure or peat moss, to help retain moisture and provide essential nutrients.

Water

Cucumbers need plenty of moisture in order to grow and produce healthy fruits. It’s best to water cucumbers deeply and regularly, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

For best results, water the cucumbers early in the morning so that the leaves have time to dry off before nighttime.

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Temperature

Kakdi requires warm and humid weather to grow properly. The ideal temperature range for growing cucumbers is between 21-34°C.

Kakdi Care

Kakdi 2 — shutterstock/Miriam Doerr Martin Frommherz

Fertilizer

Use a balanced liquid fertlizer once a month to ensure the plant grows the best quality kakdi. Look for a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen and high in potassium.

Additionally, you can use a fertilizer that contains micronutrients such as iron, magnesium, and calcium to provide your cucumbers with the additional nutrition needed for healthy growth.

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Pest and Diseases

Common pests and diseases of Kakdi include aphids, cucumber beetles, powdery mildew, downy mildew, Fusarium wilt, and anthracnose.

You can control these issues with crop rotation, the use of resistant varieties, and the application of insecticidal soap or neem oil solution.

Harvesting Kakdi in Pots

Depending on the variety, you can harvest kakdi when it reaches 4-8 inches in length. If you’re growing kakdi in a greenhouse, you will likely want to pick it when it is smaller.

To pick a Indian Cucumber, hold the stem and gently twist it off the vine. If the cucumber does not come off easily, use a pair of scissors or pruning shears to cut the stem.