The cucumbers were growing on the vine. The vine was full of them. Growing, getting larger, but there was a problem. They were white. I had never seen a white cucumber. Very odd.
And so, I wondered. Were they getting plenty of sun? Perhaps that was why they were light in color. But, no, they were in full sun. That couldn't be the explanation. Were they just immature? I know cucumbers start out green, and stay that way. Again, that wasn't it.
Still I wondered. Were they rotten? No, I felt of them - their little white skins were firm. No holes, no bugs.
It was baffling.
I didn't want to disappoint Mr. Holleygarden. He has been so proud of his garden. And yet - the cucumbers were white!
Then one day, he accused me of not paying attention. "There are a lot of cucumbers out there - and they're growing too big! Why haven't you started picking them?"
"Because they're white! I don't know what's wrong with them!"
He rolled his eyes at me. This is a bad habit most of my family members have. And they seem to direct this malady in my direction most of the time.
In a totally disgusted voice, he said flatly. "They're supposed to be white. They're heirlooms. They're called White Wonders."
Well, that explains a lot!
And now that I don't have to wonder any more, I am amazed at the cucumbers. They are delicious. And producing quite a bit. They really are a white wonder!
Have you ever heard of White Wonders? Have you ever grown a white cucumber?
I've never heard of or seen a white cucumber before today. I am assuming they taste the same. The two you show are shorter and fatter than what I see around. Interesting looking.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
haha Holley! I would also have thought something was wrong with the white cucumbers! You are not alone :)
ReplyDeleteThis was funny. Heirlooms are often very different looking and it was good the hubby asked you why you were leaving them on the vine.
ReplyDeleteI would have done the exact same thing...they look very interesting! How do they taste?
ReplyDeleteI thought maybe they were squash. I would love to try them. If they are heirloom I hope you plan on saving the seed. It's so hard to get really good tasting cucumbers any more.
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading I wondered 'perhaps they are just white?'. What do you know, before today I've never heard of a white cucumber. Isn't it amazing the different heirloom varieties available and how different they look? I once did something similar with a yellow tomato that I left on the vine cause it just wouldn't ripen to red.
ReplyDeleteI guess it slipped Mr. HolleyGarden's mind to mention that the cukes would be white this year. I think he got ya on that one. They look like albino whales. Hope they taste good!
ReplyDeleteWhat makes them heirloom? They're being different from what we are used to? I've never heard of them either.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen white cucumbers and would love to try one. But my question is why didn't Mr. Holleygarden pick them himself? :-)
ReplyDeleteLOL! I learn something new. Do you roll your eyes back?
ReplyDeleteJennifer@threedogsinagarden
ReplyDeleteI have never seen this kind of cucumbers before. My first thought was that they were squash. It would be interesting to know the background on these heirlooms.
Cher - They are a bit short and fat - kind of the same size as what you would see from a Jumbo Pickle jar at a fair or ballgame. They have a very delicate cucumber-y taste.
ReplyDeleteGardening Blog - I'm glad I'm not the only one!
GWGT - I never knew there were white cucumbers, but you're right - with heirlooms sometimes you don't know what to expect, if you didn't plant the seed!
Sage Butterfly - They are really quite good. Taste like a good cucumber. Like the difference between a tomato in the store and a homegrown tomato. This tastes like a good homegrown cucumber. Very delicate flavor.
Carol - This year my goal was to grow heirloom and learn to save the seed, so yes, I'm definitely going to try to save the seed on these!
Marguerite - haha - Yes, I can see wondering why a yellow tomato wouldn't turn red, too! You were smart to guess they're just white - I had never heard of a white cucumber!
Sherry - hahaha - I guess he did forget to mention it, or perhaps I wasn't listening! Your description of albino whales made me laugh!
Marcia - They're older plants, ones whose seeds can be saved from year to year, not a hybrid whose seeds are not viable, and not patented. I thought it would be fun to try to save the seeds this year, just to learn something new and experience the full circle of growing.
Carolyn - I usually go down there every day, picking things off the vine, and planning our meals from the harvest. He saw them when he went down there to weed. He had been watching them for a while, wondering why we weren't eating any!
One - Well, actually, yes, I do! I guess it affects all of us!
Jennifer - Hmmm, I don't know the background. That would be interesting to look up. We're definitely going to try them again next year!
ReplyDeleteOh, how fun! I love growing new (old) varieties of vegetables that are not in the stores. I have white and pink radishes, purple beans that turn green when you cook them, beets that have swirls, and purple carrots growing ... but not white cucumbers. Those I will have to try next year!
ReplyDeleteViolet Fern - Your varieties sound fabulous! I hope you do give these a try. I may have to give purple carrots a try!
ReplyDeleteThat was funny! I love this post. I've never seen white cucumber, interesting. It's my first time trying to grow cucumbers from seeds. I started with bush cucumbers and lemon cucumbers. Let's see how my garden does. I recently moved from CA to ID. I'm still wondering how gardening is like here. Have a great weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteAhhh, the white cucumbers are amazing! I thought they were squash or something like that at first. I can't even get the green ones to grow :)
ReplyDeletePriscilla - I hope your cucumbers do well, and that you find some really fun plants to grow in your new zone!
ReplyDeleteKelli - We are always amazed when things grow here, too. It's not only a science, it's really an art when you're dealing with all the changes in the weather!
I enjoyed the story of the mysterious white cucumbers. I planted some heirlooms, but they are just coming up, and I don't remember the name of them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your nice comment on my GBBD post. It took a few years to get baby's breath plants to live over the winter, and the two plants I currently have have been there a number of years.
I'm laughing out loud! I never knew there were white cucumbers either! Honestly, I would have been just as baffled! You are too funny. Glad you're enjoying all of your cukes!
ReplyDeleteCorner Gardener Sue - I hope your heirlooms do well. I've always loved baby's breath, but never see it in gardens.
ReplyDeleteCathy and Steve - I hope to gather enough to make several jars of pickles. Now that I know what they are, I'm excited to see them on the vine!
Wow! I have never ever seen a white cucumber until a minute ago when I looked at your picture :). Thanks for telling me about it!
ReplyDeleteWow!It's very big and white...incredible!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice Sunday1
Monica
Masha - I'm glad I'm not the only one it may have baffled! I forget sometimes that vegetables really do come in all different colors, not just the ones at the grocery store!
ReplyDeleteMonica - And now I think I prefer the white cucumbers to the green ones! But I do wonder if I'll feel the same way about a white pickle!
white huh? I thought you were pulling my leg. You'll have to plant black ones next year, or red. that would be cool.
ReplyDeleteGreggo - haha - we'll probably stay with the white ones next year, but who knows? Maybe we'll go for purple ones!
ReplyDeleteDear Holley, So I had to show this to my husband, and of course he knew about white cucumbers. He's a non-gardener so how is it he knew and I didn't? P. x
ReplyDeletePam - Perhaps his parents or grandparents grew these? Being an heirloom, they were probably more popular years ago than they are now.
ReplyDelete