How much sunlight do cucumber plants require?

Plants require a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight each day to produce fruit in abundance. They will not flower at all, and the fruits formed will be stunted if daylight is short. Generally, rays of the sun filtered by morning clouds are most beneficial, especially in hot climates, when sunshine would only scorch the leaves of such plants.

Container placement: for maximum light exposure south-facing locations are best. Rotate the pots frequently in hot weather to provide the maximum amount of light exposure and, in cities, to alleviate the effect of pollution. Light coloured containers are better at deflecting excess heat and preventing the roots from overheating in sunrocketing temperatures.

Shade management: In extreme heat (above 95°F), we use 30% shade cloth for midday coverage to prevent flower drop. Place the plants where they get the early morning sun directly while filtering the intense rays of the afternoon. This occurs when blossoms begin to develop as the plants are also able to photosynthesise while not being heat stressed.

Supplemental lighting helps. In low-sun regions, hang LED grow lights approximately 12 inches above your plants and leave them on for 14 to 16 hours per day. Look for bulbs with the full-spectrum wavelength of 400 to 700 nm, which work nicely for planting cucumbers in greenhouses or indoors.

Monitor seasonally changing sunlight patterns. Utilize sunlight calculators, or simply observe daily changes in sunlight exposure. As the sun angle shifts, adjust plants accordingly. Sunlight management is directly related to cucumber harvest yield and overall quality of fruit.

Read the full article: How to Grow Cucumbers Successfully