Why do cucumbers grow crooked: the answer to a popular question
Many people wonder why cucumbers grow crooked.
The secret may be that it is caused by strange mutations or genetic defects. Although this is quite a common phenomenon in the plant world.
Cucumbers belong to the Cucurbitaceae family, which also includes pumpkins, squashes and melons.
In turn, pumpkin plants are distinguished by a special type of growth called “twisting.”
This happens because the stems reach for the light when they are young and flexible. The cucumber stem looks for support and twists around it to rise higher.
However, it does not grow in a straight line, but has a hooked appearance.
As cucumbers grow, small bristles appear on the stem, which help them cling to support.
If the cucumber does not find support, it may continue to grow in a hooked shape. However, once it finds support and begins to climb, further growth of the stem occurs straight and without bending.
In addition, twisting the stem allows cucumbers to use light more efficiently. After all, if the stem grew straight, one side of the plant would receive a greater share of light than the other.
Thus, it can be concluded that the hookedness of cucumbers is not a defect, but the result of a natural adaptation that allows plants to use light more efficiently and provide support on supports.
This is one of the many interesting aspects in the world of plant biology that may generate interest and respect for this wonderful vegetable.
Earlier we told you what a farmer’s feeding scheme for tomatoes looks like.
