The netting over the PVC cage came off when I harvested the leaf lettuce in the other 10 gallon bin, next to the cukes in the same cage. The netting could have stayed on over the cuke cage (if the cage were much bigger), since this cuke variety is parthenocarpic (self pollinating). But it seems to be fine as the bugs are pretty much leaving the cuke alone.
The leaves on this variety are much smaller and much fewer in number than any other variety of pickling cucumber- making it the perfect cucumber for hydroponic growing. I haven’t needed to replace any nutrient solution yet which is remarkable given the number of cukes I’ve already harvested for salads and the number still growing. Also, since the plastic covered canopy over all the bins stops the leaves from getting wet, I haven’t seen any sign of the dreaded mildews.
The only problem is the plant still needs to vine! So, I’m trying to wind it around the top pipes of the cage- we’ll see how long I can do that, (and maybe let the vines then run down the sides).
So next year….. same variety, same 10 or 12 gallon bin, same nutrient solution (same as all the rest) but in a different location since this is the lettuce, pak choi grow area.