Growing cucumbers hydroponically is an exciting venture. I have found them easy to grow, and you don’t need to be an expert! In my experience they give the quickest reward for your efforts of any plants. They are super quick to germinate and then once transplanted, they grow prolifically. I grow mine hydroponically but outdoors. But, one of the most critical factors to consider when growing hydroponic cucumbers is the light requirement. Understanding the hydroponics cucumber light requirements is essential for a successful harvest. And is will also depend on whether the hydroponic system is outside or indoors.
Understanding Light Requirements
Light is a critical component of photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy to fuel their growth. For hydroponic cucumbers grown indoors, getting the lighting right is even more crucial as they are not exposed to natural sunlight.
While cucumbers are not particularly light-sensitive, they do require a certain amount of light to thrive. The right amount of light ensures that the plants can produce enough energy for growth and fruit production. This is why understanding the light requirements is so vital.
So, firstly, we will consider the easier option of the two: the light requirements of hydroponic cucumbers grown outdoors. Then we will move on to the more technical side of growing them indoors and providing the right lighting.
To understand lighting for plants and their requirements more fully, I thoroughly recommend you check this article out.
Light Requirements for Growing Hydroponic Cucumbers Outdoors
Obviously, cucumbers grow naturally outdoors anyway and no artificial light is typically required. But, cucumber growth does depend on the type of sunlight and in particular the duration, alongside a couple of other conditions in the growing environment. It doesn’t really matter the variety of cucumber, they all require similar light conditions.
Cucumbers outdoors need full sun for at least six hours a day, preferably eight hours.
Can You Grow Cucumber Plants In The Shade?
Partial shade means partial sunlight. Partial shade is defined as 2-6 hours of sun a day and this is not suitable for cucumber plants. If the plant does manage to grow, it will produce few flowers or cucumbers. If cucumber plants receive less than two hours of sunlight per day, they will not survive and will die off quickly.
Can My Hydroponic Cucumbers Get Too Much Sun?
Excessive heat and dryness, rather than excessive sunlight, can harm a plant. Insufficient water can prevent a plant from regulating its temperature properly and lead to sunscald. High temperatures exacerbate this issue. A well-watered plant is unlikely to suffer from sunscald. If you reside in a hot area, using shade cloth over your cucumber plants can help reduce their temperature while still ensuring they receive the necessary sunlight.
Light Requirements for Growing Hydroponic Cucumbers Indoors
Inside, the duration of the lights being turned on can impact the growth and cucumber production of the plant.
In general, cucumbers grown indoors with artificial grow lights will require a minimum of twelve hours and a maximum of sixteen hours of light.
Cucumbers can be prolific in their growth. They can consume a lot of water and nutrients if you grow hydroponically. But, when it comes to lighting, the biggest constraint with hydroponic growing of cucumbers indoors will be the room required and the continual adjustment of lights to flood the cucumber, which can spread very quickly. There are some small cucumber varieties and bush varieties you may want to consider.
Different Kinds of Lighting for Growing Cucumber Plants Indoors
There are various kinds of artificial lighting that can be used to cultivate cucumbers indoors. Cucumbers cannot thrive in a space illuminated solely by a standard light fixture. The artificial lighting needs to be positioned closer to the plant and emit a higher level of brightness. It is recommended that the artificial lighting be in the form of a long bar, positioned four inches above the top of the vine. Typically, these lights are hung from chains to facilitate adjustments in their height. As the vine grows, the lights are raised accordingly.
Incandescent Light
The production of incandescent bulbs is being discontinued, but there are still some pre-owned ones on the market. Because incandescent lights produce heat along with light, they need to be positioned slightly higher than other lights to prevent your cucumber plant from getting scorched. Moreover, they are not very energy-efficient and can be costly to operate. Additionally, most incandescent lights do not emit the light spectrums that are most advantageous for plants.
Fluorescent Light
Fluorescent bulbs are cost-effective to use and do not generate heat like traditional light bulbs. The light is produced along the full length of the tube, and reflectors are commonly used above the bulb to guide the light downwards. As the tube gets older, the light will dim and the edges will turn a darker shade of gray and stop emitting light. Usually, fluorescent tubes are sold in pairs, so if one bulb stops working, the other may also be affected. Additionally, fluorescent bulbs may take a few minutes to turn on, especially in colder temperatures.
Light Emitting Diode (LED) Light
LED lights are the most efficient lighting option and produce minimal heat. While they may have a high initial cost, prices are rapidly decreasing. You can buy LED lights that replicate the full spectrum of sunlight, providing all the necessary colors for your cucumber plant. Additionally, LED fixtures offer uniform light distribution and instant illumination upon being switched on.
High-Intensity Discharge (HID)
High-intensity discharge lights emit strong light that needs to be positioned at a greater distance from the cucumber plant to avoid damaging it with their intense heat. Furthermore, HID lights also generate warmth. Due to their high cost and energy consumption, these lights are not suitable for domestic use.
Light Intensity for Cucumbers Indoors
The intensity of light refers to how much light energy is available for the plants. For hydroponic cucumbers, a high-intensity light source is often recommended. This is because cucumbers are a fruiting plant and require a lot of energy to produce their fruits.
However, it’s important to note that too much light can be harmful. Overexposure to light can cause the leaves to burn, leading to reduced growth and productivity. Therefore, it’s crucial to strike a balance between too little and too much light.
Light Duration for Cucumbers Indoors
The duration of light exposure also plays a significant role in the growth of hydroponic cucumbers. Generally, cucumbers require around 12 to 16 hours of light per day. This mimics the long days of summer, which is the natural growing season for cucumbers.
However, cucumbers also need a period of darkness to rest and carry out other biological processes. Therefore, it’s recommended to provide them with 6 to 10 hours of darkness per day. Remember, continuous light can stress the plants and hinder their growth.
Best Grow Light Settings for Indoor Hydroponic Cucumbers
If you plan to buy a grow light for your indoor cucumber plants, the ideal choice would be a full-spectrum LED light with a PAR of 70 or higher and a CRI of 90 or higher. You can expose your cucumber plant to this light for 12-16 hours. It will need to be mounted such that it can be adjusted in height above the plant. That way you can raise the light above the plant as it grows. And a trellis or wire is essential. When you start growing your cucumber plant you can train it to grow up the trellis. As you train the cucumber vine to climb in the direction you wish up and across the trellis, it will help to ensure the maximum light benefits the plant and keeps the cucumber plant more compact.
The Bottom Line- Light Requirements for Hydroponic Cucumbers
Cucumbers are one of the most rewarding crops to grow. And having a hydroponic garden, whether outdoors or indoors can improve yield and speed to harvest (plus it’s a lot of fun). But cucumbers need a lot of light. Outdoors, they require full sun for at least six hours a day, preferably eight hours. If using grow lights indoors, your cucumbers will grow lights will require a minimum of twelve hours and a maximum of sixteen hours of artificial light. With a simple hydroponic setup, whether indoors or outdoors, you’ll be growing cucumbers with hydroponics and then harvesting cucumbers in no time!