Poinsett 76

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Crisp as morning dew, Poinsett 76 delivers a cool, clean cucumber flavor with a satisfyingly firm bite and a refreshingly mild character.

At maturity, the fruit forms straight, market-ready slices with a smooth, dark-green skin and a subtly tapered silhouette that stays crisp for salads and bright garnishes. Grow Poinsett 76 for dependable midsummer harvests and a garden-to-plate texture that never turns soft.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Vine

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 9th
Harvest Begins	Jul 3rd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	12

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Poinsett 76 is built for crunch: its mild, clean cucumber flavor and firm flesh keep their structure even when dressed lightly or served ice-cold. Slice it thin on something fatty or salty—yogurt, feta, cured meats—so the cool bite cuts through without going watery on the plate.

Best Uses

thin raw slices for high-clarity salads
ice-cold garnish where crunch needs to hold
quick cucumber + acid quick-pickle slices (short soak)
sandwich rounds that won’t collapse into the bread

Flavor Profile

cool, clean cucumber flavor firm, snappy bite mild and watery with a fresh finish smooth, dark-green skin that stays pleasant in slices

Kitchen Pairings

lemon Greek yogurt feta white vinegar garlic black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common disease problem on cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and how do I fix it?

In cucumbers, powdery mildew is a frequent issue—look for a white, floury coating on leaves, especially as days warm and humidity rises. Remove badly infected leaves, improve airflow with wider spacing, and water at the base (not the foliage). If it keeps spreading, apply a sulfur-based fungicide or an approved mildew spray according to the label and repeat as directed.

How often should I water cucumber during the main growing phase (after flowering)?

Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) need consistently moist soil—typically about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week, split into 1–3 deep waterings depending on heat. Keep the top few inches evenly damp; avoid letting the soil dry out between waterings because it can cause bitter fruit and misshapen cucumbers. Water early in the day and target the roots to reduce leaf wetness.

How can I tell when cucumbers are ready to harvest?

Harvest cucumbers when they reach the expected size for your variety and feel firm—most are ready around 50–60 days after sowing, depending on conditions. Check daily once plants start producing, because cucumbers quickly turn seedy and lose tenderness if left on the vine too long. Cut with pruners (don’t pull) to avoid damaging the vines and encourage continued harvesting.