Hollow cucumbers are a fairly common problem that summer residents have to deal with when harvesting from their own ‘plantations’.
In theory, such fruits are edible. However, it is not recommended to use them for pickling – as a rule, such cucumbers have a slightly bitter taste.
Let’s try to figure out what causes the empty center in cucumbers.
Environmental conditions
The most likely cause is heat and drought, because the optimal conditions for cucumber growth are constant moderate moisture.
The conclusion is as follows: during periods of drought, be especially careful about watering cucumber beds, and when planting, adhere to the recommended distance between plants.
Excess nitrogen / low boron
If there is too much nitrogen in the soil, the fruits will grow faster, and the inner part of the cucumber will not always keep up with the growth of the outer part. The solution is to reduce the amount of fertilizer applied.
If you suspect a boron deficiency may be the problem, try spraying the foliage with a boric acid solution made from 1/2 teaspoon of boron per gallon of water.
Inadequate Pollination
Agronomists believe that the cause of hollow cucumbers, watermelons, and squash is a lack of seed initiation. In simple terms, your growing cucumbers are probably not being pollinated properly or the seeds are dying during development.
Genetics
Carefully study the information on the packages of cucumber seeds – some varieties are more prone to the appearance of fruits with an empty center than others.
