Knowledge Base

Mites are a serious threat in hydroponic lettuce systems. This guide covers identification, cultural controls, biological IPM options, and safe chemical interventions to protect your crop.

Not all commercial seeds are created equal. This guide breaks down the difference between untreated and organic seeds to help you choose the right option for your growing program.

Compare the top mini and baby cucumber varieties — Splash, Corinto, Excelsior, Katrina, Colin, Quail, and Parakeet — across yield, disease resistance, fruit quality, and seasonal fit. Shop Mini Cucumber Varieties → Introduction Mini and baby cucumbers have dramatically increased in popularity over the last few years. Mini cucumbers are now a standard, and baby types are quickly becoming the new favorite. But choosing the right variety is important depending on your intended market segment and production capabilities — disease resistance, fruit uniformity, vigor, and shelf life vary significantly across genetics. Here's how seven leading varieties stack up. Mini vs. Baby Cucumber: A Quick Distinction Mini cucumbers — seedless, thin-skinned, harvested at 4–6 inches; bred for uniformity and retail bag formats Baby cucumbers — harvested smaller at 3–4 inches; tender skin and mild flavor suited for snacking and specialty markets Both thrive in high-wire greenhouse systems. See our full Mini Cucumbers Growing Guide for production basics. Variety Comparison Variety Category Key Strength Best For Splash Mini Yield & uniformity High-volume retail Corinto Mini Disease resistance Commercial greenhouse Excelsior Mini/Baby Year-round vigor Mixed-season production Katrina Mini Fruit quality & shelf life Premium retail & direct sales Colin Baby Adaptability Flexible crop scheduling Quail Mini (Beit Alpha/Persian) Early maturity & daily harvest Late autumn & early spring production Parakeet Mini/Baby (Beit Alpha/Persian) Taste, aroma & productive laterals Snacking & specialty markets Variety Profiles Splash High-yielding with consistent fruit size and smooth skin — built for intensive production and retail pack formats. Full variety spotlight → Shop Splash F1 (Untreated) → Corinto The greenhouse workhorse. Strong disease resistance package (powdery mildew, CMV) makes it reliable across seasons. Full variety profile → Shop Corinto F1 (Treated) → Excelsior Bridges mini and baby categories with strong vigor in both high- and low-light conditions — a solid year-round performer. Shop Excelsior F1 (Treated) → Katrina Premium baby cucumber with smooth skin, excellent crunch, and extended shelf life. Ideal for retail clamshells and direct sales. Shop Katrina (Non-Treated) → | Shop Katrina F1 (Treated) → Colin Flexible across seasons and production windows — a practical choice for mixed-season operations. Shop Colin F1 → Quail An early Beit Alpha/Persian mini cucumber with a semi-multi-fruited habit, short internodes, and small leaves. Parthenocarpic and all-female flowered, Quail produces 10–12 cm fruit with very good taste and aroma — well suited to daily harvest in late autumn and early spring greenhouse production. Shop Quail F1 → Parakeet A small, early Beit Alpha/Persian baby cucumber with productive lateral shoots, shiny light-green fruit, and excellent taste and aroma. Parthenocarpic and all-female flowered, Parakeet produces 9–11 cm fruit and is suited to daily harvest in late autumn and early spring greenhouse seasons. Shop Parakeet F1 → Which Variety Is Right for You? Disease pressure? → Corinto Premium retail or specialty market? → Katrina Year-round, variable light? → Excelsior High-volume commercial? → Splash Flexible scheduling? → Colin Late autumn or early spring, daily harvest? → Quail or Parakeet Snacking & specialty markets? → Parakeet Key Growing Tips Pruning: How to prune greenhouse cucumbers → Germination: Best germination methods → Spacing: Plant spacing guide → Seasonal timing: Summer planting guide → | Fall prep guide → Ready to Order? Browse our full Mini Cucumber Varieties →, Greenhouse Cucumber →, and Cucumber Rootstock → collections.

A practical guide to understanding why greenhouse lettuce bolts and how to reduce its incidence through variety selection, environmental management, and crop scheduling.

A practical guide to understanding and optimizing tomato fruit set in greenhouse production — covering pollination methods, temperature, humidity, plant nutrition, and common causes of poor fruit set.

The Short Answer: No Parthenocarpic cucumbers set fruit without pollination. Fruit development is triggered internally by plant hormones rather than fertilization, which means no viable seeds form. The result is naturally seedless cucumbers — not through processing, but through biology. What “Seedless” Actually Means Seedless doesn’t mean completely empty inside. Parthenocarpic cucumbers can have a seed cavity and small, undeveloped seed structures — but these are usually blind seeds: non-viable, unfertilized, and incapable of germination. They’re soft, barely noticeable, and have no impact on eating quality. What’s absent is the hard, fully developed seed found in pollinated fruit. What Happens If They Are Pollinated? Accidental pollination — from stray insects or introduced pollinators — triggers viable seed development and compromises fruit quality. Pollinated fruit tends to be misshapen, inconsistently sized, and lower in market value. This is why most greenhouse operations actively exclude pollinators to protect the seedless profile. Greenhouses: The Ideal Environment Controlled greenhouses make pollinator exclusion simple, enabling consistent seedless fruit set from every flower with no hand-pollination labor. It’s why parthenocarpic varieties have become the commercial greenhouse cucumber standard. For timing and setup, see our Preparing Your Greenhouse for Fall Production guide. Open-Field Considerations Outdoor production is possible but requires more management. Pollinator pressure is harder to control, and partial pollination can trigger viable seed development. Row covers during critical fruit-set windows can help protect seedless quality. For germination best practices regardless of setting, see Best Methods to Germinate Greenhouse Cucumber Seed. Summary Parthenocarpic cucumbers don’t need pollination. Fruit may contain a seed cavity or blind, non-viable seed structures, but no hard, germinable seeds. Maintain a pollinator-free environment, choose varieties with strong parthenocarpic expression, and you’ll consistently deliver the uniform, seedless cucumbers. Ready to find the right variety? Browse our Long English Cucumbers and Mini Cucumber Varieties — all parthenocarpic, all greenhouse-proven.

Thermal dormancy prevents lettuce seed from germinating in warm conditions. Learn what causes it, how pelleted seed helps, and practical strategies to achieve consistent germination in summer.

A focused guide to flower abortion in greenhouse tomato production — covering causes, identification, and practical management strategies.

Welcome to Your First Greenhouse Starting a greenhouse can feel overwhelming — but it doesn't have to be. This guide answers the most common questions new greenhouse growers ask, so you can get growing with confidence. What Should I Grow? How to Decide Choosing your first crop comes down to three factors: Your environment. What temperatures can you reliably maintain? Cool greenhouses (55–70°F) suit lettuce and leafy greens. Warmer setups (70–80°F) open the door to cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers. Your timeline. Lettuce is ready to harvest in 30–45 days. Tomatoes and cucumbers take 60–90+ days from transplant. Start with a fast crop to build confidence and cash flow. Your market. Selling locally? Lettuce and herbs have strong demand and short cycles. Looking for higher per-unit value? Specialty tomatoes and mini cucumbers command premium prices. As a general rule: start simple, succeed fast, then scale up. One crop mastered is worth more than three crops struggling. What crops are easiest for beginners? Lettuce and leafy greens are the best starting point — fast-growing, forgiving, and high-value. Not sure which variety to start with? Our guide on which romaine lettuce to use for greenhouse production is a great place to begin. Once you're comfortable with your environment controls, move on to cucumbers, then tomatoes and peppers. Papaya is a longer-term crop suited to warmer, more experienced operations. What temperature should my greenhouse be? Most vegetable crops thrive between 65–80°F (18–27°C) during the day and no lower than 55°F (13°C) at night. Lettuce and leafy greens tolerate cooler temps (55–70°F), while tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers prefer warmer conditions (70–80°F). Invest in a min/max thermometer and check it daily. How much light do my plants need? Most fruiting crops (tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers) need 14–18 hours of light per day. Leafy greens like lettuce can do well with 12–16 hours. In low-light seasons or northern climates, supplemental LED grow lights are essential for consistent production. How often should I water? Watering frequency depends on your growing medium, crop, and climate. A general rule: water when the top inch of your growing medium feels dry. In hydroponic systems, maintain consistent nutrient solution levels and EC/pH targets. Overwatering is one of the most common beginner mistakes — always check before you water. Learn more about fertilizing your greenhouse seedlings to pair watering with the right nutrition schedule. What is EC and pH, and why do they matter? EC (Electrical Conductivity) measures the concentration of nutrients in your water. Too low and plants starve; too high and they get nutrient burn. pH determines whether plants can actually absorb those nutrients. Most crops prefer a pH of 5.8–6.2 in hydroponic systems. Test both daily when starting out. Make sure equipment is calibrated correctly! Do I need to pollinate my plants? In a closed greenhouse, there are no bees or wind to pollinate fruiting crops like tomatoes and peppers. You'll need to pollinate manually — gently shake flower clusters or use an electric pollinator wand daily when flowers are open. For tomatoes specifically, proper pruning also plays a big role in fruit set — see our guide on how to prune indeterminate tomatoes in a greenhouse. Cucumbers grown in greenhouses are typically parthenocarpic (self-fruiting) and don't require pollination. How do I prevent pests and disease? Prevention is everything in a greenhouse environment. Key habits include: Inspect plants daily for early signs of pests or disease Maintain good airflow with fans and proper spacing Keep humidity in check — high humidity invites fungal issues like Pythium and Botrytis. Read our deep-dive on Pythium prevention in hydroponic lettuce Sanitize tools, trays, and surfaces between crops Source certified, disease-free seed from a reputable supplier For lettuce growers, knowing what to look for early is critical. Our Lettuce Disease Identification Guide covers the most common issues and how to respond. How do I know if my seeds are good quality? Start with seed from a trusted supplier that offers germination rate data, disease resistance information, and variety-specific growing guides. At Paramount Seeds, all varieties are selected for controlled-environment performance — so you're starting with genetics built for greenhouse success. Ready to Grow? The best way to learn is to start. Pick one crop, dial in your environment, and build from there. Have more questions? Browse our Knowledge Base or explore our seed varieties to find the right fit for your operation.

A complete grower's guide to determinate tomatoes: how they differ from indeterminate types, production advantages, and top varieties available from Paramount Seeds.

Great news for greenhouse growers in Puerto Rico — as a US Territory our full catalog of pelleted and non-pelleted seeds, rootstocks, and disease-resistant varieties is now available and ships directly to your door. Browse our main categories: Tomatoes, Lettuce, Cucumber, and Pepper. Orders ship via USPS, UPS, or FedEx as standard domestic shipments — no customs fees, no import permits required. Delivery typically takes 5–10 business days. Visit paramountseeds.com to order, or contact our team with any questions. Paramount Seeds Ahora Envía a Puerto Rico Excelentes noticias para los cultivadores de invernadero en Puerto Rico — nuestro catálogo completo de semillas pelletizadas y no pelletizadas, portainjertos y variedades resistentes a enfermedades ya está disponible con envío directo a su puerta. Explore nuestras categorías principales: Tomates, Lechuga, Pepino y Pimiento. Los pedidos se envían por USPS, UPS o FedEx como envíos domésticos estándar — sin cargos de aduana ni permisos de importación requeridos. La entrega generalmente toma de 5 a 10 días hábiles. Visite paramountseeds.com para ordenar, o comúníquese con nuestro equipo si tiene alguna pregunta.

Papaya Ring Spot Virus (PRSV) is one of the most destructive pathogens affecting papaya production worldwide. This guide covers identification, transmission, integrated management, and variety selection strategies for growers.

A quick-reference germination guide for all major seed categories carried by Paramount Seeds — including tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, herbs, and more.

HR and IR resistance ratings on seed labels tell you how well a variety can withstand specific pathogens. Learn the difference, which diseases to watch for by crop, and how to use resistance data to make smarter variety selections.

Pythium root rot is one of the most damaging diseases in hydroponic lettuce production. Learn how to prevent it through water management, sanitation, variety selection, and biological controls.

Picking the right seed variety can make or break a season. Learn how AI tools are helping greenhouse growers make smarter, data-backed variety decisions — matched to your environment, your market, and your goals.