Effect of mulch and planting method on flowering
The longest time to flowering was for no mulch and establishment from seed and the least number was for clear mulch and establishment by transplanting (Table 3). Using 12-day-old transplants and clear mulch increased soil temperature around roots, and enhanced water and food absorption, and decreased time to flowering. Farias-Larios et al. (1994) reported that using plastic mulch decreased number of days to flowering in cucumber compared to no mulch, due to increasing soil temperature and plant growth.