MARKETMORE 97
Best disease-resistant slicing cucumber for home gardeners seeking reliable, bitter-free harvests.
Discover the Marketmore 97 cucumber, a superior open-pollinated slicing variety developed at Cornell University. This cultivar is renowned for its consistently bitter-free and burpless quality, delivering delicious, straight cucumbers approximately 9-11 inches long. With vigorous vines reaching up to 6 feet, it matures in about 55 days. Marketmore 97 boasts high resistance to multiple diseases (MO, CMV, DM, PM, S), ensuring a robust harvest. Your purchase contributes to vital vegetable breeding programs at Cornell University, supporting future agricultural innovation.
$4.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.8
/ 5
Category Rank
2
/ 5592
#2 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
-53%
Below average
Days to Maturity
55
/ days
Who it's for
- Gardeners in humid climates prone to fungal disease
- Homesteaders seeking reliable, high-volume harvests
- Seed savers wanting to maintain heirloom-style self-sufficiency
Who should skip it
- Culinary purists demanding maximum crunch and firmness
- Urban gardeners with limited patio or container space
- Beginners unable to maintain consistent irrigation schedules
Performance breakdown
Disease Resistance
Exceptional protection against common cucumber pathogens ensures a reliable, healthy harvest.
Flavor Profile
Consistently bitter-free and burpless for a superior, clean slicing experience.
Growth Vigor
Robust six-foot vines provide high yields throughout the growing season.
Maturity Speed
Fifty-five days to harvest offers a quick turnaround for home gardeners.
Genetic Reliability
Open-pollinated Cornell breeding ensures consistent, high-quality results every season.
Ease of Cultivation
Straightforward planting requirements make this variety accessible for all skill levels.
Key Specs
Days to Maturity
55 days
Seed Depth
1/2"
Soil Temp for Germination
65–90°F
Seed Spacing
4–6 seeds per hill
Minimum Germination Rate
80%
Seed Life
3 years
Seeds per Gram
approximately 25–30
Plant Type
Vegetable
Features
- Reliably bitter-free and burpless
- High resistance to multiple diseases
- Produces long, straight slicing cucumbers
- Vigorous vines grow up to 6 feet
- Developed at Cornell University
- Supports university breeding programs
- Open-pollinated variety
What customers say
Marketmore 97 cucumber seeds earn high praise for their exceptional reliability and superior flavor. Gardeners consistently report vigorous growth leading to prolific yields of crisp, sweet, and notably nonbitter cucumbers, even at larger sizes. A significant advantage is the variety's robust disease resistance against common issues, ensuring dependable performance across various climates. High germination rates further solidify its reputation as a staple choice. This variety delivers outstanding, high-quality results season after season, making it highly recommended for growers seeking dependable success.
Know before you buy
Marketmore 97 is specifically bred to lack cucurbitacin, the compound responsible for bitterness in cucumber skins. Being 'burpless' means it has a thinner skin and fewer seeds, making it easier to digest and less likely to cause discomfort compared to traditional varieties.
These are vigorous vines that reach up to 6 feet in length. You should provide a trellis or fence for them to climb, or ensure you have enough ground space to allow the vines to spread out fully.
Marketmore 97 reaches maturity in approximately 55 days after planting. For best results, ensure your soil temperature is between 65–90°F before sowing your seeds.
This cultivar was developed at Cornell University with high resistance to several common cucumber ailments, including Mosaic Virus (CMV), Downy Mildew (DM), Powdery Mildew (PM), and Scab (S). This resistance helps ensure a more reliable harvest even in challenging growing conditions.
Yes, because Marketmore 97 is an open-pollinated variety, you can save the seeds from your harvest to plant in future seasons. They will grow true to type, meaning the offspring will have the same characteristics as the parent plant.
Plant the seeds at a depth of 1/2 inch in a location that receives full sun. They require high water intake, so keep the soil consistently moist throughout the growing season to support their rapid growth.
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