Taiwanese cucumber (小黃瓜): 前仆後繼 (one falls, the next follows)

The withered Taiwanese cucumber (小黃瓜)

We’re not the only ones like Taiwanese cucumber (小黃瓜); stink bugs are particularly attracted by it.  If many stink bugs feast on a given Taiwanese cucumber (小黃瓜) plant and often, it may wither, shrivel and perish (see photo right).  This is why we have “reserve” as the replacement.  The photo (below) shows one withered Taiwanese cucumber (小黃瓜) with two “reserves” (預備兵) ready to serve, 前仆後繼 (one falls, the next follows), so to speak.

Gardening can be a struggle and a battle; it is not entirely inappropriate to use the military terms.

One withered and perished; two reserves ready to serve

We just planted the two new Taiwanese cucumbers (小黃瓜), although they have been on our dinner table (see photo left).  Planting at different stages is one way to extend the period of time during which something can be harvested.