Grafted Cucumber Crokdelis F1 plants - Cucumis sativus

The 'Crokdelis' F1 Grafted Cucumber (Smooth Cucumber) is a highly productive variety. Resistant to powdery mildew, it produces smooth cucumbers, 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10in) long, crispy and without bitterness. For small gardens, the cucumber can be trained on any type of mesh support, which also facilitates harvesting! The plug plants grafted with the long Cucumber 'Crokdelis' F1 can be planted from April to July, after the last frost, for a harvest from June to September. Grafting allows for a faster and more abundant harvest.

The grafting technique consists of giving a desired variety (here 'Crokdelis') the root system of another specially selected variety, called a rootstock. This rootstock is endowed with excellent resistance to soil parasites and diseases, which brings additional vigour to the plant: it is then more resistant to difficult external conditions (such as cold climates) and will yield significantly higher than a non-grafted plant. The fruiting of grafted plants starts earlier and lower on the main stem.

Cucumber, along with tomato, is one of the star vegetables of summer. Refreshing and low in calories, it can be enjoyed in a salad or on its own, with for example, a yogurt-based sauce with lemon and dill.

There are two main types of cucumbers: the "forcing" varieties, which are intended for greenhouse cultivation, and those that are suitable for outdoor cultivation. Cucumbers can be smooth or spiny, long or round. In addition to these classic varieties, there are also more "exotic" cucumbers like the Kenyan Cucumber or the Snake Cucumber, which are generally more demanding in terms of heat.

Cucumbers prefer light, loose, moist and humus-rich soils. They like sunny exposures and temperatures between 18 and 22°C (64.4 and 71.6°F). They are quite water-hungry vegetables.

Harvest: Cucumbers are harvested when they have reached their final size, before their colour turns yellow. Be careful: overripe fruits become bitter. Remember to harvest regularly to encourage the formation of new fruits. Harvesting usually takes place from June to September.

Storage: Cucumbers can be stored in the refrigerator for several days. To enjoy your harvest for longer, you can also preserve them in jars through lacto-fermentation or in vinegar.

Gardener's tip: Like all cucurbits, cucumber can be susceptible to powdery mildew: a white fuzz appears on the foliage. It is advisable to remove severely affected leaves and spray with wettable sulfur every 2 weeks. As a preventive measure, avoid watering the foliage and ensure good ventilation in your greenhouse if the cultivation is done under cover. Spraying with a horsetail decoction can also be done to strengthen foliage resistance.