Long cucumber Gynial F1 plants - Cucumis sativus

The 'Gynial F1' Long Cucumber (Smooth Cucumber) is a highly productive variety. Resistant to cladosporiosis, it produces long (25 to 28 cm (10 to 11in)), crunchy and non-bitter cucumbers. For small gardens, the cucumber can be trained on any type of mesh support, which also facilitates picking! The 'Gynial F1' Long Cucumber plants can be planted from April to July, after the last frost, for a harvest from June to September.

Cucumbers, along with tomatoes, are one of the star vegetables of summer. Refreshing and low in calories, it can be enjoyed in a mixed salad or on its own, with, for example, a sauce made from yogurt, lemon and dill. There are two main types of cucumbers: "forcing" varieties that are intended for greenhouse cultivation, and those that are suitable for outdoor cultivation. Cucumbers can be smooth or spiny, long or semi-long. In addition to these classic varieties, there are also more "exotic" cucumbers such as the Kenyan Cucumber or the Snake Cucumber, which are generally more heat-demanding.

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 that need to be watered regularly.

Harvest: Cucumbers should be harvested when they have reached their final size, before they turn yellow. Note: overripe fruits become bitter. Remember to harvest regularly to encourage the formation of new fruits. Harvesting generally 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, cucumbers can be susceptible to powdery mildew: a white coating appears on the leaves. It is important to remove heavily 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 leaf resistance.