Cucumber Bella - Cucumis sativus

The Bella F1 Cucumber is a smooth and long variety, early and productive. It offers fruits from 18 to 22 cm (7 to 9in), with sweet and non-bitter flesh. It is a variety resistant to temperature changes and diseases (mildew, powdery mildew). The sowing period extends from March to June for a harvest from July to October.

This cucumber is intended for cultivation in the open field or under shelter, heated or not.

Cucumbers appreciate light, loose, fresh and humus-rich soils. They like sunny exposures and temperatures between 18 and 22 °C. They are vegetables that require regular watering as they are quite water-intensive. Cucumber, along with tomato, is one of the star vegetables of summer: refreshing, low in calories, it can be enjoyed in composed salads or on its own, with, for example, a yogurt-based sauce, lemon and dill.
There are two main types of cucumbers: "forcing" varieties that are intended for cultivation under shelter and those that are suitable for cultivation in open ground. They 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.

Harvest: Cucumbers should be harvested when they have reached their final size, before their color turns yellow. Be careful: overripe fruits become bitter. Remember to harvest regularly to encourage the formation of new fruits.

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 with vinegar.

Gardener's tip: Like all cucurbits, cucumbers can be susceptible to powdery mildew: a white fuzz appears on the foliage. It is necessary to remove heavily affected leaves and spray with wettable sulfur every 2 weeks. As a preventive measure, avoid watering the foliage and make sure to ventilate your greenhouse properly if cultivation takes place under shelter. A spray of horsetail decoction can also be applied to strengthen foliage resistance. A spray of nettle manure effectively fights against aphid attacks.
Plant your lettuces and beans in parallel, your cucumbers appreciate their company.