Cucumber Bella - GRAFTED 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 heated or unheated shelter.

Cucumbers appreciate light, loose, fresh, and humus-rich soils. They like sunny exposures and temperatures between 18 and 22 °C. They are fairly water-hungry vegetables that need to be watered regularly. Cucumber is, along with tomatoes, 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, lemon, and dill sauce.
There are two main types of cucumbers: the "forcing" varieties, which are intended for cultivation under shelter, and those that are suitable for cultivation in open ground. They can be smooth or prickly, long or semi-long. In addition to these classic varieties, there are also more "exotic" cucumbers like 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. Beware: 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 in vinegar.

Gardener's tip: Like all cucurbits, cucumbers can be susceptible to powdery mildew: a white felting appears on the foliage. It is advisable 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 decoction of horsetail can also be sprayed to strengthen foliage resistance. Spraying nettle manure is an effective way to combat aphid attacks. Plant your lettuces and beans alongside your cucumbers, as they appreciate each other's company.