Cucumber Raider F1 plants - Cucumis sativus

The Raider F1 Cucumber is a semi-long variety intended for field cultivation. The sowing period extends from March to May for a harvest from July to October. Very productive, it will ensure a staggered production of slightly spiny dark green fruits, about 20cm (8in) long. It is an easy-to-grow cucumber with dense and juicy flesh.

Cucumbers thrive in light, loose, moist, and humus-rich soils. They prefer sunny exposures and temperatures between 18 and 22°C. They are quite water-hungry vegetables that need regular watering.

Cucumber, along with tomatoes, is 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 yoghurt-based sauce, lemon, and dill.

There are two main types of cucumbers: "forcing" varieties intended for greenhouse cultivation, and those adapted to outdoor cultivation. 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.

Some varieties are labelled "F1 hybrid" or simply "F1". These are varieties that result from carefully selected parent crosses to combine their qualities. This results in varieties that can be particularly flavourful and/or early while also being resistant to certain diseases. F1 hybrid seeds are therefore very interesting both for their uniformity and their resistance, but unfortunately, these qualities do not pass on to the next generation: it will not be possible to save the seeds for the following season.

Harvest: Cucumbers should be harvested when they have reached their final size, before their colour turns yellow. 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, cucumber can be susceptible to powdery mildew: a white coating appears on the foliage. It is important to remove heavily affected leaves and spray with sulfur every 2 weeks. In case of minor infestation, you can also treat the plants with skimmed milk diluted at 10 to 20% in rainwater. As a preventive measure, avoid watering the foliage and make sure to properly ventilate your greenhouse if the cultivation takes place indoors. An extract of horsetail can also be sprayed to strengthen the foliage's resistance.