Cucumber Beth Alpha F1

Cucumber Beth Alpha F1: variety and characteristics

Cucumber Beth Alpha F1 (Cucumis sativus) is an annual vegetable of the Gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). Originating from the Mediterranean, this variety gives rich harvests of sweet baby cucumbers that are both thin-skinned and exceptionally sweet for fresh use in salads. Best grown in a greenhouse and harvested at a length of 10-15 cm for the sweetest flavour.

Note the mature size of your cucumber variety, as it can vary on average from 7 to 20 cm. Harvest them as soon as they reach this mature size.

Letting them keep growing will adversely affect flavour and quality. If even one cucumber is left to grow long enough, the whole plant will stop producing cucumbers.

Check the plants daily for cucumbers ready to pick. Use a knife or scissors to cut the stem, as pulling them off may damage the plant.

The cucumber is the best-loved summer vegetable for salads and pickling. Gherkins are specially selected for preserving — crisp, with firm flesh and a small seed cavity.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 92%
• Seeds per packet: 9–13 pcs (0.3 g)
• Seed origin: USA
• Sowing: April and May; direct or seedlings
• Harvest: July and August
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Cucumber Beth Alpha F1

Cucumber Beth Alpha F1 seeds are sown in April and May. The crop is harvested in July and August. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Cucumber Beth Alpha F1

• Sowing method: direct or seedlings
• Depth: 1.5–2 cm
• Spacing: 30–40 cm in the row, 100–120 cm between rows (or on a trellis)
• Germination: 4–8 days at 22–28 °C
• Position: sunny spot

Cucumbers need plenty of light, plenty of water and plenty of fertiliser, as with most vegetables. They thrive in warmth and are suited to growing temperatures between 15-30 °C. They can be grown both outdoors and in greenhouses. Wait until the soil has warmed to about 20 °C before planting your seeds. Choose a spot with plenty of sun and rich, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Seeds can also be sown indoors about a month before the last expected frost date in your area in spring. Plant the seeds at a depth of 3 cm. Plant seeds about 10 to 15 cm apart in rows. Some types of cucumber will need support. Aim to keep the soil evenly moist and water more in hot weather. Avoid an irregular watering schedule, as this can lead to oddly shaped and bitter cucumbers. Try to keep the leaves dry when watering to prevent fungal diseases.

Sow in warm soil, when nights are above 12 °C. Cucumber wants constant moisture — water with warm water without wetting the leaves. Grown on a trellis, it gives more and cleaner fruit.

Harvest and use

Pick often — gherkins at 5–9 cm, salad types at 15–25 cm. Large fruits left on the plant stop new ones from setting.

Frequently asked questions

When should Cucumber Beth Alpha F1 be sown?

The recommended sowing months are April and May. Sowing method: direct or seedlings.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 9–13 seeds, pack size 0.3 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 92%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.

Why are cucumbers bitter?

Bitterness (cucurbitacin) appears with uneven watering, cold water and heat. Water regularly with room-temperature water.

When are cucumbers sown?

Directly outdoors from early May to June; for seedlings — from April, 3–4 weeks before planting out.