Cucumber 'La Diva'

'La Diva' is a versatile and prolific 'all-female' cucumber variety that has become a favourite in the UK for its ability to produce fruit without pollination. This is a significant advantage as it prevents the bitterness often found in older varieties. It is uniquely flexible, as it can be grown successfully both in a greenhouse or outdoors in a sheltered, sunny spot. The fruits are smooth-skinned, seedless, and reach about 15-20cm in length, offering a crisp texture and a sweet, refreshing flavour with no trace of bitterness. The plant has a vigorous climbing habit and can be trained up trellis or netting to save space. It is also resistant to powdery mildew, a common problem in damp British summers. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to keep producing well into September. For the best results, keep the soil consistently moist and feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser every fortnight once the first fruits appear.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Rich, fertile, well-drained soil.

Hardiness: H2 — down to 1°C.

Flowering: Jul, Aug.