Description of the Dutch hybrid cucumber Bettina, cultivation and care

Bred in Holland, the hybrid cucumber Bettina boasts a number of features and characteristics that are difficult for most other varieties to match. Its extremely short ripening time, high resistance to temperature fluctuations and disease, and its low maintenance make it a very attractive crop.

Appearance

Bettina f1 cucumbers are indeterminate, with medium-branched vines and female flowers. They typically produce one to three ovaries. The leaves are medium-sized and light green. The nodes contain two to four cucumbers.

The cylindrical fruits with characteristic small bumps and white spines reach 12 cm in length, weigh about 70 g, and the average diameter of the cucumbers is 3 cm.

The skin is dark green; yellow stripes or spots may appear in highly acidic soils. Their presence is also related to watering. A characteristic feature is the absence or poor development of seeds.

Main characteristics

The Bettina cucumber variety is classified as a parthenocarpic, self-pollinating, generative variety. Almost the entire harvest is collected from the main (central) stem. It bears fruit on average 40 days after the first shoots emerge. It can be grown in summer, winter, or spring in greenhouses.

The cucumber flesh is not at all bitter, the consistency is smooth, and there are no hollows. The characteristic crunch persists even after pickling. Reviews indicate a yield of 5 kg per square meter. This variety is cultivated primarily for gherkins. The harvest is done every 2 or 3 days.

Easy care, early ripening, increased hardiness and resistance to temperature fluctuations and adverse weather conditions, and relatively high yields are just some of the variety's positive qualities. Bettina f1 cucumbers are resistant to common diseases and infections and store and transport well.

According to gardeners who have been growing the Bettina variety for several years, these cucumbers have perhaps only one drawback: their taste, they say, is inferior to many salad varieties. But that, as they say, is a matter of taste. These cucumbers are suitable for both canning and fresh eating. Some reviews note the relatively high cost of the seeds, but this is more likely a consequence of the hybrid's imported origin than a drawback of the variety.

Growing and care rules

Light soils with adequate moisture are the best option for growing the Bettina variety. Up to three plants can be planted per square meter. Sunlight, or rather the lack thereof, will not affect cucumber yield. Pruning the plants is not necessary.

Drip irrigation is best. After each watering, thoroughly loosen the soil. Alternating urea and mullein solutions are good fertilizers. Fertilize once a week.

As weeds become established, they need to be removed promptly. Weekly weeding is recommended to ensure the area doesn't become overgrown and overgrown.

Pests can cause serious and irreparable damage to future crops. For Bettina cucumbers, these include spider mites and slugs. An excellent preventative measure is to dig up the soil in the garden beds in the fall and leave the soil there to freeze.

A traditional way to repel pests from your garden is to plant onions and garlic between rows. Pre-heating the seeds before planting is also a good idea.

Although this variety is resistant to various typical cucumber diseases, taking preventative measures in advance is always a good idea and will significantly reduce the risk of infection. Bettina is an early-ripening variety, so treatment with harsh chemicals is contraindicated, as this can make the cucumbers toxic. Only solutions of organic and mineral substances should be used.

If external signs of the disease are detected, special agents such as Topaz, Fundazol or Horus must be promptly used.

Bettina f1 cucumbers are an excellent variety for quickly producing a bountiful harvest with minimal effort and expense. The undeniable advantages clearly speak for themselves. Reviews of growing and caring for the variety are overwhelmingly positive, and any subjective drawbacks are more than offset by its numerous positive characteristics and features.