Cucumis sativus 'La Diva'

RHS Plant Profile
cucumber 'La Diva'

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Fruit Edible Annual Biennial
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A reasonably compact, climbing cultivar, growing to around 1.8m (6ft) high and producing prolific crops of mini cucumbers which are smooth-skinned, sweet and free of bitterness. It is an all female variety, producing fruits without the need for pollination, which means every flower is capable of producing a fruit. This cultivar is well suited to being grown outdoors in summer in the UK, as well as in the greenhouse.

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1B

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cucurbitaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Climbing
Potentially harmful
Pets: Bitter fruit can be TOXIC if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Cucumis is a genus of twining plants with tendrils which includes cucumber, melons and gerkins. Around 30 species are native to Africa and 25 to India, Southeast Asia and Australia.
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in an acidic to neutral, moisture-retentive, well drained compost and a position in full sun, in a conservatory, greenhouse, or outdoors in summer in the UK. See cucumber cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Edible fruit
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

pinch out tips of leading stems once they have reached the top of thee trellis or growing support. Laterals should be pruned two leaves beyond where a fruit is developing to divert the plant's energy into the development of the fruit, rather than into the lateral's vegetative growth

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

May be susceptible to Cucumber mosaic virus and powdery mildews