Cucumis sativus 'Suprina'

RHS Plant Profile

cucumber 'Suprina'

Annual Biennial

A perennial trailing or climbing plant usually grown as an annual. This mainly female-only variety shows good disease resistance and is suited to outdoor growing, producing yellow flowers followed by 12-14cm long fruits with smooth, shiny skins and plenty of flavour

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, 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

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline 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): H2

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Cucurbitaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Trailing, 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: Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Start plants in a heated greenhouse, or on a windowsill. Can be moved to an unheated greenhouse, or outdoors, once all risk of frost has passed. Plant out in rich soil with plenty of organic matter, water regularly, and feed every 10-14 days. Grow up supports to ensure good airflow. See cucumber cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Pruning

Pinch out the tip of the plant once it reaches the top of the support to encourage branching. Pick fruit regularly to encourage further production

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite when grown under glass, or to slugs and snails when grown outdoors

Diseases

May be susceptible to cucumber mosaic virus and powdery mildews