Fothergill's Cucumber Socrates F1 Seeds

Details:

• Botanical Name: Cucumis sativus 'Socrates F1', an elite, highly celebrated hybrid selection within the Cucumber genus.
• Plant Class: Half Hardy Annual, establishing with immense vigor to deliver a prolonged, high-volume summer harvest.
• All-Female Indoor Specialist: Primarily produces fruit-bearing female flowers, virtually eliminating the chore of identifying and removing male flowers. This advanced trait delivers the surest, most foolproof results under glass.
• Sweet Bitter-Free Mini Cues: Bears beautifully uniform, straight, dark green fruits that are ideally harvested at a convenient snack size of 15–17cm (6–7in) long. The thin, smooth skin requires absolutely no peeling, surrounding an exceptionally crisp, sweet flesh.
• Cool-Temperature Resilience: Unlike many finicky indoor varieties that demand intense heat, Socrates F1 boasts excellent tolerance to cooler temperatures, making it a highly reliable performer in both heated and unheated greenhouses or polytunnels.
• Vigorous Vertical Growth: Naturally develops a robust, strong vining framework that loves to climb. Training it up strings, netting, or a sturdy frame dramatically saves ground space and keeps the hanging fruits pristine and straight.
• Gourmet Snack Value: Highly prized for its refreshing, mild flavor and satisfying crunch; it is the ultimate "snacking" cucumber for children's lunchboxes, picnics, or tossing fresh into rustic summer salads.

Care Instructions:

• Sowing Position: Start seeds early indoors from March to May by sowing individual seeds on their edges 1.5cm deep in small pots of moist compost. Maintain a warm, consistent temperature during germination to protect tender roots. Position in full sun.
• Training & Support: Plant out into greenhouse borders, large patio tubs, or growing bags once spring conditions have fully warmed. Provide a strong vertical support frame and loosely secure the main stem. Note: Male flowers are generally only produced if the plant becomes heavily stressed. If any appear, simply pinch them off to prevent pollination and ensure seedless fruit.
• Moisture & Nutrition: Cucumbers are exceptionally thirsty and hungry plants. Water deeply and regularly around the base, keeping the soil or compost consistently moist but never waterlogged. Feed with a high-potash liquid tomato fertilizer every two weeks once the first fruits begin to develop.
• Harvesting Tip: Use a sharp knife or garden snips to harvest the cucumbers cleanly when they are young, firm, and reach their ideal mini length. Frequent, consistent picking stimulates the plant to continuously push out a non-stop supply of fresh fruits until autumn.