February 5, 2024 – Most know of the “standard” cucumbers for gardens, which include Straight 8, Marketmore and Marketmore76. These are excellent cucumbers and typical results are usually 15-20 fruit per plant, although in excellent soils, the totals can reach and possibly exceed 25.
Quite a few years ago, Israeli farmers created a family of “Beit” non-hybrid cucumber plants. While seeds cost more, the plants produce more. The two best known are arguably Beit alpha and Socrates. Both are gynoecious, producing only female flowers, and parthenocarpic, which means they don’t require pollination in order to produce fruit. They have a tender, thin skin that doesn’t have to be peeled, combined with a firm crispness, and can be harvested anywhere between 4 and 8”. The thin skin makes them excellent for pickling. Beit cucumbers are cultivars, meaning they have the same characteristics as their “original” parents.
Beit cucumbers have a great flavor and produce higher yields than the “usual” cucumbers. Instead of a maximum production of say 25, the Beit alpha produces up to 65 fruit, while the Socrates has been known to produce as many as 100 fruit. Of course, the maximum production requires excellent soil, great sunlight and plenty of water. Oh yes, they’re also burpless!
Once in a while, a male flower is produced. Pollination results in the same cucumber, but with seeds, and this will take out some of the sweetness.
Beit cucumbers have a high-water requirement along with the usual sunlight requirements. They’re a heavy feeder, will tolerate light shade, and need plenty of growth space, although they do excellent in containers, although large containers (21 gal”) are recommended. Four-foot fence-type cages are needed, but 5’ would be better. With good soil and garden management, they can produce two crops a year.
Other Beit varieties include Tyria, and Picolino.
