Cucumber 'Tortarello Bianco Abruzzese' (Cucumis melo var. flexuosus) – Offered by the seed company Weston Seeds
The 'Tortarello Bianco Abruzzese' cucumber is a unique heirloom variety, native to the Abruzzo region of Italy. Although technically a melon, it looks and tastes like a cucumber, with a mild, refreshing, and slightly sweet flavor .
Its elongated and elegant fruits, which can reach 35 to 50 cm (14 to 20 inches) , are light green almost white, finely ribbed and often curved. Its exceptional crunch and delicate taste make it a first choice slicer, perfect for summer salads and Mediterranean dishes .
Characteristics of the variety
Type : Cucumber/melon (Cucumis melo var. flexuosus)
Fruit color : White-light green
Shape : Long, finely ribbed, often curved
Fruit size : 35 to 50 cm (14 to 20 inches)
Texture : Crunchy and juicy
Taste : Sweet and refreshing
Use : Salads, raw vegetables, carpaccios, Mediterranean dishes
Exposure : Full sun
Spacing between plants : 30-35 cm (12 to 14 inches)
Plant height : 90 to 120 cm (36 to 48 inches)
Days to maturity : 70-73 days
Cultivation method:
Exposure : This cucumber appreciates full sun and well-drained soil, rich in organic matter .
Sowing :
• Indoors : Start seedlings 3-4 weeks before the last frost for an earlier harvest. Maintain a germination temperature around 22-25°C (72-77°F) .
• In open ground : After all risk of frost, when the soil is well warmed (minimum 18°C/65°F ).
📏 Spacing : Plant seedlings 12 to 14 inches (30 to 35 cm) apart. For best production, train the stems on a trellis to save space and improve air circulation.
💦 Watering : Regular and moderate to avoid bitterness of the fruits. Mulch at the foot of the plants will help to conserve moisture and limit weeds.
🔄 Harvest : Pick fruits when they reach 14 inches (35 cm) or more , making sure to harvest them young for optimal flavor and tender flesh.
A Mediterranean cucumber with authentic flavors!
🥗 Perfect in salad or carpaccio , this cucumber brings a subtle sweetness and an incomparable crunchy texture .
🌿 An Italian heritage variety , it is a must for lovers of old vegetables and culinary authenticity.
🌱 Easy to grow , it thrives both in open ground and vertically on trellises .
