Persian Cucumber
Born from the brilliant work of plant breeder Hanka Lazerson at an Israeli kibbutz in the 1930s, Beit Alpha cucumber transformed the unreliable Damascus cucumber into something extraordinary. These compact vines reach just 5-8 inches tall but deliver exceptional yields of sweet, burpless fruits in 55-65 days. Each cucumber grows 5-8 inches long with thin, spineless skin that never needs peeling, making them perfect for fresh eating straight from the garden.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-11
8in H x ?in W
Annual
High
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What sets Beit Alpha apart is its remarkable genetics that spawned hundreds of modern varieties worldwide. These parthenocarpic cucumbers produce fruit without pollination, starting earlier and yielding more consistently than most varieties. The smooth, thin skin conceals crisp flesh with relatively few seeds, while the sweet, mild flavor has no trace of bitterness. Their Middle Eastern heritage gives them impressive heat tolerance, and their compact growth makes them ideal for containers and small spaces.
These thin-skinned cucumbers excel in fresh applications where their sweet, mild flavor and tender skin shine. Perfect for eating straight from the vine as a refreshing snack, they slice beautifully for salads without any need for peeling. Their crisp texture and lack of bitterness make them ideal for Middle Eastern dishes, fresh vegetable platters, and sandwiches. The compact size and thin skin also make them excellent for pickling when harvested young.
Start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost date, sowing 1/2 inch deep in warm soil. Seeds germinate best at temperatures between 70-90°F and typically sprout within 5-14 days.
Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures are consistently above 70°F. Harden off seedlings gradually over a week before transplanting.
Direct sow seeds outdoors after the final spring frost when soil temperatures reach at least 70°F. Plant 1/2 inch deep and 12-18 inches apart if trellising, or 36-60 inches apart for ground growing.
Harvest cucumbers every 1-2 days once fruiting begins, picking them when they reach 5-8 inches long for peak flavor and texture. The ideal size is around 5-6 inches for the best eating quality. Regular harvesting every few days stimulates continued production and maintains plant vigor throughout the growing season. Look for firm, bright green fruits with smooth skin.
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“In the early 1930s at the Beit Alpha kibbutz in northern Israel, plant breeder Hanka Lazerson faced a challenge with the Damascus cucumber. While delicious, this landrace variety was frustratingly unpredictable in the field. Through careful selection and breeding, Lazerson created what would become known as Beit Alpha cucumber, transforming an unreliable heirloom into a consistent, high-yielding variety. As immigrants from the Middle East settled around the world, they carried Beit Alpha seeds with them, spreading this exceptional cucumber far beyond its kibbutz origins. The variety's outstanding genetics proved so valuable that it became the foundation for hundreds of both hybrid and open-pollinated cucumber varieties, making it one of the most influential cucumbers in modern agriculture.”