Cucumber varieties are classified by ripening time, taste, and intended use, as well as by the length of the fruiting period. However, a more important characteristic is yield. Before purchasing seeds, garden centers recommend reading descriptions of the most productive varieties. Catalogs always include photographs of fruits grown with proper cultivation techniques.
"Cuckoo"
An early-ripening hybrid developed by a Russian breeding institute. It can self-pollinate without bees, making it suitable for cultivation not only in open ground but also in greenhouses and indoors. Planting 2-3 plants per square meter yields approximately 40 kg of fruit per square meter. This versatile vegetable is suitable for salads and canning.
The thin-skinned, pimpled fruits form on graceful shoots. These shoots do not require pinching. The cucumbers are a deep green, and small seeds are visible when cut. A mature fruit can weigh around 300 g. Ripening occurs 45 days after germination. An important characteristic is their resistance to adverse weather conditions.
You may be interested in:"Phoenix"
A late-ripening variety with a long fruiting period. Resistant to many fungal diseases. The crisp, 220g fruits are ideal for preserves. They form on 2.5m-long canes and do not require staking. This is a trailing variety. Using supports may cause leaf burn. To enhance fruiting, fertilize the soil with organic matter and complex agrochemicals before planting.
This variety is easy to grow. It was bred in Krymsk in 1985, when intense powdery mildew outbreaks had spread to the socialist bloc countries of Bulgaria, Hungary, and East Germany. "Phoenix" is resistant to the disease. The main requirement for cultivation is adequate moisture. Water every two days, using settled water free of chlorine and heavy metals.
Lord
This mid-season hybrid is suitable for open ground cultivation, as it is pollinated exclusively by bees. It produces a high yield. The shoots develop vigorously, with 1-2 ovaries forming at each node. The fruits do not exceed 12 cm in length. This cucumber is tolerant to downy mildew and mosaic. To obtain a rich harvest of 25 kg per square meter, plant 3-4 plants in the same area.
You may be interested in:The best predecessors for the "Lord" hybrid are cabbage, onions, and potatoes. Also, to successfully grow these cucumbers, consider the following agricultural practices:
- Soil fertility. It is enriched with macro- and microelements. Phosphorus and potassium are especially important, ensuring intensive and long-lasting fruiting.
- Planting depth. The optimal depth is 2 cm; otherwise, seedling emergence will be uneven. Less viable seeds may not germinate at all.
Pickling
An early-ripening variety that owes its name to its intended use. An indeterminate plant with unlimited growth. Flowering is mixed. After successful pollination, which involves bees, ovaries form. The bright green, thin-skinned fruits weigh approximately 135 g and have a distinct "bumpiness." The cylindrical fruits are no more than 12 cm long.
You may be interested in:The flesh is firm and juicy, with a distinctive cucumber aroma. The flavor is not bitter. The crisp fruits are excellent for pickling. The fruits are harvested at 2-3-day intervals throughout the month after the onset of fruiting, which begins 45 days after germination. In black soil regions, the average yield is 150-200 centners per hectare. With proper cultivation practices and in productive years, the yield can reach 450 centners per hectare.
"Elegant"
A large number of new and promising hybrids appear every year. At the same time, established, time-tested varieties remain popular. This early-ripening cucumber was added to the register in 1961, but has remained popular. Its cold tolerance makes it suitable for early sowing. It produces a bountiful harvest, perfect for fresh eating and canning for the winter.
This mid-season variety is resistant to bacterial blight. It produces approximately six shoots, which produce green fruits 12 cm long and weighing 150 g. The skin is not bitter, but thick. Some growers consider this characteristic of the fruit structure a disadvantage. With minimal care, up to 20 kg can be harvested from 1 m² of plantings. To realize their full potential, protect the plants from aphids with preventative treatments.
Breeders have developed high-yielding, early-ripening varieties with long-lasting fruiting and resistance to various fungal and viral diseases, as well as later hybrids that produce abundant, delicious, versatile fruit. However, to achieve maximum yields, proper cultivation practices and the agroclimatic conditions of the growing region are essential.
When to plant cucumbers in May 2024 according to the lunar calendar
Cucumbers for a polycarbonate greenhouse: the best varieties for the Moscow region
A catalog of late-ripening cucumber varieties for open beds
Catalog 2024: The Best Bee-Pollinated Cucumber Varieties
Sergey
Antediluvian varieties. It feels like a reprint from an old "Gardener's Handbook," including the classification. Nowadays, there are plenty of more interesting modern varieties.
Natalia
Courage - these are some cucumbers!
Elena
Hello, dear readers! I couldn't help but mention cucumber varieties—what year was this published? These cucumber varieties haven't been in demand for about 10 years now. I plant Connie, Passalimo, Director, Shosha, Parisian Gherkin, Magdalena, and many other gherkin varieties, AND ALWAYS WITH CUCUMBERS.
Larisa
For two years in a row, I've been planting "KOLIBRI" cucumbers from the "Manul" brand. They haven't disappointed. I always grow them vertically, with the entire plant covered in fruit like a garland. While varieties like "ADAM" or "Shchedrik" produce one cucumber, "Kolibri" produces 8-10. They never get larger than 8 cm. They're very sweet. I also like that the leaves are small and there are virtually no side shoots. They can be planted closely together. One drawback is that they're a bit soft when pickled, even though they're advertised as universal.
I live in the Novosibirsk region. I've never been able to grow Chinese cabbage. It either blooms, or, like this year's Chacha variety, it doesn't have time to form a head. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.