Bush cucumbers (for open ground and greenhouses) - self-pollinating varieties

Bush cucumbers are hybrids characterized by their compact size and weak branching. The short stems of these plants typically produce numerous ovaries, which quickly develop into fruits and ripen just as quickly. Externally, the bushes resemble a flower cluster with numerous fruits inside.

Bush varieties are great suitable for open groundThey are characterized by their low maintenance, which is essential for crops grown in garden plots. Furthermore, bush hybrids have good immunity, making them resistant to various diseases. Self-pollinating bush cucumber varieties deserve special attention. This species is more suitable for greenhouses and hotbeds.

Characteristics of self-pollinating bush cucumber varieties

The discovery of self-pollinating varieties is considered a major achievement for plant breeders. Ovarian formation in these plants does not depend on insects, but occurs naturally. Consequently, cucumbers produce a much higher yield than varieties that require bees for pollination.

Self-pollinating varieties have the following distinctive characteristics:

1. Pollination occurs without the help of bees.
2. The flower contains both a pistil and a stamen, which are pollinated when exposed to moisture, such as dew.
3. Universal varieties that bear fruit well both in greenhouse conditions and in open areas.
4. Early ripening of fruits.
5. High yield.

Provided all plant growing recommendations are followed, 1 m² of area occupied by self-pollinating cucumber bushes can yield up to 20 kg of cucumbers.

Self-pollinating varieties often refer to self-fertile (parthenocarpic) cucumbers. In reality, these are completely different plant species, but they share the common characteristic of not requiring insects to form fruit. Parthenocarpic varieties bear fruit without pollination. They also differ from other cucumbers in that they are completely seedless.

Features of growing self-pollinating cucumber varieties

Growing self-pollinating bush cucumbers is not difficult. These varieties are quite low-maintenance and require minimal care.

Landing

To speed up germination, cucumber seeds are soaked in water for 20 hours. Then, the swollen seeds are spread out on a damp cloth in a warm place with bright, indirect light.

Seeds are planted in late May. Seedlings are sown in late April or early May. The distance between plants is determined by the variety: from 15 to 30 cm. Densely planted plants are more susceptible to diseases and pests.

Watering and fertilizing

Cucumbers are moisture-loving plants, so they need to be watered generously and regularly. The water used should be warm: temperature conflicts between soil and moisture are unacceptable. Over-dried plants don't grow well and lose leaves. Overwatering often leads to root rot and fungal infections. Therefore, when it comes to watering, gardeners need to find a happy medium.

Bush varieties grow much faster than long-stemmed cucumbers, so they require slightly more frequent fertilization. While long-stemmed plants require 3-4 applications, bush hybrids require a slightly more frequent application. they feed 5-6 times per season.

During active growth, it's important to use nitrogen-containing fertilizers. During flowering and fruiting, plants require fertilizers with increased potassium content. It's recommended to alternate mineral fertilizers with organic matter.

Care

Caring for bush varieties is less difficult than for their long-stemmed relatives.

It is recommended to loosen the soil around the plant immediately after watering. When doing this, vegetable growers should exercise extreme caution: the plant's root system is located close to the soil surface, so it can be easily damaged during loosening.

Weeds interfere with normal plant development by blocking light, disrupting gas exchange, and depleting the soil. They also often promote disease and pest infestations. Therefore, timely weeding is essential.

The best varieties of bush self-pollinating cucumbers for open ground

Not all self-pollinating plants are suitable for growing in plots. The best ones varieties for open ground The following hybrids are considered: Patti, April, Korolek, Prestige and Stella.

Patty

Patti is a relatively new hybrid characterized by high yields. It is resistant to cold and disease. Fruiting begins 40 days after planting.

Cucumbers reach 11 cm in length and weigh between 60 and 90 g. The fruits are dark green with subtle light stripes. The surface is covered with small bumps and spines.

The taste is sweet and lacks bitterness. The fruits are crisp and retain their firmness and crunch even when pickled. These cucumbers are suitable for both canning and eating raw.

April

The April variety was developed in Russia. The hybrid is adapted for cultivation throughout the country. It is characterized by increased yields. The growing season lasts 1.5 months.

The fruit stops growing after reaching 25 cm and 240 g. After this point, it retains its appearance and flavor without becoming overgrown. The surface is bumpy, and the spines are light. The base color is dark green.

Due to their large size, the fruits are primarily eaten raw. However, they retain their flavor when canned or pickled.

Kinglet

The Korolek variety produces medium-sized fruits that are characterized by high commercial quality. They are considered mid-season, as the fruits ripen only two months after planting. Korolek is resistant to many dangerous diseases.

The fruits are large. They grow up to 22 cm in length and weigh up to 200 g. They are two-toned: lighter streaks, reaching a third of the cucumber's length, are clearly visible against a dark green background. The surface is covered with sparse but large bumps. The Korolek variety is suitable for raw eating.

Prestige

The Prestige variety is ideal for small garden beds. The bushes are very compact but produce a high yield. With proper care, up to 20 kg of vegetables can be harvested per square meter. This hybrid is a mid-season variety.

The fruit is no more than 10 cm long. Its shape is smooth and its color is uniform. The bumps are not continuous. The bumps have light-colored spines.

Unripe fruits are widely used for pickling. Thanks to its pleasant flavor, complete lack of bitterness, characteristic cucumber crunch that remains even after cooking, and versatility, the Prestige hybrid is called the king of cucumbers.

Stella

The Stella variety is distinguished by its vigor and good yield. With proper care, up to eight ovaries form on a single node. Stella is a medium-sized hybrid, as the fruits ripen only in the second month.

Large, soft green fruits with faint pimples. No spines. A yellow flower remains at the tip. The flavor is excellent, and the flesh is juicy and crisp.

The large size of the cucumbers makes them ideal for salads and other dishes eaten fresh. However, some home cooks manage to pickle the 23-centimeter-long Stella cucumbers.

Which varieties of self-pollinating bush cucumbers are suitable for greenhouses?

For greenhouses, compact plants with high yields and the ability to pollinate without bees are selected. Bushy, self-pollinating hybrids are ideal for this purpose.

The most suitable varieties for growing in a greenhouse The following hybrids are considered:

1. Zozulya. It's easy to care for. The seeds are planted in May, but they begin to bear fruit in early summer. The fruits grow up to 15 cm. They are primarily eaten fresh.

   

2. Courage. An early-ripening cucumber considered versatile. Thanks to its compact size and excellent flavor, it's used in both salads and preserves. With proper cultivation, a single plant can yield up to 9 kg of vegetables.
3. Ant. An early-ripening hybrid for general use. The fruits reach 9-12 cm in length and weigh 100 g. The flesh is crisp, dense, and free of voids. It has a sweetish flavor with no noticeable bitterness.
4. Domovenok. A late cucumber that can be harvested until mid-autumn. The growing season lasts 60 days. Thanks to its small size (6-7 cm and 80 g), the fruits of the Domovenok variety are ideal. suitable for pickling or canning.

   

5. Nezhinsky. A late-ripening hybrid characterized by high yields and resilience. Unlike most bush varieties, the Nezhinsky hybrid grows into a vigorous 2-meter-tall bush with highly branched shoots. Fruits reach 10 cm.
6. Tom Thumb. An early-ripening hybrid, the fruits ripen as early as 35 days after planting. The plants are highly cold-resistant. The small fruits, no larger than 8 cm, are ideal for pickling and marinating.
7. Krepyshok. A high-yielding salad variety, classified as a mid-season variety. The bushes produce abundant fruit. The cucumbers have a pleasant flavor, but lose their flavor when cooked.

   

Greenhouse varieties are not intended for planting in open ground. Growing them in unprotected spaces results in reduced yields and longer ripening times.

Reviews from gardeners

Gardeners are eager to share their experiences growing self-pollinating bush hybrids:

Andrey, 53 years old: "We've been growing this variety for several years now. It's perfect for a small garden. A huge advantage is that it doesn't require trellises and is easy to care for. The bushes grow compactly, taking up little space, and have a decorative appearance. The fruits ripen 50 days after planting. We harvest them almost simultaneously. We use the cucumbers for pickling and marinating. In winter, we get firm, crisp, and delicious cucumbers from the jar."

Larisa, 33 years old: "I planted several varieties at once. I'm very pleased with the results. They're small in size, with short vines. These cucumbers are easy to pick and don't require staking. The cucumbers don't turn into overgrown specimens, but remain small and green, retaining their freshness for a long time. The yield is average, but the fruits are sweet, aromatic, and juicy."

Pavel, 47 years old: "I consider bush varieties unsuitable for our climate. In hot summers, the leaves quickly turn yellow and dry out. It's also worth noting that the bushes bear fruit for less than a month. The appearance and taste are ordinary, and many of the fruits taste bitter at the base. The yield is rather low. I don't think it's advisable to continue growing this variety."

Self-pollinating bush hybrids are a new generation of cucumbers that don't require insect assistance to successfully set fruit. These hybrids are characterized by high yields and low maintenance.