Cucumber is a common vegetable crop in Russia that requires plenty of sunlight to grow. Therefore, especially in Siberia, where the weather is not particularly favorable for local residents, it is essential to carefully select varieties adapted to regional conditions. the best varieties of cucumbers, growing them in a greenhouse protected from the harsh external environment.
It's important to consider the specific characteristics and challenges of growing cucumbers in the Siberian climate. When choosing, it's best to consult the opinions of experts and reviews from people who grow cucumbers in these climates.
Basic requirements for cucumber varieties for cultivation in Siberia
The short and often cool summers require a unique approach to growing cucumbers in this vast geographic region. First and foremost, choosing the right seeds is crucial. For cultivation in Siberia, they must pass the appropriate state tests and be zoned for northern regions. It is recommended to purchase them from local seed companies.
Most gardeners choose easy-to-grow varieties. To thrive in Siberian farms, cucumbers must be resistant to the main diseases of local vegetable crops (particularly members of the Cucurbitaceae family). Essential plant qualities:
- cold resistance;
- resistance to possible sudden temperature fluctuations;
- short growing season.
Varieties should be early-ripening or at least mid-season. The average time from sowing seeds to harvesting the first cucumbers is 1.5-2 months. Parthenocarpic plants are desirable. This is a major advantage for indoor greens. They set fruit without pollen transferring to the pistils. Pollination occurs without the involvement of bees, and therefore is not affected by poor weather, when these insects are unable to fly.
In conditions where natural light is scarce, shade tolerance is crucial. The significant advantages include rapid and vigorous emergence and, consequently, simultaneous ripening. And, of course, the crop must produce high yields and excellent fruit flavor.
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The most suitable for greenhouses are hybrids bred specifically for growing in harsh climates. Some produce abundant harvests, while others offer a unique flavor.
The most productive varieties
The vigorous, low-climbing Zozulya variety is easy to maintain and resistant to root rot, cucumber mosaic, and olive leaf spot. It produces abundant fruit in a greenhouse.
The advantages of the German hybrid are early maturity, taste (sweet, without bitterness), marketable appearance, high resistance to mosaic, powdery mildew, and fusarium.
The medium-sized Siberian Bouquet is adapted to low temperatures and is resistant to diseases.
| Variety | Self-pollination | Length size (cm) | Duration of maturation (days) | Yield (kg per 1 m2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuckoo | + (partially) | 14-24 | 42-48 | 16-20 |
| Hermann | + | 8-10 | 36-42 | 25 |
| Siberian bouquet | + | 8-10 | 40-45 | Up to 30 |
Alligator cucumbers
Chinese cucumbers, resembling alligators, are distinguished by their length, sweet flavor without bitterness, firm, air-tight flesh, and a pleasant aroma (watermelon or melon-like). This variety is suitable for fresh consumption. Pickling or canning is not recommended.
| Variety | Yield (kg/m2) | Self-pollination | Length (cm) | Ripening period (number of days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth | 18 | + | 20-22 | 50-55 |
| Crocodile Gena | 16 | — | 35-50 | 36-42 |
| Emerald Stream | 12 | — | 30-80 | 44-48 |
Features of varieties:
- The medium-sized, medium-leafed hybrid Elizaveta is renowned for its consistently high yields. It is cold- and shade-tolerant, and resistant to bacterial wilt, powdery mildew, and olive spot.
- A medium-sized, vigorous, and shade-tolerant cultivar, Emerald Stream tolerates low temperatures and produces fruit continuously. It is resistant to powdery mildew and cladosporiosis.
Emerald Stream - The ultra-early Crocodile Gena is resistant to typical cucumber diseases, including root rot.
Crocodile Gena
Gherkins
Small-fruited varieties are prized for their flavor and versatility. They are especially delicious when canned.
| Variety | Fruit length (cm) | Cucumber yield (kg per 1 m2) | Self-pollination | Duration of maturation (number of days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handsome | 6-8 | 6-8 | + (partially) | 45-55 |
| Quartet | 9-12 | 11 | + | 43-48 |
| A friendly family | 10-12 | 10 | + | 43-48 |
Vigorous and well-branched, Krasavchik is highly resistant to disease and produces abundant fruit. The fruit is aromatic and not bitter.
The medium-sized, medium-branched Druzhnaya Semeyka hybrid is resistant to major cucumber diseases and produces a good harvest until frost. Harvesting is recommended at the pickle stage.
Quartet is a medium-sized, highly branched hybrid. Diseases are not a problem, and the fruits are firm, crisp, and without a bitter taste.
Fruit cucumbers
Fruit cucumbers have an excellent sweet taste and are recommended for fresh consumption.
| Variety | Time of maturity (days) | Length (cm) | Self-pollination | Yield (kg/m2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit | 42-45 | 12-14 | + | 8 |
| Paganini's fingers | 43-45 | 10-15 | + | 10-12 |
| Sweet woman | 50-55 | 20-22 | — | 12-13 |
The Fruit hybrid is a medium-sized, cold- and shade-tolerant, disease-resistant variety with even, smooth, crispy and sweet (without bitterness) fruits.
The vigorous and climbing hybrid Fingers Paganini is shade-tolerant and resistant to fungal diseases.
The value of the vigorous hybrid "Sweet Woman" lies in its delicate and sweet flavor. It is resistant to powdery mildew, pumpkin scab, cladosporiosis, and cucumber mosaic virus.
New hybrids
New hybrid varieties that produce several ovaries in a single flower and bear fruit in clusters have proven themselves in Siberian greenhouses.
| Variety | Self-pollination | Fruit length (cm) | Ripening period (number of days) | Cucumber yield (per 1 m2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claudia | + | 10-12 | 45-52 | 20 |
| Restina | + (partially) | 5-6 | 45-50 | Up to 25 |
The climbing Claudia has comprehensive disease resistance and can withstand extreme temperature fluctuations. It's a versatile variety. The fruits can be picked daily. The flesh is sweet, juicy, and not bitter.
The medium-vine Restina cucumber is genetically resistant to fungal and viral diseases. Its firm, crisp texture makes it ideal for salads and pickling.
Varieties and features of growing cucumbers in a polycarbonate greenhouse in Siberia
For Siberians polycarbonate greenhouses It is recommended to select reliable and unpretentious varieties whose seeds have excellent germination and stress resistance.
Specifics of greenhouses
The main material of such structures (polycarbonate) has cells that retain heat for a long time. It's important to keep the temperature within the specified limits during hot weather by ventilating the greenhouse.
A special coating applied to the surface prevents harmful solar radiation from penetrating the greenhouse, while still allowing ample light to reach the plants. High-quality polycarbonate withstands temperature fluctuations and snow loads, ensuring a long service life for the cover.
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The tall and branched Miranda hybrid adapts well to fertile greenhouse soil of any composition. It is resistant to frost and powdery mildew. The variety is parthenocarpic, making it ideal for growing in polycarbonate vegetable garden structures. This hybrid has a versatile purpose.
The medium-sized, trailing Serpentine produces a quick harvest. It tolerates short-term temperature drops well, is drought- and disease-resistant, and requires little maintenance in greenhouse conditions.
Altai has a short growing season and good cold tolerance. Sudden temperature drops, which an unheated greenhouse can tolerate, do not affect yield.
| Variety | Self-pollination | Time of maturity (number of days) | Vegetable size in length (cm) | Yield (kg/m2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miranda | + | 45 | 11-12 | 6.5 |
| Serpentine | — | 39-42 | 9-10 | 4-5 |
| Altai | — | 35-40 | 9-11 | 3.6-3.8 |
Some secrets of growing cucumbers
In Siberia, spring soil takes a long time to warm up, so it's best to create raised beds for this vegetable crop so they receive sun exposure from multiple sides. Legumes, onions, and cabbage are suitable precursors for cucumbers.
Seeds can be planted in late April or early May, and then grown for 3-4 weeks to be transplanted into a greenhouse prepared for cucumbers. Covering the young seedlings with a layer of mulch helps protect their root system.
To use chicken manure, dilute one part dry or fresh manure in 20 liters of water. After 10 days, you can water the spaces between the rows. Apply carefully to avoid burning the plants. Avoid getting it on the leaves or in the planting holes. Sprinkling wood ash on the beds and the plants themselves is also helpful. This is best done before watering.
Watering should be frequent but moderate. During prolonged rains, this procedure should be postponed until the soil dries completely, otherwise even strong plants can become diseased. If the topsoil between the rows has dried out, it should be carefully loosened.
Yellow leaves should be picked off and destroyed, and seedlings should be watered with Fitosporin as a preventative measure. You can also dissolve a bottle of iodine in 1 liter of water and spray the beds with it.
When harvesting, it's important to remove any defective fruit. This is especially important for ensuring regular fruiting of small-fruited varieties.
Reviews
Valeria: "The Klavdiya hybrid cucumbers are small and smooth. They're excellent for canning. The 10-centimeter-long Altai cucumbers are just as good for canning."
Elena: "We've been growing Zozulya for years. We're enjoying our first cucumbers just 1.5-2 months after sowing. They're never bitter, even after sudden temperature changes. The fruits are perfect—no overgrown or dwarfed ones. The only downside is that you have to buy hybrid seeds every year. If you collect your own seeds, they won't produce the desired results."
Alexander: "Of the different varieties I tried, I chose Klavdia. I choose high-quality, treated seeds. They have a good germination rate, almost 100%. I almost always keep the greenhouse door open during warm weather."
Augustine: "We tried the Emerald Stream variety. It lives up to its name, literally growing like a stream. The plant is large, so we fertilize the soil well in the greenhouse right away. We always tie up the sturdy vine. Here in Siberia, the fruits appear as early as late June or early July. They grow quickly. They are delicious, and there's no bitterness. Because of the thorns, we use gloves when picking."
Anatoly: "My wife and I tried growing different varieties in open ground, but the results weren't always satisfactory. So, we decided to build a greenhouse out of 12mm polycarbonate. Since our Siberian climate is harsh, I attached the material in two layers, leaving a 3mm air gap between them. We planted the well-known, universal Miranda variety. We water it only with warm water and fertilize it well."
Breeders are constantly developing new varieties, including those suitable for Siberia's challenging climate. Siberians successfully grow many of these new varieties. There are also time-tested varieties that produce a consistent harvest every year, especially in a carbonate greenhouse. Long and miniature, sweet salad cucumbers and crisp pickling cucumbers—there's a diverse selection of cucumbers, so every gardener can find the perfect cucumber for growing in Siberia to suit their tastes.
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