Cucumbers for a polycarbonate greenhouse - choosing the best variety

What should you consider when choosing cucumber seeds for a greenhouse?

Hybrid cucumber varieties are best grown in greenhouses; they're less demanding and produce a good harvest. When choosing seeds, carefully consider the variety type. If the variety says F1, you won't be able to obtain good planting material for the following year. When choosing cucumber varieties for greenhouse cultivation, consider the following criteria:

• In what season does it germinate;
• What type of branching;
• The variety is self-pollinating or normal;
• Scope of use of cucumbers;
• How well it tolerates shade;
• When does it bear fruit?

When choosing the best cucumber varieties for a polycarbonate greenhouse, it's important to consider all the factors listed above, as well as whether the particular cucumber variety is suitable for your specific location. This can determine the quality and quantity of the harvest.

Fruit ripening season

For growing cucumbers in greenhouses, it is worth purchasing varieties that can be roughly divided into three groups:

• Winter-spring – during this period, cucumbers bear fruit quite well, but not for long, because they are susceptible to various diseases. They do not require careful and special care, and do not require good lighting. This group includes Blagosvet 1, Moskovsky Teplichny, Estafeta and Manual;

• Spring-summer – do not require good lighting, careful care, can withstand light frosts, produce good fruit, do not always tolerate shade to the same extent. The most popular are Aprelsky and Zozulya;

• Summer-fall – this variety bears fruit the longest; they can tolerate any weather, feeling equally good in any season. During this period, Maryina Roshcha, Anyuta, Courage, Sharzh, and even Konkur can be grown in a greenhouse.

The timing of sowing determines when your cucumbers will bear fruit. For a greenhouse, it's best to choose earlier varieties, as you'll be able to enjoy the first harvest before they hit store shelves. The same can be done for later cucumbers. cultivationto have cucumbers in the fall.

Varieties of cucumbers depending on the growing season

Depending on when you want to grow cucumbers in a polycarbonate greenhouse, the best varieties are (video below). There are many varieties of cucumbers, and they should also be distinguished by their intended use. There are three groups:

1. For pickling – these have a pleasant flavor that is preserved during pickling and can be stored for a long time without spoiling. These cucumbers include the Adam, Burana, Blagovatny, Hector, Moskovsky Pizhon, and Legenda varieties. All of these are type I hybrids, so they are not suitable for harvesting seeds for the following year; they are definitely annuals.

2. Almost all cucumber varieties can be used in salads, but it's best to choose those with good flavor. Commonly used varieties for greenhouse cultivation include Orlik, Pyzhik, Solnechny, Tsarskiy, Danila, Kristall, Gerkules, Vicenta, Belyi Angel, and Athlete. This list is far from exhaustive, but it includes the most popular varieties, which have excellent flavor and are suitable for salads.

3. Universal cucumber varieties – used for pickling, fresh eating, and canning. These varieties include Corporal, Little Thumb, Severianin, Trump Card, Three Tankers, and Baloven.

If you bought seeds cucumbersIf you're unsure of the variety and intended use of cucumbers, wait for the first fruits to appear; they'll easily identify the variety. If cucumbers have white spines, they're only suitable for eating in salads, but never for pickling or canning. To do this, look for brown or black spines on your cucumbers. They're excellent for pickling, but it's important not to miss the ripening stage, otherwise they'll overripe and lose all their wonderful flavor. Varieties with dark spines are versatile.

When choosing varieties specifically for growing in Russia, it's best to consider their intended purpose. For example, "Kura" cucumbers are best suited for commercial cultivation. They produce good fruit that meets marketable standards. "Emelya" produces a good harvest, boasting excellent flavor and a beautiful appearance. "Connie" is disease-resistant, frost-resistant, high-yielding, bitter-free, and completely prick-free. "Klavdia" is an excellent choice for growing in small greenhouses. "Amur" has a delicate and pleasant flavor that works well in salads.

Why do cucumbers taste bitter?

Many people wonder why cucumbers taste bitter. It's because during hot weather, when they lack moisture, they begin to produce the alkaloid cucurbitacin. Therefore, during severe drought, it's important to provide the plants with sufficient moisture. It could also be due to acidic soil, which is unsuitable for growing cucumbers in a polycarbonate greenhouse.the best varieties (It's worth checking out the forums) were delicious. Bitterness begins to accumulate when cucumbers stop growing for a few days. Dark-colored varieties are susceptible to this process. Sometimes, cucumbers with a bitter taste are even specially bred, as there is evidence that they can effectively fight cancer cells. All modern varieties lack the ability to accumulate this enzyme under the skin, as breeders strive to develop not just new cucumber varieties, but ones free of any defects.

Pest control

It's crucial to properly protect your plants from the harmful effects of pests, as they can destroy your future harvest. There are a variety of products available for this purpose, both ready-made and homemade.

It's important to thoroughly disinfect the soil before planting the seeds. This will help reduce the risk of various cucumber diseases, preventing any pests from causing significant damage to the crop. The most readily available solution is copper sulfate, which should be sprayed on all plants. It's easy to prepare: just add 10 tablespoons to a bucket of water and mix thoroughly. Some gardeners also use chlorine, which should be scattered randomly throughout the area where you'll be planting the cucumbers and thoroughly raked to ensure it's absorbed into the soil.

Gardeners often soak seeds to speed up germination, but this should never be done, as each seed is treated with a special solution during processing at the factory. This can be seen by the color of the seeds; they usually have a pinkish tint. If this is washed off, the plant may grow but not pollinate, or it may simply become diseased.

When planting, choose the right location to ensure the cucumbers thrive. Avoid planting them near fruit trees, which are susceptible to various pests, as they can ruin the entire harvest. Most often, aphids begin to feed on the cucumber trunks, causing significant damage. Also, keep in mind that during drought, cucumbers need to be watered frequently—this will prevent bitterness and prolong fruit production.

There are many varieties for greenhouses, each with its own characteristics and advantages. You need to choose the best option for you. If you're having trouble, consider asking a salesperson for help; they'll be able to assist you with this difficult choice.

Choose the right varieties for your greenhouse, provide your cucumbers with care and water, and you're guaranteed a bountiful and delicious harvest. They're not as fussy as they might seem at first glance; the key is to choose a variety that suits all your needs. General-purpose varieties are likely the most popular, as they're ideal for salads, canning, and pickling. This way, you won't have to remember which variety is which, so you can use it for its intended purpose later.

The best cucumber varieties for polycarbonate greenhouses were listed in the article. Have a great harvest!