Cucumbers for a polycarbonate greenhouse: the best, earliest, and most productive varieties

Growing vegetables in greenhouses is quite common in our unpredictable climate, especially in regions with short summers. This is due not only to more favorable growing conditions but also to the possibility of obtaining the earliest cucumber harvests. Selecting the right varieties for the specific climate is crucial. Also, those planning to grow vegetables indoors should pay attention to the quality of the material used for the greenhouse.

Today, polycarbonate greenhouses are the leading choice, as the material transmits sunlight well, retains heat (which helps save on heating), and can last for over 10 years. To choosethe best varieties of cucumbers When growing in polycarbonate greenhouses, you should follow the reviews of experienced gardeners.

Advantages of polycarbonate greenhouses and features of cucumber cultivation

The best option for growing is a homemade greenhouse made of polycarbonate. This material is very common and has excellent technical characteristics. The following advantages are noted:

1. Polycarbonate sheets are quite strong and can withstand significant loads without deformation (for example, the accumulation of a large amount of snow).
2. The material is also practical, as it requires minimal maintenance and is easy to install and move.

   

3. Polycarbonate is characterized by wear resistance and a long service life, which can reach 20 years.
4. Thanks to its excellent frost resistance, an optimal microclimate is maintained inside the structure even at low temperatures outside. The honeycomb structure of the material retains heat very well, reducing the need for heating devices in winter.
5. The surface of the material is moisture-resistant, so precipitation will not harm the seedlings.

In addition, high-quality polycarbonate is coated with special agents that protect plants from harmful ultraviolet radiation. The material is lightweight and flexible, making it easy to work with even for inexperienced workers. It can be drilled, glued, cut, and even welded. This practicality makes it easy to install vents or partitions in a greenhouse.

The disadvantages of polycarbonate include its relatively high cost. It's also worth noting that it melts easily in fire, so fires should be lit far from the structure.

The greenhouse should be approximately the same height as the owner, which will ensure easy and complete plant care. Furthermore, a spacious room will allow for better air circulation. When installing the greenhouse, don't forget about vents, as plants in well-ventilated areas are much less likely to wilt and become diseased.

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There are four main factors that influence the full growth of plants:

• loosening the soil;
• ventilation;
• watering;
• fertilizers.

Plants prefer a humid climate, so they need to be watered regularly. Use only warm water, as cold water slows the growth of shoots. To prevent foliar diseases, avoid getting water on the foliage. It is essential to monitor the condition of the soil, as it must always be loose. Loosening the soil is done carefully, especially around the fragile stems. On warm days, gardeners should open the windows, as fresh air has a positive effect on the growth of cucumbers.

The best cucumber seed varieties for polycarbonate greenhouses

With so many varieties to choose from, choosing cucumber seeds for indoor gardening can be challenging, especially for beginners. To navigate the abundance of varieties and hybrids, it's important to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the most popular cucumbers.

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The earliest cucumber varieties for greenhouses

Self-pollinating and parthenocarpic varieties are the most popular indoors. The earliest cucumbers are in high demand in the northern region, where the short summers make it difficult to grow late-ripening vegetables. Among the early varieties, vegetable growers highlight the following:

• High-yielding Dynamite seeds are parthenocarpic. The green fruit takes on a cylindrical shape and grows approximately 14 cm in length. The surface is covered with brown spines;

  

• The Murashka hybrid, grown in greenhouses for decades, is known for its high yield and delicious, bitter-free fruits. The cucumber grows up to 12 cm and is covered in black hairs.

  

• Matilda is a self-pollinating hybrid variety, with a single ovary capable of producing approximately seven dark-green fruits. This variety boasts excellent flavor and marketability. The plant is medium-sized and has moderate branching.

  

• The Sarovsky variety is distinguished by its good tolerance to changing growing conditions. Fruit grows even in low temperatures and low light. This hybrid has gained popularity due to its high yield, ease of care, and versatility.

  

• The parthenocarpic Kozyrnaya Karta variety is ideal for winter harvesting. Gherkin-type cucumbers reach 10 cm in length. Large-tuberculate cucumbers with white spines have excellent flavor and pickling qualities. Up to 5 ovaries form in a single node of this bunch variety.

  

• Emelya is a parthenocarpic hybrid whose fruits reach 13-15 cm. The vigorous plants have thin skin covered with large tubercles and white spines. Originally intended for salads, it is also widely used for canning. Overripe cucumbers have juicy flesh and retain their flavor.

  

The most productive varieties

For a vegetable grower, the yield of cucumbers is an important indicator. Caring for plants in a greenhouse Growing cucumbers takes a lot of time and effort, so every greenhouse owner expects abundant fruiting. The best cucumber varieties for indoor cultivation are considered to be the most productive:

1. Zozulya is a domestic hybrid that produces a high yield in greenhouse conditions. Fruiting begins 42-48 days after planting. One square meter can yield approximately 20 kg of cucumbers, ranging from 14 to 24 cm in length. These cucumbers retain their attractive appearance for a long time and are not prone to overgrowing.

   

2. The Tumi hybrid is easy to care for and hardy. Gardeners can harvest up to 12 kg of cucumbers per square meter. The hybrid is most often grown in greenhouses and hotbeds, but sometimes in open ground. The fruits remain fresh and marketable during transportation. Under adverse conditions (drought or frost), the plant does not shed its ovaries.

   

3. The early-ripening Buratino variety is a cold-hardy plant. Its cylindrical cucumbers, varying in length from 9 cm, are free of bitterness. The first fruiting occurs after 45 days. The fruits are ideal for winter preservation. A yield of up to 15 kg can be harvested from 1 m².

   

4. Dachnik is an early-ripening, bee-pollinated variety. This vigorous plant produces cluster-shaped ovaries. The large, tuberculate fruits grow to about 10 cm in length, and each cucumber weighs between 70 and 90 g. With proper care, one square meter can yield approximately 14 kg of cucumbers.

   

With advice and feedback from experienced gardeners, you can select the most productive seeds for growing indoors.

Hybrid varieties that are disease-resistant

The modern market offers a wide range of seeds, most of which are hybrids. They differ from varietal plants in that only the first generation can produce a harvest.

Hybrid seeds are most often chosen for polycarbonate greenhouses, as they offer several advantages:

• hybrids are resistant to most diseases, so they practically never get sick;
• they are hardy and bear fruit abundantly;
• hybrids do not have barren flowers;
• Cucumbers have good taste.

If the seed packet is labeled "F1," these are first-generation hybrid seeds. The following hybrids are recommended for greenhouse cultivation:

1. Kuznechik is an early-ripening parthenocarpic hybrid that produces its first harvest in 38 days. A single leaf axil can produce up to six ovaries. Harvesting should be done promptly, as overripe vegetables develop voids inside, and the flesh becomes gelatinous. The hybrid is resistant to powdery mildew, downy mildew, and cladosporiosis.

   

2. Sugar Baby is an early-ripening gherkin hybrid that yields up to 22 kg per square meter when grown in greenhouses. The cucumbers ripen 38-43 days after germination. The small fruits, up to 8 cm long, are very juicy and sweet, without a bitter aftertaste. The variety has good immunity to most diseases and is tolerant of temperature fluctuations and cold. When growing Sugar Baby, special attention should be paid to light, as insufficient light can affect yield.

   

3. "Druzhnaya Semeyka" is a mid-early hybrid that ripens 43-48 days after the first shoots emerge. This parthenocarpic plant has clustered ovaries. The cylindrical cucumbers are covered with medium-sized tubercles and white spines. Each cucumber weighs up to 100 g and grows up to 12 cm in length. This hybrid is known for its high and long-lasting yields.

   

The following varieties are also quite popular among summer residents: Paratunka, Emerald Earrings, Spring, Muravey, Berendey, Garland.

Reviews of the best cucumber varieties for polycarbonate greenhouses

Lisa: "Every year, my mother experiments with new greenhouse cucumber hybrids, the names of which I can't even remember (there were just so many of them). But my grandmother won't even hear about other varieties. Her favorites have always been Zozulya and Murashka, which consistently produce excellent yields."

Vasily: "I prefer to grow early greenhouse varieties that are good for both salads and pickling. Among the many cucumbers that have grown in my greenhouse, I'd like to highlight the Anyuta, Emelya, and Evita seeds."

Elena: "In a polycarbonate greenhouse, I grow only what I consider to be the best varieties: Benefis, Murashka, and Mal'chik s Thumb. I plant them every year. I tried saving a few cucumbers for seed, but nothing from the hybrids ever grows a second time."

Marina: "I've tried many greenhouse cucumbers over the years, but I finally settled on the Courage. The fruits grow large and their flavor is simply superb. Furthermore, the Courage has a strong immune system. I use the harvest for salads and pickling."

Veronica: "I enjoy experimenting, so I select new seeds every year. Among the varieties I grow, I'd like to highlight Zarya and Anyuta. They have a fairly high yield and are very tasty."

Catherine: "With proper greenhouse care, you can get a good harvest from any variety. Every year I sow seeds from different varieties, and I like almost all of them (none of them have disappointed). I have a large family, so greenhouse cucumbers are eaten in no time, sometimes there's not even enough left for canning."

A polycarbonate greenhouse or hotbed provides excellent conditions for growing delicious cucumbers at home. Thanks to selective breeding, there's a huge selection of greenhouse varieties available today, ensuring every gardener can find the best cucumber seeds.