Gherkin cucumbers for open ground and greenhouses: description and characteristics

Cucumbers

Gherkins are considered the most delicious when pickled and marinated, so every self-respecting gardener tries to plant at least a couple of these cucumbers in their garden. Thanks to breeders, a variety of mini cucumbers have been developed, each with its own distinctive harvest time and appearance. Grown in open ground and greenhouses, they boast excellent flavor and superior presentation.

What are gherkins?

The well-known word "cornichon" has a French origin. It's commonly used to refer to any small cucumber no more than 8-9 cm long. This is partly true, but in breeding, the name refers to a group of varieties and hybrids with limited fruit growth.

This characteristic is genetically determined: they grow to no more than 9-10 cm in length (for pickles, no more than 5-6 cm), and they don't grow any longer. The fruits reach full biological maturity and look like finely tuberculated, prickly cucumbers. The flesh is firm, without any voids, and is free of bitterness.

Note!

True gherkins are fully ripe cucumbers used for processing.

Common varieties produce fruits of varying lengths, and they can also be harvested as short ones. However, they will be considered not fully ripe, although they are still suitable for marinades, pickles, and canning.

Advantages and disadvantages of gherkins

Thanks to their excellent characteristics, these cucumbers are popular among gardeners. They are valued for the following qualities:

excellent taste;
crunchiness that is retained in products during canning and pickling;
small size;
excellent presentation;
high cucumber harvest rates;
variety of varieties by ripening time;
the ability to select varieties and hybrids adapted to different growing conditions.

They are versatile in purpose, and although primarily intended for canning, pickling, and marinating, they are also suitable for salads, slicing, and making various canapés. According to chefs, these cucumbers require less salt and seasoning when canning and pickling, yet still produce a high-quality product. Most varieties are resistant to diseases and pests and tolerate adverse weather conditions well.

One drawback noted is the inability to collect seeds. Most gherkins are hybrids labeled F1 (first generation). Subsequent plantings of gherkins do not retain their parental traits and characteristics, so seeds are not collected; new ones are purchased each year.

Gardeners also note that these cucumbers (especially the bouquet type) are demanding in terms of nutrition. The formation of multiple ovaries at the nodes is a plus, but to ensure each fruit ripens, regular and balanced fertilization is necessary. To achieve a high yield, it's necessary to pay attention to plant training rules and consider the subtleties of pinching bouquet-type bushes to ensure ovary formation.

Popular varieties of gherkins

The list includes cucumbers that have received positive reviews from gardeners across the country. Gherkin cucumbers are popular in many regions, but there are also some favorites. Among them:

Mel's is a first-generation F1 hybrid, flexible and stress-resistant. It produces elegant, slender cucumbers up to 8 cm long. The taste is good, without bitterness or hollowness. It has a dense structure;
Gerda F1 is a cucumber from SeDek, with mid-early ripening (45-47 days). The ovaries are arranged in clusters, and flowering is predominantly female. Each axil contains up to 5 ovaries. The fruits are short, tuberculate with whitish spines, weighing up to 70 g.
Kai is a hybrid product from SeDek. Unlike Gerda F1, it requires bee pollination. Cultivated outdoors, it yields up to 8-10 kg of fruit per square meter. Ovaries are formed in clusters of up to three. The cucumbers are white-spined, without bitterness in the flesh, and up to 8 cm in length. They do not overgrow and are delicious when pickled or marinated. Regular harvesting is required during the fruiting period.
The Parisian Gherkin cucumber is a favorite among gardeners across the country and is ideal for open ground cultivation. It is prized for its excellent flavor, consistent and long-lasting yield of cucumbers, and beautiful fruit appearance. It is comparable in yield to hybrid varieties but requires pollination. Registered in the State Register since 2006, it is characterized by its flexibility and resistance to cold snaps and other adverse weather conditions. The cucumbers are finely tuberculated and have black spines. Suitable for all types of processing (pickles, canning, marinades).
Moravian Gherkin F1 is an early-ripening variety grown in garden beds. The cucumbers are up to 10 cm in size, crisp, and have juicy, slightly sweet flesh. The skin has sparse, medium-sized bumps. Moravian is tolerant to powdery mildew and resistant to cucumber mosaic virus.
Junior Lieutenant is a first-generation hybrid beloved by gardeners. It boasts delicious, dense cucumbers and clustered ovaries. The fruits are up to 8-9 cm in size, a rich, bright green color with a thick whitish pubescence. It is grown in open beds and under cover (greenhouses, hotbeds). Up to 15 kg of cucumbers can be harvested per square meter.
Kolibri is a fast-maturing variety (35-37 days). The bushes are vigorous, with strong branching, and require good light. It belongs to the indeterminate group of cucumbers, forming clusters of cucumbers. The fruits are firm, with bumpy skin and juicy flesh. The flavor is good.
The "Friendly Family" hybrid has long been known to gardeners; since 2003, it has been included in the State Register of the Russian Federation. It is recommended for all regions of the country, primarily for outdoor cultivation. The bush has an unlimited central stem and a long fruiting period. The leaves are slightly wrinkled and emerald in color. Up to four ovaries are found in the axils of the main stem, and up to eight are on the lateral shoots. The cucumbers are dense, with small tubercles. Harvesting is recommended at the pickle stage (up to 5 cm). Up to 11-12 kg are harvested per square meter.

The most fruitful

New varieties are distinguished by high yields. Thanks to the work of breeders, ordinary gardeners are harvesting cucumbers by the bucketful from their beds and greenhouses, setting real records.

Among the productive species, the following stand out:

The Samobranka Tablecloth is a parthenocarpic hybrid distinguished by its early harvest and excellent fruit flavor. The cucumbers are short, cylindrical, and have a bumpy skin. The flesh is firm and juicy, without bitterness. Up to 12 kg of cucumbers can be harvested from one square meter.
Sweet Crunch F1 produces cucumbers of an unusual white color. Prized for their distinctive appearance, excellent flavor, and high marketability. The bushes are semi-determinate, with medium foliage. The fruits are firm, up to 8 cm long, white with black spines. They have a crisp crunch, especially appreciated by pickle lovers. Originator: Russian Garden.
Domovaya is a first-generation bouquet hybrid (designated F1). It is tasty, productive, and features intensive growth of lateral stems. It produces fruit without pollination (parthenocarpic type), with up to 5 ovaries per axil. The first batches are harvested after 45-47 days, with the peak occurring on the 55th day. It requires good nutrition. The gherkins are classic in appearance, with a tuberculate surface and white spines.
The Champion variety originated from SeDek. Mid-season, no pollination required. First harvest begins in 45-47 days. At peak fruiting, up to 30 cucumbers can be produced simultaneously. The fruits are large, tuberculate, uniform, and green. The skin has small whitish stripes. Length: up to 10 cm, crisp flesh. Yield: 28 kg/m².
Avance is a well-known variety developed by Gavrish breeders and is known for its high yields. Cultivated by both amateur and farmer growers, it is prized for its flavor and excellent presentation. Up to 14-15 kg of cucumbers can be harvested per square meter. The fruits are often tuberculate, white-spined, and uniform. It grows well both indoors and in outdoor beds.

Patti F1 is a popular and productive hybrid grown in shelters (on trellises) and in open ground (spreading). Originator: SeDek. The bushes are medium-sized, with well-branched lateral shoots. Ovaries form in clusters (up to 7 per axil), and the cucumbers ripen gradually. The variety is resistant to most common infections and has strong immunity to cucumber mosaic. The fruits are small, regular in shape, with thin, glossy skin. The texture is tender and juicy, and the capsules are seedless. Bitterness is absent genetically.

Perfection itself – this F1 cucumber is a bouquet variety, with the first fruits harvested in 35-38 days. High-yielding, yielding up to 27-30 kg/m² when sheltered. It's demanding in terms of nutrition and requires proper pruning.
The Marinade cucumber is a first-generation F1 variety, developed specifically for preserves. It retains its color and flavor in pickles and canning. The cucumbers are beautiful, with a "German shirt" and white spines. This cucumber was developed by the Russkiy Ogorod agricultural company. Ripens in 35-40 days. Recommended for greenhouses, it is a parthenocarpic variety.
Madame F1 is a mid-season (48-50 days) hybrid variety. It features vigorous bushes and strong branching. The yield is consistent. The cucumbers are up to 8-10 cm, do not overgrow, and are resistant to yellowing.
The Harmonist cucumber is a bunch cucumber. The plants are medium-sized and have little branching on the lateral shoots. The cucumbers are cylindrical, smooth, and short. The skin is thin and white. They are used for all types of preserves. Pollination is not required; the yield of cucumbers is up to 14 kg/m².
Son Polka F1 is a very vigorous bush with small fruits, up to 7-8 cm. The cucumbers are beautiful, smooth, and juicy with a sweet texture. They are seedless and bitter-free. This cucumber requires pollination, so planting in open ground beds is recommended. With proper fertilizing, it yields 11-12 kg/m² per bed.

The best varieties of mini gherkins

These species produce fruits in clusters, which is why they are rightly called "crumbs." They are delicious in marinades and fresh (salads, sliced food, canapés).

Short-fruited cucumbers:

Sugar Baby has been included in the State Register since 2010. Originator: SeDek agrofirm. This hybrid is renowned for its excellent taste, fully living up to its name. The bushes are vigorous, with cluster-type ovary formation. Up to 5 ovaries per axil. Cucumbers are tuberculate, 5-7 cm long, and covered in brownish pubescence. Ripening occurs in 39-42 days.
Karapuz is another representative of the mini-fruit group. Up to 3-5 ovaries form in the axils of the bushes. This bouquet-type variety requires regular fertilizing for maximum yield. The cucumbers have dense, crisp flesh and are up to 7 cm long. This hybrid variety is resistant to the main crop diseases;
Filipok – distinguished by its unusual sweet mini cucumbers. Originated by the agricultural firm "Russian Garden." The plants have long, vigorous stems and require good nutrition. The cucumbers grow no more than 8 cm. Regular harvesting is required during peak harvest periods, as the fruits tend to thicken.
The Mikron cucumber is one of the best mini gherkins for pickling and marinating. It's grown outdoors in garden beds, as it requires pollination by bees. When planting under cover, attract insects during flowering or add pollinating hybrids (Gladiator, Nectar, Casanova). Cucumbers grow up to 7 cm long and have a good flavor.
Motylek is a mid-season (in some regions, it is planted as a late-season) parthenocarpic variety. Yields up to 8 kg/m² and grows well both in shelters and on raised beds. It is tolerant of root rot, mosaic virus, and various types of spotting. The fruits are firm, weighing up to 70 g, with white pubescence. Uses: canning, marinades;
Red Mullet is a first-generation hybrid, one of the most delicious for pickling and marinating. It ripens early, reaching maturity in 42-44 days. It produces clusters of small, short-necked cucumbers. The skin is dark, with numerous white, spiny tubercles. Each node contains up to 10 ovaries. Yields reach up to 13 kg/m².

Features of cultivation

Gherkin cucumbers are grown in shelters (greenhouses, tunnels, under arches on beds), as well as in open ground. Agricultural practices are standard, but since many hybrid forms and varieties are bunch varieties, it is necessary to provide the plants with good nutrition. proper care.

Sowing seeds and caring for seedlings

In most regions of the country, cucumbers are grown from seedlings. Hybrid seeds are often sold pre-treated and ready to sow, so they are sown directly into containers with soil. It is recommended to use peat tablets, pots, or plastic cups for cucumber seedlings.

Note!

Cucumbers don't tolerate transplanting well and take a long time to adapt to new conditions. Sowing gherkins in cups and peat pellets eliminates the risk of root damage during planting, as the seedlings are planted directly into the substrate.

When planted in plastic cups, cucumbers are transplanted to their permanent location using the transshipment method. Sowing dates are determined based on the local climate, weather conditions, and the future planting location (open-air or greenhouse). Gherkin seedlings should be 22-25 days old and have 2-3 true leaves. In the Moscow region, they are sown for seedlings in April; in the Urals, Siberia, and Northwest regions, they are sown for seedlings in late April or early May; in the south, they are sown directly into the ground with the onset of warm weather, beginning in late March.

Further care of the crop

Plants are planted when the weather warms up and the soil reaches 15ºC. It's advisable to cover the bushes planted in beds with plastic or non-woven fabric to protect them from possible cold snaps and strong sunlight. When planting, maintain the distance between the holes, following the recommendations for each variety. Typically, cluster-type hybrids are planted 2-4 bushes per square meter.

Trellis with supports should be installed beforehand if this method of cultivation is intended. If spread-grown cucumbers are planned, it is necessary to protect the plants from overwatering and drought.

Water every 2-3 days, taking into account weather conditions and the condition of the plants. The plant consumes the most moisture during the flowering and fruiting stages, so provide regular watering during these weeks. The recommended amount for a mature fruiting plant is up to 4 liters. In a greenhouse, water more frequently, monitoring humidity levels and ensuring there is no condensation on the covers. Avoid overhead irrigation on hot days, as this can cause leaf burns.

Gherkins require a lot of nutrition; they need to be fertilized approximately 18-20 days after planting. Fertilize every 10 days, with 5-6 applications per season. During heavy fruiting, gherkins quickly draw nutrients from the soil, so consider adding nitrogen, followed by potassium and phosphorus.

Before flowering, apply nitrogen fertilizers—organic fertilizers (mullein, bird droppings) or mineral fertilizers (urea). Mullein is diluted in water 1:10, and bird droppings 1:20. Fertilization is combined with watering, alternating foliar spraying and root feeding.

From flowering through the formation of cucumbers, fertilizers should contain predominantly potassium and phosphorus. Complex fertilizers (nitrophoska, azofoska) are beneficial, as are ready-made fertilizers (Agricola, Kemira), as well as chelated fertilizers. The crop responds positively to the addition of green "teas" made from infused herbs (dandelion, nettle), and spraying with boric acid solutions, yeast, and wood ash infusion.

Formation according to the scheme:

up to about half a meter in height, remove the growth points, leaving the leaves;
up to a height of 1 meter, pinch off the side shoots, leaving one leaf and ovary on them,
even higher - up to one and a half meters - they pinch, leaving 2-3 leaves on the sides and the same number of ovaries.

Note!

Blinding the lower nodes is essential, as the ovaries of bunch cucumbers form quickly and can dry out.

During the fruiting and mass production period, cucumbers are harvested daily. Although hybrids are not prone to overgrowing, delays in harvesting lead to delayed formation of new cucumbers. Overall yield drops sharply, and new ovaries dry up.

It's best to process gherkins the same day, but if that's not possible, store them in a cool place for no more than 3-4 days. These "little darlings" retain their marketable appearance and flavor during transportation.

For those who enjoy pickling and marinating, it's recommended to plant several hybrid or varietal gherkin plants in their garden. These small cucumbers produce abundant fruit and are resistant to common diseases. With proper care, a bountiful harvest of delicious, crunchy cucumbers is guaranteed.