Nezhinsky cucumber variety: growing, planting, and care, photos

Cucumbers

The Nezhinsky variety is used as an auxiliary cultivar for developing new hybrids. It is popular in Russia and the former Soviet republics. From the Revolution until the mid-20th century, up to 70% of all cultivated land was allocated to this variety alone. Today, additional names can be found on packaging next to the main variety name, resulting from crossbreeding with other varieties. However, it was only officially registered as a separate variety in 2009 and added to the State Register. It can be grown in open ground, greenhouses, and under plastic covers.

Description

Nezhin cucumbers are small in size, about 12 cm in length, and reach only 5 cm in diameter, weighing 70-110 g. The color varies:

from light to dark green;
There are white longitudinal stripes along the entire length of the medium-length cucumber.

The cucumber's shape is more like an ovoid, elongated, and its surface is dense, covered with small black spines and sometimes bumpy. The leaves are light green and small. The flesh is very juicy, with small, clear seeds.

Features of cultivation

Generally, the Nezhinskys have no rules regarding pollination. It occurs through the insemination of female flowers by male, barren flowers. In open ground, bees handle this work themselves. In a greenhouse, however, a little help is needed: leave the door open or provide insects with access to the cucumbers. In some cases, artificial pollination may be necessary, so gardeners prefer open ground, where pollination occurs unhindered by the bees.

Sowing is possible after the danger of frost has passed, sometime in April or May. It's important to allow the soil to warm to at least 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit), otherwise there's a risk of fungal infections. Before planting, disinfect the soil with potassium permanganate, acid, or specialized chemicals.

Please note!

If you plant cucumbers in heavy clay soil, their growth will be difficult and slow.

There are two methods of sowing:

seminal;
seedling.

Seed is the most common method. Before planting, the seeds need to be prepared by soaking them. Rows should be spaced 50 cm apart, and the holes 30 cm apart. The depth should not exceed 3 cm. It is recommended to create "ridges" instead of harrowing the area for planting cucumbers.

Fertilizing and watering

Fertilizing becomes necessary after about a week, when the first shoots appear. Foliar application is recommended. To strengthen the plant, the following enzymes are needed:

phosphorus for root system strength;
nitrogen for growth;
magnesium for immunity.

Spraying should be done in calm and not very sunny weather. In many areas, ants become a problem with the first shoots. They chew the leaves, forcing the plants to be replanted. Therefore, it's important to monitor and eliminate them promptly. from pests.

Peat tablets are a good choice for growing Nezhinsky seedlings. This variety requires careful root care, and damage to the roots takes a long time to heal. Cucumbers thrive in full sun. A lack of it:

negatively affects the harvest, it turns out weak and elongated;
the plant takes a very long time to recover;
harvest dates are postponed.

Avoid overwatering, as too much water can lead to a catastrophic oxygen deficiency. You can water once a week, or more often if needed. To save time and effort, we recommend using the drip method.

Growing Nezhinsky cherries takes about a month and requires at least half a liter of soil. Whether in a greenhouse or an open space, it's important to maintain a temperature close to that which will be maintained throughout the growing season. Otherwise, all you need to do is water, loosen the soil, and harvest the cherries on time.

Advice!

It's important to pick the entire crop, not leaving any "ugly" or weak cucumbers on the branches. Leaving the fruit on the branches for too long negatively impacts the plant and weakens it.

Although Nezhinskys aren't susceptible to disease, it's still better to be on the safe side and keep an eye on it to prevent it from happening. Here are some simple recommendations:

Leaves should not touch the ground. To do this, remove the lower shoots (those closest to the ground).
Tie the vines to the support.
Spray after prolonged rainfall.

Growing in a greenhouse

It's generally accepted that all plants requiring direct pollination should be kept within easy reach of insects. Therefore, many greenhouses are unsuitable for growing Nezhinsky. However, technologies now exist that make this possible:

You can use different covers for longer fruiting;
the greenhouse should be built in such a way that the frames can be opened, allowing access to fresh air and bees;
When cold weather sets in, return the frame to the closed position again.

This method can extend the harvest for several weeks or even a month.

But the greenhouse also has less positive features:

Crop rotation is difficult, so the soil needs to be changed every 5 years.
Harmful substances accumulate in the soil and this does not depend on frequent application of fertilizers.
You can avoid changing the soil by sowing green manure in the greenhouse. One season is enough for this.

In addition, growing in a greenhouse requires pruning the plant's shoots, as it is not always possible to grow to a height of 2 meters.

It is best to use the trellis method of supporting the beds:

performs an auxiliary function;
opens up greater access to oxygen and sunlight;
the weaving goes along the entire length of the stem;
the branches do not get tangled;
bush formation is easier;
easier to collect fruits;
Pollination occurs faster and more efficiently.

When it comes to care, Nezhinskys are low maintenance. What you need:

water;
spud;
thin out;
install supports in time.

Please note!

The instructions for these requirements are more standard. Water every 5-7 days, more frequently only in dry weather. Hilling should be done after watering, ensuring the roots are always in the soil. For thinning, select healthy seedlings, and any excess shoots can be replanted.

Reviews

Many gardeners exclusively choose Nezhinsky cucumbers for their flavor and ease of cultivation and care. Here are some reviews of this cucumber variety from different regions with varying climates.

Gennady Voskoyboinikov, 55 years old. Tver

I've tried all sorts of varieties before, including Dutch and super-bunch varieties, but the price clearly didn't match the quality. They definitely can't compare to our Russian ones. I think they're better for open ground. I plant the seeds a meter apart, and they germinate well. I don't pinch anything, trying to leave the bushes and vines alone. My harvest is average. Every year, my wife pickles and marinates enough in jars for the whole family.

Viktor Surovov, 34 years old. Krivoy Rog

In my opinion, the old varieties are pure tradition. The Nezhin varieties are susceptible to mildew disease. The harvest itself is quite simple, nothing special. I've tried tastier ones, with better presentation, I can say for sure. You have to work on the bushes and train them, otherwise you'll end up with a lot of barren flowers.

Victoria Khan, 42 years old. Krasnodar region.

The whole family loves cucumbers, so we try to plant as many as possible to have enough for pickling, fresh eating, and okroshka. We collect the seeds ourselves from Nezhinsky, and if we're short or something goes wrong, we can easily find them at the market. Everything is high-quality and the price is affordable. We've been buying them for over five years now. The germination rate is excellent, and the yield is abundant.

Nezhinsky is a medium-yielding cucumber variety that requires standard care. It's best grown outdoors, as it requires bee pollination.