Review of the best varieties of cucumbers
Growing cucumbers is currently a very popular activity. In every second summer cottage, this crop grows, while quite often not one variety is grown, but several at once. The fact is that each type of cucumber has its own purpose, and is also recommended for growing in certain conditions. Today we will try to list the best varieties of cucumbers recommended for planting in 2018, learn about the value of each of them.
Review of the best varieties of cucumbers
What is the value of the variety
As mentioned earlier, each variety of cucumbers has its own purpose and is recommended for planting in certain conditions where it can bear fruit best. In addition, there are requirements for summer residents who want to get the expected result. For example, if your goal is to get a crop as quickly as possible, it is worth planting early varieties, in which case the fruits will sprout just 30 days after planting the seedlings.
If it is important for you to get crispy cucumbers with a sweetish taste, you should pay attention to those types in which these characteristics are indicated. Of course, few people will agree to eat vegetables with a bitter taste, or with too hard and prickly skin.
Types of cucumbers
An important factor when choosing a type of vegetable is a recommendation for its further use. So, according to this criterion, three main groups of cucumbers can be distinguished:
- For salting
- For salads
- Universal cucumbers
Thus, if you plan to preserve cucumbers, you should pay attention to the most productive types that are devoid of bitter taste, and also do not have too thick peel. If the purpose of growing a crop is sale, then the appearance of the vegetable will be the decisive factor, choose seeds, guided by this criterion. Often, summer residents prefer salad varieties that should not be bitter, and will also have a not too thick peel. Of course, it should be said that universal species are in greatest demand, since they allow the use of culture for various purposes.
The most productive varieties of cucumbers
In addition to those factors that were described earlier, one cannot but draw on such a criterion as yield, because the economic component of growing vegetables is never in last place. It is also worth finding out what is the natural immunity of a particular species to certain diseases of cucumbers. Based on the many years of experience of summer residents and gardeners, a list of those varieties of cucumbers that most closely match the description given on the package was compiled.
So, here is a list of the best varieties in terms of yield:
- Sparta F1
- Pickle F1
- Suzanne
- Voronezh
- Zozulya F1
- Pinocchio
- Bush
- Crisp
- Fontanelle
The best hybrid varieties
If the designation F1 is found in the name, this means that this is a hybrid, the seeds of which were obtained as a result of selective work on crossing several varieties. It should be said that the price of such seeds is an order of magnitude higher, but this is justified by the advantages. By purchasing such a variety, you get a cucumber with an excellent taste, an excellent harvest, such cucumbers have an attractive appearance, and also tolerate transportation well.
Now let's move on to a detailed description of each of the above types of cucumbers.
Sparta F1
The plant needs bee pollination
As for the Sparta F1 cucumbers, this is a bee-pollinated cucumber, therefore it is recommended to plant it in open ground, where there is open access for insects. In addition to the fact that Sparta F1 is considered one of the most productive varieties, it is distinguished by excellent taste characteristics. What is the thinnest peel and juicy sweetish pulp. In addition, even when overripe, the pulp does not age or become bitter. Cucumber is a universal type, that is, it is great for making salads, as well as for pickling.
Zozulya F1
This species belongs to hybrid, reproduces in two ways, that is, both with the help of bees and independently. Despite this characteristic, gardeners recommend planting it in greenhouses, as this allows you to get the maximum yield. Based on the data obtained in 2017, the yield was 10-18 kilograms per 1 square meter, when calculating, you can focus on this forecast.
This variety responds well to mineral fertilizing, which increases not only the yield, but also the resistance to plant diseases. Zozulya F1 fruit is excellent for salads, has characteristic grooves along the cucumber.
Pickle F1
The variety belongs to the mid-season, since the first fruits will appear no earlier than 45 days after planting the seedlings. The yield remains long, regardless of where you grow the vegetable, that is, it is suitable for greenhouses and vegetable gardens. At the same time, the duration of fruiting is quite long, the taste of cucumbers is fresh, does not have a bitter taste.
The best varietal cucumbers
It is a misconception that non-hybrid species are significantly inferior in yield and taste. There are pluses in growing them, for example, you can grow several varieties of cucumber on the same bed, so you yourself will conclude which of them turned out to be the most productive. However, do not plant them too close, as this can lead to crossbreeding, which is not always a good thing. Let's move on to a description of the best varietal cucumbers.
Suzanne
This variety should be purchased strictly in specialized agricultural stores, the only way you can be sure of the quality of the seeds. Despite the high yield, the price of Suzanne seeds is not high, unlike other species. It is worth saying that Suzanne's seeds can be grown in any way, that is, in a greenhouse, in the beds and even on the balcony.
There is a known case in the Moscow region, when the Suzanne subspecies bore fruit even in indoor conditions.
Usually, about 4 ovaries are formed on one bush, and the length of the whip develops up to 3 meters, if proper plant care is provided.
It should also be said that these cucumbers have strong protection against many diseases and parasites, which has a positive effect on yield indicators. You can even pick small cucumbers that have reached a size of 3-5 cm, they can be eaten fresh or salted, while the taste is preserved.
Voronezh
This type of cucumber is usually referred to as late, ripening occurs in 50 days on average. However, at the same time, the yield is quite high, the mass of one vegetable reaches about 100 grams (± 10 grams). They are ideal for making salads, as well as for canning, do not be afraid that after pickling the cucumber will be soft inside.
Bush
A fairly common and popular variety in Russia is classified as early ripening, since ripening usually takes about 45 days. Among the advantages, it is worth noting compact placement in the garden, since the fruits are not too large, as well as the bushes themselves, the weight of one vegetable is about 100 grams. This species is referred to as bee-pollinated, therefore cultivation in the open field is recommended. These cucumbers are mainly used for salads, as they have a great taste and crunchiness.
Pinocchio
Buratino variety is resistant to frost
The advantage of this type is that the plant perfectly tolerates cold and sudden changes in temperature. Ripening occurs 40 ± 5 days after transplanting. The weight of one cucumber reaches about 110 grams, these cucumbers tolerate transportation best and have an attractive appearance. This characteristic is extremely important if you are growing cucumbers for sale.
Fontanelle
A vegetable is classified as a medium-ripened fruit; on average, this period lasts about 45 days. The plant can be planted both in the greenhouse and in the open field. The external characteristics of the fruit are a smooth surface of the peel; they grow in length up to 5-10 centimeters. As for the taste characteristics, the vegetable is characterized by a fresh sweet taste and lack of bitterness.
Crisp
Despite the fact that the variety has appeared quite recently, the new species has occupied its niche in the top of the most productive varieties. It can be used both in an open garden and in a greenhouse, while maintaining a high yield. Crispy has an impressive size, a cucumber can stretch up to 15 centimeters in length.
The best varieties for greenhouses
This group includes those subspecies that are capable of self-pollination, that is, they have both male and female flowers. These subspecies were developed specifically for the purpose of greenhouse cultivation, while most of them are universal species and have good protection against diseases. Here is a list of the most productive varieties that are usually grown in a greenhouse:
Alekseich F1
This variety is hybrid, which significantly increases its natural resistance to diseases and parasites. For example, powdery mildew and root rot are not terrible for him, which can destroy the entire crop for a short time. It will take about 40 days to ripen, which will make it possible to call the subspecies early maturing. The fruits grow small, their weight is about 70 grams. The taste qualities of cucumbers are high, summer residents and gardeners note the absence of bitterness and a sweet fresh taste.
Benefit F1
This hybrid is also referred to as early ripening, it will take about 35 days to ripen from the moment the first shoots appear on the ground. As for growth, Benefis F1 is classified as medium-sized, its fruits are small in size, there are characteristic tubercles of a darker color. Benefis resists diseases well, including powdery mildew and cladosporiosis.
Meringue F1
This species is referred to as the earliest, it is also called super early, it will take only 30 days for the first cucumbers to appear in the garden. At the same time, the appearance of the fruit is characterized by a dark green color, has large tubercles, the mass of one cucumber reaches about 90 grams. The hybrid can be grown equally well in the ground and in the greenhouse, since the plant tolerates travel and temperature changes well.
Goosebump F1
This type of cucumber is also referred to as early. Its flowering occurs in a bundle-like manner, while the lateral processes do not grow massively, there are much less of them than on the bushes of another variety. This makes it easier to care for the plant, including pinching, since you do not have to remove many shoots.
The fruits have a large number of bumps, as well as thorns, while there is no bitterness in the taste. The weight of one cucumber reaches 100 grams. Also worth noting is the good resistance to disease.
In conclusion, let's say that all of the above types of cucumbers are really considered the best in their categories. However, before planting seeds of a particular variety, you should carefully read the instructions on the package, and purchase seeds only at specialized points of sale or from manufacturers where you can get expert advice.