Small, neat cucumbers have always attracted the attention of gardeners. They are usually called gherkins, the length of such cucumbers does not exceed 12 cm. Many gherkin varieties have been proposed by breeders to choose from. Among them, the cucumber “Paris Gherkin” won particular popularity. Compared with analogues, it has a high yield and amazing taste of a vegetable. It is not at all difficult to grow this variety on your land plot, however, compliance with certain cultivation rules is mandatory for a rich harvest.
Variety description
In order to understand the characteristics of the variety, a description of the Parisian Gherkin cucumber should be given:
- bee-pollinated variety, preferred for growing in open areas or in greenhouses with access to insects;
- the ripening of cucumbers of this variety occurs within 40-45 days after sowing the seed in the ground;
- the predominant female type of flowering gives the variety a high yield of up to 4 kg / m2;
- the taste qualities of cucumbers are excellent, the pulp is juicy, crispy, quite dense;
- cucumbers do not contain bitterness;
- the average parameters of a cucumber are: length 10 cm, weight 85 g;
- bush plant, with an average length of the whip;
- the variety is drought tolerant;
- Cucumber is resistant to cladosporiosis, a mosaic virus.
You can learn more about the features of growing gherkin cucumbers in a greenhouse on the video:
The external qualities of the Parisian Gherkin cucumber can be assessed by viewing the photo below.
The variety “Paris Gherkin” is included in the national State Register and is considered zoned for the Central Region. However, numerous reviews of the Paris Gherkin cucumber claim that it can be successfully grown in more severe climatic conditions.
Seed sowing methods
Cucumber seeds “Paris Gherkin” can be sown directly into the ground or seedlings. Glazed seeds are recommended for sowing directly into the ground, which were treated with disinfectants and growth activators at the factory. Their germination is close to 100% and the onset of the fruiting period will not be delayed. In this case, the manufacturer has set the recommended time for sowing the seed into the ground:
- the first week of May is perfect for sowing seeds in a greenhouse;
- on beds with temporary polyethylene shelter, seeds should be sown in mid-May;
- for sowing on open ridges, the last week of May is best suited.
In the absence of industrial seed treatment, it is preferable to germinate and sow seedlings at home. Cucumber seeds can be pre-disinfected by soaking in a weak saline or manganese solution. When sowing, use full-weight, filled seeds.
You can speed up the process of seedling growth by germinating the seed. To do this, the seeds are placed in a moist, warm (270C) Wednesday. The hatched seeds are buried in nutrient soil, located in special containers. The dimensions of the container must be at least 8 cm in diameter. This will allow the root system of the plant to fully develop. Drainage holes must be provided in containers.
Growing seedlings of cucumbers should be placed in a lit place. The optimal temperature for its growth is 220C. When 2-3 cucumber leaves appear, seedlings can dive into the ground.
Features of cultivation
“Paris Gherkin” is represented by a rather bushy plant, with developed lateral lashes. In order for the leaves and ovaries to receive the necessary amount of light during the growth process, it is necessary to adhere to the scheme when sowing the plant in the ground: no more than 4 bushes per 1 m2 earth. In a greenhouse, the number of plants per 1 m2 should not exceed 3 bushes. Cucumber bushes of the Parisian gherkin variety need a garter. In the photo you can see one of the ways to tie cucumbers.
The plant is quite unpretentious, except that it needs regular watering and top dressing. It is recommended to feed cucumbers of the Parisian gherkin variety twice before the onset of the fruiting period.
The high resistance of the cucumber variety to common diseases makes it possible to refuse to spray the plant with chemicals during the growth process. This makes the cucumber harvest as clean as possible from an environmental point of view.
The variety of cucumbers “Paris Gherkin” has an excellent characteristic: the bush of the plant is unpretentious and resistant to a number of diseases, adverse conditions. Cucumbers have an excellent taste and crunch. Small neat vegetables are good fresh and pickled. Having decided to grow gherkin cucumbers, every gardener should definitely pay attention to this amazing variety.