Before planting this vegetable, its variety is selected. In this matter, there are several criteria: the speed of ripening, the place of growth, the amount of yield. You always want to eat the grown fruit in the garden as soon as possible. We’ll take a look at the most popular early cucumber varieties to help you make the right choice.
According to the speed of maturation, they are early, mid-ripening and late-ripening. But even those that ripen quickly have several subcategories:
- early;
- ultra early (it is also called super early).
In each of the categories there are representatives of both pure species and vegetable hybrids, pollinated by insects and self-pollinated. Many of the varieties can be stored for a long time, and some are intended for preservation, but, in any case, if you want to enjoy this vegetable as soon as possible, then you have no choice but to grow early cucumbers.
Sorts
A variety is a crossed plant of the same species. There is a nuance in growing early cucumbers, missing which, it will not be possible to collect fruits as quickly as you want: the shoots of such cucumbers initially set male flowers, which must be removed so that they do not take all the energy of the plant onto themselves.
The advantage of cucumbers of this type over hybrids is only that it is permissible to grow new crops from their seeds, and from those – the next. Hybrid seeds are suitable only for planting once.
Among ordinary cucumbers, there are specimens that give an early harvest. Below we will consider the most popular of them.
The baby is an ultra-early cucumber, the crop of which is harvested 30-40 days after germination. A distinctive feature is the versatility of use.
Other characteristics include:
- lack of bitterness in fruits;
- fruits do not turn yellow;
- refers to bee-pollinated;
- designed for planting in open ground;
- kept in good condition for 10 days.
Altai – a representative who will bear fruit already on the 37th day.
Of the other features inherent in it, small fruits and the suitability of its use as salads should be noted.
Zozulya. Representative of early cucumbers (vegetation period is 46-48 days).
From the characteristics note:
- lack of bitterness;
- cylindrical, slightly tuberculate shape;
- resistance to many diseases;
- consumed both fresh and suitable for conservation;
- a distinctive feature – it is permissible to grow it not only in open ground and a greenhouse, but also in an apartment on a windowsill.
Bush. It will give an early harvest of cucumbers, the period of its growth ranges from 45 to 50 days. Its main feature is considered to be its high productivity, from other properties note:
- ten-centimeter tuberculate fruits;
- high endurance;
- disease resistance;
- more intended for outdoor cultivation;
- suitable for salting.
Graceful – one of the early ones. It is pollinated by bees, which is typical for cucumbers of this species. Its planting in open ground is preferable to seedlings. The characteristic features include the fact that the fruits do not turn yellow, they have an excellent taste, the plant itself is relatively resistant to diseases. It is preserved and consumed fresh.
f1 hybrids
If everything is clear with ordinary cucumbers, then when they hear the phrase “F1 hybrid”, some novice gardeners are perplexed and bypass them.
First, let’s figure out what this mystical name means. To get a hybrid, the seed of two plant varieties is crossed. Why is it called F1? From Italian, the word “filli” is translated as “children”, which, in fact, are hybrids. The number after the F stands for “generation”.
Cucumbers of this type have advantages: they have increased vitality, they grow quickly, give a better harvest, they are hardy and less susceptible to various vegetable diseases.
They, like their relatives, have early varieties of cucumbers. Which are the most popular, we will consider below.
Masha F1 is one of the ultra-ripe representatives. The growing period is from 35 to 40 days, which is typical for this type. From the characteristics it should be noted:
- excellent taste qualities;
- suitable for raw consumption and for conservation;
- early short tuberculate fruits of the correct form;
- disease resistant;
- tolerates temperature changes;
- cultivation is permissible to produce both in open ground and in a greenhouse.
German F1 – self-pollinating, very popular among gardeners. He gained his fame due to the fact that he has absolutely no bitterness. In addition, it has a number of other positive characteristics:
- it belongs to one of the earliest cucumbers (ultra-early), and the growing season is 35 to 40 days;
- is a short tuberculate fruit;
- not afraid of temperature changes;
- disease resistant;
- consumed both raw and canned;
- grown outdoors and in greenhouses.
Moscow evenings F1 – refers to the type that gives a rich early harvest of cucumbers. The plant is parthenocarpic. The characteristics should be noted as follows:
- the vegetable tolerates shading well, giving a considerable harvest;
- it is allowed to grow in open ground and in a greenhouse;
- inherent resistance to many diseases.
Marshmallow F1 – a species with a long fruiting period, which gives early cucumbers (fruits appear 43-48 days after germination). The variety is distinguished by the following:
- pollinated by insects;
- cucumber has excellent taste;
- can be stored for a long time without loss of appearance and quality of taste;
- has a higher yield.
Amur F1 is one of the quick-bearing hybrids that self-pollinate. The plant itself is quite powerful, in one node 8 fruits are formed in the nonsense. This hybrid is distinguished from all relatives by its unique ability to withstand high temperatures. It is permissible to grow this early hybrid in a seedling and seedless way, mainly in greenhouses.
Surely, every gardener wondered how to grow early cucumbers. By and large, there is nothing complicated in the process. The main components of a successful result are:
- variety;
- film;
- seedling method of growing cucumbers;
- predecessor vegetables.
Subject to the conditions for the care and planting of vegetables, which are usually indicated on the package with seeds, an early harvest of delicious cucumbers will certainly appear on the table.
Video “Varieties of cucumbers”
In this video, a general overview of the most popular varieties and hybrids of cucumbers, as well as growing tips.
