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According to statistics, cucumbers are one of the most grown vegetable crops in Our Country, after potatoes and onions. It is known that the state allocated more than 90 thousand hectares of land for its planting, and the number of hybrids and varieties used for growing has already reached 900. More than 700 species have been bred by domestic breeders.
Gardeners who first started growing cucumbers in greenhouses and greenhouses ask themselves questions: “Which hybrid varieties of cucumbers to choose in order to get high yields and tasty fruits? Why is preference given to hybrids when planting and how to choose a variety that best meets the requirements?
Benefits of planting hybrid varieties
All cucumber seeds offered for sale today are divided into hybrid and varietal. The main difference is the ability to collect seeds for planting next season. When harvesting varietal cucumbers, 2-3 ripe fruits are left on the bush until fully ripe, and then they collect material for subsequent cultivation.
Hybrid varieties are not suitable for such collection. Seeds are obtained by selective crossing of various types and forms of cucumbers, while fixing parental heterosis (resistance to diseases and climatic conditions). At the same time, high-yielding varieties are taken as the basis.
The best varieties of hybrids are those created by breeders in one generation. They have exceptional hardiness, long vegetation and certain criteria in the density and size of the fruit. In addition, hybrids are practically not exposed to diseases characteristic of vegetables grown in greenhouses and greenhouses. They are able to produce a large number of fruits even in years that are unfavorable for productivity.
Today, a fairly large number of hybrid seeds are on sale. Their cost is somewhat higher than usual, which is caused by the long and difficult work of breeders. When choosing the material needed for planting, be sure to read the instructions.
How to choose
The main factors influencing the choice of seeds are the conditions for growing cucumbers (in a greenhouse or on open ground) and the purpose of using the crop (canning, pickling, salads). On the shelves you can find the best seeds from German and Dutch producers, but gardeners with experience in growing vegetables recommend choosing self-pollinating varieties that are bred by breeders for your region.
If you are going to grow a crop in a greenhouse or greenhouse, be sure to pay attention to the following information in the instructions:
- How often should the plant be fertilized?
- What is the way of formation;
- What type of pollination;
- The degree of endurance to temperature extremes;
- Ability to grow in shaded light;
- terms of fruit ripening;
- Seasonality of ripening;
- Utilization of the harvest and the possibility of long-term storage.
As a rule, all these data are present in the descriptions of hybrids. They also necessarily come with recommendations for growing seeds in film panics or polycarbonate greenhouses.
Translated from Italian, this symbol means “children of the first generation”.
If the plant will be grown in a greenhouse, the design of which provides for a sliding ceiling, you can choose an insect-pollinated hybrid for planting.
Types and groups of hybrids
When choosing for yourself a certain variety of cucumbers for planting, it is important to know the criteria for distinguishing a particular hybrid and the possibility of growing it in your climate zone.
Breeders have identified three main types of hybrid cucumbers:
- with active branching. In the process of growth, the plant produces a large number of small shoots in each ovary, which must be pinched;
- With moderate branching – have small side shoots;
- with little branching (otherwise called inert) – small shoots are concentrated in a bunch, and visually resemble small bunches.
A large role in the branching process is played by the genetic data of the variety, but during cultivation, external climatic factors can also affect this. For example, if you grow spring-summer varieties of cucumbers, be prepared for the fact that there should always be a lot of lighting in the greenhouse.
Another type of hybrid is cold-resistant. Bred by breeders specifically for the northern regions of the country. Cucumber fruits are known to always react to a sudden drop in temperatures, and even if the greenhouse is thermally insulated, the plant is at risk of contracting a fungal infection. Winter varieties of hybrids are resistant to any viral diseases and easily tolerate fairly low temperatures.
The best productive varieties for greenhouses
For growing cucumbers in greenhouse conditions, it is recommended to choose those varieties of hybrids that have a long growing season and are able to bear fruit at any time of the year. Since planting seedlings in the greenhouse can begin as early as mid-March, choose high-yielding varieties and you are guaranteed to pick the freshest fruits almost all year round.
The best domestic hybrids for growing in greenhouses
Dynamite F1
Does not require special care, regular feeding and watering, resistant to viral and fungal diseases, easily tolerates low light. It belongs to the group of the earliest varieties, since seedlings can be transplanted into greenhouse conditions at the very beginning of spring.
Hercules 1
Late-ripening variety. It is planted in the ground in early or mid-summer, and bears fruit until the end of November. Resistant to cold, the crop has a large number of gherkins, ideal for canning.
Emelya 1
It has a long growing season, so productivity is the main advantage of this hybrid. In addition, the variety is quite versatile, and is suitable for use both in its raw form, and in salting and preservation.
Vyaznikovsky-37
Yielding hybrids, time-tested. Universal fruits of high quality, reach a length of 10-12 cm. The variety is resistant to diseases, does not require regular watering and top dressing.
Phoenix 640
A feature of the hybrid is that it is insect-pollinating, therefore it is necessary to grow it only in greenhouses with an opening top. The fruits are medium and large in size, without bitterness, dense and crispy.
Dutch varieties for greenhouses
As a recommendation, the most productive hybrids of the new generation, adapted to growth in the climatic conditions of Central Our Country, were selected:
Bettina F1
Variety belonging to the parthenocarpic species. The fruits are small gherkins in the shape of a cylinder. Treats early hybrids of high productivity.
Hector F1
It has exceptional fruits for pickling and preservation. These are small-sized gherkins, elastic and unusually tasty. Seeds are sown in early spring, and a long growing season allows harvesting until mid-autumn.
Angelina
Self-pollinating variety, therefore suitable for growing in any greenhouse or greenhouse. An early hybrid with crunchy fruits – gherkins.
Bride F1
For real “gourmets” of the garden and the garden, breeders in Germany and Holland began to develop the best exclusive varieties of hybrids that literally amaze not only with their size, but also with color. Recently, the Dutch seeds “Bride F1” can be found on the domestic agricultural market. These are white cucumbers of the correct cylindrical shape, up to 6-7 cm long, with tender and tasty pulp.
The best varieties in terms of cultivation
The main selection criterion is the expected planting date and the time of harvesting a bountiful harvest. Based on these data, breeders divided all hybrid varieties into groups according to growing time:
- End of summer. Seedlings of cold-resistant varieties are grown, with a high degree of resistance to fungal diseases and low light. These are like Novgorodets F1, Graceful, Emelya F1, Murom.
- Winter-spring. Hybrids with a short growing season. All varieties have a dense fruit structure and excellent taste without characteristic bitterness. These include: Moscow Greenhouse, Blagovest F1, Relay F1.
- Spring. The best productive hybrids, unpretentious to regular watering and top dressing, do not require bright lighting. The best productive varieties of the group: Cuckoo F1, April F1. Both varieties produce fruits, the average weight of which can reach 230-250 gr.
These are just a few hybrid varieties that have proven themselves well among knowledgeable gardeners. If you are just starting to grow cucumbers in greenhouses and greenhouses, carefully consider the choice of seeds. When buying, choose the most popular and tested by gardeners hybrids from trusted manufacturers.
