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White cucumbers are no longer an exotic dish on the table. Experienced gardeners and just lovers of curiosities have tried in practice, or rather grown white-fruited varieties on the plots. Seeds of new breeding products are bought in Chinese online stores. The market also presents varieties of white cucumbers, among which there are interesting specimens. An easy-to-care and high-yielding vegetable crop will soon become a common vegetable for people.
Distinctive characteristics of white-fruited cucumbers
Varieties of white cucumbers first appeared from 1960 to 1970. However, they were not grown commercially. The white-fruited vegetable disappeared from sight. It was the Chinese breeders who resumed work on obtaining new hybrids. The species are slightly different from each other, but there is a general similarity. Massively whitish vegetable is eaten in Asian countries.
When choosing a variety of white cucumbers, you do not need to focus on the photo, but you should familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the variety. Not only the appearance of the fruit is important, but also the yield, taste characteristics, and ripening time. If you compare white cucumbers and their green counterparts, you can find a number of distinctive qualities:
- the pulp of a white vegetable does not taste bitter;
- the skin is thin, tender;
- light fruits have a rich, fresh aroma;
- tolerate sharp temperature changes;
- able to grow and bear fruit at a temperature of + 45 ° C;
- white cucumbers easily tolerate partial shade;
- in green foliage, light fruits are immediately noticeable;
- fruiting in greenhouses can last until frost;
- ovaries appear along the entire length of the lash, so the yield of whitish varieties is high.
The appearance of white cucumbers on the seed market aroused interest among gardeners. And this is explained not only by the original shade of the peel, but also by a number of positive qualities.
- High frost resistance. The plant can be grown in the beds, it is not afraid of a decrease in temperature.
- Powerful stem up to 3 m in length. In the cultivation process, a vertical trellis is used, due to which the fruits remain clean, space is saved.
- Strong immunity. Aphids do not start on white cucumbers, they do not suffer from downy mildew.
- Does not require formation. Able to create ovaries on the central and lateral shoots.
- Unusual cucumber color. An original serving in a fresh salad or in a glass jar will attract attention and make you want to try it.
- The lack of pigment makes the vegetable safe for allergy sufferers.
- Healing properties. The composition contains a large number of micronutrients that are beneficial to the human body.
- Good keeping quality and fruit transportability.
Varieties of white cucumbers
Despite the small assortment of seed producers, it is possible to choose a variety of white cucumbers to your own taste. View characteristics:
- for open or closed ground;
- with a smooth or spiky surface;
- long or short size;
- bee-pollinated or parthenocarpic;
- for fresh salads or preservation.
The following are the most popular and high-yielding varieties of white cucumbers.
Bidigo Lungo
A hybrid variety of cucumbers, which was bred specifically for greenhouse cultivation. Thanks to this feature, you can get fruits in October-November. Productivity is high, bears fruit for a long time. The precocity of the vegetable is noted. The fruits are ready for consumption 50 days after planting in greenhouses. Recommended for fresh consumption.
Snow Leopard
High yielding variety of white cucumbers. The maximum length of a vegetable is 20-25 cm. The height of the bush reaches 3 m. As it grows, the plant is tied up or sent to special nets placed nearby. You can pick fruits when they reach 6-8 cm. Suitable for salting or pickling.
The Bride
A hybrid pollinated by bees. Early cucumber. The fruit ripening period is 40 days on average. The plant is tall. For 1 sq. m planted no more than 4 bushes. The taste is pleasant, sweetish. The pulp is tender. In the process of growing there is a need for frequent watering. Cucumber responds well to organic feeding.
White angel
Mid-season hybrid. The period of technical maturity of cucumbers begins at 50-55 days. Mixed flowers. The plant is grown in closed and open ground. Fruit weight 60-70 g. Length 7-9 cm. There are small spikes on the surface. The color of the surface of the fruit and spines is white. There is no bitterness in the pulp. When overgrown, it loses taste. There is no immunity to disease. The vegetable is used in fresh salads and in canning.
Snow White
White cucumbers. The variety is high-yielding, early maturing. Easily tolerates sudden temperature changes. Recommended for growing in greenhouses and garden beds. The skin is thin. The taste is pleasant, sweet. The pulp is tender, the texture is soft. The seeds are small. The variety is in demand among farmers; Snow White cucumbers are grown on an industrial scale. Suitable for canning. Also, the vegetable is good fresh.
Italian white
This variety of white cucumbers began to be cultivated in the last years of the 20th century. Fruits with a smooth surface, rarely tuberculate. The color is white. Fruit length – XNUMX cm. The core is juicy, soft, fragrant. The bush is tall, so a garter of lashes to the support is required. However, horizontal cultivation is also possible. The variety has a high disease resistance. Does not require special care.
Chinese white
The most common type of white-fruited cucumbers, which was bred in China. The fruiting period is long and is about 90 days. The taste of the fruit is pronounced, sweet. The culture is distinguished by a long period of storage of cucumbers. At the same time, the taste of vegetables does not change. Practically not susceptible to fungal diseases. Prefers fertile and well-drained soils.
white delicacy
She is also the development of Chinese breeders. Mid-season cucumbers. The technical maturity of the fruit occurs 45-50 days after seedling germination. Suitable for growing in greenhouses and open ground. The fruits are conical in shape. Length 12-15 cm. The surface is tuberculate. The peel is soft, tender, not bitter. Productivity from a bush of 4 kg. Cucumbers are consumed fresh. You can pickle and salt. The variety has good immunity.
Rules for growing white-fruited cucumbers
The color of cucumbers does not affect the general rules for growing crops. However, there are still exceptions in agricultural technology.
- Before planting seedlings, you need to choose the right substrate, because white varieties react sharply to the level of acidity.
- Supports are installed for the white-fruited culture. Very rarely, these varieties are grown in spreading. This is due to the ventilation of multi-climbing plants.
- Late picking of fruits leads not only to a deterioration in taste, but also to a decrease in yield. You need to pick white cucumbers when they are 10-15 cm long.
- High humidity is favorably perceived by white cucumbers – fruiting is enhanced. In the heat, it is advised to water nearby structures or paths. You can moisten the bushes somewhat less often than green cucumbers. Enough 1 time in 4-5 days and only warm water.
In general, caring for white cucumbers is easy. It is only necessary to regularly water the beds, loosen the ground, harvest, fertilize.
Be sure to remove the crust that appears after each moistening. Loosen the ground immediately after absorbing the liquid.
Feed with complex mineral fertilizers according to the instructions. Also use chicken manure, mullein. The number of dressings should not exceed 5 for the entire season.
When grown in greenhouse conditions, regular ventilation is necessary to prevent the appearance of mold and rot.
Conclusion
White cucumbers are a worthy alternative to green vegetables. You can grow them in greenhouses from early spring to late autumn. Prostate care and high yields stimulate gardeners to further planting. An exotic appearance will add decoration to the table, and a pleasant taste will delight inveterate gourmets. White cucumbers are a worthy alternative to green ones.
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