Exotics in your beds - white cucumbers: varieties, growing characteristics and differences from green ones

White-fruited cucumbers appeared relatively recently and for most gardeners who are not inclined to experiment, they are considered a kind of exotic vegetable. Those who have not yet grown them treat varieties of white cucumbers with some distrust, suggesting that they do not have the best taste, and their yield and unpretentiousness leave much to be desired. But those gardeners who became acquainted with them no longer part with this new selection, annually updating the collection with new varieties, surprising their households, neighbors, acquaintances and delighting children. We offer a detailed description of white cucumbers with recommendations for growing them in greenhouses and open ground.

Characteristics of white-fruited cucumbers 2. Varieties of white-fruited cucumbers 3. Tips for growing

Photo: White-fruited cucumbers make gardeners fall in love with them at first sight.

Are there white cucumbers?

Varieties and hybrids of white cucumbers were developed by breeders in several countries, so they differ from each other. White cucumbers have been cultivated in Russia for many years.

Their distinctive features

White cucumbers have a number of differences from their green “brothers”:

• white vegetables never taste bitter;
• the shell is thin and delicate;
• light cucumbers have a rich taste and fresh aroma;
• the culture easily tolerates temperature fluctuations;
• the bushes grow normally and bear fruit even at a temperature of +45°C;
• plants tolerate partial shade well;
• in dense foliage, white fruits are immediately visible;
• in a greenhouse, fruiting lasts until frost;
• the fruits are set along the entire length of the cane, so white varieties give high yields.

These varieties of cucumbers are suitable for growing by summer residents who do not have the opportunity to regularly water and harvest.

The photo shows a comparison of white and green cucumbers.

Growing white cucumbers in greenhouses and greenhouses

Growing cucumbers in a greenhouse

Growing white cucumbers in greenhouses is very popular. This allows you to get a consistently high yield. White cucumbers can be planted in greenhouses either as seedlings or as seeds. You will only need to take care of the trellises that are necessary for gartering the stems. Without trellises, the stem may break under the weight of the saturated fruit.

White cucumbers can form on the main stem, as well as on side shoots. You just need to pinch out the growing point, which will increase the number of side shoots, and consequently improve the yield. White cucumbers can not only withstand sudden drops in temperature, but can also grow in temperatures up to 45 degrees Celsius. This provides protection against overheating in greenhouses, where without ventilation the temperature can rise to 40-45 degrees. White cucumbers can bear fruit in a greenhouse until frost.

Advantages and disadvantages of white cucumbers

Positive qualities of white varieties:

• plants tolerate temperature changes well;
• bushes have powerful stems;
• strong immunity to diseases and pests;
• do not need formation;
• the absence of pigment makes the vegetable safe for allergy sufferers;
• the fruits contain a large amount of micronutrients;
• excellent keeping quality and transportability of cucumbers.

These varieties have few disadvantages:

• the lashes grow well, so they definitely need a garter to a support;
• some varieties require more careful care.

White cucumbers have more positive qualities than disadvantages, which is why some vegetable growers prefer these varieties.

Preparing the soil for planting vegetables

Soil preparation

The success of growing white cucumbers largely depends on how correctly the soil was prepared for planting the vegetable. Soil preparation technology is standard and the same for greenhouses and open beds.

The soil must be dug up and then left for several weeks. During this time, the earth will settle, then you can form beds. Remember to add a small amount of organic matter when digging the soil.

Using fresh manure is not recommended, so you will need to use humus or store-bought organic fertilizer.

It is necessary to plant seedlings and seeds in rows at a distance of 10-15 centimeters from each other. Subsequently, it will be necessary to tie the stem to a trellis or stretched mesh.

Loosening the soil

Do not forget about the need to loosen the soil and remove existing weeds. It will not be superfluous to fertilize the plants with appropriate mineral fertilizers. You can buy this fertilizer for cucumbers at most gardening stores.

Watering cucumbers

Cucumber is initially a moisture-loving vegetable. But at the same time, white cucumbers are not so demanding of moisture. Therefore, one abundant watering once every four to five days will be sufficient.

Also, when growing in a greenhouse, it is recommended to dig a barrel into the ground and regularly fill it with water. This will humidify the air, and the plants will receive the moisture they need through the leaves.

Watering is best done in the morning or evening. Water for irrigation must be settled and at ambient temperature. But pouring ice water from a well is strictly prohibited. Watering during the hot season is also not recommended, as this can lead to thermal burns of the leaves.

Popular varieties

There are not yet as many white varieties of cucumbers as there are green ones, but among them you can choose ones worthy of cultivation. They differ in the following characteristics :

• suitable for open ground and greenhouse structures;
• the fruits have a spiked or smooth surface;
• long or the size of gherkins;
• used for summer salads and winter preparations;
• There are both parthenocarpic and bee-pollinated species.

White varieties of cucumbers are not yet very popular in Russia, so they are not used for sale on the market on a large scale.

On a note. The yield of white varieties averages 10-14 kg per 1 sq. m.

Snow White

High-yielding, early-ripening variety . Easily tolerates temperature fluctuations. The crop is grown in open ground and greenhouses.

The peel is thin, the vegetables taste pleasant, slightly sweet. The color of the fruit is snow-white. The flesh is tender and the texture is soft. The seeds are small; there are not many of them in cucumbers. The variety is very popular among farmers.

Snow White cucumbers are mainly grown for industrial purposes, for sale. The fruits are suitable for canning and fresh consumption .

Italian white

Vegetables have a smooth surface with a small number of tubercles . The length of the fruit is 20 cm. The pulp is soft, juicy and aromatic.

The plant is tall and therefore requires obligatory gartering to a support. Some people grow the crop horizontally. An unpretentious variety with high disease resistance .

White angel f1

Early ripening hybrid. Vegetables reach technical maturity in 50-55 days .
Mixed flowers. These cucumbers are cultivated both in open and closed ground. The weight of one fruit reaches 60-70 g, length - 7-9 cm. There are small white thorns on the surface.

Vegetables do not have bitterness, but when they outgrow, they lose their taste . Immunity to diseases is weak. White angel is used for preparing fresh salads and canning. Productivity reaches 12-15 kg per 1 sq. m or 4 kg per plant.

About other exotic crops:

White eggplants and their difference from ordinary ones

Tomato “Blue bunch f1”

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White delicacy

The mid-season variety was bred by Chinese breeders . Technical maturity of vegetables occurs 45-50 days after emergence. The crop is grown in open ground and greenhouses.

Cucumbers have a conical shape. The length of the tuberculate fruit reaches 12-15 cm. The peel is tender and soft, and has no bitterness. Up to 4 kg of crop is harvested from one bush. Cucumbers can be canned, pickled and eaten fresh. The culture has strong immunity to diseases .

Cucumber "White delicacy"

Snow Leopard

High-yielding variety. The maximum length of vegetables reaches 25 cm. The bush grows up to 3 m in height. As the crop grows, it is tied up or sent to special nets installed nearby. Vegetables can be picked when they reach 6-8 cm. Basically, cucumbers of this variety are pickled or pickled .

Martini f1

Cucumbers have a yellowish tint with a green tint. The fruits are small, 8-14 cm long. The shape of the vegetables is oval-elongated. There is no bitterness in the pulp, even if the cucumbers are overripe. Productivity is high, from 1 sq. m harvest from 10 to 14 kg of crop.

Cucumber “Martini f1”

Bride

An early ripening variety, pollinated by insects . Vegetables ripen in about 40 days. The plant is tall. For 1 sq. m, no more than four bushes are grown and up to 20 kg of vegetables are collected. The taste of the fruit is pleasant, slightly sweet. The flesh is tender. The variety needs frequent watering and responds well to organic fertilizing.

Cucumber "Bride"

Bidigo-Lungo

The hybrid was bred specifically for greenhouse cultivation . Thanks to this, the fruits are harvested before October-November. The variety is early ripening and high-yielding, bears fruit for a long time. The fruits ripen within 50 days after planting in the greenhouse. They are mainly consumed fresh.

White crunch f1

The hybrid is mainly grown in greenhouse conditions , but it is also suitable for open ground. It takes about 45 days from sowing to harvesting the fruit. Productivity is high. The fruits are thornless, the skin is smooth and white.

Cucumbers are tasty, tender and aromatic. They reach 180 g in length, but it is better to collect fruits up to 10 cm. Even overripe cucumbers are not watery, but they still lose their taste.

Cucumber “White crunch f1”

White sugar f1

This mid-season hybrid was bred by Ural breeders. The fruits are 8-12 cm long and have a creamy white color. The harvest is harvested 45-50 days after germination . The sparsely tuberous fruits have a delicious taste and are universal in use.

The lashes are not spreading; they do not require pinching or pinching. The crop is grown both in open and closed ground.

For your information. Growing cucumbers on trellises will make it easier to care for and collect vegetables, and will save space on the site.

Description and characteristics

Varieties of white cucumbers were bred for cultivation only in greenhouses. And after several experiments, agronomists saw that white-skinned cucumbers survive well in both hot and cool climates.

Many summer residents claim that white cucumbers are tastier than green ones.

The length of the lashes can reach 2 meters. Growth is inhibited, just like in green varieties, by pinching. Due to their white color, these cucumbers are clearly visible through the green foliage. This reduces the risk of a large number of overripe fruits.

The main purpose of blonde cucumbers is for preparing salads and eating fresh. After all, these cucumbers are practically never bitter. But now there are already many varieties for canning and pickling.

Features of cultivation

Traditionally, white varieties and hybrids of cucumbers are cultivated both in greenhouses and in open ground. Planting is carried out with seeds or seedlings, the age of which reaches 25 days . The distance between planting holes is approximately 15-20 cm.

After thinning, 2-4 plants are left per linear meter, depending on the variety. The soil for planting cucumbers must be fertile, loose, slightly acidic or neutral - pH = 6.5-7.

Additional addition of wood ash or lime to the soil will prevent the development of fungal diseases. To maintain soil moisture and looseness for a longer period, plantings are mulched.

Grown plants are tied to a stretched mesh or vertical trellises. This provides them with optimal growing conditions - sunlight and fresh air, and also keeps the vegetables clean.

Ovaries are formed on both the main and lateral shoots , so they do not require formation. But if desired, the growth point of the main stem is pinched, thereby stimulating the formation of side shoots and increasing the yield.

Otherwise, white cucumbers need standard agricultural practices :

• loosening the soil;
• weed removal;
• watering;
• fertilizing with mineral fertilizers - for example, potassium sulfate, superphosphate or ammonium nitrate - 3-5 times during the entire growing season.

, fermented infusions of mullein, chicken droppings or nettles are also used as fertilizers

Important! It is necessary to regularly weed the soil around the plants. Growing weeds create shade and take nutrients from the soil.

Unlike green cucumbers, white cucumbers are less demanding on the frequency of watering . They are moistened abundantly in the morning or evening with warm, settled water every 3-4 days. Watering in the middle of the day provokes leaf burns.

White cucumbers love high humidity. To do this, dig a container into the ground next to the plants - for example, a barrel - and fill it with water. During evaporation, air humidity will increase, creating an optimal regime for the crop.

Cucumbers are cut when they reach a length of 10-15 cm - about twice a week . Most varieties and hybrids do not lose their taste when outgrown. In greenhouses, white varieties bear fruit until frost.

Typical diseases and pests

The main feature of white cucumbers is resistance to diseases and pests . They are practically not affected by aphids, peronospora and other characteristic diseases.

According to reviews from experienced gardeners, white cucumbers are not treated with anything when growing, but they follow the rules for preventing diseases and pests :

• do not plant cucumbers close to each other;
• periodically remove weeds from the site;
• do not moisten the plantings with cold water;
• Fertilize regularly;
• After planting, young plants are treated with Bordeaux mixture.

If you follow these measures, you will not have to fight diseases.

Rules for growing white-fruited cucumbers

The color of cucumbers does not affect the general rules for growing the crop. However, there are still exceptions in agricultural technology.

1. Before planting seedlings, you need to choose the right substrate, because white varieties react sharply to the level of acidity.
2. Supports are installed for the white-fruited crop. It is extremely rare that these varieties are grown in the spread. This is due to the ventilation of multi-climbing plants.
3. Late picking of fruits leads not only to a deterioration in taste, but also to a decrease in yield. White cucumbers need to be picked when they are 10-15 cm long.
4. High humidity is favorably perceived by white cucumbers - fruiting increases. In hot weather, it is recommended to water nearby structures or paths. You can moisten the bushes somewhat less often than green cucumbers. Once every 4-5 days is enough and only with warm water.

In general, white cucumbers are easy to care for. It is only necessary to regularly water the beds, loosen the soil, harvest, and fertilize.

Be sure to remove any crust that appears after each moistening. Loose the soil immediately after absorbing the liquid.

Important! Weed the beds with white cucumbers regularly. Overgrown weeds create shade and take nutrients from the soil.

Feed with complex mineral fertilizers according to the instructions. Chicken manure and mullein are also used. The number of feedings 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.

Reviews from summer residents

White cucumbers are actively grown in most regions of the country . They are not afraid of cold weather and have strong immunity to diseases and pests. For these and other advantages, vegetable growers evaluate white varieties positively.

Marina, Voronezh : “I’ve been gardening for about 15 years. Last year I decided to try something new. I planted a cucumber of the White Sugar f1 variety. The vegetables ripened in about a month and a half. The plants did not get sick. The fruits are juicy, slightly sweet, pleasant to the taste. I also removed gherkins and marinated them in jars. Also covered mixed with green varieties. They look great. The whole family liked it. I advise everyone!".

Olga, Mtsensk : “I have been growing white cucumbers for 4 years in a row. They are really good for canning. Vegetables remain dense, elastic and crispy. I just don’t use overgrown fruits for this. They don't look great and they don't taste the same. Children love to eat fresh cucumbers; they never come across bitter ones. The peel is thin and tender. Plants are unpretentious in care. I harvest in 1-2 days. I really liked the vegetables. I will continue to grow.”

Tatyana, Ryazan : “At the beginning of spring, my husband and I plant the white cucumber variety Bidigo-Lungo in the greenhouse. In May, young vegetables are already growing. We care for plants just like green varieties, but the yield and benefits are much higher. We use organic matter and mullein infusion as fertilizers. We don’t use nitrogen products because we want the vegetables to be natural. The plants must be tied to a vertical support. We really like the appearance of the fruit. The culture is unpretentious in care and, unlike ordinary varieties, is not afraid of the cold.”

Growing conditions

Planting of seedlings in open ground occurs in early May. But it is necessary to prepare the ground first. It should be slightly acidic, or preferably neutral. A mixture of humus + turf soil + pine sawdust is good for this. To prevent fungus, it is necessary to add quicklime to the soil.

Planting cucumber seedlings in open ground

Weather conditions should also be taken into account. When frost occurs, the plants are covered with a cloth until the temperature normalizes. At first, water the cucumbers about once a week. After the first ovaries appear, the frequency of watering is increased to once every two days.

White cucumbers love evaporation, so it is recommended that when watering, you also water the path near the garden bed.

To increase the yield, it is recommended to fertilize the plants. This needs to be done several times a season, during flowering and during fruiting. The most popular and best type of fertilizer is herbal infusion. An infusion of onion peels with brilliant green would also be an excellent option. After steaming the above ingredients in boiling water, infuse for 2 days. After time, the husks are filtered and, after mixing with wood ash, placed on a bed under the cucumbers. And the liquid that remains after filtering is sprayed on the leaves of the plants.

White Dragon

White Dragon cucumbers have been grown since 2022. A new variety, domestic selection. It is intended for cultivation in greenhouses. This is a hybrid plant, so seed material is purchased annually. The fruits are not left until fully ripe; they are always used unripe.

The plant does not suffer from cladosporiosis, downy mildew or common powdery mildew. For olive blight, it is recommended to use fungicides:

• Like most varieties of white cucumbers, White Dragon grows strongly. Lianas need to be tied up. The bush is trimmed and pinched. Leave the main lash and the 2 most effective vines that extend from the trunk;
• The variety is parthenocarpic and does not require pollination. Female inflorescences form on the bush;
• the fruit is long and sickle-shaped. There are large tubercles and small spines on the surface. The edge is light;
• the average weight of a cucumber is 320 g. The marketable yield is 9.2 kg/m2. When growing vegetables, it is necessary not only to tie up the canes, but also to place the fruit in the net. Otherwise, it may break the stems.

More on the topic: What to do if cucumbers start but don’t grow?

During the period of fruit formation, it is recommended to feed the plant with mineral complexes. Fertilizer is introduced at the root. Folk remedies use a solution of weeds with the addition of ash or yeast. 0.5-1 liter of liquid is poured under the bush.

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Among mineral complexes, they recommend MagBor, 25 g/10 l; one plant requires 500 ml of solution. The mineral complex “Giant” supports the immunity of cucumbers well and increases productivity; 400 g of the drug are scattered into the furrow. Watering is carried out.

White Guard

The White Guard cucumber variety is a domestic selection. It has been grown since 2015. There are no regional restrictions. Planting is carried out both in open ground and in a greenhouse. The plant is resistant to many infectious diseases, but it is necessary to carry out preventive treatments:

• White Guard is a hybrid plant. Before technical ripening of fruits, they wait 51-56 days;
• The bush needs to be shaped and tied up. It forms long lashes;
• The culture is parthenocarpic, with female inflorescences. One flower is formed in the axils;
• The cucumber is cylindrical, large, weighs 160 g. The surface is tuberous, with a white edge;
• The commercial productivity of the White Guard variety is 10.8 kg/m2. The plant bears fruit within 1-1.5 months.

More on the topic: How are Phoenix 640 cucumbers grown?

When choosing a site for cucumbers, it is necessary to observe crop rotation. It is recommended to plant both white and green vegetables after potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. The bed is pre-ennobled with humus and other organic fertilizers.

Cucumbers have difficulty recovering from injury to the root system. This must be taken into account when growing vegetables from seedlings. For seedlings, peat cups with a volume of 300 ml are always used.

The walls of the cup are pre-cut so that the root can spread out faster. The first feeding can be introduced after 2 weeks. Use fertilizers with potassium and phosphates.

In spring, mineral fertilizers are applied to the site. Use ammonium nitrate, 20 g/m2, potassium sulfate, 20 g, superphosphate, 40 g. Fertilizers are applied according to the norm. Otherwise, they can cause acidification of the soil. The normal pH for cucumbers is 6.5-7 units.

Blond

The Blonde cucumber is not completely white. Only his “nose” remains light. Closer to the stalk, the shade gradually turns into a light green, then into a dark green shade. However, breeders classify it as a member of the white cucumber group. The vegetables taste great.

Igor Nikolaev

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They are suitable for making salads. The crop is grown in open ground and under film covers, but one must always take into account that the Blondin variety is not a parthenocarpic crop and requires bee pollination:

• early variety. Vegetables ripen on day 45;
• the bush is spreading, indeterminate, requires tying and shaping;
• Both female and male inflorescences are formed on the bush. One flower grows in the axils of the leaves. For the formation of ovaries, pollination is necessary;
• the cucumber is long, up to 20 cm. Average weight is 125 g. The surface is tuberous with black spines and white edges;
• marketable yield 11.8 kg/m2. The plant continues to bear fruit for up to 6 weeks;
• The Blondin variety has good immunity, does not suffer from powdery mildew, and is resistant to cladosporiosis.

To attract bees to the greenhouse, it is recommended to plant aromatic herbs in the beds. They attract pollinators and repel insect pests. Basil, dill, and decorative flowers such as marigolds are often planted along the perimeter of the cucumber bed. Some gardeners water with sugar, but the sweet taste attracts not only bees, but also wasps, which eat the fruits.

More on the topic: How are cucumbers of the Graceful variety grown?

Squirrel (Manul)

The Belka cucumber variety was bred by Moscow breeders of Manul LLC. It has been grown since 2010. It is recommended for all regions. Vegetables are planted both in open ground and in greenhouses. The culture is characterized by increased immunity, does not suffer from powdery mildew, cladosporiosis, mosaic:

• Belka white cucumbers belong to the early crops. Technical ripening of the fruit occurs in 45-50 days;
• The plant is strongly climbing, indeterminate. It is necessary to provide stands for tying the whips;
• Female inflorescences develop on the bushes. Three flowers are formed in the axils of the leaves. The inflorescences are large, yellow or white. The leaves are large, green;
• the surface of the fruit is milky, tuberous, with small spines; the edge is white;
• cucumbers grow small, weigh 70-100 g. Average commercial productivity is 13 kg/m2.

For white cucumbers, it is necessary to prepare fertile soil. Up to 20 kg of rotted compost and 1 kg of mature manure are added per 1 m2. Ash is added to the soil mixture. It is a natural antiseptic. The soil should be loose.

Peat, sand, and sawdust are used as disintegrants. It is recommended to add crushed pine needles to the soil mixture. It repels insects with its aroma; the phytoncides it contains have antimicrobial properties.

Staff Captain

Staff Captain cucumbers appeared in 2022. Domestic selection. The originator of the variety is agro. This is a hybrid plant, bee-pollinated. It is grown mainly in greenhouses.

Plant growers recommend using temporary film covers for plants to protect young seedlings from temperature changes, precipitation, and wind. Shelters and greenhouses must be opened, not only for ventilation, but also in order to let the bees in:

• early variety. Technical ripening of cucumbers is noted at 45-50 days;
• The culture is indeterminate and requires the design of the bush. Mixed flowering type. One flower is formed in the axils of the leaves;
• The fruit is large, long, cylindrical in shape. The surface is tuberculate, with white edges and spines. Average weight 250 g, length more than 20 cm;
• marketable yield is high, more than 12 kg/m2;
• the culture is resistant to infectious diseases.

To get a good harvest of cucumbers, indeterminate plants must be formalized. The vines are pinched. The main formation of ovaries occurs in the center of the stem. The lower leaves are removed so that they do not interfere with the ventilation of the soil.

The remaining vines are tied up on trellises. In greenhouses, special structures are provided under the ceiling to hold plant branches.

White cucumbers look original in salads and preserves. Their taste is different from fruits with light skin. It is softer, but the flesh is just as elastic, juicy and crunchy. Most varieties are protected from infections, which makes them less demanding.

Vegetables are planted in sunny beds. The optimal temperature for plant development is 25-28 C. Cucumbers must be watered frequently, but not allowing them to become waterlogged.

White angel

White Angel cucumbers have been familiar to gardeners since 2002. The selection is domestic. The culture is suitable for all regions. Breeders protected the plant from powdery mildew, cladosporiosis, and mosaic. Prevention against infections is recommended after heavy rains and winds.

White angel cucumbers are grown under film. This is due to the early ripening of vegetables; 40 days after planting seedlings. The culture does not tolerate low temperatures and daily changes:

The fruits of the White Angel variety are distinguished by their universal use. They are used to prepare salads and cold soups. They are good for canning. The pulp is dense, no voids are formed in it.

Gardeners are attracted by the plant’s good immunity, short fruiting and high yield of marketable vegetables.