How to tame the Chinese snake - revealing the secrets of growing Chinese cucumbers

What is Chinese cucumber

Strictly speaking, such a separate species as the “Chinese cucumber” does not exist in botany. This is simply an artificially bred long-fruited form of the common cucumber, our favorite vegetable.

The fruits of the Chinese cucumber, compared to ordinary ones, are very thin and long (in some varieties up to 80 cm in length!). Their smell is brighter (some consider it “watermelon”), and they taste slightly different - more delicate and sweet, not bitter at all.

The skin of the Chinese cucumber is tender and thin, does not become rough and does not turn yellow when overgrown. The surface of the fruit is slightly ribbed, large or finely tuberculate. The internal cucumber pulp of Chinese varieties is relatively dense, without voids, and a narrow chamber with small and fairly few seeds is located in the center.

It is these features that determine the main purpose of Chinese cucumbers - they are very tender and tasty fresh in vegetable slices or in a variety of salads and vinaigrettes. And given their size, one cucumber may well be enough for a salad for several people.

And some (attention, not all!) varieties of Chinese cucumbers are great for canning - both on their own and in various assorted varieties. True, of course, first you will have to cut them into “cylinders” before putting them in a jar.

Detailed description of the fruits

The hallmark of the variety is the shape of the fruit, which is unusual for a standard crop. Judging by the photo of cucumbers of the Chinese snake variety and reviews from vegetable growers, without timely harvesting the crop can reach a length of up to 1 m. Overripe cucumbers lose their taste, bitterness predominates in them, the flesh is hard and fibrous. The maximum size for harvesting is 40 cm.

Description of fruits:

• cylindrical, serpentine shape, diameter – no more than 6 cm, weight – 400 g;
• bright green color with white fragments at the base;
• the peel is thin, the surface is lumpy, each unevenness is equipped with short fibers;
• the pulp is juicy, without voids, cucumbers do not form seeds, they are located in the chamber, in the form of rudiments;
• The taste is balanced, there is no bitterness in young fruits, there is a pronounced aroma.

The shelf life of Chinese snake cucumbers is short; after collection, quick processing is recommended. The fruits are consumed fresh and go well in vegetable salads.

Advantages and disadvantages of Chinese cucumbers

Let's put together in one list all the "pros" and "cons" of Chinese cucumbers compared to their ordinary "brothers" in order to decide whether it is still worth pursuing the exotic and growing them on your own plot.

So, the advantages of the “Chinese” include:

• early ripeness,
• cold resistance,
• high productivity,
• long fruiting,
• unpretentiousness in cultivation;
• resistance to many cucumber diseases,
• large sizes,
• brighter taste and aroma.

Do Chinese cucumbers have any disadvantages ? Alas, there are some more or less significant nuances, judge for yourself:

• low germination rate of seed material (with all the gardener’s tricks, it may happen that out of all the seeds sown, only 20-25% will germinate);
• poor keeping quality - due to their delicate constitution, ripe fruits lose moisture very quickly, and with it their presentation and taste; a Chinese cucumber removed from the garden within a day can wilt and become completely soft;
• obligatory vertical staking of growing stems - if you neglect this procedure, cucumber vines up to 3.5 m long will simply fall, and the Chinese cucumbers themselves will “curl”.

Possible growing problems

When growing Chinese snake, gardeners may encounter some problems. Of these, the most common are:

1. Yellowing and falling leaves. This defect may be due to improper irrigation. Cucumbers need to be watered at the very root, in the morning and evening hours.
2. Poor fruit set. This problem usually occurs due to a lack of pollinating insects. You can correct this situation yourself. To do this, it will be enough to transfer pollen from one flower to another using a brush.
3. Falling cucumbers. Usually, an unripe crop falls from the bushes due to a lack of minerals in the soil. Therefore, if this problem occurs, it is recommended to feed the soil with potassium or phosphorus.

In cases where leaves fall off during active fruiting of healthy-looking plants, do not despair. This indicator is considered the norm for this variety.

Features of growing Chinese cucumbers

You can grow Chinese cucumbers in our latitudes both under cover and in unprotected soil. The agricultural technology of ordinary and Chinese cucumbers is similar, although to obtain a rich harvest of “Chinese” cucumbers, you need to take into account some of their features, as well as choose the appropriate variety.

Chinese cucumber seedlings are pre-grown in the same way as for our usual vegetables.

• How to sow cucumbers for seedlings: step-by-step master class

  Detailed description of sowing cucumbers for seedlings and picking them (with illustrations).

At the age of 15-30 days (seedlings must have at least 9 leaves), the strengthened seedlings can already be planted in a greenhouse. Chinese cucumbers grow mainly in height and form few side shoots, so they can be planted more densely than ordinary cucumbers - it is enough to maintain a distance of about 20 cm between seedlings.

Chinese cucumbers do not need pollination because... are parthenocarpics. But at the same time, they can pollinate well with other varieties if they grow nearby.

After planting the seedlings, it is necessary to install vertical trellises to which the growing canes will be tied, and also mulch the soil, for example, with dry chopped straw or hay. Then comes the standard care of cucumbers in the greenhouse:

• daily spraying with warm water;
• regular watering as the top layer of soil dries out (this is especially important during fruiting so that the cucumbers do not become bitter);
• 3-4 fertilizing with urea (preferably foliar at the rate of 1 tablespoon of the drug per 10 liters of water) - 2 weeks after planting the seedlings in the ground, at the beginning of flowering and during the period of mass fruiting;
• harvesting every 1-2 days.

Growing Chinese cucumbers in open ground is also completely justified - the harvest will be slightly less than with the greenhouse method, but for our unstable climate it will be good, believe me. The thing is that “Chinese” are less susceptible to diseases and pests than ordinary cucumbers, and are also better adapted to lack of lighting and temperature changes.

With the seedling method, seedlings of Chinese cucumbers are planted in the garden in early April and the plants are immediately covered with film or spunbond until the threat of return frosts has passed. The bed is pre-fertilized with compost.

With the seedless method, the seeds are sown in the garden bed in May - early June, after the soil has warmed up to 15°C. In this case, you also cannot do without shelter.

In both cases, the installation of trellises is also necessary, and the principles of care will not differ from growing Chinese cucumbers in a greenhouse. In open ground, you can harvest the crop until mid-autumn, or even later.

Diseases and parasites

Chinese snake, like most other Asian varieties, is famous for its highly developed immunity. Pre-planting treatment with a disinfectant and compliance with the rules of agricultural technology (primarily warm watering and clean weeding) will be quite enough to protect the cucumber from most known diseases. However, in open ground, the gardener faces a serious struggle for the harvest with some types of parasitic insects.

Rust

Rust can infect a cucumber due to dampness and cold watering. The disease manifests itself in the formation of reddish-beige shapeless marks - first on the leaves, then on the stems. Chinese snakes are treated for rust by dusting them with chalk-lime powder. In case of severe infection, the plantings of the variety are treated with Bordeaux mixture - 2 times with a break of 1 week.

To prevent the Chinese snake plant, it is sprayed with an infusion of whey and iodine every 10 days. You should also not neglect loosening - water should not stagnate at the roots of the variety - otherwise the cucumber will begin to rust.

Thrips

A small dark brown cucumber beetle settles on the leaves of the variety and eats up the shoots. The main sign of the appearance of this parasite is small grayish dots on the foliage. If detected early, spraying with onion-garlic infusion will help rid the Chinese snake of pests. If there are a lot of thrips, the cucumber is treated with Agravertin, Karate, or Vertimek. In this case, the treatment is carried out in 2 stages - the plantings are sprayed after 8-9 days. If the Chinese snake is cultivated in a greenhouse, its walls are treated with a solution of copper sulfate.

Slugs

Cucumber often suffers from slug invasion in hot and rainy summers. Snails settle on the reverse side of the leaf. In the process of fighting the parasite, it is worth remembering that it is active in the dark. To rid the Chinese snake of slugs, in the evening under the bushes of the variety, bait is laid out - pieces of cardboard or thick paper soaked in beer or sugar syrup, and in the morning the snails that come across are collected. To prevent the appearance of these pests, a green or gray toad is placed in the area with the variety.

Chinese snake (Chinese snake)

Super early hybrid of Chinese cucumber. Russian selection 2015.

It is preferable to grow in film greenhouses and greenhouses, although it can also bear fruit well in open ground conditions. The harvest is harvested 35-37 days after germination. Productivity 10-15 kg per 1 sq.m.

It is unpretentious in care, pollinated by insects, tolerates lack of lighting and/or temperature changes, and is resistant to most diseases (powdery mildew, cladosporiosis, tobacco mosaic virus, etc.). Requires mandatory vertical garter.

The bushes are powerful, branched, well leafy. The stem is tall (up to 3.5 m long), with a minimal number of side shoots. The harvest grows quickly and develops throughout the long growing season.

The fruits are dark green (sometimes with thin white longitudinal stripes), narrow, long (up to 50-60 cm), weighing 150-300 g, with large but few tubercles, often bending in an arc (especially when overgrown). The pulp is juicy, without bitterness, the skin is thin, there are few seeds.

The taste is excellent. Purpose – salad (recommended for fresh consumption).

Harvesting and storage

The Chinese snake begins to produce its harvest in the first half of July. The cucumber grows very quickly, instantly overgrowing and becoming tough and broken. Overgrown vegetable varieties taste like zucchini. Therefore, Chinese snake greens are collected daily, preferably in the late evening, after 10-15 minutes. after watering - this stimulates the cucumber to bear fruit until the end of September. The variety is cut very carefully, without touching, if possible, other vines and leaving a third of the stalk on the bush.

This cucumber can easily be transported over any distance, but it is very poorly stored. Therefore, it is recommended to consume this variety of greens immediately after harvesting, maximum – after 2-3 days. Store Chinese snake on the top shelf of the refrigerator, vegetables are placed at a distance from each other, there should be enough air between them.

Emerald Flow F1

An early hybrid of Chinese cucumber. Russian selection 2007.

It is preferable to grow in film greenhouses and greenhouses, although it can also bear fruit well in open ground conditions. The harvest is harvested 44-48 days after germination. Productivity 6-8 kg per 1 sq.m.

It is unpretentious in care, parthenocarpic (does not need pollination), tolerates lack of lighting and/or temperature changes, and is resistant to most diseases (powdery mildew, etc.). Requires mandatory vertical garter.

The bushes are very tall, branched, the stems are weakly intertwined. It reacts to pinching of side shoots by forming new ovaries. The fruits grow quickly and form throughout the long growing season.

The fruits are elongated-cylindrical in shape (sometimes slightly curved), dark green, long (up to 30-50 cm), weighing 100-200 g, with a thin tuberous skin. The pulp is juicy, aromatic, without bitterness, there are few seeds.

The taste is excellent. Recommended for fresh consumption.

Optimal growing conditions

The Chinese snake is classified as a hybrid, so cucumber seeds cannot be obtained independently. They give a good harvest in the first year of cultivation. Hybrids are intended for use in greenhouses. They also grow well without shelter.

Illuminated areas are considered optimal conditions for growing cucumber varieties. The cucumber tolerates partial shade well. The best temperature for growth should be above +25 degrees. Night temperatures should not fall below +6. Regular watering is required.

There must be mandatory staking of shoots in the greenhouse and in the beds. When the lashes are arranged vertically, the cucumbers have the correct shape. Without a garter, the quantity and quality of vegetables decreases.

Chinese cold-resistant F1

Mid-early hybrid of Chinese cucumber. Russian selection.

It can be grown in open ground, greenhouses and winter greenhouses. The harvest is harvested 50-55 days after germination. Productivity up to 10 kg per 1 sq.m.

It is extremely unpretentious in care, parthenocarpic, shade-tolerant and cold-resistant, resistant to most diseases (fusarium wilt, powdery mildew, downy mildew, etc.). Requires mandatory vertical garter.

The bushes are powerful, intensively growing, medium leafy. The fruits grow quickly and form throughout the long growing season. The most abundant harvests are observed in the first 2-3 weeks of fruiting.

The fruits are elongated-cylindrical in shape (sometimes strongly curved), dark green, long (up to 30-50 cm), weighing 150-300 g, with a thin, very bumpy skin. The pulp is juicy, aromatic, without bitterness, there are few seeds.

The taste is excellent. Recommended for fresh consumption and preservation.

How to care for a Chinese kite

The Chinese snake cucumber is characterized as an unpretentious crop. But at the same time, the result of the variety’s yield depends on timely agrotechnical work.

Irrigation frequency

This vegetable crop is quite moisture-loving. Therefore, it is advisable to irrigate plants daily, especially in dry weather.

Watering norms for the Chinese snake:

• seedlings - 1 liter of water for each bush.
• adult plants - from 7 to 10 liters of moisture per bush.

In this case, the plants should be watered only with warm, settled water.

What and how to fertilize

Due to the fact that the vegetable crop grows rapidly and bears fruit for a long time, it requires regular feeding. The first fertilizer is applied 10 days after transplanting the seedlings to a permanent place of growth. Bread infusion made from flour crusts and water is used as a top dressing. Then the plants are fertilized with urea and mullein solution every 10 days.

Loosening and mulching the soil

Since the Chinese snake has a superficial root, soil cultivation must be carried out extremely carefully. The soil must not be turned over during loosening. To saturate it with oxygen, it will be enough to destroy the surface crust. The optimal loosening depth is considered to be 4-5 centimeters.

To protect the root system from temperature changes, it is recommended to mulch the tree trunks of plants. Dry leaves, sawdust and manure-based compost are used as mulch.

Stepsoning

Despite the fact that the Chinese snake has few side shoots, its bushes still need pinching. During the process of agricultural work, all secondary stems emanating from the main trunk are removed. In this case, pinching the shoots is carried out only in the place where they depart.

Important! During agricultural work, under no circumstances should the clinging tendrils of plants be damaged.

Formation

According to reviews from gardeners about the hybrid Chinese Snake, cucumber bushes in a greenhouse are formed as shown in the photo. It is recommended to carry out the garter early. They are released into one stem. Axillary shoots are removed from below to a height of 30 cm. The procedure is necessary to ensure that the lower part of the plants is well ventilated.

Further formation of plants is carried out in different ways:

1. Remove all axillary shoots. Only the main stem grows. The fruits ripen in the axils of the leaves. As the cucumbers are harvested, the lower leaves are trimmed. When there are no leaves or ovaries left below, the stem is lowered down. A ring is made from the stem at the bottom and tied.
2. Let the cucumber grow on one stem. After removing the side shoots, they grow again from the axils of the leaves. Only one lower side shoot is left. He is sent up the same trellis.
3. In the axils, the side lashes are removed not at the base of the main stem, but after 2 or 3 leaves.

Each gardener determines for himself the method of growing cucumbers that he likes.

Protection from diseases and pests

Based on the description of the Chinese snake hybrid given by the breeders, the cucumber is resistant to diseases and pests. However, it can be affected by rust. The disease is detected by red spots on the leaves. They quickly attack the entire plant. It is necessary to regularly inspect the bushes and remove affected leaves. It is recommended to burn them and sprinkle the rest of the plants with mustard powder.

Important! Rust affects young cucumber plants. Therefore, a thorough inspection is necessary after disembarkation.

During periods of high humidity, plants of the Chinese snake variety can be affected by anthracnose. For prevention, treatment is carried out with colloidal sulfur. Use the product "Hom".

Caring for cucumbers after planting

Like any cucumbers, this variety loves humidity and warm air. It follows that the ideal solution would be to provide drip irrigation or place it in areas where groundwater is close.

Fertilizing and watering regime

The most important substance for cucumbers is potassium. It is better to feed plants at the same time as watering. You need to prepare a solution from the ingredients:

• water - 1 l;
• potassium - 1 tablespoon;
• azofoska - 3 tablespoons;
• "Uniflor-micro" - 2 teaspoons.

It is very good to use wood ash for bushes. After watering, it is recommended to pour it onto the soil where the plants grow so as not to get on the stem. Mineral and organic fertilizing should be done alternately every week. The best options for organic fertilizers are a solution of bird droppings in a ratio of 1:20 and fresh manure in a ratio of 1:10. Cucumbers should be fed only with solutions; they do not like manure and droppings in their pure form. Manure can also be perfectly replaced with a solution of picked weeds in a ratio of 1:5.

Video: Feeding cucumbers with folk remedies

Although cucumbers love moisture, they should not be overwatered.
They will not be able to grow in a swamp. The ideal solution is to use drip irrigation. Water for irrigation should be supplied warm. Watering in cool weather must be handled with caution. If you overwater, the plant may begin to rot or be attacked by powdery mildew. Did you know? The French Emperor Napoleon promised a big reward to anyone who could figure out how to keep cucumbers fresh during long military campaigns.

Bush garter and shaping

The bushes of this variety are quite tall, so as they grow, they need to be tied to pre-installed supports. To do this, vertical supports are placed along the perimeter of the area where the fruits grow; they should be approximately 1.8–2 m in height. The first fixation is carried out a week after planting the seedlings, then the plant climbs along the supports on its own.

Soil care

First, the soil on which the plants will grow must be watered and fed with humus. Depending on the size of the root system, holes are dug. The bushes are planted in rows, maintaining a distance of 50 cm between them; the rows should be at least 1 m apart from each other.

Mulching should be done after planting. For this, sawdust, cut weeds, and straw are used to maintain soil moisture and reduce the number of weeds.

Care

The agricultural technology algorithm is an important criterion for growing a crop. To ensure that cucumber varieties are not susceptible to diseases and also have different taste qualities, it is necessary to adhere to certain recommendations for planting the variety.

Watering

Water the beds with the White Snake hybrid in the evening. The watering liquid should be left in the sun throughout the day and should not be less than 20 degrees. It is necessary to water the bushes of the variety strictly under the beds so that water does not get on the tops.

Afterwards, vegetable growers advise loosening the soil to remove the dense layer of soil. To do this, use a pitchfork: the tool pierces the soil, thus allowing oxygen and moisture to pass through to the root system of the White Snake.

Top dressing

It is necessary to feed the White Snake f1 variety with organic matter and minerals. During the entire growing season, it is recommended to apply about three fertilizers to the soil.

Preparing and sowing seeds

In order for the seeds to produce healthy shoots, they must first be prepared. To do this, they are kept in a solution of potassium permanganate for 10 minutes. In this case, the temperature of potassium permanganate should be at least +35°C. Then the seeds need to be treated with Trichodermin to prevent fungal diseases.

Growing container

Cups, pots or seedling boxes are suitable for sowing seeds. It is better to sow in smaller containers, as the variety has low germination. And if you sow in a box, it may turn out to be half empty, and it takes up more space than cups and pots. When shoots appear, they can be transplanted into a larger box. But it should be remembered that cucumbers do not like moving.

Did you know? In Ancient Egypt, cucumbers were depicted on sacrificial tables, and they were also placed in the tombs of the pharaohs.

Sowing

Before sowing, disinfected seeds must be germinated. To do this, place a damp cotton or gauze cloth on a small plate or saucer, and carefully place the seeds on it. It is necessary to place the seeds so that they are wet on both sides.

For rapid germination, you need to place the plate in a warm place. The higher the ambient temperature, the faster they will germinate. At a temperature of +30°C, germination will occur in 1–2 days.

Sprouted seeds should be planted in pre-moistened grooves, then sprinkled with 3 mm of soil. Glasses with sown seeds must be covered with film to create a favorable climate. It is recommended to place 2-3 seeds in glasses. When the sprouts emerge from the ground, the film can be removed. If you maintain a room temperature of +20°C, after 5–7 days you can expect the first leaves to appear. After the seeds germinate, leave the strongest plant in the glass. You cannot tear the sprouts out of the container; you can damage the sprout that you have chosen for seedlings.

Agricultural technology or proper cultivation: sowing seeds for seedlings, picking

Preparatory work begins in the fall.

Preparing the beds:

1. Prepare humus, sawdust and black soil in a ratio of 1:1:2. The resulting mixture is scattered onto the beds; it will decompose throughout the winter;
2. In spring, the soil is fertilized with ammonia fertilizers, for example, saltpeter and superphosphate. You can also fertilize with ash. Phosphorus has a positive effect on ovary formation, ash improves the development of vegetative mass;
3. Cucumber beds should be loose. To prevent the soil from drying out, it is mulched with sawdust or humus.

Sowing seeds for seedlings

The hybrid can be sown with seeds directly into the ground. However, the harvest will ripen much later, and many seeds will not sprout. Therefore, the seedling method is recommended for the hybrid:

• Seed material is soaked in warm water (up to +35 degrees). It is optimal to use a manganese solution by soaking for 10 minutes. Afterwards treatment with trichodermin is carried out;
• Afterwards, the seeds are sown in peat pots, deepened by 2 cm;
• The planting container must have a diameter of at least 25 cm, since the root system of the hybrid is larger compared to others;
• The temperature required for germination is +32…+35 degrees. Therefore, the containers are covered with film to create a greenhouse effect;
• After 6-12 days the sprouts will hatch. The cover is removed gradually. Initially, the seedlings are left without it for 2-3 hours a day, gradually increasing the time;
• As soon as the shoots grow to 15-20 cm, they can be planted in a permanent place of growth. This mostly happens towards the end of the third week.

Transplanting:

• Seedlings must be watered abundantly. Moisture deficiency has a negative impact on the set of vegetative mass and on the future harvest;
• During planting in the ground, the plants are fed. For each bush you will need 25 g of saltpeter, half a glass of ash;
• No more than 3-4 seedlings are placed per 1 m2.

Since the bush has unlimited growth, trellises are installed.

Description of White Snake cucumbers

Cucumber White Snake f1 is a hybrid variety distinguished by its unusual color and large fruit size. The culture belongs to the salad varieties - parthenocarpics. The variety belongs to the ultra-early variety, since harvesting begins already 35-38 days after the seedlings hatch.

White Snake bushes are distinguished by vigorous shoots, which are covered with female inflorescences, painted yellow. The fruits of the variety are distinguished by their friendly and long ripening. Cucumbers of the White Snake f1 variety are characterized by the following features:

• The fruits, like the Manul f1 variety, grow up to 35 cm and have an elongated oval shape.
• The peel of the cucumber is thin and tender, colored light green.
• Thick and large tubercles are observed on the skin of the White Snake.
• The pulp of this cucumber variety is crispy, elastic and juicy, and does not taste bitter.

Reviews

Reviews from gardeners about the Chinese snake are mostly positive. The hybrid is distinguished by unusual fruits and excellent taste:

Vasilisa, Belgorod : “I’ve been growing the Chinese snake for the second year. A very unusual and tasty hybrid. Snake cucumbers are wonderful fresh, and when marinated they resemble gherkins. I feed the plants only with self-prepared fertilizers (bread and mullein).”

Ivan, Klin: “I tried to grow a Chinese snake for the first time after seeing this miracle on a neighbor’s property. The fruits are very long and thin, as in the photographs. The taste is sweet and fresh with an unusual aroma. When I want a salad, I simply break off part of a cucumber right in the garden. The remaining piece continues to grow. Very unusual, I will plant more. It is immediately necessary to clarify that other varieties are more suitable for harvesting for the winter. Although this one is tasty when preserved in pieces, it doesn’t look very nice in jars.”

Diseases and pests

The presented hybrid is resistant to diseases that affect other varieties of cucumbers. It is not afraid of diseases such as mosaic, powdery mildew, downy mildew and cladosporiosis. The only disease that can damage such bushes is rust. It appears in the form of large red spots that form on the leaves. This disease quickly affects all plants planted in the garden. To combat it, it is recommended to inspect the bushes daily, immediately pick off damaged leaves and be sure to burn them to stop the infection. Those plants that remain in the garden should be sprinkled with mustard powder. Read about diseases of cucumbers in this material.

It should be remembered that the disease can affect plants a few days after planting them in the garden. That is why you need to check their condition daily. The sooner you notice the disease, the faster you can get rid of it.

Features of the variety

A distinctive feature of the Chinese snake is its long, slightly curled fruits at the end. In order to grow them properly, the crop must be tied up after transplanting into open ground or into a greenhouse. Otherwise, a plant with such heavy fruits will not be able to fully develop, which will lead to the death of the entire crop.

Gardeners also need to take into account that this variety cannot be grown in the same beds for a long time, as it greatly depletes the soil. Cucumbers need to be replanted every two years. To achieve good yields, it will be necessary to purchase new seed material.

The Chinese snake is distinguished by fruits that are slightly curled at the ends.

Country of origin, growing regions

The Chinese snake cucumber was bred by Chinese breeders. It was originally intended mainly for consumption raw, but later it was also used for preservation. The variety entered the State Register of Russia only in 2015.

In Russia, such a cucumber can be grown in greenhouse conditions in all regions. In the southern regions it can also be grown in open ground.

It should be remembered that this variety was bred specifically for cultivation in greenhouses. Under such conditions, the crop produces a higher yield and ripens earlier. It can be grown in open ground only if the average daily air temperature does not fall below +25 degrees Celsius.

Advantages and disadvantages

This hybrid has many advantages over other varieties of cucumbers. These include:

• high yield (Chinese snake bears fruit until frost);
• resistance to various diseases that affect other varieties of cucumbers;
• versatility of use - the fruits of the Chinese snake can be eaten in salads or used for preservation;
• high taste qualities - the fruits of this species are sweet, without a bitter aftertaste.

  
  Chinese snake bears fruit until frost

The disadvantages of this culture include:

• poor storage quality - such cucumbers should be eaten a few hours after harvesting. How to store cucumbers fresh, read this link.
• low seed germination - out of 10 units of seed, only 3 sprout;
• the need to tie the stems of such cucumbers to a trellis.

This cucumber must be tied to a trellis.

Such fruits are not suitable for transportation to other regions for sale. Already on the second day they lose their taste and become soft and watery.

History of selection and characteristics of culture

The Chinese snake cucumber is an early ripening, high-yielding vegetable crop. The variety was obtained at the beginning of the 21st century by Chinese breeders. In 2015, the Chinese snake was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements. From this period it began to be grown in Russia.



Initially, the variety was bred to produce fruits in greenhouses. But, as vegetable growing practice has shown, cucumbers can also be grown in open-air garden beds.

According to the characteristics, Chinese snake is a fertile crop. By following the growing rules, every summer resident will be able to get giant, decorative cucumbers of unusual taste.