The best varieties of bush cucumbers for open ground

Not a single garden or summer cottage can do without planting one of the favorite crops of most vegetable growers, namely, cucumber. Taking into account the value of each piece of land and the desire to plant as many different seedlings as possible in a relatively small area, gardeners adapt each in their own way.

Some people use compact planting schemes, some use unusual containers as beds, and some use certain varieties of cucumbers that take up very little space, but do not become less productive or tasty. The bush cucumber belongs to this variety.

Bush cucumbers - what they are, general description of the variety

The characteristics of bush cucumbers meet all the requirements for growing in open ground. But this does not mean that they are not suitable for a greenhouse or greenhouse. A peculiarity of this type is either the complete absence of side loops, or their small number (no more than two very short in length per bush).

Bush cucumbers are grown both in greenhouses and in open ground.

The main stem has a flower raceme at the end, i.e. this variety is determinant. Most of these cucumbers ripen quickly. Almost the entire harvest can be obtained in just 20 days of fruiting.

Features of cultivation: planting, care, hydration

The soil on which cucumbers of this variety are grown should be light and rich in humus. For greater disease resistance, experts recommend planting them in the same area once every 5 years. They develop well in the place where tomatoes, peas, potatoes, and corn were previously planted. Professional gardeners advise applying soil fertilizer to bush self-pollinating cucumbers. This garden crop can be grown both with seeds and with seedlings.

Advantages and disadvantages of breeding

When choosing a variety to grow, everyone involuntarily pays attention to its pros and cons. So, the type of bush cucumbers has a large list of advantages:

• they are an early ripening crop (the growing season from germination to fruit is only 40 days);
• relatively simple care due to the specific growth of the species;
• compactness;
• excellent taste and versatility of the fruit;
• low susceptibility to diseases and pests.

The only disadvantages include relatively low yield. But this is compensated by the advantages listed above.

The best varieties of bush cucumbers for open ground

The vegetable market offers a wide variety of different varieties of bush cucumbers. Knowing the certain qualities that one or another of them is endowed with, choosing the best option for specific purposes will not be difficult. Here it is important to take into account the recommended growing conditions, the ripening period, as well as methods for further use of the resulting crop.

Typically the length of the stems is from one and a half to three meters. More than two branches do not grow on one loop. A neat plant does not require much space. Most varieties are bee pollinated. But there are also self-pollinating bush cucumbers for open ground.

Hermaphroditism, self-fertilization, self-pollination and parthenocarpy

Hermaphroditism is a general biological concept that is characteristic of many organisms.

Most higher plants are hermaphrodites. In this case, in terms of reproduction we are talking about either:

• about self-fertilization (a special case is self-pollination), when in the process of sexual reproduction they themselves produce both male and female gametes, the fusion of which forms a zygote. Usually this measure is forced for a plant, formed when there are no conditions for normal cross-pollination.
• about sequential hermaphroditism - during the formation of flowers, the anthers and stigmas do not ripen at the same time and then, on the one hand, self-pollination is prevented and, on the other hand, due to the non-simultaneous flowering time of various plants in the population, cross-pollination is ensured.

In any of the above cases, seeds are formed in the ripening fruits!

In plants, natural hermaphroditism is called monoecy (in one “house,” i.e., within one individual, both female pistillate and male staminate flowers develop) - cucumber is one of these plants. It is a bee-pollinated crop - this means that in order to set full-fledged fruits, it needs pollinating insects that transfer pollen from the stamens to the pistils.

In parthenocarpics, the so-called “virgin fertilization” occurs without pollination, usually with the formation of fruits without seeds or containing “empty” seeds without embryos. Plants characterized by the development of only seedless fruits are sterile and reproduce exclusively by vegetative means.

Parthenocarpy is known in many cultivated plants and is often a firmly established varietal characteristic. And cucumbers also have such specially bred hybrids.

To summarize, self-pollinating cucumbers do not exist as such; think about the integrity of the manufacturer or seller if you see a similar inscription on the bag. Cucumbers can be either bee-pollinated or parthenocarpic.

Characteristics of what size the fruits reach

The most common varieties are: Malyshok, Korotyshka, Kustovoy, Malyutka, Chelyabinsk bush.

“Bush” is only suitable for open beds, because is bee pollinated. The size of the bush reaches 60 cm. The side loops are very short. The fruits themselves, which do not turn yellow over time, are elongated, up to 10 cm in length. They have good taste and are suitable for use in fresh salads, as well as for pickling or pickling.

Bush cucumber is bee-pollinated and therefore suitable only for open ground.

“Baby” is distinguished by short loops up to 40 cm. Just like the previous option, it is planted only in open beds. It is very early ripening, with fruits appearing just over a month after germination. The oval fruits, up to 9 cm in size, have fairly large tubercles and are dark green in color with a white tip at the flower site.

It also has a variety of uses, both fresh and canned. A big plus is resistance to diseases such as powdery mildew and cucumber mosaic.

“Malysh” is an early variety and resistant to diseases.

“Korotyshka” is a bee-pollinated variety, so it is planted in open ground. Scourges up to 45 cm. The cucumbers themselves are about 10 cm long, finely striped, light green in color with a delicate and thin peel that does not turn yellow for a long time. Used in the same way as previous samples.

Shorty has small light green fruits.

The Chelyabinsk bush cucumber is grown in areas of risky farming, as well as in regions with a temperate climate. This hybrid bears fruit in northern conditions. The first harvest is harvested after 40 days. Dark green fruits in the shape of cylinders with large tubercles reach 10 cm in length and weigh 80 g. The pulp is juicy in taste, pleasant sweetness without bitterness and aroma is remembered by lovers of these vegetables.

Chelyabinsk cucumber can be grown in harsh climates.

Among self-pollinating cucumbers, Stella, Prestige, Aprilsky, and Korolek cucumbers have a good reputation.

But the leader among them is Prestige. It gained its popularity due to its high yield (up to 20 kg per square meter). The fruits have a pleasant taste without a characteristic bitterness. They bear fruit for a long time. And with proper care and hydration, they will be able to enjoy the harvest before the beginning of autumn.

Of the self-pollinating cucumbers, the most popular is Prestige.

For greenhouses

Many summer residents prefer to grow cucumbers in greenhouses, since in such conditions they get more high-quality crops. The following varieties are best suited: April F1, Friendly Family F1, Claudia F1, Matilda F1, Zozulya F1, Zyatek F1, Emelya F1, Orpheus F1, Spring Waters F1, Mashenka F1.

April F1

A popular hybrid characterized by high resistance to cold. It takes about one and a half months to ripen. The maximum fruit weight is 250 grams, length is 22 centimeters. The taste is pleasant, without bitter notes. The purpose of vegetables is universal.

Friendly family F1

Bears fruit consistently under any conditions. Reacts normally to temperature changes or lack of lighting. The weight of one fruit is up to 95 grams.

Claudia F1

It takes about 50 days for the fruit to ripen. The plant is not afraid of temperature changes. The maximum weight of a vegetable is 90 grams. There are many tubercles on the skin.

Matilda F1

An early ripening variant, the bush is strong, one ovary can contain up to 7 fruits weighing up to 110 grams. All cucumbers are approximately the same in appearance.

Zozulya F1

The characteristics of this variety are described above.

Zyatek F1

Early ripening cucumbers of the gherkin variety. Very juicy and crispy, pleasant to the taste. One ovary contains up to 12 vegetables. You can collect about 7 kilograms of fruit from a bush.

Emelya F1

An early and quite popular variety. You can get up to 15 kilograms of vegetables per square meter. At the same time, the approximate weight of one fruit is 120 grams. Since vegetables have a very pleasant taste, they have a universal purpose.

Orpheus F1

A description of this variety can be found above.

Spring waters F1

Early maturing hybrid for universal use. The length of the cucumbers is small, the weight is up to 120 grams. The average yield is 14 kilograms per square area.

Mashenka F1

A mid-early version for salad and canning purposes. The maximum weight of one vegetable is 300 grams. Productivity is up to 15 kilograms per square meter.

Planting using seedlings and non-seedlings

The seedling method makes it possible to get an earlier harvest. It is better to grow seedlings in special peat containers or tablets, this promotes favorable and rapid survival after transplanting to the garden bed. But seedling boxes or plastic containers are also suitable. They will be more convenient if you plan to transport seedlings. Seed treatment before planting is necessary only for personally collected specimens. Purchased ones, as a rule, are already prepared for sowing.

On a note! Before sowing, you should carefully study the information on the packaging. You should only buy seeds from trusted sellers and manufacturers, paying attention to expiration dates.

Self-collected seed material is initially disinfected (hold in a solution of 1% potassium permanganate for 15 minutes), then in a gauze bag, keep in a solution containing nitrophoska, then place them in the refrigerator for several hours. All these manipulations disinfect and make them more resistant to low temperatures and diseases.

The first shoots appear within a week. They need to be provided with proper watering, lighting and temperature conditions (+20 degrees). There is no need for additional lighting. Planting in open ground is possible after the first 5 true leaves appear (approximately 20 days after germination). The only condition is that the earth must warm up well (+20 degrees). Temporary greenhouses will protect young seedlings from return frosts.

As a rule, about 25–30 cm are left between seedlings, and row spacing is made at a distance of 45 cm. Warm, well-fertilized beds with organic matter will be an ideal option for seedlings of bush cucumbers.

When sowing seeds directly into the ground, the seed material is also prepared according to the scheme described above. To reduce germination time, it is better to cover the area sown with cucumbers with a covering material or film to create a greenhouse effect. After the shoots appear, the film can be removed or holes can be made in it through which the sprouts are threaded.

You can plant bush cucumbers with seeds and seedlings.

Planting cucumbers with seeds

Before sowing, the seeds are soaked in water at 25ºC for 20 hours. Next, lay it out on a damp cloth. Thanks to this procedure, the seeds will germinate quickly.

7 cm holes are prepared in the garden bed, evenly spaced close to each other. 1 seed is placed in each hole. Next, the holes with seeds are carefully sprinkled with soil, compacted, and watered with a small amount of water.

Rules for caring for bush cucumbers

In terms of care, bush cucumbers are less demanding. They are distinguished by the following:

1. more frequent watering (in the absence of rain, every three days);
2. no additional supports or garters are required;
3. nutritious soil and systematic application of fertilizers (low acid minerals, without chlorine and sodium in the composition, as well as a solution of manure or bird droppings).

Moderation is good in everything. Thus, excessive watering can lead to stagnation of water, which has a detrimental effect on the crop. Humidification is done with warm water (+12 degrees). Loosening and weeding are carried out as needed. In hot weather, cucumbers are protected from the burning sun by canopies made of wooden shields or twigs.

Further care and harvesting

Plants should be watered either immediately after sunrise or shortly before sunset.
During the day, moisture will evaporate and damage leaves and fruits. Before watering, the water should be allowed to stand in the sun to warm it up. Cold liquid can lead to root rot and plant death. You need to pour water strictly at the root. It is important to avoid getting the liquid on the leaves and shoots, as then it will burn the tissue like a lens. After watering, the soil needs to be loosened

To increase the productivity of the plant you need to resort to fertilizing. A week after the first shoots, potassium fertilizers should be applied. This will stimulate the growth of young plants and help strengthen the roots. When growing cucumbers with seedlings, the first application of fertilizers should be done a little earlier. Agronomists advise fertilizing at different periods of the plant growing season.

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It would be optimal to choose the following time:

1. The period of active shoot growth. You need to mix 15 g of ammonium nitrate with the same amount of potassium chloride and 30 g of superphosphate. Dissolve the mixture in a bucket of water and pour it under the bushes.
2. Flowering period. You need to mix 500 ml of mullein infused for two weeks with 1 tbsp. l. nitrophoska and pour a bucket of water. If flowering is weak, you can add another 0.5 g of boric acid to the product.
3. Vegetable ripening period. You should chop any young grass and fill it with water, let it brew for 10 days. Then mix 1 liter of this infusion with ash and add 10 liters of water.

Attention! When the air temperature drops to 16 °C and below, it is recommended to protect the plants with covering material.

Before fertilizing, the beds should be thoroughly watered with plain water. This will prevent the roots from being burned by fertilizer components. Additionally, it is necessary to use foliar feeding. For this you can use superphosphate, potassium nitrate, boric acid and zinc sulfide. These substances need to be dissolved in water and then sprayed on the plants.

You need to harvest every 2-3 days. If this is not done on time, the bush may break under the weight of the fruit, which will lead to premature death. In addition, regular, frequent harvesting stimulates the growth of new fruits.

You need to collect greens carefully, trying not to damage the plant. You can use scissors for this

At the same time, it is recommended to remove yellowed foliage. You can store cucumbers in the cellar near a container with liquid or in the refrigerator. Shelf life - no more than a week.

Diseases and pests

Bush varieties of cucumbers are susceptible to the following diseases:

• powdery mildew (white or red powdery coating);
• anthracnose or copperhead (a large number of brown spots on the leaves and wet ulcers on the fruits);
• sclerotinia or white rot (a solid white coating on the plant, including fruits, that are beginning to rot);
• gray rot (vague watery brown spots);
• root rot (leaves quickly wither, and roots become rotten and red).

The most dangerous pests are:

• melon aphid;
• spider mite;
• greenhouse whitefly;
• slugs;
• mole crickets;
• thrips;
• wireworm

One of the common diseases of cucumbers is powdery mildew.

By adhering to the recommended rules of agricultural technology, troubles in the form of the above diseases and pests can be avoided.

When choosing a type and variety of cucumbers for planting on a personal plot or dacha, each vegetable grower relies on the result that he wants to obtain as a crop, on the characteristics of care and the susceptibility of the crop to various diseases and pests.

Bush low-growing cucumbers will be an excellent option for planting in a small garden; they will delight you with an early harvest and versatility in using the fruits.

For the Urals and Siberia

The Ural and Siberian climates are quite capricious and complex. Therefore, it is recommended to select the most hardy varieties. For example, the following: Marinda F1, Courage F1, Herman F1, Emerald Family F1, Voyage F1, Cupid F1, Baby mini F1, Herman F1.

Marinda F1

A hybrid of early ripening and universal use. The average weight of one fruit is 120 grams. Up to 7 vegetables are formed in the ovary. The product characteristics are impressive; there are no voids in the salting. The bush itself is very powerful.

Courage F1

A description of this variety can be found above.

Herman F1

The characteristics of this variety were discussed earlier.

Emerald Family F1

An early ripening option from which you can get a harvest after 43 days. The approximate weight of one green vegetable is 130 grams. The pulp has a pleasant structure and rich taste. The variety is highly resistant to diseases.

Voyage F1

An early ripening option, the harvest can be harvested 45 days after sowing. The fruits are ideal for salads. The plant survives temperature changes well, but it is best to grow them in a greenhouse.

Cupid F1

An early variety, excellent for the conditions of the Urals and Siberia. Vegetables are ideal for fresh consumption or pickling. Caring for the plant is easy.

Baby mini F1

Salad cucumber, crispy and very tasty, juicy in texture. Productivity is consistently high, under any conditions.

Herman F1

The description of this variety is presented above.