Cucumbers Chinese miracle - an unusual variety of a common vegetable

The Chinese miracle is a popular hybrid, characterized by large-scale productivity, endurance and resistance to pathogens. It will be a godsend for gardeners who prefer juicy and tender fruits.

Description of the variety

The Chinese miracle variety belongs to a special subspecies of cucumbers, which has a common name: “Chinese cucumbers.” The main distinguishing feature of the Chinese miracle is its very long fruits, 40–60 cm. They have a smooth cylindrical shape with rare tubercles. The pulp is juicy, crispy, with small seeds, without bitterness. The skin is a rich green color and is also absolutely not bitter. The plant is very tall, the lashes require a garter. The root system is powerful and well branched.

The fruits are 40–60 cm long

Chinese miracle is a late-ripening variety; the fruits reach technical ripeness 60–70 days after planting.

The variety grows well and bears fruit with sufficient lighting and regular watering. In general, the plant is unpretentious and disease resistant.

In order for cucumbers to grow healthy, it is very important to provide them with proper care.

Pros and cons of the type

Most types of Chinese cucumbers are only suitable for fresh consumption. The Chinese Miracle variety is distinguished by the fact that its fruits are good not only in salads, but also for canning. This cucumber has one peculiarity: you can cut a piece from the growing greens for a salad, and leave part of it to develop further.

Comparative table of advantages and disadvantages of cucumber Chinese miracle

Characteristics of the variety

Let us consider in more detail the characteristics of the described hybrid.

Did you know? Chinese miracle cucumbers have an interesting feature: if you need to prepare a salad, a piece of the required length is cut from the growing greens, and the rest can continue to develop on the vine without any problems.

Description of the bush and fruits

The Chinese miracle has the following botanical features:

• tall bushes (up to 2–4 m);
• grow exclusively upward, without much branching on the sides (close placement of bushes is acceptable in order to save space in the garden);
• female flowers grow on the main vine and stepsons;
• pollination occurs both by self-pollination and cross-pollination (fruit harvest will be richer when planting other varieties in the garden);
• greens are cylindrical, slightly curved;
• cucumbers have thin skin and sparsely located small tubercles;
• the dense inner part of the fruit is juicy, without bitterness;
• cucumbers grow from 40 to 60 cm;
• The average weight of one cucumber is 650–655 g.

Chinese cucumbers differ from their counterparts in the size of their fruit: cucumbers can grow up to 90–120 cm

Flowering and ripening times, fruitfulness

At the beginning of the growing season, this variety lags behind in development compared to short-fruited varieties. Although flowering and fruit set occur later, the plant can subsequently catch up and even outstrip other varieties in the fruit harvest. The greens can grow 15 cm within 24 hours, and the next day they can already be harvested. Another interesting feature of the variety is that the earlier the first harvest is harvested, the greater the number of new cucumbers will be formed. The yield of the variety is high: one bush produces from 25 to 30 kg of high-quality fruits during the entire growing season.

Did you know? Cucumbers were first grown in greenhouses for the Roman Emperor Tiberius, as he loved to eat these vegetables every day throughout the year.

Growing cucumbers Chinese miracle

These cucumbers are grown both in open ground and in greenhouses. You can sow seeds directly into the ground, but, as a rule, they use the seedling method.

Preparing seeds is half the success

Seeds must be prepared for planting. By carrying out a series of simple manipulations, you can significantly increase the germination rate of planting material. There are the following methods for this:

• calibration;
• dressing and treatment with growth stimulants;
• germination.

Calibration is necessary in order to separate all empty seeds unsuitable for sowing. To do this, pour dry seeds with cold water and leave for 20–30 minutes. During this time, some will sink to the bottom, and some will remain floating on top. The water is drained along with the floating seeds - they still won’t germinate.

Pathogens often remain on planting material, so it is advisable to carry out dressing. Ordinary potassium permanganate copes with this task perfectly. Prepare a deep purple solution and dip the seeds in there for 30–60 minutes, after which they remove them and begin germination.

To increase germination, cucumbers are often treated with growth stimulants. One of the most popular drugs is Epin. 4 drops of Epin are diluted in 100 ml of water and the seeds are left in the solution for 8–10 hours. You can also use sodium humate. To prepare the solution, add 0.5 g of humate to 1 liter of water and pour in the seeds for 2–3 hours.

Soaked and treated seeds are germinated. A damp cloth is laid out on a saucer, seeds are placed on it, and another layer of moistened cloth is placed on top. Leave the cucumbers in a warm place where the temperature is between + 28–30°C, for example, next to a radiator. After 1–2 days, the sprouts will hatch, after which they are sown.

Advice! During germination, the fabric is regularly moistened with water. You should not use cotton wool or gauze - the seedlings will become entangled in the loose material, and it will be very difficult to remove them without damage.

Cucumber seeds germinate quite quickly, after 2 days the first shoots will appear

Secrets of strong seedlings

Based on the fact that the seedlings should be 25–27 days old by the time they are planted in the greenhouse, the sowing time is calculated. For example, to plant cucumbers in early May, the seeds are sown in mid-April.

Chinese miracle cucumbers have a powerful root system, so the cups for growing seedlings should be 300–500 ml in volume. They are filled with loose, nutritious soil with an acidity of 6.4–7.0 Ph.

Options for soil mixtures:

1. In equal parts peat, turf soil, crumbly humus and sawdust of deciduous trees scalded with boiling water.
2. Peat, sand, sawdust from deciduous trees, humus in a ratio of 6:1:1:2.

Important! You cannot use pine sawdust to grow seedlings. The resins they contain inhibit young plants.

The seeds are sown 1 piece per cup to a depth of 0.5–1 cm. After 3–5 days, the first seedlings appear above the soil surface. The temperature of the seedlings should range between + 22–25°C, and the duration of daylight hours should be 10–12 hours. Chinese cucumber loves moisture, so the seedlings are watered abundantly every 3-5 days, while avoiding stagnation of water.

After 26 days, the seedlings can be transplanted into the ground

Selection and preparation of a plot for cucumbers

In regions with hot climates, the Chinese miracle feels great in open ground on trellises. Tying this variety is a mandatory agrotechnical technique, because vigorous canes lying on the ground are more susceptible to diseases, and the greens from contact with the ground grow crooked and ugly.

Note! It is possible to grow Chinese cucumbers without shelter only with regular, full watering.

In all other regions, greenhouses are used for growing cucumbers. Shelter provides these delicate plants with protection from temperature changes and other adverse environmental factors.

Choose a place for cucumbers that is protected from the wind, flat or with a slight southern slope. The greenhouse should be well lit by the sun, so it is located away from trees and fences.

The best soil for the Chinese miracle is a loose, humus-rich soil mixture with a neutral acid-base reaction. Clayey, waterlogged soils are not suitable for cucumbers.

Optimal composition of the soil mixture:

• turf soil - 2 parts;
• peat or peat soil - 3 parts;
• humus or compost - 3 parts.

For every 10 kg of prepared soil, add 10–15 g of superphosphate and 200–250 g of wood ash. Nitrogen fertilizers are not applied at this stage, because humus contains enough of this element.

Planting seedlings in a greenhouse

Before planting seedlings in the greenhouse, wide beds with a ridge height of about 25–30 cm are formed. The row spacing should be spacious so that later it is convenient to walk between tied plants. The optimal distance between rows is 60–90 cm. The Chinese miracle has practically no side shoots, so the plants can be arranged quite densely - every 25 cm.

Important! The soil in the greenhouse must warm up well, so it is covered with film in advance and planting begins only after a few days.

Step-by-step instructions for planting seedlings:

1. The day before planting, water the cups with cucumbers to make the earthen ball easier to remove.
2. In the beds, dig holes slightly larger than a glass.
3. The holes are filled to the top with a warm, rich pink solution of potassium permanganate to disinfect the soil. After the potassium permanganate is completely absorbed, ordinary water is poured into the holes.
4. The seedling is carefully removed from the container, trying not to disturb the earthen lump.
5. Place the plant in the hole so that the root collar is 1–2 cm above ground level, and compact the soil around it.

The root collar of the sprout should be 1–2 cm above ground level

Planting the Chinese miracle in open ground

You can start planting seedlings in unprotected soil only when the air temperature remains confidently around + 18–20°C. Although this variety is quite cold-resistant, at low temperatures the growth of seedlings is inhibited. It is most convenient to plant cucumbers on the ridges of wide ridges with a row spacing of 60–80 cm. The sequence of actions when planting in the ground is the same as in the case of a greenhouse.

Characteristics of Chinese cold-resistant cucumber

Chinese salad varieties of cucumbers are a godsend for both farms and summer cottages. Let's look at the characteristics of the Chinese cold-resistant cucumber.

Characteristics of Chinese cold-resistant cucumber

Characteristics of the variety

The length of the fruits of Chinese cold-resistant cucumbers is 40-60 cm, sometimes 80 cm. The taste is pleasant, sweetish. The pulp is juicy and crispy. The skin is green, thin, and becomes denser and thicker over time. Cucumbers are finely ribbed, with medium-sized white spines. When overgrown, the peel does not turn yellow, the seed cavity decreases, and the seeds increase in size.

The harvest of Chinese cold-resistant cucumbers can be used not only fresh, but also in preparations.

The seeds are small. Fruiting is abundant and long lasting.

Advantages of the variety

The positive features of the variety include:

• early maturity (50-55 days from the beginning of emergence),
• high yield (30 kg per bush),
• shade tolerance,
• resistance to temperature changes,
• cold resistance,
• excellent taste,
• disease resistance,
• minimum number of side shoots,
• self-pollinating.

Disadvantages of the variety

Among the disadvantages of the Chinese cold-resistant cucumber are:

• poor keeping quality, which means short shelf life,
• absence of cultivar characteristics in the seeds of the next generation of F1 hybrids,
• fruits are too large and often crooked.
• high lashes (from 150 to 350 cm),
• spider mite damage during hot periods.

Growing conditions

The plant requires obligatory garter

When growing Chinese cold-resistant cucumbers, a garter to a support is necessary, otherwise you may lose the harvest. Thin-skinned fruits lying on the ground easily rot.

The crop is grown both in a greenhouse and in open ground. Planting scheme - 3-4 seedlings per 1 sq. m. When planting in multiple rows, there should be 25 cm between plants and 90 cm between rows.

To ensure a good harvest, you need abundant, timely watering and fertilizing. If there is a lack of moisture or essential elements (potassium, nitrogen or calcium), the fruits become deformed, acquiring a curved or twisted shape.

Seedling growing method

To grow seedlings, prepare a mixture of turf soil and perlite, which provides moisture retention and breathability. Seeds are planted in tall cups to a depth of 1.5-2 cm and placed in a dark, warm place for 3-5 days. After germination, the seedlings are transferred to the light. The optimal temperature for leaf development is 20-22°C. Higher temperatures lead to infection of tender seedlings by spider mites. Additional lighting prevents premature elongation of internodes.

Seedlings are planted in a permanent place at the age of 20-25 days if there are 9 true leaves, when the threat of return frosts has passed. Planting holes are prepared with a diameter of up to 10 cm. Seedlings are removed from seedling containers along with a lump of earth, being careful not to damage the roots. To prevent the lump from crumbling during transplantation, the seedlings are watered 2-3 days before. The seedlings are carefully lowered into the holes and the soil is compacted around the roots so that there are no voids left. The filled row is watered abundantly.

Sowing in open ground

Sowing under film is carried out in May on pre-heated raised ridges. A week before, the beds are covered with black covering material so that the soil thaws and warms up to the desired depth.

The soil mixture should be loose and nutritious. To enrich with oxygen, it is recommended to loosen the soil superficially after each watering. To preserve moisture and reduce the number of weeds, it is advisable to mulch the soil in planting areas.

Caring for Chinese cucumbers

The Chinese miracle variety, like all cucumbers, is demanding in terms of temperature and humidity. A good harvest can only be achieved with regular watering and maintaining a temperature of + 20–25°C. Both in the open ground and in the greenhouse, caring for cucumbers consists of the following agrotechnical techniques:

• abundant watering every 3–7 days;
• shallow loosening after each watering so that the roots receive the necessary oxygen;
• regular weed removal;
• tying lashes to supports;
• fertilizing

Advice! Young plants spend 0.5 liters of water, and adults - 1–1.5 liters per watering. At all stages of growth, use only warm (not lower than 4–5 degrees) water.

The undoubted advantage of the Chinese Miracle variety is the minimum number of side shoots, so the bush practically does not require shaping. If stepchildren do appear, they are removed as early as possible. Do the same with the ugly ovary and aged lower leaves. Powerful vines must be tied up, because the greens of this variety grow beautiful and even only when hanging freely from a support.

Note! Chinese miracle is a self-pollinating variety; additional pollination is not required.

Planting and growing

The plant will produce more yield in greenhouse conditions

Chinese miracle - Chinese cucumber can be grown in many variations, for example, in open ground or in a greenhouse. Moreover, in greenhouses the yield is much higher.

Recommendations for landing

It all depends on what quality of seeds you will use. The soil should contain a high concentration of humus and have an average acid balance. Before planting, you should select those seeds that are at least 6 mm in size. They need to be soaked in a potassium solution and dried well. It is also recommended to use Trichodermin, which will absorb excess moisture.

Growing cucumbers, or rather planting seeds, should be carried out in late April. The seeds are deepened 2-3 cm into the ground. The soil must be moistened in advance so that it can be leveled after planting. If the temperature is not lower than 30°C, then germination only increases.

Features of seedlings

Seedlings should be grown in early May, because you need to warm the soil under the sun's rays for better germination.

1. The density of growing cucumbers is 2-3 bushes per 1 m2.
2. Before planting seedlings, you should fertilize the soil; for this, wood ash or bird humus is used.
3. A distance of 50 cm should be maintained between rows, but a distance of 45 cm should be maintained between bushes.
4. The depth of planting shoots is 4 cm.
5. After this, the rows should be covered with plastic wrap for two weeks.

It is important to remember that it should be removed every day to allow fresh air to enter.

Top dressing

Chinese cucumbers are responsive to the application of mineral fertilizers. During the entire growing season, 3-4 feedings are carried out, and you can combine root application with leaf spraying.

Mineral fertilizer application table

Soil and fertilizers

Soils with a high humus content and neutral pH are most suitable for this variety. Clay soil or damp places with close groundwater are generally contraindicated for Chinese cucumber.

The ideal soil composition is:

• turf - 1/4;
• peat - 3/8;
• humus - 3/8.

Those areas where any pumpkin plants used to grow should not even be taken into account as potential beds; cucumbers grow extremely poorly on them. But any cucumbers, including Chinese ones, feel great when planted in an area where tomatoes and cabbage used to grow, and are quite acceptable where radishes, beets and carrots grew.

First you need to dig up future beds. The cut is at least 30 cm, the following mixture is added to this depth (per 1 sq. m):

• rotted mullein or humus - 20 l;
• sawdust - 5 l;
• wood ash - 50 g;
• potassium sulfate - 10 g;
• superphosphate - 50 g;
• urea - 10 g.

Before preparing the fertilizer, sawdust should be soaked in a solution of ammonium nitrate (40 g per 20 liters of water) and dried for 2 weeks. There is an easier way to fertilize in the fall. After digging, mark out future beds, dig ditches between them one bayonet shovel wide and 0.5 m deep. Fill the grooves 2/3 with mullein and cover with earth on top. In place of these filled trenches there will be row spacing.

VIDEO: HOW TO PREPARATE AND USE MULLEIN

Diseases and pests of the Chinese miracle variety

The variety is rarely affected by diseases. However, under unfavorable conditions, plants may suffer from anthracnose, downy and powdery mildew, Alternaria blight or aphids.

Table: diseases and pests of cucumbers and their control

Photo gallery: typical diseases for the variety

Aphids quickly attack the plant

Alternaria blight is characterized by the appearance of small spots on cucumber leaves.

Powdery mildew must be combated as early as possible

Pros and possible disadvantages of the variety

If we compare the hybrid in question with other varieties, then an important nuance is that many types of greens can only be consumed fresh. The products of the described variety are universal: greens are used both for fresh consumption and for canning.

• Other advantages include:
• high yields;
• aesthetic appearance of products and large sizes;
• high taste qualities;
• survival rate in different climatic zones;
• immunity to diseases and pests.

• The disadvantages of the variety are:
• low percentage of seed germination;
• powerful plants that require mandatory tying;
• high need for abundant watering;
• instability to temperature changes;
• low shelf life, due to which the crop is immediately consumed or processed.

Harvesting

The variety is perfect for pickling

Chinese miracle is a late-ripening variety; mass ripening of cucumbers begins 60–70 days after sowing the seeds and continues until frost. It is necessary to collect greens every 4-5 days, then the plant will form more and more new ovaries. The good thing about this variety is that even if you delay harvesting, the fruits will not overgrow and will remain juicy.

Collected cucumbers are practically not stored; the very next day the skin wrinkles and the pulp loses its juiciness. Therefore, if the crop is intended for conservation, processing begins immediately. The pickled fruits of the Chinese miracle are in no way inferior in taste to ordinary pickled varieties of cucumbers. The only inconvenience is that long greens have to be cut into pieces so that they fit into the jar.

The variety is also excellent for fresh consumption. The delicate, sweetish taste of Chinese cucumbers goes well with other vegetables in salads.

Harvest and storage

Chinese miracle cucumbers are a medium-late variety: the first fruit harvest begins 60 days after the sprouts appear, and can last until autumn (in an open garden bed) or until winter (in a greenhouse). The fruits are harvested every four days, but if they are not collected for, for example, a week, they will not become overripe and turn yellow, and the seeds will not grow and become coarse. The collected products are not stored for a long time (after just a day they wither and lose their juiciness), so they must be consumed immediately.

Did you know? Europeans are lovers of cucumbers with smooth skin without thorns, and greens with thorns are called cucumbers in “Russian shirts”, since these are the fruits that are most valued in Russia.

If it is necessary to keep the fruits fresh, they are washed, wrapped in cling film and placed in the refrigerator. Thus, the shelf life of fresh greens is extended to 5 days. Greens are used in cooking as an ingredient in salads, appetizers, for sandwiches, or they are used to make preparations for the winter. For preservation, fruits are removed according to the size of the containers or cut into pieces. Any dishes made from these cucumbers taste good.

Chinese miracle cucumbers are worthy of the attention of any gardener, since their unusual appearance adds variety to plantings in the garden, and the excellent taste of greens will win the heart of every housewife.

Reviews from summer residents about the Chinese miracle variety

Cucumbers are wonderfully attractive: they reach a length of 45 cm, dark green, thin and tender peel, practically without seeds, juicy, tasty, without the slightest bitterness, pulp

mysi80

https://otzovik.com/review_96143.html

I have been selling seeds for the second year in a row, and for the first time I brought Chinese miracle cucumbers! On the packaging they write about the unusualness of the cucumber! It grows up to 45 centimeters long - and they also write that it is frost-resistant! Of course, I planted it and looked after it very carefully - it’s a Chinese miracle! care is not difficult, the only very important requirement is watering with warm water!

Alla Tka4

https://otzovik.com/review_446416.html

I once bought Chinese cucumber seeds - purely for fun, planted them and waited for germination. When they sprouted and began to bear fruit, I almost immediately noticed good taste qualities, namely, they are not bitter, they have a sweetish taste, they have a thin skin, and one more important point for me is that even overripe fruits can be cut into 3-5 parts and put in jar for the winter!

svetusjka

https://spasibovsem.ru/responses/ogurtsy-kitajskoe-chudo-eto-dejstvitelno-chudo.html

Plant in a greenhouse or open ground

Long, tasty, tender, productive with a long fruiting period
Chinese cucumber - photo with description of the variety:

1. Chinese cucumber belongs to the pumpkin class and is a variety of regular cucumber. Greater yields of cucumbers can be obtained in a greenhouse, although they grow well in open ground. It belongs to a number of early ripening varieties; after germination, 30-35 days pass until harvest. The yield from one bush is 25-30 kg.
2. The fruits are dense, long, reaching a size of 35-80 cm . They taste sweet, fresh, sometimes with a watermelon or melon aroma. The skin is thin, tender, and cannot be felt when eaten. The pulp is dense, without voids, the seed chambers remain tender for a long time. Most of the flowers of the female plant are collected in compact bunches of inflorescences.
3. A feature of the Chinese cucumber is its prolonged fruiting, right up to frost. The bushes are self-pollinating, resistant to many diseases and have excellent presentation.
4. Among the disadvantages of the variety, we can note the poor keeping quality of the fruits, not suitable for canning, and poor seed germination. Scourges need vertical garter. If you do not tie up the bushes, the fruits grow hook-shaped.
5. Chinese long cucumbers can be planted in a greenhouse in early May on warm beds to provide the root system with sufficient nutrients for the entire fruiting period. Due to the long fruiting period, growing in a greenhouse will provide a fresh harvest until late autumn.

Video: How to grow cucumbers from the “Chinese” series

Video: all about the Chinese miracle variety

The Chinese miracle cucumber is undoubtedly worthy of the attention of gardeners. The unusual appearance of the plant can add variety to boring garden beds, and the excellent taste of the fruit will win the hearts of housewives.

• Author: Oksana Kirichek
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Reviews

“This is the third year I’ve been planting them, and I really like them. They are quite easy to care for, at least here in the south. My son loves these fruits because the seeds are very, very small. During the entire growing period, not a single bitter cucumber came across. Highly recommend". Maria, 45 years old.

“I read reviews on the Internet, looked at the photos, and decided to try this variety. The seeds sprouted very quickly. The pulp of the fruit is soft, juicy, and sweetish. The plants themselves tend to grow very tall, so you need to keep an eye on that.” Irina, 35 years old.

“I received the “Chinese Miracle” cucumbers to try completely by accident. A neighbor simply gave them to my goats because she didn’t like the appearance (thin and very long). I took it and tried it myself, liked the taste, and salted it for the winter. These were the best cucumbers that winter, they retained their strength and taste, and their seeds were small, small, almost imperceptible. Now I’ll try to plant on my plot, I hope it will work out.” Natalya, 52 years old.

As you can see, if certain planting and care rules are followed, the “Chinese Miracle” cucumber may well be recommended for growing in a wide variety of summer cottages. Be wary of this variety if your climate is cold and humid, or if you plant cucumbers exclusively in greenhouses. This variety is not suitable for greenhouses - the shoots will be too tall. Pay attention to the short shelf life of freshly picked fruits.

Try to try different varieties of cucumbers under any conditions, since each summer cottage has its own unique conditions for their growth, and therefore the results may be different.

The best varieties for greenhouses

Parthenocarpic hybrids, which are not very resistant to bad weather outside, are suitable for growing in greenhouses. Their flowers do not require pollination, almost all are female, so cucumbers can set in tightly closed greenhouses until frost. Agricultural specialists are working on the creation of such hybrids. But almost all of them are new and have just begun to spread throughout Russian gardens. In the meantime, Stella, bred by the Federal Scientific Center for Vegetable Growing (formerly VNIISSOK), is at the peak of popularity.

Stella

Stella is a hybrid bred in the early 80s of the last century. It has become widespread due to its ability to adapt to the climate of any region, grows well in all types of greenhouses, and is suitable for indoor vegetable growing. Gardeners often mention Stella when talking about Chinese cucumbers for the greenhouse, although it can be a stretch to include her in this category.

For Chinese cucumbers, Stella fruits are a bit short

The fruits are smooth and graceful: not too long (20–25 cm), thin (3–4 cm in diameter). The skin is smooth, without tubercles, covered with shallow grooves. The hybrid is suitable for commercial cultivation in the winter-spring period, and for amateur summer cultivation.

Video: review of the best greenhouse varieties of Chinese cucumbers

Chinese centenarian

Having grown this new product from Aelita, you will get powerful cucumbers covered with white thorns, reminiscent of the slight stubble of a centenarian. The fruits grow up to 50 cm in length, have an even shape, and are not curved. According to the manufacturer, cucumbers are sweeter than regular ones and have a more intense flavor. The hybrid is resistant to diseases and low light. Ripening time is 45–50 days.

Ni Hao

Ni Hao is still a little-known, but interesting hybrid for protected ground. In the name “Aelita” encrypted the Chinese word “Hello”, as if inviting gardeners to get acquainted with their new product. Cucumbers are interesting in shape - very similar to a mace: at the base there is a smooth handle, and the rest of the surface is densely covered with tubercles. The greens grow up to 45 cm, are covered with thin skin, sweet and aromatic. Ripening period is 46–50 days. An interesting feature of Ni Hao is that the picked fruits can remain fresh for several days even at room temperature.