Chinese cucumber - an unusual variety of a common vegetable

Description of the plant, its features, advantages and disadvantages

Chinese cucumber is not just a variety of a well-known vegetable, but a separate variety. In appearance, the Chinese guest is similar to his ordinary counterpart, but at the same time has clearly advantageous distinctive features:

• long-fruited. One cucumber can grow up to 50 or even 80 cm in length;
• sweeter taste;
• absolute absence of bitterness of the peel;
• dense, crispy flesh that does not become rough and has no voids;
• small, soft seeds that do not harden as the fruit grows;
• an unusual aroma that evokes associations with melon or watermelon.

Chinese cucumbers are recognized by the shape and size of the fruit: they are unusually long, have a spiny surface and white pubescence.

Chinese cucumbers are early ripening, bear fruit for a long time and abundantly, both in a greenhouse or in open ground. The first harvest can be harvested within 35–40 days after germination, and this variety will bear its last fruits just before frost.

In addition to these features, Chinese cucumbers have other undeniable advantages:

• high resistance to major cucumber diseases;
• undemanding to lighting. It does not play a decisive role in the yield of this variety;
• abundance of fruiting. Since the bulk of the flowers on the vine are female, and several are collected in bunches, there are many ovaries. With proper care, the yield can be up to 30 kg per bush;
• excellent presentation. Even overgrown cucumbers do not turn yellow, remain dense, and do not have large and hard seeds inside the fruit.

The fruits of Chinese cucumbers ripen most often in bunches of two or more pieces.

By planting just 3-4 plants, you can meet the average family’s need for this vegetable throughout the entire season.

In addition to a large number of positive qualities, the Chinese cucumber also has some disadvantages:

• It can be stored for a very short time. Almost the next day after picking, the fruit begins to lose its elasticity and may become soft;
• there are a large number of salad varieties of Chinese cucumber and much fewer - pickling and universal ones;
• most gardeners note low seed germination;
• the cucumber vine requires a mandatory vertical garter, otherwise the fruits will have an ugly, hook-shaped shape;
• some varieties have prickly thorns.

Experienced gardeners note that cucumbers with light-colored thorns on the surface are suitable for vegetable salads, while those with dark thorns are suitable for pickling.

The choice between growing in open ground and propagating seedlings

It is certainly easier to sow seeds directly on the plot. You don’t have to waste energy and precious minutes caring for seedlings. But for complete germination of the seeds, you should first soak them in water and keep them warm until they germinate. It is most productive to grow Chinese cucumber in small glasses on a windowsill, and only then plant it in open ground. There will be more hassle, but the result will fully live up to expectations. It has been experimentally proven that those Chinese cucumbers that were obtained by planting seedlings are healthier and longer, while those grown from seeds are not only shorter and wider, but also often taste bitter.

Types and varieties of Chinese cucumbers

The world of Chinese cucumbers is extremely diverse: among them there are thin and graceful, large and powerful, straight or intricately curved, dark green and even milky white. Among the diverse assortment there are both varietal and hybrid forms.

Table: popular varieties and hybrids of Chinese cucumbers

Photo gallery: popular varieties and hybrids of Chinese cucumbers

In 2015, the Chinese Snake variety was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements, which is distinguished by its unusual appearance and early fruiting.

Chinese breeders developed a Chinese cucumber with an atypical almost white color and called it White Delicacy

After the first harvest of fruits, the Chinese cold-resistant cucumber produces an even larger harvest

Alligator is distinguished not only by its unique shape and good taste of fruits, but also by its undemanding nature in terms of growing conditions and care.

Hybrid Chinese disease-resistant F1 is one of the new cucumber varieties

Chinese heat-resistant cucumber bushes are not susceptible to drought and heat, even at a temperature of +35 degrees they produce high yields. Emerald Stream is a popular hybrid of early ripening cucumber, bred by breeders of the Sedek agricultural company. The main feature of the Chinese miracle is that half of the growing fruit can be cut off , and the remaining part will continue to grow quite normally

Reviews from gardeners about varieties and hybrids of Chinese cucumbers

Numerous reviews from summer residents and farmers say that Chinese cucumbers are amazing; they produce yields that cannot be achieved from other varieties of cucumbers.

The hybrids of the “Chinese Resistant” series, namely cold-resistant, disease-resistant, shade-tolerant, and others, are amazing. I've never seen anything like it before. Two plants are enough for a family to eat and for distribution to neighbors and friends. We eat only these cucumbers all season, as they are sweet, juicy, tasty, crispy, with a small seed chamber. Very unpretentious. Our early, long-fruited cucumbers cannot even be compared with Chinese ones. The prickliness doesn't bother me at all.

dtr

https://forum.prihoz.ru/viewtopic.php?t=532&start=60

I have been growing cold-resistant Chinese plants since 2008, with seedlings and 2 bushes in the greenhouse (along with tomatoes). They are growing - a sight for sore eyes! Strong, juicy, sweet, just have time to pick them. They always help out if the weather is bad. There is enough for the whole family, neighbors, and acquaintances. At first they were surprised by the shape and size, but now they are waiting for the first cucumber to appear.

Marmee

https://forum.prihoz.ru/viewtopic.php?t=532&start=60

They recommended the Chinese Miracle variety in the store with the following words: “If you try it once, you’ll plant it every year.” I’m not inclined to blindly believe other people’s opinions, but this time the advice turned out to be one hundred percent. We planted this variety in the second wave, believing that it was frost-resistant, around July 10th. After 5 days we saw shoots of 10 seeds, 8 sprouts. Heat resistance is also very important for our climate, since we live in the south of the country and in the summer the temperature in the shade rises to 40 degrees and by the end of July the cucumbers turn yellow and the vine dries out. An absolutely unpretentious variety. Cucumbers are miraculously attractive: they reach a length of 45 cm, dark green thin and tender peel, practically seedless juicy, tasty pulp without the slightest bitterness. Suitable for both salads and pickling, whole or chopped. Excellent taste in all cases. For pickling, we picked long-sized jars.

mysi80

https://otzovik.com/review_96143.html

After three years of cultivation, I became convinced that varieties of Chinese cucumbers germinate rather poorly in the ground, so I prefer to plant them as seedlings. I warm the seeds in a thermos and plant them in technical pots. And I prepare a bed for them in the fall, dig it up, pick out the roots of the weeds and remove them from the bed, add humus or compost (if there is mature one), add superphosphate, since it takes a long time to decompose, and a little ash. When the vines grow to the top of the trellis, I pinch them off; in general, the Chinese practically do not produce side shoots, so I plant them at a shorter distance from each other than ordinary cucumbers. I buy seeds all the time because I don’t have enough space to grow cucumbers separately, different types. The whole family simply loves these cucumbers; they have excellent taste, and the most important thing is that they are never bitter, even in extreme heat.

Oduvan

https://www.forumdacha.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3790

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I planted it under the name “Chinese snakes”, because... I didn’t have a greenhouse and didn’t have time last summer either, I just stuck two seedlings together in the ground without shelter. The cucumbers were hooked, but very sweet, this year my husband is collecting a greenhouse and I will definitely plant them.

Agatha

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https://dachniiotvet.galaktikalife.ru/viewtopic.php?t=1279

Chinese snakes

The uniqueness of this early-ripening variety lies in its unusual long cucumbers. And the length can reach up to 80 cm, and their diameter is only about 7 cm.

From one properly formed bush during the growing season you can harvest up to 7-8 kg of serpentine cucumbers. The weight of one green vegetable varies from 300 to 400 grams.

The tender, dense and juicy pulp is covered with a thin skin, which is not noticeable in freshly prepared salads. The fruits are used for preservation for the winter and for preparing summer dishes. The vegetables taste sweet, without bitterness, with a pleasant fresh aroma.

Kamensky and 5 more elite potato varieties that are worth paying attention to

The variety tolerates heat and growing in shaded areas well. Resistant to various types of rot and other garden diseases.

How to grow cucumbers from the “Chinese” series

Chinese cucumbers are a useful and profitable crop. It is able to please gardeners not only with its unusualness, but also with its wonderful taste, long-term fruiting, and abundant harvest. If this vegetable has not yet taken its rightful place in your beds, pay attention to it. The result will not disappoint you!

• Author: Lyudmila Bartasevich
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My name is Ludmila. Higher education, graduated from the Minsk Institute of Culture. I live in Belarus. Rate this article:

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Features of planting cucumbers

Growing vegetable giants is not difficult. The agricultural technology is identical to the algorithm for planting and caring for ordinary cucumbers. What needs to be done to get early and tasty green “snakes”.

Deciding on the variety and preparing the seeds

Before going to the store, it is better to immediately decide on the variety so as not to waste your time reading all the descriptions on the bags. It is important to carefully select a variety that will meet all growing conditions in a particular region.

It is enough to purchase 1-2 bags, since the cucumber gives a bountiful harvest, and just a few vines will provide seven crunchy vegetables. Some varieties are not suitable for pickling at all, so you should not replace your usual and favorite types of pickling cucumbers with Chinese ones.

Seeds need to be prepared for planting. This means soaking in water for germination. After a few days, the seed shells will hatch and you can begin planting seedlings or in a hole in outdoor beds.

Soil preparation

When growing cucumbers in a greenhouse, soil preparation is carried out in the fall. In greenhouse beds, two parts of sawdust, turf and 4 parts of humus are added to the soil. This substrate should be saturated with fertilizers, which consist of 10 liters of water with the addition of:

• saltpeter - 20 grams;
• wood ash - 250 grams;
• potassium magnesia - 15 grams;
• double superphosphate - 40 grams;
• urea - 10 grams.

With this autumn feeding of cucumbers, there is no need to fertilize the plants during the next growing season.

For open ground, it is not enough to simply dig a bed. You will also have to work hard here. Humus is mixed with straw and mixed with soil on the ridge. Spray thoroughly with water and cover with polyethylene. After a week, they begin sowing seeds.

Sowing seeds and germinating seedlings

It is quite easy to sow seeds in outdoor garden beds. Typically, a cucumber bed is made in the form of a trench with a furrow in the middle. Holes are made in this furrow at a distance of 20-25 cm, into which pre-sprouted seeds or germinated seedlings are placed. The earth is lightly patted with your hands and watered from a watering can.

There should be no other watering, as there is a risk of erosion of the soil and washing of seeds to the surface. The beds can be sprinkled with mulch.

The greenhouse will require seedlings. To grow it, they usually take cups with a diameter of up to 12 cm. It is better if they are peat. When planting later, the roots are not injured, since the cups are completely buried in the ground.

See also

Description of cucumber variety Aristocrat F1, cultivation and yield

Read

Seedlings are grown in the following way:

1. The seeds are pickled in a solution of potassium permanganate and then dried.
2. Fertile soil is poured into each cup, taken from a bed with prepared soil. Two seeds are planted in the ground in case one of them does not sprout. Planting depth 1 cm.
3. The soil is well watered and covered with film. It is important to place the cups in a room where the temperature is about 30 degrees.
4. After the cucumber shoots appear, the film is removed. The seedlings are watered and sprayed; they do not require any other care.
5. If two cucumbers have grown in a pot, on the 15th day after emergence, one is removed, the flimsiest one.
6. Cucumber seedlings are planted in a greenhouse from the 15th to the 30th day of growth.

It should be remembered that when calculating the distance between seedlings, it should be taken into account that the Chinese cucumber grows almost as one vine and produces little lateral growth. Therefore, it is enough to leave 20-30 cm between neighbors.

Timing for planting plants in the ground

Cucumber seeds are planted in open ground from May 1 to May 10, if the soil is warm enough and at night the temperature does not drop below +15 degrees. Otherwise, the deadlines will be shifted. These periods are different in different regions of Russia, so it is important to take into account climatic conditions.

It is always warm in the greenhouse, so the last ten days of April or the first days of May are suitable times for any region.

Even in rainy and cloudy weather it is always warm under the shelter. It is important to install a thermometer to monitor the temperature at the top of the greenhouse and in the soil. If the temperature drops, then special heating lamps are installed.

Cucumbers for the greenhouse: selection criteria

In temperate climate areas, a growing regime that is comfortable for plants is created using film, glass or polycarbonate greenhouses.

Thanks to such designs, even in cool summers, summer residents always have an excellent harvest of cucumbers

But it is important to follow a number of rules when choosing a variety for planting indoors:

• presence of parthenocarpy. Cucumbers that do not require insect pollination are suitable for shelters. It is difficult to attract bees to greenhouses for pollination, and in inclement weather they do not fly at all. Parthenocarpics (or, as they are mistakenly called, self-pollinating varieties of cucumbers) set fruit without pollination. Self-pollinating cucumbers do not exist in nature, only parthenocarpic (new hybrids) and bee-pollinated;
• cucumbers at the genetic level must be resistant to fungal and viral infections;
• It is advisable to choose varieties that are resistant to temperature changes. In shelters (especially film greenhouses without heating), the difference between day and night temperatures is noticeable. This stress affects crop yields. Cucumbers, resistant to sudden changes in regime, are stable in fruiting, and there is no decrease in the number of ovaries.

It is important to choose productive varieties, take into account the type of greenhouse and size. Plants with a limited type of branching that form a crop on the central stem, as well as bush species, are suitable for small shelters

Bundle hybrids are good because with proper agricultural technology, 2-3 times more greens ripen on the bush than in conventional varietal forms.

White cucumbers: characteristic features

The first varieties of white-fruited cucumbers were bred in the sixties and seventies. But they were not cultivated for production purposes at that time. White cucumbers were not popular. But thanks to breeders from China, such hybrid varieties were once again relevant. In Asian countries, the fruits of white cucumbers are in quite active demand.

When you come close to choosing varieties, then, first of all, look at the characteristics: what yield does the variety have, what taste does it have, what is the ripening period for this variety.

Many people compare varieties of white cucumbers with ordinary ones. Some of the main differences include:

1) The absence of the bitter component of the pulp in terms of taste in white cucumbers 2) White fruits have thinner and more delicate skin 3) White cucumbers have a richer and brighter aroma 4) Unlike green cucumbers, they are well resistant to sudden temperature changes 5) They have a very high resistance to heat, can develop successfully even at +45 degrees! 6) For green cucumbers, the slightest shading will not be beneficial, but for white cucumbers this is not a problem 7) White fruits can bear fruit in greenhouse conditions right up to frost. White varieties yield more abundantly than ordinary cucumbers, since the ovaries are located throughout the vine

White cucumbers have many good qualities that make these varieties stand out from all others.

You can grow white varieties of cucumbers without fear of lower temperatures. They have a fairly high degree of frost resistance. When choosing a method for growing white cucumbers, as a rule, gardeners prefer trellis growing. This is due to the fact that these varieties have a powerful stem that can reach about three meters in length. This is good from the point of view of saving space, and the fruit also remains clean. White cucumbers are not affected by downy mildew, and are also not attacked by aphids, thanks to their strong immunity. There is no need to shape your plants, since they independently create ovaries on the shoots in the center and on the sides. Since these varieties do not contain green pigment, they are completely safe for people with allergies, and their unusual appearance will complement your dishes well. It is known that these vegetables contain many useful vitamins and other substances valuable to humans. The fruits of white cucumbers tolerate transportation well. So far, white-fruited cucumbers are not so popular on the Russian market.

Cucumber care

The most popular varieties of perennial onions
Like ordinary cucumbers, Chinese crops are quite unpretentious in care. The main thing is to follow the watering regime and feed the plants.

Watering

Watering cucumbers is done early in the morning or late in the evening. The combination of watering with bright sunlight threatens the plant with burns. It is best to use a watering can because watering with a hose or bucket will expose the plant's root system. The water should not be too cold. During the growth period, water at the rate of 5-10 liters of water per 1 m2, and during the fruiting period, increase the volume of liquid to 15-20 m2.

Feeding

Long Chinese cucumbers are fed 4 times per season. 2 weeks after planting the seedlings, fertilize the soil with mineral and organic fertilizers. When the first flowers appear, soil mineralization and foliar feeding are carried out. At the beginning of fruiting, the plants are nourished by adding organic and mineral fertilizers to the soil and carrying out foliar procedures. And the last time the crops are fertilized is 1 week after the third fertilizing.

Other Important Features

The beds are loosened once a week. After the plant reaches 30 cm in height, it is necessary to make a garter. Vertical garter is carried out as follows:

1. U-shaped supports up to 2 m high are prepared.
2. A thick wire is attached to the support at a height of 50 cm from the soil surface.
3. Bushes are attached to the wire.

White delicacy

Chinese breeders developed a Chinese cucumber with an atypical almost white color called White Delicacy. In the description of vegetables, only sometimes they mention a faint greenish tint. Characteristics of the White delicacy include a number of features:

• mid-season variety, ripening in 45-50 days from the appearance of the initial shoots to the date of technical maturity of vegetables,
• The white delicacy grows equally well in greenhouse conditions and in open soil,
• vegetables of a length uncharacteristic for Chinese varieties - only 12-15 cm, conical in shape, with small tubercles on the surface,
• Yield indicators are about 4 kg per cucumber bush.

Subtleties of cultivation

The white delicacy, like most Chinese varieties, is grown by seedlings. Sowing of seed material occurs in March, picking occurs after the appearance of 1-2 leaves on the shoots, which are planted in the ground a month after the shoots appear.

Easy to care for, the white delicacy can withstand changing weather conditions and temperature changes. Among the basic rules for caring for it are regular watering and fertilizing with mineral compounds.

It can be grown without tying, but for a more aesthetic appearance, it is more advisable to tie the plant to supports.

From the heart: a recipe for a popular salad - Chinese smashed cucumbers

Chinese-style smashed cucumbers are a very popular snack.
Chinese-style smashed cucumbers can be served as a side dish and as a salad; many people like to enhance the flavor and add cashew nuts. Beating cucumbers (with a knife, rolling pin, mortar) allows them to pickle very quickly. The cucumbers then literally need to be broken into small pieces using a knife.

Products:

unroasted sesame seeds 1 kg medium cucumbers salt

For refueling:

2-6 cloves garlic 1-3 red chili peppers 3 tbsp. l. rice vinegar 1 tbsp. l. sugar 3 tbsp. l. dark soy sauce 1 tbsp. l. dark sesame oil

How to cook:

For the dressing, peel and chop the garlic. Cut the chili peppers in half lengthwise, removing the seeds and membranes if you don't want it to be too spicy. Combine rice vinegar and sugar in a large, well-sealed container. Shake it thoroughly until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Place sesame seeds in a cold frying pan and place over medium heat. Cook, shaking the pan, until the seeds begin to toast, about 2 minutes. Immediately pour them into a bowl.

Place the cucumbers one at a time on the board and lightly hit them with the flat of a cleaver or a wide, heavy knife so that the cucumber cracks slightly. Turn the cucumber onto its side (90°) and lightly tap again.

Now cut the future broken cucumbers crosswise into pieces that are easy to eat. Place the cucumbers in a colander, add salt, stir and leave for 10 minutes. in the sink.

Harvesting and application

To prevent cucumbers from overgrowing, pick them daily.

In order not to harm the plant, it is recommended to use pruners or a knife when removing fruits. It is better to harvest in the early morning or evening; after harvesting it is advisable to water it.

Chinese cucumbers are not stored for a long time; they are best consumed fresh within 24 hours after picking. Greenhouse cucumbers are stored at a storage temperature of +10 ° C and a humidity of 90%, and those grown in open ground - at a temperature of +7 ° C and a humidity of 90%. In such conditions, cucumbers are stored for 7 days.

To increase shelf life, they can be kept in a cool place or refrigerator at a temperature of +4 ° C. Despite the fact that cucumbers have an elongated shape and are more suitable for fresh use in salads, housewives have learned to preserve them in slices.

Diseases and pests

Chinese cold-resistant cucumber F1 is quite disease-resistant, however, improper care can cause plant damage:

• fusarium;
• gray mold;
• cucumber mosaic;
• powdery mildew, etc.

Fusarium wilt of cucumber

And also subject to attacks by insect pests:

• melon aphid;
• spider mite.

To prevent disease incidence, it is necessary to carefully care for the bushes, promptly identifying foci of disease. If the cucumbers still get sick, then in order to preserve the harvest, it is advisable to treat the plants with special solutions or ready-made preparations.

If you want to get an environmentally friendly harvest, you should not use chemicals to process cucumbers. You can get by with harmless means available in every home, for example, simple pharmaceutical iodine, which will perfectly heal plants from root rot (fusarium). To do this, mix iodine with water 1:2 and smear the solution on the stems of the bushes to a height of 15 cm from the ground. The treatment is done for 3-4 days until the signs of the disease disappear completely.

Country of origin and growing regions

The Chinese cucumber comes from Asia and has been grown in China for a long time, however, many varieties were bred in Russia. The Chinese cold-resistant variety F1 was created by Russian breeders. Although its ancestor came from a southern country, the hybrid took root well in the cool climate of Russia. And not only there. He is also loved and appreciated in other countries and regions. It was bred specifically for long-term fruiting, which allows it to be planted even in the second half of summer. The variety tolerates lack of light well, which allows it to be cultivated when daylight hours are waning.