Chinese Cucumber Cold Tolerant F1: characteristics and description, secrets of cultivation. Cucumber variety Chinese Cold-resistant f1: reviews, photos, yield

History of selection

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.

Reviews

“Our summer that year was cool, and I didn’t set up a greenhouse on purpose - I wanted to test the variety’s endurance. The cucumber is declared as cold-resistant, but in fact it loves a mild climate without sudden temperature changes. During cold weather, the yield of the variety decreases. The taste remains great though. If the fruits are not collected in time, they do not overgrow and do not turn yellow. We chop it for summer salads. Everyone is delighted with the appearance. All Chinese cucumbers have a similar appearance; there are a lot of them in my beds.” Maria, 34 years old.

“This is not the first time I have chosen this variety. I like the taste, appearance and productivity of cucumbers. Very juicy, few seeds. For the first time I grew them without tying them to trellises - the cucumbers came out crooked, but then I corrected the situation. The vines do not turn yellow, and the fruits do not overgrow. There was fruiting even at the beginning of September. This year there was a season of powdery mildew, but our “Chinese” did not succumb. My wife salts them into jars in slices. It makes a great snack." Ivan, 53 years old.

Characteristics and description of the variety

• The Chinese cold-resistant hybrid is grown in open ground, in spring and winter greenhouses.
• A distinctive feature of this variety is its ability to produce high yields in conditions of slight shading and low temperatures.
• It has a strong growth of the main stem - up to 3 m; it produces few side shoots.
• Resistant to major diseases that can affect pumpkins.
• It belongs to parthenocarpic hybrids, which indicates its ability to form ovaries without pollinating insects.
• The main type of flowers is female.
• A very productive variety - up to 12 kg of fruit can be removed from a bush per season.
• The ovary is formed in bunches - 2 pieces in each.
• The cold-resistant Chinese cucumber is capable of long-term fruiting.

Chinese cold-resistant cucumber seeds

• Bred by breeders for development in the second half of summer, so short daylight hours are suitable for it.
• The seeds of the variety have a high germination rate.

The fruits of the Chinese cold-resistant cucumber are dark green in color and covered with densely spaced large tubercles. The spikes are white. The length of cucumbers can reach half a meter or more. If the fruit hits any obstacle, it wriggles and continues to grow, which is why it received the nickname snake cucumber. The keeping quality of the fruit is very poor - withering occurs quickly.

The pulp of the Chinese cold-resistant fruit is juicy and tender, its taste is sweetish. There is no bitterness. The cucumber aroma of the fruit is pronounced.

Overgrown fruits do not turn yellow and practically do not change their taste, their seeds do not become rough. The only thing that changes as a cucumber ages is the skin; it becomes rougher.

Advice. It is still not worth allowing the fruits to outgrow - this significantly reduces the yield of the bush.

General description of the variety

1. “Chinese cold-resistant” is a parthenocarpic hybrid variety of cucumbers, suitable for trellis cultivation in open ground or in high (heated or unheated) greenhouses.
2. “Chinese cold-resistant” cucumbers belong to the category of mid-season hybrids with a long fruiting period. The first greens on the “Chinese” bushes ripen 49-52 days from the day the crops emerge.
3. The bushes of this exotic variety are long-climbing and not branched - the powerful main stem of the plant reaches a length of 3.5 m, but produces a small number of side shoots.
4. Due to this structural feature, the bushes of “Chinese cold-resistant” cucumbers require obligatory tying to vertical supports.
5. “Chinese cold-resistant” is a highly productive hybrid - with good care, bushes growing in greenhouses produce about 12 kg of excellent quality greens per season.
6. A characteristic feature of this variety is the ability to actively develop and bear fruit abundantly even in conditions of constant light shade.
7. In full accordance with its name, the hybrid withstands short-term cold snaps and daily temperature fluctuations, in addition, it is immune to most fungal and bacterial diseases that affect melons and melons.

Attention! Trellis for plants of this variety must be especially high (at least 2.5 m) and very durable.

Cucumbers "Chinese cold-resistant"

Botanical description of the bush and fruits

Cucumbers of this variety are fast-growing plants with a large number of side shoots. To prevent them from bending under the weight of the fruit, they are tied to trellises, fixed in several places at once. The leaf blades are medium in size, rich green in color, and moderate in thickness. The ovary is of a bunch type, which greatly facilitates the process of collecting ripe fruits. The greens themselves are cylindrical in shape, sometimes slightly curved (reminiscent of a ram's horn). Large tubercles with white spines are scattered across their entire surface, but the neck, on the contrary, is short. The skin is thin, shiny, but at the same time quite dense. The pulp is very juicy and aromatic, without signs of bitterness, but with small seeds inside. The average length of the fruit is 50–60 cm, with a weight of up to 150 g. Chinese cold-resistant cucumbers are an excellent solution for preparing summer salads, but they are not very convenient to use for preservation, unless you start cutting the greens into several pieces.

Description of fruits

The fruits of this variety are cylindrical, weighty, long and thin. The average weight of greens is 300 g, length is 40 cm, although individual specimens can grow up to half a meter. “Chinese cold-resistant” cucumbers are not of the bunch type - 1-2, maximum 3 ovaries are formed at the nodes of their stems.

The very tender and juicy pulp of the fruit is covered with a dark green thin skin, densely strewn with large tubercles. The spines on the tubercles are whitish, not hard and quite long.

The taste of the pulp is noticeably sweet, without the slightest hint of bitterness. The aroma of greens is pronounced, typically cucumber.

The average weight of cucumbers is about 300 grams

A characteristic feature of the fruits of this variety is intensive growth. Zelentsy reach marketable condition in literally 2-3 days, and even if limited by some obstacle, they do not stop growing, but bend and continue to increase in length.

Unlike classic cucumbers, overgrown “Chinese” fruits do not turn yellow and do not change their taste. The only thing that happens to aging greens is the gradual coarsening of their skin.

Attention! Due to the particularly delicate consistency of the pulp and the natural tendency to quickly wither, the fruits of this exotic hybrid are not suitable for long-term storage and transportation over long distances.

"Chinese cold-resistant" cucumbers are best used for making fresh salads.

For preservation in their entirety, greens of this variety are unsuitable due to their incredible size; being salted in pieces, they turn out to be too soft and watery.

Even when overripe, Chinese cucumbers do not turn yellow and do not change their taste.

Photo

Properties, benefits and calorie content

The calorie content of Chinese cucumber is 14 kcal per 100 g of product. Contains 0.8 g protein, 0.1 g fat and 2.5 g carbohydrates. The fruits contain choline, vitamins K, C, B9, A. Large quantities contain minerals such as potassium, aluminum, sodium, copper, magnesium, fluorine, calcium.

The contained vitamins and minerals remove harmful substances from the body, promote proper functioning of the heart and kidneys, and improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Plant fiber cleanses the intestines and stimulates digestion. The fruits are suitable for dietary and baby food.

Distinctive features

Chinese cold-resistant F1 is a parthenocarpic hybrid with an average ripening period. This means that it does not require pollinating insects to pollinate flowers - it is self-pollinating, its fruits appear without the participation of male flowers.

The variety grows well both in greenhouses and in open ground. The growing season is 50-55 days from the moment the first shoots emerge. A distinctive feature is full yields and excellent taste of fruits even in conditions with low temperatures or in a shady place.

Features of the variety

The fruits of Chinese cold-resistant fruits are characterized by a high growth rate. At first, very few ovaries are formed, but after collecting the first cucumbers, the number of ovaries begins to increase rapidly, and there are so many fruits on the bushes that you do not have time to collect them. Since the plants are very strong and tall, and the shoots are powerful, they are able to hold a huge number of fruits at the same time without breaking or dropping the greens. Accordingly, you just need to know how often to water. When grown in greenhouses, hybrid yields increase several times. The Chinese cold-resistant F1 is capable of bearing fruit under cover right up to frost. Other features include the length of the fruit, which with good care can reach 60 or even 80 cm, as well as an unusual, pronounced sweetish fresh taste, somewhat reminiscent of the taste of watermelon. This variety is absolutely non-transportable and cannot be stored for long periods of time, therefore, it is not grown on an industrial scale, but only in individual plots.

This exotic vegetable is very moisture-loving. For good growth and fruiting, it requires periodic spraying with settled water. In greenhouses where Chinese cold-resistant cucumber grows, containers with water are installed to create sufficient humidity.

Characteristics of the variety

The stem of the plant is strong, with shoots located on it. The fruits grow elongated and sometimes take on a non-standard shape. The color of cucumbers is dark green. If the fruits are not picked on time, they will acquire a yellowish tint, their skin will become rough, and the taste will deteriorate. The pulp of young fruits is juicy and tender. The highest yield of cucumbers is observed in the first 3 weeks. Chinese hybrid cucumbers are best consumed immediately after picking; within a day they begin to wither.

When growing a hybrid, many summer residents notice that at first there are few ovaries, but after the first fruits are picked, their number begins to grow exponentially.

The power and strength of the plant allows it to hold a large number of fruits on the bushes without dropping them or breaking them. If you grow the variety in greenhouses, the yield will increase several times. Under cover, the hybrid is capable of bearing fruit until frost.

The length of the plant's fruit reaches 60-80 cm. The pulp has a pronounced, sweetish taste, somewhat reminiscent of the fresh aroma of watermelon.

Reference. Chinese cold-resistant F1 is a moisture-loving crop. For the plant to fully grow and bear fruit, it is necessary to spray it with settled water, and place a container of water in the greenhouse to maintain the required level of humidity.

Since the hybrid is not suitable for long-term storage and does not tolerate transportation well, it is grown exclusively for personal use and not for industrial purposes.

If you create optimal growing conditions, one bush will bear up to 20-30 kg of fruit.

Variety resistance

This hybrid is suitable for growing in open ground (on trellises), in greenhouses and winter greenhouses. The bushes grow very quickly, the fruits ripen long, dark green, cylindrical in shape. The thin peel is strewn with numerous tubercles. The pulp is aromatic and very sweet.

This Chinese cucumber is cold-resistant, not afraid of frost, develops well in the shade, and resists powdery mildew and fusarium.

Where can I grow

The hybrid is approved for cultivation in open beds, greenhouses and greenhouse structures.

Productivity

Under good growing conditions, one bush can produce up to 20–30 kg of fruit, but the most abundant harvests occur in the first 2–3 weeks of fruiting. If you don’t have time to harvest right away, don’t worry: the fruits turn yellow very slowly. True, there is no need to delay harvesting, because heavily overgrown fruits develop a thick skin, and their flesh loses its juiciness.

Important! It is advisable to process the harvested Chinese cold-resistant greens in the first few days after harvesting, as they are prone to wilting.

Timing of flowering and fruit ripening

The fruiting period of cucumbers of the described variety begins approximately 5–10 days after the appearance of the ovary or 50–55 days after the germination of young seedlings, continuing until frost. White flowering of plants is observed several weeks before the formation of green plants.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of a hybrid:

• high yield;
• fast ripening period;
• long fruiting;
• shade resistance;
• resistance to cold weather;
• ability to self-pollinate;
• resistance to diseases.

Flaws:

• short shelf life;
• not suitable for long-distance transportation;
• not suitable for traditional pickling;
• requires exclusively vertical cultivation, otherwise the fruits will be deformed;
• low seed germination.

Advantages

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.

Flaws

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.

Pros and cons of the variety

Like many other cucumber varieties, Chinese cold-resistant has its own strengths and weaknesses, which you should definitely know about before planting the crop on the site.

• The list of advantages of this cucumber includes the following characteristics:
• high productivity;
• relatively short ripening periods;
• extended fruiting period, allowing you to obtain juicy fruits until frost;
• possibility of growing in the shade;
• cold resistance;
• self-pollinating plants;
• high resistance to diseases;
• low tendency to yellowing and barreling when the fruits are overripe.

• As for the disadvantages of the variety, these include:
• low seed germination;
• the low shelf life of the collected fruits and the same low transportability, and if we also take into account the size of the fruits, which are not always convenient to preserve, then it is quite understandable why some gardeners prefer to plant other varieties on the plot.

Growing conditions

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.

Sowing seeds

In the “Chinese cold-resistant” greenhouses, cucumbers are grown in seedlings. To obtain seedlings, hybrid seeds are planted in small (10x10 cm) peat cups filled with a soil mixture standard for vegetable crops.

Before sowing, for the purpose of disinfection, calibrated cucumber seeds are soaked for a quarter of an hour in a deep pink solution of potassium permanganate, after which they are washed, slightly dried and embedded in the substrate to a depth of 1.5 cm. The cups with seeds are placed on a tray, covered with film and taken out to semi-dark warm (t 26-27°C) place.

Before the seedlings peck, the soil mixture in the pots is not watered, but sprayed with a spray bottle. The film is lifted a couple of times a day for a few minutes so that the soil in the cups can be ventilated.

Chinese cucumbers are densely covered with white thorns

Seedling care

After the seedlings hatch en masse, remove the film covering from the pots and transfer them to a brightly lit windowsill. When the cotyledon leaves open on the sprouts, the temperature in the room where the cucumber seedlings are growing is gradually reduced and brought to 20°C.

While growing in pots, seedlings of Chinese cold-resistant cucumbers are not fed, but only regularly watered through a tray and sprayed twice a day with tiny splashes of settled warm water.

Advice. The optimal age of cucumber seedlings for planting in beds is 28 days from the date of sowing the seeds, which corresponds to the development phase of 6-8 true leaves.

Chinese cucumbers grow very intensively, reaching their optimal size within a day.

At the appointed time, cups with “Chinese” seedlings are planted in two rows on previously prepared beds. Peat humus pots are placed in a row with an interval of 30 cm and buried in the ground so that their upper edge rises above the surface of the substrate by 0.5 cm.

Features of agricultural technology of “Chinese cold-resistant” cucumbers

In general, the method of growing “Chinese” cucumbers is practically no different from the traditional technology of cultivating this vegetable crop. Among the species characteristics of “Asians” that influence their agricultural technology, the following can be noted:

• genetically fixed resistance to diseases, which gives vegetable growers the opportunity to minimize treatment with pesticides;
• relative shade tolerance, which allows you to plant bushes somewhat denser than usual and thereby save the usable area of ​​the greenhouse;
• intensive shoot growth and active increase in fruit weight, requiring an adequate supply of nutrients and water.

Rules for growing “Chinese cold-resistant” cucumbers in a greenhouse

You can harvest up to 12 kg of cucumbers from one bush

Landing rules

The Chinese cold-resistant hybrid variety is suitable for growing in both open and closed soil, which is more typical for regions with cold climates. In the southern territories and in some areas of the central regions of the Russian Federation, it is practiced to sow seeds directly into the garden bed, but in any case, each option has its own specific features of performing the procedure itself and further caring for the seedlings.

Did you know? In European countries, it is customary to eat only long and smooth cucumbers, which are considered ordinary. The pimply varieties common in Russia are called “cucumbers in a Russian shirt” and are not so in demand in Europe.

In the open ground

Planting cucumbers directly in the garden can be done either by seed or by seedlings, which depends more on specific climatic conditions. If you choose the seed option, then the planting material will need to be properly prepared: sorted, immersed suitable seeds in water for 30 minutes, selected floating specimens, and the sunken ones transferred to a weak solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection before planting.

To speed up the emergence of seedlings, it is worth additionally germinating the selected seeds by spreading them on a damp cloth and leaving them in a warm place. Usually, it takes several days for future seedlings to hatch, after which they can be planted in open ground, leaving at least 20 cm of free space between neighboring seeds. Since the hybrid bushes of the Chinese cold-resistant variety grow only upward, this space will be quite enough for comfortable growth.

In greenhouses

The planting density under the film is 2-3 bushes per 1 m2. Distances

• 90 cm between rows,
• 30 cm between holes in a line.

In the greenhouse

Grown-up seedlings are planted under the film cover of a greenhouse in May, having previously organized beds with ridges up to 30 cm high. As when planting cucumbers in open soil, at least 20–25 cm of free space must be left between neighboring specimens. The distance between the rows is at least 90 cm, which will ensure easier care of the seedlings.

The holes for seedlings should be slightly larger than the size of the cup in which the cucumbers were previously grown. To disinfect the soil, a weak solution of potassium permanganate is often used in them, and after it is completely absorbed, the seedlings themselves are moved to the chosen place. The process of transplanting young plants is simple:

1. First you need to water the seedlings generously and carefully remove the plants from the seedling containers, trying not to damage their root system.
2. Then each cucumber bush must be placed in a hole prepared for it and, filling it with soil, lightly compact the soil.
3. At the end of the planting process, water the plantings abundantly and, if necessary, mulch with sawdust or rotted leaves.

Transplanting

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 seeds under film in a greenhouse increases the yield by an order of magnitude compared to open ground. However, when grown in this way, there is always a percentage of ungerminated seeds.

Sowing seeds

Some gardeners prefer to plant Chinese cucumbers in the ground with seeds. In this case, you should wait until the earth has completely warmed up. Its temperature should be +13… +20 °C.

The holes in which the seeds are sown are placed at a distance of 5 cm from each other. Between rows of holes a distance of half a meter is maintained. Because the seeds may not germinate well; at least three seeds are placed in each hole. The depth of the holes for seeds in the soil should be 3-4 cm.

After the first shoots appear, thinning is carried out, leaving the shoots at a distance of 10 cm from each other. The next thinning is performed after several leaves appear on the sprouts. As a result, the distance between plants should be 25-30 cm.

Reference. Since Chinese cold-resistant F1 is a hybrid and not a variety, you won’t be able to collect the seeds yourself - they are purchased from trusted suppliers.

What varieties are there?

Almost all Chinese cucumbers are hybrids. Previously, seeds were imported from China. There were no domestic varieties, or they did not correspond to the general characteristics of the subspecies. Today, most varieties of Chinese cucumber on the market are still from China. Let's look at the most popular ones.

Flameproof

Mid-season hybrid. From germination to first fruits – 48-54 days. The plants are branched, powerful, well-leafed. Fruits until frost. It weaves well on nets and gratings. Productivity – 15-20 kg per bush. Fruit weight – 100-120 g, length – 35-55 cm. Country of selection – Russia.

The fruit is cylindrical in shape, with large pimples. There is a thickening at the end. The skin is thin, dark green, with short whitish stripes at the top of the fruit. The taste of the pulp is sweet, it is tender, aromatic, crunchy.

The seeds are soft and underdeveloped. The hybrid is drought-resistant, can withstand heat, and bears fruit at high temperatures. Resistant to diseases. The fruits are stored in the refrigerator for up to 7 days; they are eaten fresh or pickled.

Farmer's

Hybrid with medium ripening period. The fruits appear 48-54 days after germination. The plant is powerful, climbing. Resistant and resilient to all environmental challenges. Productivity – up to 35 kg per bush. Weight – 250-300 g, length – 35-40 cm. Country of selection – China.

The fruits are smooth, dark green in color. Pulp with a delicate, sweetish odor. The fruits taste sweet, crunchy, there is no bitterness or voids. They are eaten fresh, canned and salted, cut into slices.

For an overview of Chinese farm cucumber grown in bags in open ground, see the video below:

When grown in greenhouses, the yield of Chinese cucumber increases significantly.

Emperor

Early ripening hybrid. Ripens in 42-45 days. The length of the stems reaches 3.5 m. Productivity is 25-30 kg per bush. Weight – 400-550 g, length – 40-50 cm. Chinese selection. Resistant to cucumber diseases - powdery mildew, etc.

The fruits are long, dark green, with shiny skin. The taste is slightly watery, the aroma is pleasant.

Caring for Chinese cold-resistant cucumbers

After planting, the young plants are watered at the root with water heated in the greenhouse, further watering is carried out at least 2 times a week. In addition, cucumber bushes are sprayed daily and fed with ready-made mineral complexes 5 times a season.

As the vines grow, they are carefully tied to the trellises, and the soil around the plants is mulched with straw, dry pine needles or rotted sawdust.

Chinese cold-resistant cucumbers definitely need tying up

Gardeners have a mixed opinion about “Chinese cold-resistant” cucumbers. Some vegetable growers do not like the long length of the fruits of this variety, others are embarrassed by their poor keeping quality, however, the taste of greens of this hybrid is truly excellent, in addition, such non-trivial cucumbers can always surprise guests and please the household.

Nuances of care

When growing the Chinese cold-resistant F1 variety, there are practically no problems, and care is no different from caring for other types of cucumbers.

The variety is often planted in June so that it bears fruit in the fall. Seedlings are planted in May. Well-lit areas are chosen for planting.

Only young shoots need special care. They are watered with water at room temperature and protected from direct sunlight.

In the following general rules apply:

• grow vertically;
• tie up bushes;
• feed with mineral fertilizers;
• water daily (in the evenings);
• Pick ripe fruits on time.

For feeding, infusions of onion peels or ash are used.

Important! In order for the fruits to be even and beautiful, it is better to tie up the plant; the hybrid has a tendency to grow in different directions, as a result the fruits can turn out ugly.

Watering and fertilizing

Any varieties of cucumbers are moisture-loving crops, so when growing the Chinese cold-resistant variety, it is worth providing the plants with an optimal level of humidity, sometimes even through spraying. The ideal temperature in a greenhouse during seedling growth is +24°C, but the humidity level can reach 70–80%. Watering is carried out as the top soil layer dries, but on average - at least once every 2 days.

The irrigation liquid must be settled and warm (you can use water heated by the sun's rays). Planted plants are fertilized approximately 4 times per season, with organic fertilizers alternating with mineral compounds. For the first time, shortly after transplanting cucumber seedlings to a permanent place, saltpeter is applied under them (25 g per bush) and immediately watered abundantly with water so that the fertilizer is evenly distributed throughout the soil. After a few more weeks, you can fertilize the cucumbers with urea, and then use ash, organic matter, and potassium as fertilizer, watering the plantings well each time after completing the procedure.

Garter and bush formation

Plants of the Chinese cold-resistant cucumber variety form long vines, which, without formation and appropriate garter, can break under the weight of the cucumbers. At the initial stages of growing seedlings, formative pruning involves the removal of five lateral shoots located at the very bottom of the bush, and after the formation of fruits, you will have to remove all excess leaves and substandard greens that differ from normal ones in color or texture.

Among the main characteristics of the variety is high resistance to the formation of lateral shoots, but if it does appear, then you will have to immediately remove the extra shoots, monitoring their appearance throughout the entire period of growing the plant. When tying plants to a support, it is better to use only soft ropes and not tighten the knots too much, so as not to injure the main shoots as they grow.

Soil care

Loosening the soil, weeding cucumber plantations and mulching the soil are usually carried out shortly after the next watering, when the soil is as soft and pliable as possible. Control of weeds and organization of good air permeability of the soil are important at any stage of growing cucumbers, but especially in the first few weeks after transplanting young and immature seedlings. When removing weeds or fluffing up the soil, try not to damage the root system of the crop, otherwise its growth may stop (the optimal depth of the tool when performing all actions is no more than 10 cm)

How to grow Chinese cold-resistant cucumber in a greenhouse

• Sowing seeds for seedlings. It is a known fact that cucumbers grown through seedlings are healthier, stronger and produce an earlier harvest. Before sowing, seeds should be kept in a solution of potassium permanganate and dried. Containers for sowing are suitable with a height of at least 10-12 cm and with the same diameter. The seed is planted to a depth of 1-1.5 cm. The crops are covered with film and left in a warm place (+25..+28°C). After the sprouts appear, the film is gradually removed and the ambient temperature is slightly lowered.
• Caring for young cucumbers. Cucumber is a moisture-loving plant, so its seedlings require not only watering, but also periodic spraying. The room temperature during seedling growth should not be higher than 24°C, otherwise the plants will grow weak in the future.
• Planting seedlings in a permanent place. You can transplant Chinese cold-resistant cucumbers into a greenhouse two weeks after the seedlings sprout, however, the best option is to plant older, thirty-day-old plants. These cucumbers have up to 9 true leaves.
• Preparing the soil for planting. The soil should be loose and nutritious, so it is better to make beds in a greenhouse in the form of a mound. First you need to dig a groove, the depth and width of which corresponds to the bayonet of the shovel. Then fill it with straw or wood shavings mixed with rotted manure. Pour soil on top of this, in a layer of 10-15 cm, with straw or sawdust soaked in a urea solution.
• Planting scheme for Chinese cold-resistant cucumbers. Since this variety does not branch much, cucumbers can be planted more densely than usual. 4 plants can be placed per 1 m². The hybrid can reach a height of 3-3.5 m, so gartering to trellises is required. Supports for this require at least 2 m in height and very stable, since cucumber fruits are long and heavy.

Advice. After planting seedlings, it is better to mulch the soil with grass, straw, etc. This way, less moisture will evaporate and there will be no need to loosen the soil.

A very good option for mulch is dried nettle, which also has disinfecting properties. With such mulch, the risk of developing vegetable diseases in the greenhouse is reduced significantly.

• Watering. Chinese cold-resistant cucumbers need to be watered at least twice a week and only with water heated in the greenhouse. It is advisable to spray daily. The ideal option for a greenhouse is drip irrigation, with which the plants receive the optimal amount of moisture. Such an irrigation system is easy to organize in a greenhouse. It requires virtually no human intervention and will help you get rid of the rather labor-intensive work of irrigating the beds.

cucumber bush

• Feeding. In order for the plants to be healthy and strong, it is necessary to fertilize them 5-6 times per season. For this purpose, it is best to use ready-made complex fertilizers, instructions for use of which are indicated on the packaging by the manufacturer. Foliar fertilizing with a urea solution gives good results, but it is advisable to carry it out only during the period of active growth of the Chinese cold-resistant cucumber.

Possible difficulties

Problems with growing a hybrid rarely arise.

The plant forms long vines, which without a garter can break under the weight of the cucumbers. At the first stages of growing seedlings, it is necessary to prune - remove 5 side shoots located in the lower part of the bush, and after the fruits appear, remove all excess leaves and young fruits that differ from normal ones in color or texture.

The advantage of this variety is that there is a low probability of lateral shoots forming, but if it does appear, the extra shoots are removed. Their appearance will have to be monitored throughout the growing period.

Do not forget to periodically loosen the soil, weed and mulch the soil.

Possible difficulties and ways to deal with them:

• If a plant has a problem with unnaturally thin fruits, this means a lack of boron. Perform foliar feeding with a solution of boric acid: a quarter teaspoon of the substance per 1 glass of water.
• Yellow edging of leaves and hooked fruits indicate a lack of nitrogen. Fertilize with ammonium nitrate (2 tablespoons of fertilizer per bucket of water).
• If the fruits have a pear-shaped shape, you need to fertilize them with potassium fertilizers, for example, potassium sulfate at the rate of 20 g per 10 liters of water.
• In case of blackening, drying of the tips of the leaves, or stunting of fruit growth, use foliar fertilizing with calcium nitrate: 2 g of the substance per 1 liter of water.
• Purple foliage indicates a lack of phosphorus. You need to fertilize with superphosphate (35 g per 10 liters of water) or wood ash (1 cup per 10 liters of water).

Features of cultivation

Hybrid cucumbers are grown both under film cover and in open ground. The first method is suitable for cultivating the variety in regions with a cool climate, while the second is suitable for breeding in areas with warm and long summers. Growing Chinese cold-resistant cucumber has its own characteristics, following which you can get decent yields.

In the open ground

The hybrid is planted in open ground either with seeds or seedlings. It is recommended to prepare the seeds before planting. To do this, they are placed in water for half an hour. Those seeds that float up should not be planted, as they will not sprout anyway. Drowned specimens are treated for diseases in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for an hour.

Then they are either immediately sown in the soil, or for better germination they are germinated as follows: laid out on a damp cloth and left in a warm place. The seedlings should hatch in a couple of days. Then they are planted in the ground at a distance of 25 cm from each other. This distance will be enough for plants, since the hybrid grows only upward, having practically no side shoots.

Due to the fact that the seeds of the variety have low germination, it is better to grow Chinese cold-resistant varieties using seedlings. Seeds for seedlings are sown depending on when the sprouts will be planted in the soil. Usually this is done in mid-May.

It is recommended to plant seedlings immediately in separate cups, which are larger in size, since hybrid plants have a very powerful root system.

First, prepare the soil. For planting, make the following mixture: take peat, sawdust from deciduous trees, sand and humus in a ratio of 6:1:1:2 and scatter them into cups. Next, one seed is planted in each glass to a depth of no more than 1.5 cm, moistened, covered with film and placed in a warm and dark place.

As soon as the first shoots appear, and this will happen in 3-5 days, the film is removed and the glasses with the sprouts are placed on a sunny windowsill. Water the seedlings abundantly, avoiding stagnation of moisture. When the threat of morning frost has passed, the seedlings are transferred to open ground. This is usually done in the second half of May.

It is planted in the same way as the seeds. If you want to get a good harvest of Chinese cucumber, it is best to purchase seeds from trusted suppliers, since the hybrid does not produce its own seeds.

In greenhouses

Seedlings are planted under the film in May. Before planting, beds are made, forming ridges 30 cm high. Plants are planted, leaving at least 25 cm between them. The distance between rows should be at least 90 cm to make it convenient to care for the bushes.

When planting, make holes slightly larger than the size of a cup. They add a pinkish solution of potassium permanganate, allow it to soak into the soil and begin planting. The sprouts are carefully removed from the glasses so as not to damage the roots, placed in the hole, covered with soil and compacted.

The film is stretched in advance so that the earth has time to warm up. And only a few days later they begin planting. To retain moisture longer, the distance around the bushes is mulched with sawdust or rotted leaves. Such manipulations will not only prevent premature evaporation of moisture, but also protect against the appearance of weeds.

Caring for Chinese cold-resistant plants involves watering, spraying, fertilizing and tying plants to a trellis.

The hybrid is very moisture-loving, therefore, water it as the soil dries, not allowing it to dry out completely. In addition to watering, spraying is a mandatory procedure.

Feeding is carried out 4 times per season. Feeding is alternated with mineral and organic fertilizers, which are applied both at the root and the leaves of the plants are sprayed with solutions. To ensure that the soil is constantly saturated with oxygen, shallow loosening is recommended, which is done very carefully so as not to damage the roots.

The variety is characterized by the fact that it does not produce side shoots, but it happens that stepsons still appear. In this case, they need to be removed as early as possible to prevent thickening. The lashes should be tied to a trellis to prevent plant diseases. This is also done to ensure that the fruits grow evenly and beautifully.

Possible difficulties

Problems with growing a hybrid rarely arise. The plant forms long vines, which without a garter can break under the weight of the cucumbers. At the first stages of growing seedlings, it is necessary to prune - remove 5 side shoots located in the lower part of the bush, and after the fruits appear, remove all excess leaves and young fruits that differ from normal ones in color or texture.

Harvesting and application

To prevent cucumbers from overgrowing, pick them daily. The first cucumbers appear 1.5 months after germination. Once the fruits appear, you cannot delay harvesting, otherwise they will turn yellow. In a greenhouse, the crop is harvested before the first frost, in open ground - until September. 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.

Advantages and disadvantages

The variety has many advantages. Of these, I would especially like to note:

• increased resistance to cold. Despite this, the hybrid tolerates hot weather well, as well as sudden temperature changes;
• shade tolerance. Cucumber varieties grow well with a lack of sunlight;
• high yields in any climate;
• long fruiting, which begins in July and ends in October;
• ease of care;
• excellent resistance to many diseases and pests;
• high taste qualities.

Read about aphids on cucumbers at the link.

The disadvantages include:

• poor shelf life and transportability;
• low seed germination;
• excessive length of the fruit, which not everyone likes.

The variety has poor seed germination

To ensure that the crop has time to ripen in a cold climate, cucumbers of the “Chinese cold-resistant F1” variety are best planted using the seedling method. Seeds for seedlings are sown a month before the plants are supposed to be planted in open ground. Before sowing seeds, it is recommended to soak them in a solution of growth stimulator Epin for 8-10 hours.

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.

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.

The most interesting varieties and hybrids of Chinese long cucumbers

Chinese cucumbers include many hybrids and varieties. Among them, the Chinese Snake, Chinese Miracle, F1 Chinese Farmer, F1 Alligator, F1 Emerald Stream, F1 Real Man, F1 Chinese Jin, F1 Ni Hao, F1 Chinese Sticks and many others are zoned for the conditions of the Moscow region. Each of them has its own characteristics.

So, F1 Alligator belongs to the early hybrids. Usually it is grown through seedlings - the seeds begin to be sown in the first half of April. Unfortunately, this variety suffers from downy mildew.

The White Delicacy variety is considered one of the most delicious representatives of this variety. It got its name because of the white color of the “skin” - it is barely greenish. Unlike most other varieties, its fruits grow rather short, but the plant is hardy - it tolerates worsening weather and temperature fluctuations. You can start sowing seedlings as early as March.

Cucumber F1 Alligator

F1 Emerald Stream is the result of the work of Russian breeders. The hybrid is resistant to powdery mildew and relatively cold-resistant. Sow Emerald Stream for seedlings in mid-April.

Cucumber F1 Chinese snake is an early cucumber - most often it is grown in heated greenhouses and film greenhouses. The fruits ripen quickly - the plant is planted indoors in early May, and by the end of the month you have every chance to harvest. Long (50-60 cm), slightly curved dark green fruits are covered with sparse large tubercles.

Cucumber F1 Chinese heat-resistant

Beginners are recommended to grow hybrids F1 Chinese heat-resistant and F1 Chinese cold-resistant. The former are able to withstand temperatures up to +35 °C and are not susceptible to diseases of powdery mildew, downy mildew and Fusarium wilt. You can sow seedlings in April or directly into the ground in the second half of May. The optimal soil temperature for germination is +20…+25 °C.

F1 Chinese cold-resistant develops well even in a shady area and grows quickly. It is not afraid of either powdery mildew or fusarium.

F1 Chinese disease-resistant is also an unpretentious mid-early (48-54 days) hybrid, as the name suggests, resistant to most diseases. The fruits are dark green, up to 30-35 cm long, smooth and pleasant to the taste.

F1 Chinese farmer - mid-early (48-54 days) hybrid. Can be grown in open ground, needs strong supports. Smooth dark green fruits 35-45 cm long have a thin skin and are not bitter. Unpretentious, resistant to adverse weather conditions and most diseases.

Chinese miracle belongs to the later self-pollinating varieties and can bear fruit in both heat and cold - if good lighting and regular watering are provided. The fruits are smooth. Resistant to diseases.

F1 Chinese sticks is a parthenocarpic hybrid of early fruiting (the harvest can be harvested 45 days after emergence). Recommended for growing in greenhouses and under film covers. Plants have a predominantly female flowering type, but this parthenocarpic still has a small number of male flowers, which helps regulate the volume of the harvest and form beautiful straight fruits 35-50 cm long. Cucumbers are sweet, thin-skinned, with dense pulp. The hybrid is resistant to true and downy mildew, cladosporiosis.

Reviews from gardeners

In general, cucumbers of this variety receive positive reviews, but the result of growing Chinese cold-resistant directly depends on following certain care rules. Many lovers note its delicate, slightly sweet taste and pleasant aroma. Using the Chinese cold-resistant variety makes excellent salads and tasty preparations for the winter.

Not many people like the length - it is somewhat inconvenient to grow vegetables of this size. Everyone is satisfied with the amount of harvest. Gardeners who grow cucumbers for sale note with regret the impossibility of long-term transportation and the rapid withering of the fruits of this variety.

Cucumbers of the Chinese cold-resistant variety have a rather unusual appearance and excellent taste. With such vegetables you can always surprise others and please yourself and your loved ones.

Sources

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