Hero F1 from is a popular hybrid from Dutch breeders. Cucumber is a high-yielding parthenocarpic. Among the bonuses are pickiness and resistance to adverse conditions. The variety can be cultivated in greenhouses (heated and temporary) and in open beds.
| Landing location | Ripening time | Mode of application | Fruit length | Group | Fruit smoothness | Pollination method |
| Universal | Mid-early (46-55 days) | Universal | Medium - from 10 to 15 cm | Hybrid | Highly lumpy | Parthenocarpic |
Description and characteristics of the variety
Gardeners like the variety for its excellent taste in fresh salads and canned dishes.
Zelentsy remain dense, beautiful, crispy after heat treatment. The hybrid is unpretentious and with standard care produces stable yields. Cucumbers belong to the group of parthenocarpic hybrids and do without pollination. They form powerful bushes from which large-scale harvests are harvested.
Characteristic features:
- indeterminate growth;
- moderate branching;
- average shoot growth;
- predominantly female flowers;
- bunching of ovaries (1 node contains 2 fruits).
Ripening occurs in the mid-early period - 48-50 days from germination.
Description of gherkins:
- length 10-12 cm;
- diameter 2-3 cm;
- weight 100-115 g;
- elongated cylindrical shape;
- tubercles are medium, dense;
- the color is rich green;
- the skin is strong;
- The flesh is crispy and medium green.
The taste is dominated by freshness and sweet notes.
Description of the variety
The variety was developed by Dutch breeders and included in the list of those approved in the Russian Federation (State Register) in 2001. The variety is recommended for cultivation in open ground, under film covers or in greenhouses in gardens, household plots, and small farms. The “marketability” of production is ensured by high productivity - 8.5-9 kg/m2 (some sources indicate 12-15 kg/m2!) and the yield of high-quality products - 95%.
To verify these characteristics, we suggest you watch a video from an experienced gardener:
Reviews about the cucumber variety “Herman F1” are mostly positive. Zelentsy (unripe fruits used for food) are smooth, of medium density, with excellent taste. The lack of bitterness makes them universal in use. Zelentsy are small, gherkin-type, have almost the same size and beautiful presentation. They reach 10-11 cm in length and about 3 cm in diameter; they rarely outgrow. The average weight of each cucumber is 70-90 g. Therefore, Herman is recommended both for fresh consumption (salad) and for preservation.
Please note: cucumbers of the “Herman F1” variety (pictured) are cylindrical in shape with short stripes and mild spotting, tuberous, ribbed with white pubescence
The variety is an early ripening variety - the first cucumbers appear 36-38 days after germination, and after 42 days the fruits begin to ripen en masse. The type of flowering is female, with the ovaries borne in bunches (2-8 flowers per node). They do not require pollination; the development of green plants occurs without fertilization, that is, by parthenocarpic means. At the same time, seeds practically do not form in the fruits; they remain whitish and do not harden. The advantages of parthenocarpic varieties (or as many affectionately call them: “parthenocarpics”) are that a good harvest can be obtained in a greenhouse or even at home, where it is not possible to provide a sufficient number of pollinating insects.
When parthenocarpic varieties are pollinated by insects, greens may lose their even presentation and grow crooked or hooked.
Another undoubted advantage of the hybrid “Herman F1” is that the plant is medium-sized and determinant. The growth of the central shoot stops naturally when it forms at the top of the flower cluster. That is, you can do without the construction of two-meter trellises or other supporting structures. The main fruiting occurs on the side shoots - stepsons, which actively develop after the growth of the central stem stops. If there are supports and garters, the length of the shoots can reach 4-5 m, supporting the weight of numerous fruits.
The photo shows that the type of flowering in this hybrid is female, that is, all flowers with an ovary are placed in bunches of several pieces at the nodes
It is important that it is resistant to various “cucumber” diseases: olive spot (cladosporiosis), mosaic virus (VOM), powdery mildew (MP).
This variety of cucumbers can rightfully be called one of the most popular in Russia. It is well adapted to various climatic conditions and is unpretentious to soil types. A large harvest and marketable appearance please not only owners of personal plots, but also those who grow cucumbers for sale. In heated greenhouses, this hybrid can bear fruit abundantly all year round.
If we summarize and generalize all the above characteristics, then the cucumber variety “Herman F1” provides:
- early ripeness;
- high productivity;
- marketability of fruits, the possibility of their long-term storage without yellowing of color;
- excellent taste of cucumbers in fresh and canned form;
- disease resistance.
the relative disadvantages of the variety to be the poor survival rate of seedlings after planting in the ground. To avoid this, it is advisable to preserve a large root ball of soil when replanting. Also, for healthy seedling growth and full seed germination, it is important to wait for the soil to warm up sufficiently. The optimal temperatures are:
| Times of Day | Temperature indicators, ℃ |
| Day | 15-20 |
| Night | not lower than 8 |
Some recommend pouring boiling water into the prepared holes or furrows before transferring the seedlings into the soil.
The hybrid variety of cucumbers "Herman F1" is resistant to olive spot and powdery mildew, but can be affected by other fungal diseases, such as rust
Some types of fungal diseases (rust) and pests (aphids, spider mites, root-knot nematodes) pose a danger
Many summer residents consider the high prices for seed material of this variety to be a disadvantage. In addition, in Herman, like all first-generation hybrids, the best parental characteristics are retained only for one season, that is, there is no point in collecting ripe seeds and planting them the next year.
To get a high yield of hybrid cucumbers with all the declared advantages, you have to buy new seeds every year
Most purchased cucumber seeds of the hybrid variety "Herman F1" are coated, that is, they are subjected to panning (which additionally affects their already high cost). Manufacturers claim that such pre-sowing preparation of seeds provides them with additional nutrition and germination up to 95%, protection of plants from diseases and pests when permitted pesticides (thiram) or fungicides are added to the shell composition.
In fact, germination primarily depends on the quality and calibration of the seeds themselves, compliance with the rules for their collection and storage. And disease resistance is transmitted rather as an inherited trait from parent varieties. In fact, the only advantage of pelleted seeds is that they do not need to be soaked or treated before planting.
The best varieties of cucumbers for greenhouses and greenhouses
Well, having finished with the theory, we will move on to descriptions of the most popular cucumber varieties in the middle zone for greenhouses, open ground, shady areas and home gardens.
'Goosebumps F1'
An early ripening (from 42 to 45 days after sowing), parthenocarpic (that is, self-fertile, not requiring pollination), high-yielding hybrid produced by agro (our review tells more about this and other seed producers). Plant of bunch type, medium height; side shoot growth is limited.
The fruits are large-tubercular, with small black spines, up to 8–12 cm long, distinguished by high taste (they are genetically free of bitterness), versatility: good both fresh and for pickling.
Parthenocarpic varieties and hybrids are preferred for greenhouses
Very resistant to true and downy mildew, suitable for growing in greenhouses, greenhouses, and open ground.
'Tom Thumb'
An early ripening variety (fruits already on the 39th day) with a female type of flowering, characterized by resistance to a whole range of diseases. Zelentsy grow no more than 11 cm in length and gain a weight of about 50-65 g. The fruits are excellent for canning and pickling.
'Benefit F1'
Early ripening (43-50 days from germination to fruiting) self-pollinating hybrid of the female type of flowering. Zelentsy weighing up to 100-120 g and 10-12 cm long, densely covered with small tubercles, devoid of bitterness and are distinguished by high taste. Universal purpose (salting, pickling, fresh consumption). The hybrid is very resistant to true and downy mildew and root rot.
'Alekseich F1'
Early ripening (from germination to fruiting – 37-43 days) parthenocarpic hybrid of female flowering type. The plant is medium-sized, the fruits are slightly tuberous, weighing 60-80 g, 7-8 cm long, the greens are distinguished by excellent taste . The hybrid is extremely resistant to powdery and downy mildew.
Read also: What is made from common barberry
'Emelya F1'
A universal early-ripening parthenocarpic hybrid, the fruits of which are successfully used both fresh and for pickling. It grows and bears fruit better in heated greenhouses. The fruits ripen quickly (40-45 days). The bush is indeterminate (with unlimited growth of vines), with a predominantly female type of flowering and bunched ovaries.
The general principles that should be followed when choosing “greenhouse” cucumbers are set out in the article How to choose varieties of cucumbers for greenhouses.
The best varieties of cucumbers for shady areas
You must admit that the dacha plot is not equally illuminated from all sides by the sun, to which many garden crops are very demanding. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants - they all grow well only in open sunny areas , and sometimes there is simply no room left for planting cucumbers.
There are varieties of cucumbers that can grow even in partial shade.
But not everything is so hopeless, and if there is no longer an open sunny place left on your site, it doesn’t matter - feel free to plant cucumbers in partial shade , because there are varieties that grow well in such conditions.
'Muromsky 36'
An early ripening (35-45 days) pickling variety, the finely tuberculated or smooth fruits of which reach 6-8 cm in length. Relatively resistant to short-term drops in temperature . The cucumbers are light green, ovoid or ellipsoidal in shape, reaching 6-10 cm in length. The peculiarity of the variety is that the fruits turn yellow quite quickly, so they need to be collected often.
'The Secret of the F1 Company'
Parthenocarpic early ripening (38-42 days) hybrid of universal use . The plant is medium branched, with a female type of flowering. The greens are cylindrical in shape, slightly ribbed, medium in size, weighing up to 115 g. The variety is resistant to powdery mildew and cladosporiosis.
Read also: Blue gift plum variety description photo reviews
'Moscow evenings F1'
Parthenocarpic mid-season (42-45 days) hybrid, the fruits of which have excellent taste and are suitable for both pickling and fresh consumption. The plant has a predominantly female flowering type and is highly climbing. The fruit is cylindrical, tuberculate, dark green in color, with white pubescence. The length reaches 14 cm, and the weight does not exceed 110 g. The variety is resistant to cucumber mosaic virus, powdery mildew, and cladosporiosis.
Most of the varieties and hybrids listed in this article can be found in our catalog, which contains offers from various online stores. A separate product selection is dedicated to the best varieties and hybrids for the middle zone.
