Gherkin cucumbers: the best varieties for open ground and greenhouses with photos

Gherkin cucumbers are the most popular among gardeners today. This plant crop differs from ordinary vegetables in appearance, taste, characteristics of cultivation, and care. A huge number of varieties have been bred. Real gherkins should not exceed 5-9 cm in length. Today there are smaller representatives that grow no longer than 7 centimeters. The advantage of this vegetable is the absence of emptiness inside. Their flesh is dense, which is what makes them so crispy when pickled.

Gherkins are both a wonderful appetizer and a decoration for any table. Many varieties of this subspecies of cucumbers are distinguished by high yields and excellent taste; their selection does not stop. They are grown in different ways - in closed and film greenhouses or in open ground. And the choice of the best varieties of gherkin cucumbers for greenhouses is of undoubted interest for gardeners.

Gherkin is a subspecies of cucumber, but smaller in size, no more than 10 centimeters in length, denser and more elastic. They are primarily grown for pickling or pickling, since in this form they turn out to be more appetizing and tasty than ordinary cucumbers. And also, raw, they can be an excellent snack and decoration for any holiday table. They can be grown both in a closed greenhouse and in open soil, where they equally exhibit high yields. There are other ways to successfully grow gherkins: on the balcony, on the windowsill, in a bucket, in bags.

What are gherkins?

Small crispy cucumbers first gained popularity in France due to the rapid development of breeding. Gherkins are more about the size of the fruit, rather than the variety, as many believe. They can be collected from any crop at an early stage of ripening, but it is best to use salad varieties, since they are the most juicy and crunchy.

The surface of gherkin cucumbers is distinguished by large or small tubercles, and can be mixed or smooth. The skin also has simple, complex or mixed pubescence, which can be white, brown, or black. The fruits are not hollow inside and have a high density, therefore they are considered suitable for preparing preparations for the winter. Compact-sized vegetables are divided into the following varieties:

Gherkins (up to 9 cm).
Mini gherkins (up to 7 cm).
Pickles (up to 5 cm).

To grow high-quality gherkins, you need to feed the plant as often as possible, water it properly, create the required air temperature in the greenhouse and choose the right place in the open ground. If you carry out all the activities to care for the crop, you can get a tasty harvest.

Firestarter

This is a bunch hybrid, the care of which requires the correct formation of the bush. To achieve maximum results, side shoots are removed, leaving one stem.

Description of the variety

The growing season of the hybrid is 38-40 days. A lot of greens are formed on the cucumber vines of an early-ripening hybrid. After ripening, the length of the cylindrical fruit is 9 cm, weight - 90 g. The peel is light green, with white stripes. The aromatic and crispy flesh never tastes bitter.

Perfection cucumbers are used both for preparing fresh salads and for preservation. They can be picked unripe. Pickles have the same taste as ripened fruits.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The main advantage of the hybrid is its high yield. From 1 sq. m harvest up to 30 kg of mini-cucumbers. The hybrid is resistant to changing climatic conditions and can easily tolerate high temperatures with good watering. As for the disadvantages, they include a tendency to overripe.

Review of varieties for greenhouses and greenhouses

If you have a greenhouse and want to grow rich crops of cucumbers in it, you should wisely choose a variety that grows well in greenhouse conditions and is not suitable for open soil, since it can die from the scorching sun and winds.

Information about the varieties of gherkin cucumbers, which will help the gardener make the right choice.

Philippok F1

Mid-early hybrid, indeterminate variety. It ripens on the 50th day after flowering. Its cylinder-shaped fruits reach 6-8 cm in length, with a coarsely tuberous surface. The bushes are decorated with large green leaves. The fruits of the Filippok F1 variety are universally used. The pulp is dense and crunchy. Advantages: yield, decent taste, the variety is not afraid of powdery mildew.

Brownie F1

An early ripening hybrid, characterized by long fruiting and the ability to form bunched ovaries. The short fruits are cylindrical in shape and, after picking, retain their original appearance for a long time. Pros: high quality fruits, lack of bitterness, abundant fruiting. Disadvantages: demanding in careful care, the presence of fertile, drained soils filled with organic matter.

Children's F1

A self-pollinating hybrid with long loops and small leaves. Cucumbers are finely tuberous, bright green in color, and cylindrical in shape. Harvesting is carried out on the 50th day after germination. The variety is recommended for fresh use and canning. The advantages of the culture: productivity, resistance to disease, lack of bitterness. Cons: demanding soil and care.

Nastya F1

Early self-pollinating hybrid. Harvesting can be done on the 40th day after germination. The variety is characterized by long fruiting. Shoots are poorly formed. Oval-cylindrical vegetables are strong, crunchy when eaten and have no bitterness.

Advantages: productivity, is not afraid of powdery mildew, and is also used on an industrial scale. Disadvantages: intolerance to frost.

Red mullet F1

Parthenocarpic early hybrid, belongs to indeterminate plants. The growing season is one and a half months. Fruits of a light green color with unexpressed white lines, good fresh and for pickles.

Positive aspects: versatility, taste and juiciness, independence from climate conditions, resistance to viral and fungal infections.

Negative aspects: the variety requires proper watering and the addition of nutrients.

Patty F1

Mid-early hybrid that does not require pollination. A plant of medium vigor, with weaving with tufted ovaries. You will be pleased with the harvest on the 40-45th day after germination. The short fruit has a cylindrical shape and dark stripes, without emptiness and bitterness. Suitable for winter preparations.

Advantages: abundant fruiting, presentability, immunity to disease, resistance to weather changes and long transportation.

Mels F1

Self-pollinating early hybrid, which is harvested on the 40th day after germination. It has a female type of flowering. This plant does not require pollination. Rich green gherkins from 8 to 10 cm in length form abundantly on the bushes. The fruits have no voids inside and do not taste bitter.

Advantages: disease resistance, resistance to climate change, productivity, excellent taste and fresh aroma. Disadvantages: the variety prefers a humid environment and requires fertilization.

Sweet crunch

Gherkin with a medium ripening period. The surface of the gherkin is light green, almost white. The fruits are large and sparsely tuberculate with black spines, weighing 60-70 g. When consumed, a crunch is felt. Prefers sunny areas, requires regular weeding and watering, and is pollinated by bees.

Pros: disease resistance, attractive appearance and tolerability of long-term transportation.

Friendly family

A popular mid-early ripening variety for greenhouses. Fruiting is observed on the 43-45th day after the shoots appear. The fruits are green in color, cylindrical in shape, with a medium lumpy surface and white spines.

Advantages of the variety: long fruiting time, productivity, excellent taste, versatility of vegetable use, resistance to fungal and viral infections.

Disadvantages: it is not possible to collect seed material, since parthenocarpics do not form seeds, the fertilization process does not occur.

Methods for planting cucumbers

Cucumbers of the Parisian gherkin variety can be planted from seeds directly into the ground or grown as seedlings.

Sowing seeds in the ground

It is recommended to sow the beds with glazed, granulated or coated seeds. They are treated with disinfectants and growth stimulants. Each seed is in a nutrient shell containing substances that are necessary for rapid germination. Information about the compositions used for processing is indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging. In this case, seed germination will be 100%; they do not need additional measures.

The shell contains nutrients, microelements, growth regulators, which will ensure normal development of seedlings in the early stages

When determining the timing of sowing in the ground, you need to focus on the condition of the soil. It must be well heated (to a temperature of at least +15 °C). Planting cucumber seeds in cold soil will lead to their death. For the central regions of Russia, it is recommended to plant within the following periods:

early May - sowing seeds in greenhouses;
mid-May - to ridges with temporary shelter;
end of May - on uncovered ridges.

The time for planting seeds may vary depending on the area and weather conditions of the season.

If the seeds are not enclosed in a special shell, then it is recommended to disinfect and germinate them. To disinfect, you need to soak the planting material in a weak saline or manganese solution, and then rinse it with running water.

To disinfect, cucumber seeds are placed in a solution of potassium permanganate (1 g of powder per liter of water) for 20 minutes.

At the same time, you can calibrate the seeds. Those that remained floating on the surface are incomplete and their germination is questionable. For sowing, take only the seeds that have sunk to the bottom of the container. Germination significantly speeds up the process of emergence of seedlings.

The seeds are laid out between layers of moistened cloth or gauze.
The material is placed in a container covered with glass or film. This is necessary to reduce moisture evaporation.
The container is placed in a warm place (25–27 °C).
After 2–3 days, the seeds will hatch and can be planted in the ground.

Sprouted cucumber seeds sprout vigorously and help to get an early harvest

Sowing is carried out according to a 50x30 cm pattern with a planting depth of 2–3 cm. According to reviews, cucumber seeds of the Parisian gherkin variety show almost 100% germination if the processing conditions are met.

Recommended varieties for open ground

Every gardener strives to harvest his own gherkin cucumbers as early as possible. Therefore, one often wonders which crop varieties are best for open ground.

Moravian gherkin F1

An early-ripening universal hybrid with spindle-shaped, presentable fruits. Often used for salting and preservation. Planted in well-warmed soil by the end of May. Requires timely feeding and proper watering. We are pleased with the harvest in 50-55 days.

Pros: stable yield, excellent taste, resistance to fungal diseases, high yield of marketable products.

Children's F1

An early ripening hybrid capable of self-pollination. Vigorous bush. The fruits are oval-cylindrical in shape with white frequent spines and are universal in use. And the pleasant taste and density of the pulp leave no one indifferent.

Moth F1

A mid-early hybrid, pollinated by bees, intended for fresh salads, pickles, and winter preparations. Recommended for sowing after the threat of frost. The cucumber is endowed with a coarsely tuberous surface and has dense, crispy flesh.

Advantages: disease resistance, productivity.

Disadvantages: tasty greens require daily picking, otherwise they quickly outgrow.

Philippok F1

Mid-season hybrid, characterized by female flowering. The fruits are short, cylindrical, dark green in color and have white stripes. Harvest at least three times a week once the vegetable reaches 5 cm.

Pros: cucumbers are not able to outgrow and acquire a yellow tint, they are distinguished by intensive fruiting, increased commercial properties, and immunity to diseases.

Thumbelina F1

An ultra-early hybrid that partially pollinates on its own and guarantees 99% germination with proper care. It is cultivated not only in open ground, but also in greenhouses. The fruit has a rich green color, has an oval-cylindrical shape and is not bitter.

Pros: productivity, pleasant taste and aroma, duration of fruiting, resistance to diseases such as powdery mildew, olive spot.

Son of the regiment

A mid-early variety, ripens on the 40th day after sprouting. The greens are cylindrical in shape, widened at the stalk. The surface is covered with small tubercles. Care requires a minimum of manipulation. Pollinated by insects. The bush is medium-sized, medium-climbing.

Positive characteristics: productivity, presentation, good taste, immunity to disease.

Madam

An early-ripening universal hybrid, pollinated by bees. Valued for its crunchy, dense, cylindrical, finely tuberous fruit. The bush is medium-sized. Fruiting occurs on the 40th day after the formation of seedlings.

Advantages: disease resistance, high marketability, excellent taste, productivity.

Moscow

Mid-season hybrid, capable of self-pollination. Long bushes bear fruit on the 80th day after the formation of sprouts. The cylindrical fruit is characterized by a weak, tuberous skin. No bitterness is felt when consumed. Description of the advantages of the Moscow variety: versatility of purpose, disease resistance, good commercial properties.

Micron F1

This early ripening variety was bred not so long ago. It is recommended to grow it in a greenhouse.

Description of the variety

Under favorable conditions and proper care, Micron F1 produces a harvest within 38 days after planting. The bushes are formed medium-sized and medium-branched. The variety is pollinated by bees. The shape of the fruits, whose weight varies from 60 to 80 g, resembles an ellipse. Their length is, on average, 8 cm. You can also collect pickles, the length of which does not exceed 4 cm, or mini-cucumbers 5 cm long. The fruits have excellent taste. There are pronounced pimples on the green peel. From 1 sq. m harvest up to 15 kg of cucumbers. Micron F1, due to the dense structure of the pulp, is suitable for canning and pickling.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

An important characteristic of Micron F1 is that it bears fruit throughout the summer. In addition, the gherkin is resistant to almost all diseases. Micron is not prone to overgrowth, which simplifies harvesting.

The variety has no obvious disadvantages. The inconveniences of growing are associated with the need to pollinate the vegetable crop and purchase seeds in the store every year.

The most productive varieties of gherkins

Breeders are constantly developing new, unique varieties of cucumbers. The following are considered productive gherkins:

Parisian gherkin;
Diva F1;
Cheerful Company F1;
Advance F1;
Gerda F

Gherkins are ideal for preparing for the winter. They fit easily even in the smallest jars with a narrow neck.

Benefits for the body

Thanks to such a rich composition, the invaluable benefits of this vegetable for the body are noted:

normalizes the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
has a beneficial effect on metabolic processes, which prevents obesity;
has a diuretic effect - removes toxins and harmful substances from the urine, and also eliminates swelling;
restores water-salt balance;
reduces stomach acidity;
strengthens the immune system;
supports thyroid function;
helps improve vision.

Harm

For a healthy person, gherkins do not pose any harm.

But if you have health problems, you need to use them with caution:

diseases of the digestive system;
for kidney inflammation - the daily norm is no more than 200 g;
restrictions apply to people suffering from high blood pressure, as well as atherosclerosis;
To avoid overeating and, as a result, stomach distension, you should follow the daily intake of such a product (about 250-300 g).

Such cucumbers are prohibited from being eaten during pregnancy and lactation, because... this can cause indigestion in both mother and baby.

You should also not eat them if you have liver diseases - they negatively affect the condition of the organ and its treatment.

The best varieties of mini gherkins

Miniature canned cucumbers are rightfully a real delicacy on the table. Gardeners often wonder what types of mini gherkins are popular and successful in growing.

Melotria

An early ripening universal hybrid with a lot of positive reviews. Harvesting is carried out on the 45th day after germination. The fruits of the variety are similar to watermelon in color with an oblong shape and a rough shell. Advantages of the variety: attractive appearance, productivity, resistance to changes in temperature, transportability.

Far Eastern 27

A mid-season hybrid that bears fruit already 50 days after germination. The fruits are green in color, with a slight waxy coating, and are distinguished by the presence of black thorns.

Pros: good taste characteristics, ability to be stored for a long time without loss of taste and commercial properties. Cons: bitterness may appear due to insufficient watering.

Features of formation

Having planted month-old seedlings in a permanent place, they need to be blinded. This is done by tearing off and pinching the ovaries at 4-5 nodes. It's a pity? Yes. It would seem that nature has already given the fruits, why remove them. However, the biology of the plant is such that until the first fruits ripen, the plant will not gain mass and form further ovaries.

By balancing the load in the lower internodes, we will “push” the nutrients upward, the plant will grow, and the yield will be higher.

The central shoot will complete itself after some time. No matter how hard we try (watering, fertilizing, rejuvenating), this will not help the sprinters. They did their job, gave away the harvest and must leave.

If you don’t need a lot of pickles, then you can sow more greens for preservation. It is desirable that their hybrids are also productive and bunchy. However, when considering the best varieties for preservation, you can also find many worthy of attention.

Grandson

Universal hybrid of early maturation. Refers to:

self-pollinating varieties;
indeterminate;
medium branched.

Gherkins have a pronounced spindle-shaped shape and a light green spotted color. The tubercles are small, and the pubescence is very dense, whitish. The taste will satisfy even the most picky gourmet. The cucumbers are small - up to a maximum of 75 grams.

The grandson is resistant to all major diseases and root rot.