How to choose high-quality cucumber seeds for open ground
To get a decent harvest of cucumbers, you need to be able to choose quality seeds.
Some tips:
- when planning to independently prepare seed material in the future, it is worth giving preference to varieties; hybrids do not produce offspring;
- fruiting period;
- immunity (hybrids win according to this indicator, they are least susceptible to diseases and pests);
- method of pollination of cucumbers;
- presence or absence of bitterness.
INTERESTING!
20 best varieties and hybrids of gherkin cucumbers
You should only purchase seeds from a trusted manufacturer.
If necessary, you can consult with your neighbors in the country, because the growing conditions are the same. If a certain variety or hybrid of cucumbers grows well in them, then the neighboring plots will have the same result with proper care.
Early or medium varieties of cucumbers are suitable for open ground
. Among them there are the most productive, weather-resistant, with high taste characteristics, suitable for preparing preparations, indeterminate and determinate - the best varieties of cucumbers for open ground are presented below.
BEST OPEN GROUND CUCUMBER VARIETIES - video
The best varieties of cucumbers for open ground
The best varieties are the best because they must meet basic criteria: ripening time, fruit quality, disease resistance, etc.
Cucumber varieties are included in the list of the best only after they have been grown in practice and there are real reviews from summer residents. The best varieties and hybrids have stood the test of time.
Cucumbers "Son of the Regiment"
An early ripening variety that requires pollination by insects. Indeterminate. Branches of medium length. There is a predominance of female flowers. Juicy green fruits with brown edges. There are stripes and tubercles. Elongated cucumbers up to 9 cm. High resistance to diseases. The yield of this variety in open ground per 1 m2 is 10 kg.
Cucumber variety “True Friends F1”
An ultra-early ripening hybrid belonging to the gherkins. The fruits are harvested on the 35th day. Requires pollination. The branches are poorly developed, so they are easy to care for. One node consists of approximately 6 ovaries. Cucumbers have a bumpy appearance.
Photo of cucumbers “True Friends F1”
Length no more than 10 cm. Tolerates cold weather. Not susceptible to powdery mildew and other diseases.
Productivity 5 kg per 1 m2.
Cucumber "Madame"
Early lettuce variety is indeterminate. Mature bushes are of medium height and poorly developed. There are much more stamens. There are no more than 3 ovaries in the nodes. The fruits are cylindrical, short and pubescent. Fruit weight 110 g. The productivity of the Madame variety in open ground is 10 kg per 1 m2. Cucumbers do not turn yellow.
Alligator cucumbers
Pollinated salad variety. Ripe vegetables ripen on the 55th day. Branching is well developed. There are up to 3 ovaries in one node. The elongated fruit is colored intense green. There are stripes and a white edge. There is ribbing. Cucumber weight up to 300 g. From 1 m2 of plantings you get up to 9 kg.
Greenhouse varieties
For greenhouse cultivation, varieties with resistance to fungal diseases and mold are selected, since a closed greenhouse creates a high level of air and soil humidity. Plants should not be too tall or have vines that grow too wide.
Friendly family F1
The variety is capricious in the care and formation of the bush - it requires pinching and cutting off shoots. The main ovary is formed on the side shoots. With sufficient care, it produces a high yield volume - about 20 kg/sq.m. m.
The appearance of cucumbers is pleasant, the greens are even, have the same size and neat white spines over the entire surface.
Ecole F1
The bushes of the variety produce a large volume of harvest, do not require pollination and can be grown in closed greenhouses or hotbeds.
Ecole is suitable for collecting young cucumbers up to 5 cm. Mature fruits can grow up to 8-10 cm. Regardless of ripening, they have sweetish and juicy flesh, thin skin with white pubescence. Most popular for pickling young greens.
Khrustik F1
An early ripening hybrid. The ovaries are formed in the form of a bouquet (up to 8 cucumbers in a knot). The hybrid does not require pollination. The fruits are large, as for gherkins (10-12 cm). A productive hybrid that is resistant to unfavorable growing conditions.
The taste of these cucumbers reaches a high level. Used both fresh and canned.
Marinda F1
Hybrid variety of cucumber produced in Holland. Suitable for greenhouse cultivation and does not require pollination. The speed of ripening depends on the conditions and ranges from 40 to 55 days.
Gives smooth, beautiful cucumbers. The color is dark, the flesh is strong. A distinctive feature of Marinda fruits is their very small seeds, which is convenient for consumption.
Nastya F1
A popular variety for cultivation in the East Siberian region. It is grown in greenhouses, but also takes root well in open soil. The plant is powerful, vigorous, with a high ripening rate.
The Nastya variety is popular among households for its resistance to cucumber diseases, root rot and trunk mold.
Kuzya F1
This common hybrid is universal in planting and use; it takes root in glass greenhouses, greenhouses, tunnels, as well as in open ground under film. Resistant to diseases and pests.
Cucumbers of this variety are small, have an oval shape and large tuberosity. The color ranges from deep green to slightly silver. The taste of the fruit is mild and suitable for various types of dishes. Stores well after collection.
Patty F1
A popular variety for growing in home greenhouses. It is pollinated without insects, ripens quickly and produces a stable harvest.
A significant drawback is the short shelf life of cucumbers - they quickly lose their shape and density, and wither during storage. Most often used for preservation or fermentation.
Brownie F1
The variety is best suited for growing in film shelters and greenhouses without heating. Early ripening, has weak branching. Pollinates on its own.
The hybrid gives a good yield of up to 13 kg/sq.m. m. Cucumbers are heavy, with a length of 11 cm they reach a weight of 120 g. The taste is without bitterness, the flesh is dense, and has no cavities inside. The bushes are not susceptible to a number of diseases, such as cladosporiosis and powdery mildew.
Courage F1
An early ripening hybrid variety of Russian origin. It is grown in greenhouses and hothouses; the first harvest is produced already on the 38-40th day of growth.
The fruits on the main shoot are large - up to 16 cm. More neat and small cucumbers from the side shoots - up to 12-15 cm. The weight of the greens is 120 g.
Cucumbers are stored for a long time after harvesting and are suitable for transportation. Retains appearance and taste for up to 10 days, even in a warm room.
Read more about this cucumber hybrid here.
Red mullet F1
It is characterized by an abundant number of ovaries - up to 12 greens are formed in one axil. An early ripening variety, has medium growth and branching.
The main advantage is considered to be the one-time yield of the crop in a short period. This is convenient when selling vegetables or large quantities of preserved food. The fruit volume reaches 14-15 kg/sq.m. m. From one bush, the harvest can reach up to 6-7 kg.
Mels F1
Gherkins of this variety grow in greenhouses and covered street beds. Mels has a very high ripening speed - the main harvest occurs on the 35th day. Productivity up to 40 kg/sq.m. m.
Despite the high yield and strength, the plant requires care. Successful fruiting can be achieved only if complementary foods are introduced in a timely manner, loosened regularly and carefully, and the watering schedule is observed.
Micron
This is a mini gherkin (pickles). The Mikron variety is characterized by rapid ripening. Gives the first harvest 38 days after germination. It is pollinated by bees, therefore it requires a ventilated greenhouse, or the location of hives nearby.
The fruits are oval, plump, young pickles are harvested when they reach 4-5 cm, mature gherkins grow up to 8 cm. The hybrid produces a harvest throughout the season, maintains the quality of the greens and does not overripe, and is also not susceptible to diseases.
The presented table includes a comparative description of greenhouse varieties according to the main selection criteria.
| Name | Type of cultivation | Ripening period | Productivity, kg/sq. m | Growth type | Fruit size, cm | Branching/lashes | Pollination | Use |
| Friendly family | greenhouse, film shelters, tunnels | mid-early (43-48 days) | up to 20 | medium height | 6-12 | medium branched | parthenocarpic | marinade, salad |
| Ecole F1 | film greenhouse | early (42-45 days) | 2,5-3 | medium height | pickles up to 5 (mature 6-10 cm) | medium branched | parthenocarpic | salad |
| Khrustik F1 | greenhouse, closed ground under film, open ground | early ripening (44-48 days) | 10,9-11,7 | vigorous | 10-12 | medium climbing | parthenocarpic | salad, canned |
| Marinda F1 | greenhouse, open ground covered with film | early (40-55 days) | up to 25 | medium height | 9-10 | medium climbing | parthenocarpic | salad, canned |
| Nastya F1 | greenhouse, film shelter | super early (38-40 days) | from 12.5 (in open soil) or up to 30 (in greenhouses) | vigorous | 7-10 | medium branched | parthenocarpic | salad, canned |
| Kuzya F1 | film shelter, greenhouse | early (40-50 days) | in greenhouses - up to 15.5 | vigorous | 10-12 | medium climbing | parthenocarpic | universal |
| Patty F1 | greenhouse, open ground covered with film | early (40-50 days) | from 3.7 | vigorous | 10-11 | medium climbing | parthenocarpic | salad, marinade |
| Brownie F1 | film greenhouse | early (45-50 days) | up to 12, 4-13.1 | medium height | 11-12 | weakly branched | parthenocarpic | universal |
| Courage F1 | greenhouse, film shelter | super early (38-42 days) | 16-18 | medium height | 13-14 on the main branches and 12-13 on the side shoots | medium branched | parthenocarpic | universal |
| Red mullet F1 | greenhouse, greenhouses | early (up to 45 days) | 14-15 | medium height | from 10 to 12 | highly branched | parthenocarpic | universal, marinade |
| Mels F1 | greenhouse, open ground | super early (35 days) | declared yield – up to 40 | vigorous | 9 | highly branched | parthenocarpic | marinade |
| Micron F1 | greenhouse, open ground | super early (38 days) | 14-15 | medium height | pickles - from 4 to 5 cm, and mature ones - up to 8 | medium branched | bee-pollinated | canning, pickling |
Varieties of cucumbers for preparations
Only fruits with strong skin and dense pulp are selected. And, of course, crispy taste. Medium-term varieties with small fruits are popular. They don't need to be chopped. In general, cucumber preparations look more beautiful and appetizing.
The best varieties of cucumbers for pickling - video
Cucumber "Goosebumps"
The best variety of cucumbers for pickling, which can be grown in open ground. Does not require pollination and produces a good harvest even in not very favorable weather conditions. Early.
Photos of Murashka cucumbers
Cucumbers are harvested already on the 45th day after planting in a permanent place of growth. The bushes are tall and densely leafy. The fruits are dark green and cylindrical in shape. Weight 100 gr. 12 kg are collected from 1 m2.
Hybrid cucumber “Prestige F1”
Self-pollinating medium-term hybrid. Indeterminate bushes of medium height and female type of flowers. The length is small. The surface is ribbed, the color is rich emerald. Cucumber weight up to 90 g. The productivity of Prestige cucumbers in open ground is super high - 20 kg per 1 m2.
Cucumber hybrid "Ginga F1"
Self-pollinating mid-ripening cucumbers grow well in open ground conditions. The plant is tall with an average number of vines. Cucumbers have a “classic” elongated cylinder shape. The color is dark green with spotting.
Small tubercles and pubescence are present. The nutrient weight of one fruit is 80 – 90 g. Length up to 12 cm. 20 kg of delicious greens are collected from 1 m2.
Determination of mid-season varieties
The main distinguishing feature of mid-season cucumber varieties is the ripening period of the fruit, which is 45-55 days.
This means that the cucumber begins to bear fruit 45-55 days after the seeds are planted in the ground.
However, this period is very conditional; the speed of ripening of cucumbers depends on many factors, the main of which are:
- quality of seed material;
- soil type;
- greenhouse conditions or planting in an open area;
- timely watering;
- temperature of the earth and air during the day and night;
- absence of bush diseases;
- the climate zone in which the region is located.
All these factors together affect the speed of ripening of the first cucumbers, as well as the yield of vegetables.
Early varieties of cucumbers for open ground
The early ripening of cucumbers is a period of one month and a little more after germination. The average duration of such a period is from 37 to 45 days.
ULTRA EARLY CUCUMBER VARIETIES FOR MIDDLE RUSSIA - video
Cucumber "May F1"
Fast maturing hybrid. Requires pollination. The fruits are quite long, up to 20 cm. The weight of one cucumber is 150 grams. Color green. The peel has white spines. Has excellent immunity. From 1 m2 you get up to 30 kg. The fruits ripen at the same time.
Cucumbers "Boy Thumb"
Self-pollinating salad cucumber. It can also be used for canning. The fruits ripen on the 40th day. The plant is active, growing and developing quickly. Climbing is average. Mostly stamens are present. The greens are oval-shaped, without a neck. The length of the fruit is up to 9 cm.
Photo of cucumber variety Boy with Thumb
The color is green with the presence of short stripes. There is white pubescence. Fruit weight 65 g. The yield of this variety of cucumbers for open ground under proper conditions reaches 13 kg per 1 m2.
Early variety of cucumbers "Ant"
Indeterminate with excellent yield.
The first fruits are harvested on the 36th day after seed germination. Grows slowly, branching is insignificant. Up to 3 flowers are formed in one node, mostly female. Elongated oval shape.
The color is usual “cucumber”. There is ribbing and pubescence on the surface. The weight of a ripe fruit is 110 g. One copy is up to 10 cm in length. Productivity is 12 kg per 1 m2.
Parthenocarpic varieties of cucumbers for open ground
Self-pollinating varieties of cucumbers for open ground are different from those that require pollination by insects. However, in practice this is not so important for vegetable growers. What matters more is that pollination will occur in any weather and the number of ovaries is high, which guarantees a good harvest.
Parthenocarpic cucumbers, HYBRIDS AND GMOs - video
Cucumbers “Merry Company”
Cucumbers ripen in medium terms and are great for salads. These are gherkins or small cucumbers for open ground. Suitable for whole-fruit preparations. The bushes are tall and branched with a large number of female flowers.
The fruits are cylindrical. There is a bump on the peel. Length up to 10 cm. Delicious in any cooking option. The yield from 1 m2 is 9 kg.
Self-pollinating cucumber "Klavdiya Agro"
The best variety for canning. Branching is weakly expressed, although adult plants are quite tall and unlimited in growth. In one ovary, 3 cucumbers of a refined cylindrical shape are formed. There is also pubescence. The weight of one copy is 100 g. High yields up to 15 kg per m2.
Cucumbers of the "Baby Sturdy" variety
Early ripening hybrid cucumber. Suitable for preparing any salads and simple cuts, without additional heat treatments. An adult plant of medium height. One ovary produces 4 fruits.
They have a slightly unusual appearance due to their black pubescence. The heaviest fruit weighs 135 grams. 12 kg of tasty cucumbers are collected per m2 in the open ground.
Description of the variety “Merry Family F1”
The classic gherkin “Merry Family f1” is supplied to the Russian seed market by the agricultural company “Uralsky Dachanik”. The hybrid is an early ripening one, which means the first cucumbers will appear on the bushes in 39-41 days. The characteristics of the variety make it possible to obtain a harvest in greenhouses and in ordinary beds.
The plant of the variety is a vine-like, branching, creeping stem. The color of the lashes is a rich dark green color. The arrangement of leaves is alternate, the leaf blades are large, pentagonal in shape, with spiny pubescence. The formation of lateral shoots is pronounced. The growth point of the hybrid does not mature on its own and the central lash can reach a length of 1.5-2 meters.
Lemon-colored flowers are predominantly female, so barren flowers are not typical for the hybrid. Pollination occurs without external factors. Fruiting lasts for a long time, in greenhouses and greenhouses until the end of September. Cucumbers are formed in bunches at the axillary nodes. One bunch can produce 5-7 fruits.
Externally, the vegetables of the “Merry Family” are typical gherkins. They do not grow more than 7-8 cm in length, do not overgrow and do not barrel. The average weight of cucumbers is 90-100 g. The surface of the skin is lumpy with white spines. The taste is aromatic, the flesh is crispy with a lot of juice, slightly sweet. The fruits are good for fresh summer salads, pickling, and snacks. After heat treatment they do not lose their shape and elasticity.
Varieties of gherkin cucumbers for open ground
Many people love gherkins for their compactness and suitability for canning. Most grow them just for processing. Can be harvested slightly unripe.
Cucumbers "Parisian gherkin"
This is the best of the best cucumbers - gherkins, which can also be grown in open ground. Ripens early. The bushes are indeterminate, the flowers require pollination. It is difficult to find a better variety for blanks than this.
Zelentsy weighing 50-100 grams, tiny. Density is average. There is black pubescence. The crop should be harvested daily. Productivity up to 6 kg per 1 m2.
Cucumber "Advance"
Another variety from which you can harvest fruits every day. Suitable for use in any form. The first cucumbers are harvested on the 40th day after germination. The fruits are short, dark green in color. The shape is cylindrical.
The weight of the cucumber reaches 115 g. This is the maximum limit. The yield is 2 times higher than that of the Parisian gherkin - 12 kg per m2 of planting.
How do gherkins differ from other cucumbers?
Gherkin varieties are distinguished by elastic, crispy fruits without voids inside. They are oblong in shape, without bulges, the length of cucumbers is about 5-10 cm. Even overgrown gherkins will not be large. Breeders have developed varieties that ripen quickly, have a pleasant taste, produce large yields and are resistant to common diseases.
Attention! Gherkins have a higher mineral content than salad cucumbers.
The best varieties have specific characteristics. The following groups are represented:
- for greenhouses;
- for open ground;
- for film coatings;
- bee-pollinated;
- self-pollinating;
- parthenocarpic (without pollination).
Having tried different varieties of miniature cucumbers, most gardeners choose the best ones for themselves and grow these particular gherkins.
