If you recently got a greenhouse and dream of growing large harvests of cucumbers in it, then the first difficulty for you can be the choice of variety. All gardeners are aware of the fact that the varieties are divided into those intended for open ground and greenhouses. The latter should not be planted on open beds, because they are completely not adapted to such conditions and can die from the scorching sun or winds. Conversely, cucumbers for open ground will not like the high humidity and temperature in the greenhouse, where they will certainly begin to ache.
What sorts of cucumbers to grow in a greenhouse?
In addition to this factor, the optimal choice should take into account the characteristics of the variety, which are important to you. This can be yield, maturity or transportation characteristics, as well as the purpose of cucumbers (for salting, for salads or for consumption in fresh form). In all, there are about 60 varieties of cucumbers and their hybrids (the latter are labeled F1), intended for growing in greenhouse conditions. Let's find out which kind of cucumber in some cases is considered better for a greenhouse and why:
- Among the salad cucumbers the most popular are the hybrids "Vicente F1", "Danila F1", "Cartoon F1", "Orlik F1", "Anyuta F1". The salty type of greenhouse cucumbers is represented by "Hermann F1", "Adam F1", "Legend F1", "Blessed F1", "Buran F1". There are also universal fruits that are well marinated and have excellent taste qualities in fresh form. This is the variety "Severyanin F1", hybrids "Annushka F1", "Corporal F1", "Moravian cornichus F1", "Voskhod F1".
- The varieties are also different in form of fruit. Long-fruited varieties of cucumbers for a greenhouse, the length of which varies from 15 to 40 cm - is "Alligator F1", "Crocodile Gene F1", "Stella F1", "Topaz F1", "Mustafa F1". Small ( short-berry ) cucumbers, so-called pickles and gherkins, are also popular. These are Borokovik F1, Mademoiselle F1, Twixi F1, Philipp F1, Angel F1.
- Often in a greenhouse, varieties with different maturation periods are planted to harvest throughout the season. Among the early varieties of cucumbers for the greenhouse should be identified such as "Evita F1", "Courage F1", "Masha F1", "Leandro F1", "Mazay F1". The middle-riders are "Marinda F1", "Claudia F1", "Matilda F1", "Zozulya F1", "Balagan F1". Seeds of late-ripening varieties are recommended to be planted early, so that by the autumn they have time to ripen. Such cucumbers include "Nezhinsky", "Droplet F1", "Smallhead F1", "Santana F1", etc.
- Self-pollinated or parthenocarpic varieties of cucumbers are the best choice for greenhouses. Their cultivation involves less care, besides they do not turn yellow, do not overgrow and do not require a garter, as the bush grows very compact. Such varieties include "Hector", "Amur F1", "Orpheus F1", "Cheetah F1", "Ginga F1", etc. But do not give up and bee-dusted varieties. To attract the attention of insects to greenhouse cucumbers will help flowers placed at the entrance to the greenhouse - dandelions, oregano, etc. Also, plants can be sprinkled with a weak solution of honey or sugar, but the sweets themselves should not be used as bait, otherwise bees
will not pay attention to cucumbers. Among the best bee pollinated varieties of cucumbers for polycarbonate greenhouses are "Farmer F1", "Faithful Friends F1", "Lord F1". - Unusual, exotic varieties of cucumbers can interest many gardeners-experimenters. To please the household and surprise the neighbors, plant white cucumbers "Bride F1", popular Chinese cucumbers "Pekinsky" (small, juicy and very tender) or cucumbers, the fruits of which look like lemons or watermelons.
- And finish our list of the most productive varieties of cucumbers for hothouses - Courage, Emelya, Athlete, Connie, Okhotny Ryad.