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The need for a regular harvest of cucumbers increases every year; it should be noted that breeders manage to develop new varieties in accordance with market demands. Increasingly, hybrids are facing healthy competition from new cucumber species, most of which are parthenocarpic hybrids. And perhaps it is difficult to find a summer resident who has not met parthenocarpic cucumbers at least indirectly. Not all of them, of course, decide to plant them on their plots, but those who are engaged in gardening at a higher level have already seen all the advantages of parthenocarpic cucumbers over self-pollinating or conventional hybrids, not to mention insect-pollinated ones. And the benefits are truly significant, for example the absence of bitterness in all types of parthenocarpic cucumbers.
The main advantages of parthenocarpic cucumbers
Although the parthenocarpic type of cucumbers also has disadvantages, the only cost is the impossibility of planting them in open ground.Indeed, it would seem that this factor makes them completely uncompetitive compared to self-pollinating hybrids, but their positive qualities overshadow this, at first glance, significant drawback.
- Breeders conduct many tests before sending a hybrid to the market, including varieties tested for resistance to various diseases, so all cucumber hybrids show high resistance;
- The harvest from one square meter of parthenocarpic hybrids can be an order of magnitude higher than from ordinary hybrid and varietal cucumbers; this is accompanied by powerful growth of bushes;
- The fruiting period is also generally longer than varietal and bee-pollinated analogues, this is precisely what determines the increased yield of such hybrids;
- Sharp temperature changes have much less effect on parthenocarpic cucumbers than on other varieties and hybrids;
- Breeders also took care to remove bitterness; even after a long period of storage, such hybrids have excellent taste.
For the average person, most often a parthenocarpic hybrid is seen as a self-pollinating variety of varietal cucumber, but in fact this is only the reasoning of amateurs, there is a difference and it is significant. Self-pollinating cucumbers have both female and male characteristics in their flower, thus pollination occurs, but no one other than the plant itself takes part in this process. In a parthenocarpic hybrid of cucumbers, there is no pollination process; it is not necessary for the formation of the ovary, which is why such hybrids always lack seeds.By the way, it is this process that ensures long-term storage of cucumbers, since there is no seed in the fruit, ripening processes do not occur in it, which lead to yellowing.
Parthenocarpic hybrids of cucumbers are mainly used for planting in greenhouses; in fact, they were bred for indoor soils. If you decide to plant them in an area open to insects, the results of such an experiment will be disastrous; there is a tendency for the fruit of parthenocarpic hybrids to form poorly when their color is accessible to insects. This is manifested in the curvature and external unattractiveness of cucumbers. If you do not have the opportunity to plant seeds in a greenhouse or greenhouse, then it would be better to choose bee-pollinated varieties of cucumbers, since there are plenty of insects even in inclement weather.
Disadvantages of parthenocarpic cucumbers
- Side shoots that produce abundant growth must be removed to allow cucumbers to set as quickly as possible;
- The structure of the branches is ampelous; therefore, it is necessary to further strengthen them by tying them. One peg stuck next to the cucumber stem will not be enough;
- The majority of varieties are unsuitable for preservation; this is a side effect of their relative early ripening; a dense peel does not have time to form.
Here are some of the most popular parthenocarpic hybrids
Ajax F1
The amazing yield of this specimen can be the envy of even the richest insect-pollinated varieties; most often it is planted in greenhouses or hotbeds; it is also suitable for open ground, but you should be aware that such an action can lead to deterioration of part of the harvest by changing the shape of the fruit. It should be noted that Ajax is not suitable for landing in an apartment, even if you have a large balcony.The titanic growth of bushes only emphasizes the name of this hybrid. Cucumbers grow small, only 10–12 cm long, but they form several ovaries in one node. The appearance of the cucumber is decorated with pimples with white spikes, and the color is emerald. It is used for food both fresh and pickled.
Advance F1
The early and generous fruiting of this hybrid makes it a favorite among summer residents with greenhouses and greenhouses. Like most of its brothers, Advance is not suitable for open ground. In addition to the highest yield, these cucumbers demonstrate high resistance to common diseases, which means that breeders have worked hard on them. This hybrid bears fruit quite early and quite generously. On average, the first ovaries appear already on 46 - 52 days from the moment of planting. Cucumbers are 10 - 12 cm long, abundantly clinging to the entire bush, they have a beautiful bright green color and are decorated with white thorns. This, in turn, means that they belong to the salad type; they should not be pickled.
Angel F1
This variety can also be classified as an early ripening variety; its entry into the fruiting phase can be limited to 40 - 44 days from the appearance of the first shoots. There is an opinion that this hybrid can be used for open ground, but a summer resident can perform such an action only at his own responsibility. It is mainly used for planting in greenhouses and greenhouses. Its fruits are on average about 11 cm of gherkin type. They are suitable for fresh consumption, but when canned they have a unique taste that many people like. It has impeccable taste, without signs of bitterness.Cucumbers have been shown to be resistant to the following common diseases:
- Cladosporiosis;
- Downy mildew;
- Root rot.
Form F1
This is a subspecies of gherkins; it is grown mainly in closed soils. On open ground it shows slightly worse results. Its fruits are distinguished by their excellent juiciness, and their abundance on an overgrown bush guarantees a high overall yield. In total, cucumbers grow no more than 7 cm in length; their distinctive feature is a unique aroma, unique only to this hybrid. It can be eaten in different forms, but it has the best taste when fresh and lightly salted. In addition to the above advantages, cucumbers are highly resistant to diseases.
Herman F1
This parthenocarpic type of cucumber has proven itself well among summer residents who put up the fruits of their labor for sale; it retains its fresh appearance for quite a long time after picking, and even after 10 days it does not acquire the bitterness characteristic of other cucumbers. All cucumbers are equal in selection and are excellent in any form for eating.
Christina F1
This is the development of Dutch breeders, it is characterized by early yield and is practically resistant to most known diseases. The Dutch managed to breed a hybrid with steadily developing fruits on any soil, but it is still better to eat fresh fruits. One of the positive qualities of this hybrid is its disregard for temperature changes.
Conclusion
All of the listed types of parthenocarpic cucumbers are more suitable for growing on covered soils, but among them there are several hybrids that have received a lot of work on agricultural farms, and they can please seasonal gardeners with virtually no loss of yield.
