Content
Planting cucumbers in greenhouses allows you to get harvests faster and also have fresh vegetables at any time of the year. The plant adapts well to the greenhouse microclimate, bears fruit consistently and produces early harvests. Self-pollinating varieties are considered the best for greenhouses, however, we must remember that you will not be able to collect seeds from them yourself. In this article, we will look at how cucumber seeds are classified and which are the best varieties of hybrids for greenhouses.
Seed classification
All cucumber seeds are divided into two types:
- Hybrids are created by breeders by crossing different varieties. The result is a crop with the best qualities imparted, for example, disease resistance, productivity, endurance, etc. If you put a varietal cucumber next to a hybrid, the latter can be distinguished by its harmoniously developed shape. The main advantage of hybrids is that they are high-yielding plus self-pollinating. During the pollination process, they do without the participation of bees. The disadvantage is the inability to collect seeds yourself.This is due to the fact that the hybrid cannot pass on to its offspring the best characteristics acquired during the selection process.
- Varietal seeds continue to be in demand among gardeners. This is primarily due to the desire to grow cucumber seedlings from homemade seeds collected with your own hands. The disadvantage is the obligatory presence of insects that pollinate the flowers.
Seeds of varietal cucumbers and hybrids are suitable for the greenhouse, but under the same conditions of care, the former will still give a smaller harvest.
Review of popular hybrid seeds
It is impossible to determine 100% the best or worst hybrid seeds. Much depends on the climatic conditions of the region, the composition of the soil, proper care, etc. Some gardeners like early varieties, others don’t care if they are high-yielding. A beginner with this question can contact the sellers of specialized stores. They often listen to the demands of experienced gardeners and try to put the most popular and best seeds on the shelves, since their profit depends on this. Those gardeners who do not have good consultants at their place of residence are offered a brief introduction to the varieties of hybrids.
This video presents a casting of the best varieties for greenhouses:
Seed separation according to purpose
To choose the best self-pollinating varieties, let's look at how seeds are divided according to their intended purpose. Although, if we approach the issue more precisely, it is clear that the seeds are intended for planting in the ground. But the vegetable grown from them can be used for various purposes:
- Salad varieties Suitable for fresh consumption and sold.You can cook different dishes with them, but you won’t be able to marinate or pickle them. Cucumbers have thick skin and ripen earlier than other varieties suitable for preservation. The packet of such seeds is marked “F1”, indicating that the salad variety is a hybrid.
- Varieties of cucumbers intended for canning, are distinguished by the sweetish taste of the fruit. They are best used for their intended purpose. On the packaging of seeds, in addition to the mark of belonging to hybrids, the possibility of long-term storage and canning of cucumbers must be indicated. Conscientious manufacturers also indicate for which greenhouses the seed material is intended.
- Universal self-pollinating varieties are considered the most profitable for greenhouses. Such cucumbers are suitable for canning, eating raw, going well for sale, etc. Hybrids are well suited for a greenhouse located in a harsh climatic zone.
Based on these characteristics, many amateur gardeners choose the varieties they need for greenhouses.
Separating seeds according to fruit ripening time
All varieties of self-pollinating cucumbers are divided according to the time of fruit ripening. For northern regions, it is better to choose early or medium self-pollinating hybrids so that they have time to produce a good harvest before the onset of severe frosts. In warm regions, medium and late varieties can be planted.
Selecting the best self-pollinating hybrids for greenhouses
Each gardener individually selects cucumber varieties for his greenhouse and considers them the best.Beginners can familiarize themselves with the rating of the popularity of self-pollinating hybrids, created on the basis of many years of experience of specialists.
The best early hybrids
Early varieties allow you to get a finished harvest in a maximum of 45 days, although the fruits of some hybrids can be harvested on the thirtieth day after planting.
"Gerda"
The variety belongs to mid-season hybrids, suitable for planting in open and closed ground. The first fruits ripen on the fortieth day. The small length of the cucumber, up to 10 cm, defines it as a type of gherkin. The vegetable goes well in pickling and for cooking.
"Friendly family"
An early hybrid produces uniform fruit ripening, which determines its name. If the care conditions are met, the first harvest from the bush can be harvested 45 days after planting. The plant bears fruit well in open and closed ground and is resistant to many diseases. Picked cucumbers are not stored for a long time, but are excellent for preservation.
"Courage"
The self-pollinating hybrid is capable of producing large yields, which is beneficial for commercial purposes. The plant is not afraid of temperature changes, grows well in a greenhouse in autumn and winter, only the taste of the grown fruits differs slightly in different periods. The vegetable is suitable for canning and cooking.
"Zozulya"
Early cucumber is good to eat immediately after harvest. The vegetable cannot be canned, but it will be stored in the basement for a long time. The fruit is distinguished by its length up to 25 cm. The plant does not require care and, with timely fertilization of the soil, can produce about 30 kg of harvest per bush in 45 days.
The best all-purpose seeds
This type of seed is best suited for beginning gardeners. They can be planted both inside the greenhouse and in open ground.The big advantage of universal hybrids is self-pollination, and the finished fruit is suitable for canning and preparing salads.
"Spring"
The early variety ripens 40 days after planting. The small size of the fruit with spiny pimples determines the parthenocarpic hybrid to the gherkin species. A dense, crunchy vegetable with a sweet aftertaste, it’s great for pickling and preparing various dishes. One bush produces a maximum of 15 kg of fruit per season.
"Hermann"
A universal self-pollinating variety for greenhouses and open beds. The hybrid was bred by European breeders and, compared to its fellow “Vesna”, produces a larger harvest. The plant rarely succumbs to diseases. The fruit grows up to 12 cm long. Good for salads and canning.
"Emelya"
Another popular universal hybrid is suitable for growing in any beds. However, the optimal conditions for a self-pollinating cucumber are still the greenhouse microclimate. This allows you to get the first harvest in early summer. Fruiting occurs 30 days after planting.
In the video you can see different varieties of self-pollinating cucumbers:
Conclusion
Any of the selected varieties, with proper care, will definitely please the owner, and only practice will help you choose which one is better.
