Content
Cucumber is one of the most common and favorite vegetables in Russia. Despite the fact that the plant is distinguished by its rare heat-loving nature, it has been grown for a very long time in the middle zone, which, it would seem, is not very suitable for this crop, especially in open ground conditions. Nevertheless, in many regions, including the Moscow region, they achieve good and stable yields of cucumbers, planting them both in closed ground and in open ground. The reasons for this are explained simply: competent and precise adherence to the basic agrotechnical rules for growing vegetables, using the best and most suitable varieties and hybrids of cucumbers for any type of soil.
Climatic and natural features of the Moscow region
The Moscow region is located in central Russia, one might say, in the very heart of its European part. Therefore, like most other regions of this area of the country, it belongs, and quite rightly, to the zone of risky farming. This does not mean that growing for open ground It is impossible to grow a crop as heat-demanding as cucumber. You just need to follow certain rules.In particular, only the best varieties and hybrids of cucumbers that meet the following basic requirements are suitable for growing in open ground in the Moscow region:
- ripening period should not exceed 45-50 days. The reasons for this are obvious and understandable - it is difficult to expect a longer warm period in the Moscow region. Thus, early ripening cucumber varieties should be used;
- It is advisable to use self-pollinating (parthenocarpic) varieties and cucumber hybrids. This requirement is due to the fact that the number of warm sunny days when insects (primarily bees) are active in the Moscow region is small. And in rainy and cold weather, bees are very reluctant to move, which can cause a serious reduction in yield in varieties that depend on them. Self-pollinating varieties lack this relationship and are therefore much more stable. It should be understood that in no case should you completely abandon bee-pollinated varieties - their presence in the garden contributes to higher yields and is useful even for other varieties of cucumbers;
- preference, other things being equal, should be given to universal varieties, which can be used both for salads and for canning and pickling. To a greater extent, this is a matter of taste, but such varieties and hybrids may not have particularly high yields, but they do not fall below a certain level. This is an important advantage in the open ground conditions of the Moscow region, which are not always suitable for cucumbers.
It is also recommended by most experts to simultaneously plant from 3 to 7 hybrids or varieties of cucumbers with different properties and qualities to reduce the risk of crop failure.This will make it possible to guarantee the yield of some of them even in the worst case.
The best varieties and hybrids of cucumbers for the Moscow region
April F1
An early-ripening hybrid of cucumbers, it is universal, that is, suitable for both fresh, canned or salted consumption.
Bred for cultivation in open ground, it can also be successfully used under film covering conditions (greenhouses, hotbeds). There is also a fairly successful practice of using this hybrid for growing in small balcony boxes, which once again shows the stability and versatility of the cucumber variety. This is largely due to their compactness and the ability to self-regulate branching processes. The fruits, as a rule, have a classic cylindrical shape and are quite large - their weight is 200-250 grams with a length of up to 25 cm. The hybrid has a fairly high resistance to cold temperatures, is undemanding in care, and has no bitterness.
Erofey
A cucumber variety bred specifically for central Russia. It is hemp-pollinated and versatile.
In terms of ripening time, it belongs to the mid-season, but thanks to its serious resistance to cold, it manages to produce a solid harvest. The plant is highly branched and quite tall. The cucumbers are small in size (6-7 cm), allowing them to be classified as gherkins. The shape is somewhat elongated, ovoid, with the presence of tubercles. It is highly resistant to diseases such as downy mildew.
Ant F1
A hybrid that perfectly meets the above requirements. It is parthenocarpic, ultra-early ripening (up to 39 days) with a variety belonging to medium-climbing cucumbers with a strong limitation of branching.The fruits are medium in size, reaching a length of 12 cm; the cucumbers are equipped with large tubercles.
The hybrid has a fairly high resistance to almost all the most common diseases in the middle zone: olive spot and both types of powdery mildew - both real and downy.
Masha F1
Like the previous hybrid, it is perfectly suited for growing in the Moscow region. Belongs to the group of ultra-early ripening and parthenocarpic (that is, self-pollinating) varieties.
This hybrid is characterized by high yield and a very long fruiting period.
In addition, it bears fruit with large tuberous gherkins with excellent taste and is perfect for both salads and pickling. In addition, like almost all gherkins, they are genetically devoid of bitterness. The hybrid in question is resistant to most diseases, as well as to unfavorable weather and atmospheric conditions, which is an additional and important advantage for the Moscow region.
Competitor
A variety of cucumbers that is used both for open ground and for growing in greenhouses. It belongs to the early ripening varieties and has a high yield. Cucumbers are small in size, rarely exceeding 12 cm in length and weighing 120 g, and are completely covered with relatively large tubercles. Their shape is elongated oval or elongated cylindrical.
The variety is universal, but most experts recommend using it for pickling, then its excellent taste qualities are most fully manifested.
Fontana F1
The hybrid is classified as mid-season (up to 55 days), bee-pollinated cucumbers. It is universal, suitable for use in any form. The fruits are devoid of bitterness, have a length of up to 12 cm, and their weight rarely reaches 100 grams.
Conclusion
The best varieties and hybrids given above do not exhaust the widest list of cucumber varieties that can be successfully grown in the open ground of the Moscow region. Several thousand varieties of the popular vegetable are officially registered in the state register, many of which meet the difficult requirements of central Russia. Therefore, every gardener can easily find varieties or hybrids that are suitable for him and the best for him.
