Content
Among the large assortment of cucumber seeds in the markets, you can see planting material from Korean producers. How do these crops differ from those grown in our regions, and is it worth buying such cucumber seeds if you live in Central Russia or Western Siberia?
Benefits of planting Korean seeds
Korea is a country that belongs to three climate zones: warm, temperate and cold. That is why Korean breeders have made every effort to ensure that hybrids are resistant to both unexpected warming and sudden cold snaps.
According to gardeners who have already used these seeds for planting in greenhouses and open ground, cucumbers of Korean selection are resistant to viral and fungal diseases. In addition, thanks to its dense and thick skin, the fruits resist pest invasion.
When growing cucumbers, many farmers pay attention to the leaves of plants grown from seeds from Korean producers - as if they have a thin layer of wax applied to them. This is another feature of Korean selection. This protection protects the cucumber from the invasion of aphids and mites.
Resistance to common diseases
If you are going to grow cucumbers for the first time, or appear at your summer cottages only on weekends, Korean cucumber seeds are what you need.
How often does it happen that, due to inexperience or ignorance, you do not have time to feed or fertilize the plant in time, preventing the development of fungal diseases? Powdery mildew, downy mildew or root rot, without appropriate treatment, quickly destroy first the root and stem of the cucumber, and then the fruits of the plant.
But while fungal diseases can be prevented or treated with fungicides, viruses that infect crops can only be controlled by resistance to aphids and spider mites. To prevent the cucumber from being attacked by insects, it is repeatedly fertilized with chemicals, often without caring about the environmental purity of the crop.
Seeds of Korean selection have amazing resistance to pests. As is known, plants grown from seeds collected from infected plants suffer from the disease anthracnose. Korean breeders make every effort to select the best varieties for crossing and breeding.
Main growth features of Korean cucumbers
When breeding new varieties of cucumbers, Asian breeders make sure that the seedlings, and then the plant itself, are strong, protected from weather and pests, and resistant to common diseases.
To do this, they turn their attention to healthy, fast-growing and adapted varieties, from which they can obtain the best hybrids for growing in greenhouses and open ground.
The Nong Woo company was recognized as the best producer of Korean selection seeds on the Russian agricultural markets.
Here are just a few varieties of hybrids that have already received well-deserved recognition from domestic farmers:
- For growing in greenhouses, greenhouses and open ground conditions - Avella F1, Advance F1;
- For open ground - Baronet F1, Aristocrat F1.
The climatic conditions of Korea allow local farmers to choose for planting both early-ripening, cold-resistant varieties and mid-season hybrids that thrive in a warm growing environment. Today, the Korean selection repository contains more than 250 thousand copies of genetic material and 8 thousand varieties and hybrids, already prepared for cultivation in open ground conditions.
The best Korean cucumber seeds for open ground
Avella F1 (Avalange F1)
Parthenocrapic variety of cucumbers from the manufacturer Nong Woo. Has high growth rates. The fruits ripen already 35-40 days after transferring the seedlings to open ground conditions.
The hybrid is resistant to cold snaps and is not susceptible to diseases of powdery mildew and downy mildew. This is an early hybrid of the gherkin type. Fruits with dense dark green skin and medium white tubercles. The average size of the fruit at full ripening is 8-10 cm. On the Russian market, seeds are sold in packages of 50 and 100 pcs.
Advance F1 (Avensis F1)
An early hybrid variety, with a ripening period of 40 days. The plant is considered universal and is well suited for both fresh use and canning.The fruits reach sizes of 8-10 cm, in diameter - 2.5-3 cm. The average weight of one cucumber is 60-80 grams. The skin of the fruit is dark green with small white tubercles.
Aristocrat F1
Parthenocrapic hybrid, adapted for cultivation in open ground and greenhouses. Seeds for seedlings are hardened and disinfected. Belongs to early ripening varieties. The period of full ripening is 35-40 days. A special feature of the variety is that up to 3-4 inflorescences can be concentrated in one node. The fruits are small in size - up to 10-12 cm, in diameter do not exceed 4.5 cm. The fruits have an even cylindrical shape, the skin is dark green and dense. The hybrid is resistant to sudden changes in temperature in the air and soil. Cucumbers are ideal for canning and pickling.
Baronet F1
One of the Korean hybrids that took part and won the competition when reviewing the best seeds of spring 2018. The variety is universal, the plant is resistant to fungal infections and changes in climatic conditions. Well adapted to early transplantation into the ground and high air humidity. The fruits are smooth, large-lumpy with dense dark green skin. The average size of a cucumber is 9-10 cm, diameter is 2-4 cm. It showed excellent results during preservation, completely retaining all its taste qualities.
Salim F1
A mid-season, insect-pollinated, long-fruited hybrid intended for cultivation in open ground. The main feature of the variety is its “friendly” high yield. The fruits at full ripening can reach a length of 20-22 cm, with a diameter of up to 5 cm. The seeds are capable of producing seedlings at low temperatures, and are perfectly adapted for planting in open ground conditions.In Korea, this cucumber is widely used to prepare Korean salads, and is supplied to national restaurants from early spring to early autumn.
Afsar F1
An early ripening parthenocrapic hybrid with high yield. The full period of fruit ripening is 35-40 days. The main features of the plant are resistance to cold weather and strong winds when grown in open ground (the cucumber has a powerful and dense stem). The fruits reach sizes of 12-14 cm, with a diameter of 3-3.5 cm. The growing season lasts from mid-May to the end of August.
Arctic F1 (Arena F1)
A mid-season parthenocrapic hybrid, well adapted for cultivation in central Russia. The period of full ripening is 35-40 days. The fruits have a smooth cylindrical shape, the skin is colored light green. Since Arctic is a gherkin variety, cucumbers do not grow larger than 8-10 cm, with a diameter of 2.5-3 cm. The hybrid is excellent for marinades and pickles.
Seeds of Korean selection are hybrids that have been tested and entered into the State Register of Plant Varieties. In addition, all planting material is certified as having been acclimatized to the climatic conditions of almost every region of Russia.
Conclusion
When choosing seeds for planting from Korean producers, be sure to pay attention to the instructions on the package. Pay close attention to the timing of sowing planting material and transferring seedlings to open ground. Remember that all Korean hybrids are pre-treated, and many seed varieties do not need disinfection or hardening.
Here is a short video about the seeds of the famous Korean hybrid Baronet F1
Please tell me where to buy Korean cucumber seeds in Russia