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Growing cucumbers has long become a truly national activity in Russia. Although most of the domestic territories are not ideally suitable for cultivating the plant, which is not at all surprising, especially considering the conditions of the country - the birthplace of cucumbers - India. However, in most regions, cucumbers are successfully grown almost everywhere, even in open ground. The huge Ural region is no exception. But in order to understand what properties varieties should have, the cultivation of which in open ground in the Urals will bring the greatest effect, you must first understand the main qualities of the crop itself and the climatic features of the region.
Basic properties of cucumbers
In our conditions, cucumbers are an annual plant, a herb that has a stem that creeps along the ground or branches. The height of cucumbers rarely exceeds 2 meters. The type of root system of the plant is superficial, located no deeper than 1 meter, and the main part is within 15-25 cm.Considering its origin, it is not surprising that cucumber has several properties at once, the implementation of which in domestic conditions is extremely problematic.
- Heat-loving vegetable is one of the main reasons that its cultivation in closed ground in greenhouses and greenhouses has become so widespread. This way, it’s easier to ensure the optimal temperature for the cucumber. However, with the proper use of agricultural techniques, it is quite possible to achieve good harvests in the open ground of central Russia, which includes most of the Urals. In addition, back in Soviet times, varieties and hybrids were developed that had increased resistance to cold temperatures. In recent years, this work has not stopped; as a result, the number of cucumber varieties that are most suitable for growing in open ground in domestic conditions has become quite large.
- Moisture-loving - another property of cucumbers, predetermined by the climate of its place of origin. It is not surprising that the amount of precipitation, even in Russian regions with its maximum level, is clearly insufficient for normal growth and fruiting of the plant. Therefore, it is always necessary to organize regular and sufficiently abundant watering of cucumbers, which even the most unpretentious varieties require. Naturally, there are situations where overwatering occurs, but they are so rare and only happen to very inexperienced gardeners.
- Even in the most favorable conditions of Kuban, fertilizing is necessary to obtain a good harvest of cucumbers. various organic or mineral nutrients.If we are talking about the middle zone, where the soil, especially in open ground, is of much lower quality, the importance of proper and timely fertilizing increases even more. Therefore, it is so necessary to strictly follow the recommendations of experts regarding this topic.
- Plant photoperiod - this is the amount of daylight hours necessary for normal growth and development. Despite all the thermophilic nature of cucumbers, their physiology requires only 10-12 hours of photoperiod for full ripening and fruiting. This greatly simplifies the task for domestic gardeners, since for most of the country this is a completely feasible condition; moreover, in some areas certain varieties of cucumbers take root well even in shady and dimly lit areas of gardens and vegetable gardens.
Climatic and natural features of the Urals
Once the basic requirements for cucumbers as a vegetable crop have been determined, it is necessary to analyze which of them satisfy the conditions of the Ural region.
It is necessary to take into account that the Urals is a huge territory, the natural and climatic conditions within which are also quite different from each other. However, some general conclusions can be drawn.
Like most regions of central Russia, the Urals belong to the zone of risky agriculture. This means that growing crops such as cucumbers carries a significant risk of crop failure due to completely natural causes. The main ones are the fairly early onset of cold weather and the possibility of frost, as well as an extremely short period of consistently warm weather.
These and many other features of agriculture in the Urals are caused by an even harsher continental climate, even in comparison with the central zone of the European part of Russia. In order to minimize the climate factor, several rules should be followed:
- Always use several different varieties or hybrids of cucumbers (from 3 to 7). The point of such an event is that out of so many varieties of cucumbers, several will be most suitable for the specific conditions of the season and will give a decent harvest, even if the rest fail;
- pay special attention to such qualities and properties of cucumber varieties and hybrids as cold resistance, disease resistance and ripening speed (preferably no more than 45 days). Late plant varieties are not very suitable for use in the Urals;
- Another property that is important specifically for the region under consideration is the use of self-pollinating or parthencarpic varieties of cucumbers. They are recommended for use in greenhouses and hothouses, but their use is also necessary for the open ground of the Urals. This is due to the fact that the number of sunny and warm days is extremely small, and it is during such weather that bees are most active. In cloudy and relatively cold weather, their activity decreases sharply, which leads to problems with fruiting in bee-pollinated cucumber varieties. It should also be taken into account that the complete exclusion of bee-pollinated plant varieties is impractical, since their presence in the garden has a positive effect on other varieties of cucumbers and increases productivity;
- in the event of the onset of cold temperatures, and such days are not uncommon in the Urals, experts recommend covering the beds with cucumbers for their additional protection with ordinary polyethylene film or covering materials with similar properties on a non-woven basis. It is allowed to install arched support structures that are lightweight and removable.
Following the listed rules will increase the yield of cucumbers even in the difficult conditions of the Ural region.
The best varieties of cucumbers for open ground in the Urals
When choosing a variety or hybrid of cucumbers, in addition to the above preferences, you should definitely pay attention to the fact that it is zoned specifically for local conditions.
Hybrid cucumber April F1
Hybrid April F1 is specially bred for growing in open ground. However, its properties allow it to achieve excellent results when used in greenhouses, and even when grown in small spaces in balcony boxes. The hybrid is universal not only in the place of cultivation, but also in taste - it is excellent for both fresh consumption and for canning and pickling. In addition, the April F1 hybrid is resistant to such common diseases and viruses as olive spot and common mosaic.
The combination of extraordinary qualities has made the hybrid one of the most popular among those used in central Russia.
Hybrid cucumbers have characteristic large tubercles, classic dark green skin and pleasant white flesh. The fruits are quite large in size, reaching a weight of 200-250 grams, and quite often exceeding 20 cm in length. Each node of the hybrid forms 8-12 cucumbers.The hybrid is classified as mid-season, guaranteeing the first harvest after 50 days.
Cucumber variety Erofey
The Erofei variety was bred by breeders specifically for central Russia. The properties and qualities of the variety allow its use in the difficult conditions of the Ural region. Despite the fact that the cucumber variety is bee-pollinated, due to its unpretentiousness and resistance to cold temperatures, it does not experience problems with fruiting in relatively cold and cloudy weather. Being a mid-season variety of cucumbers, it guarantees the first harvest within 50 days. The plant is very tall and branched, while the cucumbers are small in size (about 6-7 cm), related to gherkins. The variety is also quite resistant to diseases and viruses. In terms of taste, it is considered universal, showing itself perfectly fresh, as well as when canned and pickled.
Cucumber variety Competitor
Bred for use in open ground, cucumber variety Competitor without any problems, it is often used when growing under film covering. This is achieved by the versatility of its qualities, the main of which are excellent yield, resistance to most diseases, as well as excellent taste. All together this led to great popularity and widespread distribution of the plant variety.
Cucumbers appear after 45-50 days, that is, the cucumber variety is early ripening. The fruits are of medium size, usually not exceeding 12 cm in length, and their weight rarely reaches 125 grams.
Quite large tubercles are located over the entire surface of the elongated oval or elongated cylindrical cucumber.The variety is most suitable for pickling, although it is also often used in fresh and pickled forms.
Hybrid cucumber Ant F1
Hybrid Ant F1 is perfect for the Urals due to several qualities. Firstly, it is parthenocarpic, that is, it bears fruit regardless of the activity of the bees. Secondly, the cucumber hybrid is ultra-early, guaranteeing the possibility of the first harvest in 35-39 days. Thirdly, it is highly resistant to several diseases at once, namely both types of powdery mildew (both real and downy) and olive spot. Cucumbers are cylindrical in shape and covered with large tubercles. The length of the hybrid fruit rarely exceeds 12 cm.
Hybrid cucumber Masha F1
The Masha F1 hybrid has become widespread in recent years due to its properties, which are excellent for the domestic middle zone.
It belongs to the parthenocarpic and ultra-early ripening species of cucumbers, which ideally meets the requirements imposed by the difficult climatic conditions of the Urals. In addition, the hybrid has a long fruiting period, allowing for high yields, making the most of the short Ural summer. The fruits are the size of gherkins and are genetically devoid of bitterness. Moreover, their excellent taste, both fresh and canned, has been noted by most experts. An additional advantage is the hybrid’s instilled resistance to many diseases common in domestic conditions.
Cucumber variety Muromsky 36
The Muromsky 36 variety has a number of undoubted advantages that make it possible not only to grow it in the open ground of the Urals, but also to achieve excellent results.It is classified as early ripening, which makes harvesting possible as early as 35-40 days. Has residual resistance to diseases. In addition, the fruits have excellent taste, being medium and less than medium in size (6-9 cm) and more likely to be gherkins. Like most similar crops, it is extremely demanding for frequent and timely harvesting, since cucumbers quickly lose color and become yellow. They are either finely tuberculate or smooth, shaped like an ellipse or an egg.
Conclusion
There are many varieties and hybrids of cucumbers that are perfect for growing in the open ground of the Urals. With their proper cultivation, the gardener will be able to fully experience all the delights and advantages of the most popular and beloved vegetable in Russia.
