What cucumbers are called parthenocarpic? Is it true that it is synonymous with the word "self-pollinated"? What is parthenocarpic hybrid of cucumbers? How do they differ from ordinary ones? What is a parthenocarpic hybrid of female type cucumbers? Are they suitable for salting or can they be consumed only fresh? What are the features of the formation of plants of such varieties and their care?
Pollination of traditional cucumbers
Beginners often get acquainted with the concept of parthenocarpic cucumbers by looking at colorful seed packages. Often, after the name of the variety, “parthenocarpic” is indicated on them, and then it is written in parentheses (self-pollinated). But these are not synonyms, although there is some truth to this. To find out what a parthenocarpic hybrid of cucumbers is, you need to understand the process of pollination of various types of this plant.
Usually, numerous flowers are formed on the whip of an ordinary cucumber, as the traditional varieties of this plant are called. But in vain gardeners are waiting for the rapid formation of fruits. Some flowers fall, the next ones replace them, but there are still no cucumbers. And only after a certain time do the fruits appear.
There are several types of cucumber flowers. These are female, male and hermaphrodites, from which spherical fruits are formed. Varieties with female, mainly female or male flowers are grown. If the number of both types is the same, then the type of flowering is called mixed.
The fruits of cucumbers are formed only from female flowers. But for fertilization, they need male flowers. This only happens after the bees or other insects carry pollen from male-type flowers called hollow flowers.
The disadvantage of such varieties is not only a long period from the opening of the first flowers to the appearance of fruits. Often lovers of cucumbers grow them in the winter in an apartment. But there are no insects. Therefore, it is necessary to pollinate female flowers by hand, using various devices, brushes. Sometimes male flowers are torn off, petals are torn off, and the rest is put to the female stamen. It can be interesting and informative, but always inconvenient. You need to track the types of flowers, constantly pollinate them.
Sometimes clouds drag the sky, and insects stop flying even in open areas. The number of greens can decrease for this reason.
History of creation
Cucumbers that form fruits without pollination have been known for a long time. They grew wild in China and Japan. The first parthenocarpic hybrids, known in our time, were created in the middle of the last century. What is parthenocarpic hybrid of cucumbers of that time? These are plants intended for indoor cultivation. At first they were only long, up to 40 cm, of a dark green color. But then, breeders created many new varieties, including short-fruited ones. They look and taste like ordinary ones.
What is a parthenocarpic hybrid of cucumbers with partially expressed properties? In addition to varieties with a pronounced property of parthenocarpy — the ability to produce fruits without pollination, varieties with a partial formation of such fruits have been created. In them, some green leaves are formed from ordinary female flowers as a result of pollination by bees according to the usual type.
Growing cucumbers with a partial manifestation, you need to alternate them with pollinating varieties or those that form male flowers.
Differences between parthenocarpic and self-pollinated cucumbers
What is parthenocarpic hybrid of cucumbers? Their peculiarity is that they form fruits without pollination. On their stems there are almost no empty flowers. Most of the flowers they have are female. Zelentsy fruits do not have seeds inside, or they only grow to the stage of milk ripeness.
In self-pollinated plants, each flower has pistils and stamens. Therefore, they pollinate themselves. The fruits of such cucumbers inside have seeds that ripen over time. In this case, the fruit itself turns yellow, and then becomes brown.
Are all hybrids of cucumbers parthenocarpic? No, some of them are bee pollinators.
What is a parthenocarpic hybrid of female type cucumbers? These are varieties that form only female flowers. An example is the hybrid Arina F1, the fruits of which have a sweet taste, Regina plus F1 with spindle-shaped greens.
What is the purpose of parthenocarpic cucumbers? The first varieties were created for fresh consumption. But for a long time there are cucumbers of this type, suitable for pickling and canning. Information about this is usually on the packaging.
Are there partenocarpic hybrids of cucumbers for open ground? Varieties that can be grown in a greenhouse and open ground are called universal. For example, the ultra-ripe beam hybrid Herman F1. In most cases, universal varieties are grown in open ground.
Hybrid Zador F1 is designed for outdoor cultivation. Its fruits are coarse-horned gherkins of dark green color of a cylindrical shape. Good for salting.
The benefits of parthenocarpic cucumber hybrids
Having considered what a parthenocarpic hybrid of cucumbers is, we will understand its advantages and disadvantages. Perhaps you need to completely switch to this type of cucumber and not grow others?
Parthenocarpics have several advantages over conventional and self-pollinated varieties:
- They are very productive. The number of ovaries on each stalk is so great that some of them do not grow and dry out small. The plant is not able to grow them all, even with good care.
- Such plants develop very quickly.
- Insects are not needed for fruiting such cucumbers, so they are conveniently grown in a greenhouse or in an apartment.
- Parthenocarpic hybrid of cucumber when cultivated in a greenhouse gives smooth fruits of the correct form and the same beautiful color.
- Cucumbers are not bitter.
- Do not have voids inside.
- Parthenocarpic fruits do not turn yellow, like ordinary cucumbers. This is due to the fact that they do not contain seeds and do not need to ripen them.
- Cucumbers are stored for a long time, they can be transported over long distances without loss.
- They are resistant to disease. Therefore, you can harvest from these varieties until October.
Disadvantages of parthenocarpic cucumbers
Despite a number of advantages of parthenocarpic hybrids, it is not worth abandoning traditional varieties. Experts often advise growing them in open ground. This is due to the fact that bees and other insects do not understand the subtleties of the variety. Therefore, they often try to pollinate parthenocarpic flowers. As a result, the fruits are crooked.
Parthenocarpic seeds are more expensive.
Varieties of parthenocarpic hybrids of cucumbers
Hybrids with a pronounced parthenocarpy (F1) property:
- Amur;
- Ointment;
- Virenta;
- Buyan;
- Juventa;
- Elf;
- Masai.
Hybrids with partial manifestation of parthenocarpy:
- Saltan;
- Zozulya, which with early planting is better pollinated by bees.
- Finger boy, suitable for pickling.
Parthenocarpic beam hybrids of cucumbers are distinguished:
- Anyuta is a plant of the female type of flowering, a universal type of cultivation.
- Peanut is a universal mini-gherkin (for open ground, greenhouses and greenhouses).
Partenocarpy dependence on growing conditions
The property of parthenocarpy can manifest itself in different ways depending on the conditions of cultivation and care of the cucumbers. So insufficient lighting reduces this property. This usually happens in cloudy weather. But after it becomes sunny, the number of greens increases again.
When the soil is dry, the air overheats in the greenhouse, the number of fruits decreases. The same thing happens if too many organic fertilizers are applied.
An increase in parthenocarpy in later lashes was noted. So on the lower nodes of the main stem there are fewer of them. On the middle, upper nodes and lateral shoots they are much larger.
The formation of parthenocarpic hybrids of cucumber in the greenhouse
The features of the formation of parthenocarpic cucumbers in the greenhouse are associated with the absence of empty flowers on their stems. Pinch the main stem after it grows above 2 meters. In this case, it will be higher than the trellis. In the lower part of the stem, all shoots and flowers are removed in the sinuses.
Pinch the side lashes so that the bush does not take up much space. Six side lashes are left, each length no more than 30 cm. Then they wait until the next few shoots grow by 40 cm and also pinch them. The length of the upper lashes can be increased to half a meter.
Care Features
When choosing a variety of parthenocarpic cucumbers for your garden or greenhouse, you need to consider a number of factors: type of cultivation, fruiting time, yield. Thus, you can choose varieties in order to enjoy delicious and healthy cucumbers for a long time.
In one greenhouse, it is better to plant varieties with full and partial manifestation of parthenocarpy. The open door of the greenhouse will allow insects to fly over and pollinate the flowers.
In the fruiting of parthenocarpic cucumbers, there are peaks and falls. During recessions, foliar top dressings are carried out with complex mineral fertilizers, introducing them at 2 grams per 1 liter of water.
An increase in yield is facilitated by the installation of a carbon dioxide source in the greenhouse. It can be a barrel with fermented grass or manure.
Improving the harvest contributes to the timely collection of greenhouses.