Cucumbers belong to the pumpkin family. These are thermophilic vegetables, they need a lot of sun. Therefore, not every cultivar is able to withstand the harsh climate of Siberia. But the scientific knowledge of breeders is so deep that they managed to create seeds that can withstand any weather changes. This article will introduce the reader to information on how to grow cucumbers in Siberia and which varieties are preferable for this region.
Cucumbers Altai - bee pollinated variety
Siberian gardeners are well acquainted with him. These cucumbers are unpretentious and resistant to climate change. Altai cucumbers belong to early ripening varieties with a ripening period of 35-40 days. Due to pollination of flowers by bees, they bear fruit.
This variety of cucumbers is grown in greenhouses and in open ground conditions. Bushes reach a meter height and have an average climbing ability. The fruits are medium in size: 9-10 centimeters in length. Their weight is 90 grams. The shape of the cucumber is oval-cylindrical; its color is bright green. The peel is completely covered with small tubercles with white tips.
Altai cucumbers taste great without bitterness. Therefore, they are happy to use fresh. And due to the small size of the fruits, housewives appreciate them for their suitability for canning.
In the climate of Siberia, the seeds of this variety of cucumbers are not recommended to be sown immediately in the ground, even if it is a greenhouse. The planting material is laid to a depth of 1.5-2 cm in a room with an air temperature of 23-25 degrees, so the seeds of cucumbers for Siberia are guaranteed to germinate.
Seedlings need mandatory watering and top dressing. Given the endurance and unpretentiousness of the variety, it is enough to water once a week with warm water under each bush. The soil needs to be loosened and laid with mulch. In this way, the formation of a crust preventing plants from breathing can be avoided. It is better to use straw, which over time will decay and fertilize the soil.
Variety Miranda - self-pollinated hybrid
These are early hybrid cucumbers with a universal purpose. They have good survival in the soil with any composition. There are many large-sized leaves on tall bushes. The fruits are medium, their length reaches 11-12 centimeters, and weight - 120 grams. They have a cylindrical shape. Each cucumber is covered with skin with small white tubercles.
Very interesting coloring of fruits. The main tone is saturated green with white dots. To the very middle of the cucumber (in length) are yellow strips. Self-pollinated cucumber varieties for Siberia have a juicy, delicious pulp with a wonderful aroma. They are consumed fresh, in canned and pickled form. Salads are prepared from them.
This variety is resistant to frost, not affected by powdery mildew. Sowing seeds of cucumbers for Siberia is better since mid-April. At the end of May, seedlings can be planted in a greenhouse or in the ground, but with the condition that the earth warms up to 15 degrees. On one square meter of soil, it is recommended to place three to four seedlings.
This variety of cucumbers loves fertile soil. Therefore, fertilizer is better to make in the fall. For stronger blowing of the earth, you can add wood sawdust. Plants should be regularly watered with warm water: up to three times a week. In rainy weather, soil moisture should be limited.
Cucumber Cucumbers
This variety belongs to mid-ripening in terms of ripening, 45-50 days are enough for it. Inflorescences in plants are female. The fruits ripen at the same time and have an elliptical shape. The surface is rarely covered with tubercles. The fruit is long: 13-15 centimeters, has a dark green color and weighs up to one hundred grams.
This variety of culture is valuable in taste, for which gardeners love it. Plants are not affected by powdery mildew and other diseases. Cascade cucumbers are characterized by high productivity. From one square meter of the site you can collect up to eight kilograms of vegetables.
Cucumbers in a greenhouse on a manure bed
In early spring, stock up on manure, preferably cow. First, it will be natural fuel for a greenhouse or garden, and then a source of additional power for cucumbers. Choose the highest bed in the greenhouse, lay manure on it, sprinkle with a loose layer of soil of 25 centimeters on top and water well.
Next, evenly distribute the seeds over the manure bed: four pieces per square meter are enough. Soaking and germinating them is not necessary before sowing. Remember: thickened plantings reduce yields. Therefore, if you put several seeds in one well, after germination weak seedlings are removed from the root. When you grow cucumbers for Siberia in a greenhouse, after planting, you should tightly cover the bed. For this, a film or any light covering material that should be pulled over the arcs is suitable. The result was a real greenhouse for cucumbers in a greenhouse.
If you touch the ground with your hand, it can burn your hand. This began the process of decomposition of manure under a layer of soil. Being warm, the first seedlings will appear on the third or fifth day after sowing. For a day, the film can be opened briefly for airing the landings. The most popular varieties of cucumbers for growing in greenhouses are Twixi, Murashko, Holly, Ant, Buyan.
The best varieties of cucumbers for Siberia
Cucumbers for summer residents are an ordinary vegetable that is planted everywhere. But a region like Siberia is characterized by harsh climatic conditions, so growing cucumbers is difficult here. However, the right choice of cultivar allows you to achieve good results. And there is plenty to choose from. Breeders brought a huge number of varieties of this culture, which are divided into families. Their representatives differ in certain features. Read about it in the article below.
Fruit family
These cucumbers differ in average size - 10-15 centimeters. Their surface is smooth glossy. The sweet taste of the vegetable allows you to use it in salads and snacks. The best varieties of cucumbers for Siberia - Fruit, Sweet lady, Gift, April, Spring whim, Relay. The novelties of this family include the varieties Fingers Paganini, Musical fingers, Sasha.
Alligator Cucumbers
Vegetables of this family have large fruit sizes, their length reaches 45 centimeters. The surface is covered with knolls, which gives similarity to the skin of a crocodile. This feature served as the basis for choosing the name of the family. At first, these cucumbers were called Chinese according to their place of origin.
The most productive cucumbers for Siberia from this family: Catherine, Emerald Stream, Elizabeth, Alligator, Beijing Delicious, Gene Crocodile, Chinese cold-resistant. So, if you plant 5-6 plants on a small plot of land, the crop of cucumbers is enough to fully satisfy the needs of this vegetable of the average Russian family.
Gherkins
Representatives of the small family of cucumbers (9-12 cm) are gherkins. They are ideal for canning. Their appearance is very remarkable: large tubercles alternate with longitudinal stripes of white color.
The best varieties of cucumbers for Siberia from the gherkin family: Nezhinsky, Murom, Monastic. Recently, self-pollinated modified varieties such as the Friendly Family, Russian Style, Quartet have gained well-deserved popularity. Cucumbers Boris, Beauty, Gerda, Denek belong to bee pollinated varieties. They are successfully grown in greenhouses and open ground. Used for pickling and pickling.
German varieties of cucumbers
A distinctive feature of this group of vegetables are thorns located between small tubercles on the surface of the fruit. The whole charm lies in the fact that during canning, the thorns are damaged, through the microscopic holes, the marinade freely passes into the cucumber and spreads evenly there.
The best varieties of cucumbers for Siberia from the German group are representatives of their homeland, Germany. These include modified varieties Libella, Bidretta, Madame Patti, Zest, Marvelous, Diva.