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Planting cucumbers in greenhouses allows you to get harvests faster and also have fresh vegetables at any time of the year. The plant adapts well to the greenhouse microclimate, bears fruit stably and gives early harvests. Self-pollinating varieties are considered the best for greenhouses, however, it must be remembered that it will not be possible to collect seeds from them on your own. In this article, we will look at how cucumber seeds are classified and which are the best varieties of hybrids for greenhouses.
Seed classification
All cucumber seeds are divided into two types:
- Hybrids are bred by breeders by crossing different varieties. The result is a culture with the best grafted qualities, for example, disease resistance, yield, endurance, etc. If you put a varietal cucumber next to a hybrid, then the latter can be distinguished by its harmoniously developed form. The main advantage of hybrids is that they are high-yielding plus self-pollinating. In the process of pollination, they do without the participation of bees. The disadvantage is the lack of the ability to independently collect seeds. This is due to the fact that the hybrid cannot pass on to the offspring the best characteristics acquired during the selection process.
- Varietal seeds continue to be in demand among gardeners. This is primarily due to the desire to grow seedlings of cucumbers from homemade seeds collected by your own hands. The disadvantage is the obligatory presence of insects pollinating the flowers.
For a greenhouse, seeds of varietal cucumbers and hybrids are suitable, but under the same conditions of care, the first will still give a smaller yield.
Review of popular hybrid seeds
It is impossible to determine the 100% best or worst hybrid seed. Much depends on the climatic conditions of the region, the composition of the soil, proper care, etc. Some gardeners like early varieties, while others still only have high yields. A beginner with this question can contact the sellers of specialty stores. They often listen to the demand of experienced gardeners and try to put the best and demanded seeds on the shelves, since their profit depends on this. Those gardeners who do not have good consultants at their place of residence are offered a brief introduction to the varieties of hybrids.
This video presents a casting of the best varieties for greenhouses:
Separation of seeds by purpose
To choose the best self-pollinating varieties for ourselves, let's look at how seeds are divided according to purpose. Although, to be more precise about the question, it is clear that the seeds are intended for planting in the ground. But the vegetable grown from them can be used for different purposes:
- Salad varieties are suitable for fresh consumption and are sold. You can cook different dishes from them, but you won't be able to pickle or pickle. Cucumbers have a dense skin and ripen earlier than other varieties suitable for conservation. On a pack of such seeds there is a mark "F1", indicating that the salad variety belongs to hybrids.
- Cucumber varieties intended for canning, differ in the sweetish taste of the fruit. They are best used for their intended purpose.On the packaging of seeds, in addition to marking that they belong to hybrids, the possibility of long-term storage and canning of cucumbers must be indicated. Conscientious growers also indicate for which greenhouses the seed is intended.
- Universal self-pollinating varieties are considered the most beneficial for greenhouses. These cucumbers are suitable for preservation, raw consumption, good for sale, etc. Hybrids are well suited for a greenhouse located in a harsh climatic zone.
On these grounds, many amateur gardeners choose the necessary varieties for greenhouses.
Separation of seeds by the time of fruit ripening
All varieties of self-pollinated cucumbers separated by the time of ripening of the fruit. For the northern regions, it is better to choose early or medium self-pollinating hybrids so that they have time to give a good harvest before the onset of severe frosts. In warm regions, medium and late varieties can be planted.
Choosing the best self-pollinating hybrids for greenhouses
Each gardener individually selects varieties of cucumbers for his greenhouse and considers them the best. Beginners can familiarize themselves with the popularity rating of self-pollinated hybrids, created on the basis of many years of experience of specialists.
Best early hybrids
Early varieties yield a ready harvest in 45 days maximum, although some hybrids can be harvested 30 days after planting.
"Gerda"
The variety belongs to mid-season hybrids, suitable for planting in open and closed ground. The first fruits ripen on the fortieth day. The small length of the cucumber, up to 10 cm, determines it to the type of gherkins. The vegetable goes well in salting and for cooking.
"Friendly family"
An early hybrid gives an amicable ripening of fruits, which determines its name. Subject to the conditions of care, the first crop from the bush can be removed 45 days after planting. The plant bears fruit well in open and closed ground and is resistant to many diseases. Plucked cucumbers do not last long, but they are great for preservation.
"Courage"
A self-pollinated hybrid is capable of producing large yields, which is beneficial commercially. The plant is not afraid of temperature changes, grows well in a greenhouse in autumn and winter, only the taste of the grown fruits in different periods is slightly different. The vegetable is suitable for preservation and cooking.
"Zozulya"
An early cucumber is good to eat right after harvest. You cannot preserve the vegetable, but it will be stored in the basement for a long time. The fruit is distinguished by its length up to 25 cm. The plant is undemanding to care and with timely fertilization of the soil, it can give about 30 kg of harvest from a bush in 45 days.
The best all-purpose seeds
This type of seed is best suited for beginner gardeners. They can be planted both inside the greenhouse and outdoors. A big plus of universal hybrids is self-pollination, and the finished fruit is also suitable for preserving and preparing salads.
"Spring"
The early variety ripens 40 days after planting. The small size of the fruit with spiny pimples determines the parthenocarpic hybrid to the gherkin species. A dense crispy vegetable with a sweet aftertaste, it goes well for pickling and cooking. One bush per season gives a maximum of 15 kg of fruit.
"Hermann"
Universal self-pollinated variety for greenhouses and open beds. The hybrid was bred by European breeders and, in comparison with its counterpart, "Vesna" gives a greater yield. The plant rarely succumbs to diseases. The fruit grows up to 12 cm long. Good for salads and preservation.
"Emelya"
Another popular versatile hybrid suitable for growing in any garden. However, the optimal conditions for a self-pollinating cucumber is still a greenhouse microclimate.This allows you to get the first harvest in early summer. Fruiting occurs 30 days after planting.
In the video, you can see the different varieties of self-pollinated cucumbers:
Conclusion
Any of the selected varieties, with proper care, will certainly delight the owner, and only practice will help to choose which one is better.
