Features of harvested cucumbers
What should be the cucumbers that we get out of the jar in winter? Firstly, I want to see whole greens of a beautiful color. Secondly, they should not be crumpled, not slippery, without voids, dense on the cut. And most importantly – of course, tasty, strong and crispy, with tender seeds.
What is important to the hostess when harvesting? For many, a friendly return of the crop is desirable in order to start the pickling process once or twice during the summer, no more. At the same time, cucumbers should be of the same size, so they reach the desired condition at the same time, it is easier to predict the volume of filling that will be required.
For pickling, it is more convenient to take cucumbers of the same size.
Separately, it is worth noting that for pickling it is preferable to take mini-gherkins and gherkins – cucumbers 5-7 and up to 9 cm in size, respectively. In salting (without the use of vinegar), bee-pollinated varieties and hybrids go better than parthenocarpic (self-pollinated). There are also folk signs – black-thorned cucumbers for preparations are better than white-thorned ones, and the more pimples, the stronger the greens will be after pickling manipulations.
Varieties of cucumbers for pickling and pickling
Consider some varieties and hybrids that have shown themselves to be excellent in the blanks.
‘Nezhinskiy’, ‘Muromskiy’, ‘Vyaznikovskiy’
They were introduced into the State Register in the forties of the last century, but even today they are one of the best and most reliable varieties, ideal for salting. Most major seed producers continue to produce seeds of ‘Nezhinsky’, ‘Vyaznikovsky 37’ and ‘Muromsky 36’ cucumbers and do not plan to abandon them. These varieties are grown outdoors and are bee pollinated. Whatever the summer, with such cucumbers you will not be left without a harvest. They are distinguished by cold and drought resistance, but they need to be collected on time: overripe, they quickly turn yellow.
These varieties can be grown the old fashioned way, without a trellis.
‘Muromsky 36’ characterized by early ripeness (39-52 days from germination), greens (6-8 cm) are oval-elongated, with barely noticeable tubercles and black spines. The color is light green, the yield is medium.
‘Vyaznikovsky 37’ also refers to early ripening varieties, ripening period – 40-55 days. The fruits are elongated-ovoid, 9-11 m long. The tubercles are small, the spikes are black, the color is light green. Good not only in salting, but also for fresh salads.
‘Nezhinskiy’ ripens in 55-60 days (counting from seedlings). Zelentsy have the shape of an elongated ellipse, large tubercles and black spikes, length – 10-12 cm. The color is blue-green, the yield is high.
Variety ‘Nezhinsky’.
‘Cellar F1’
No wonder this early maturing bee-pollinated hybrid got its name: it was bred specifically for salting – and is especially good in barrels. It should be grown outdoors or under temporary shelters.
Hybrid ‘Cellar F1’. Photo of the agricultural company “Gavrish”
The first harvest begins 45-48 days after germination. The fruits are green with light strokes, cylindrical, 9-11 cm long. The tubercles are pronounced, the spines are dark. The hybrid is resistant to major crop diseases and has a high yield.
‘Crane F1’
A bee-pollinated early-ripening hybrid that has proven itself from the best side. It will grow well in open ground and film greenhouses. Cucumber ‘Crane F1’ can be considered universal, as you will surely like it in salads, but it is better to plant it with an eye on canning.
Hybrid ‘Crane F1’.
The length of the greens is 8-12 cm, the tubercles with black spikes are pronounced. The fruits can hang for a long time without overgrowing, there is no bitterness.
‘Baikonur F1’
Bee-pollinated mid-season hybrid (45-50 days), very productive. It can be grown outdoors – and in greenhouses, but then some actions should be taken to attract pollinators (airing, planting brightly flowering annuals between plants).
‘Baikonur F1’ – a hybrid of medium maturity
Fruits with pronounced tubercles and black spines. Zelentsov length – 8-10 cm, diameter – about 3,5 cm, a pair ripens at each node. Ready-made cucumbers can wait for you for a week without overgrowing, which is very convenient for weekend summer residents. Cucumbers are tasty and fresh, but are especially good for pickling.
‘Beam Troop F1’
Relatively new parthenocarpic (self-pollinated) hybrid, interesting from different points of view. If you have not planted cucumbers with a bouquet type of fruiting before, then ‘Beam Troop F1’ will surely overwhelm you with its pressure: a bouquet of flowers (4-6 pcs.) Will break out of each node, which will later turn the plant into a cucumber waterfall.
Hybrid ‘Beam landing F1’. Photo by Olga Kuzina
The hybrid was bred specifically for use in blanks, although it is not bad fresh. Early ripening (ripening time is about 45 days), greens are aligned, 8-10 cm in length, dark green color at the stalk flows into a lighter one on the nose, spikes are white. Very fruitful.
‘Courage F1’
An excellent and quite popular early-ripening hybrid, which has gained recognition from gardeners – and there is a reason for it! ‘Courage F1’ is a parthenocarpic cucumber resistant to weather changes and diseases. It is very productive, as it has a beam type of fruiting – from 2 to 5 ovaries can develop in each node.
Hybrid ‘Courage F1’
The ripening period from germination is 36-45 days, greens on the main stem are 13-16 cm long, on lateral shoots – 12-15 cm, diameter – 3,5-4 cm. The hybrid is good for fresh consumption and in blanks. It can be planted in late June – early July for a second harvest, which will not be much less than the first.
‘Hermann F1’
This is a reliable early ripe parthenocarpic hybrid, which can also be grown in two waves: the first for salads, the second for harvesting. Cucumbers are tasty, fragrant, without bitterness even when overgrown.
Hybrid ‘German F1’. Tatiana’s photo
‘Herman F1’ is of beam-type fruiting, with good agricultural technology, up to 7 ovaries can form in each node. In order for them all to turn into fruits, it is necessary to pluck the ripe greens in time (their length is 10-12 cm). Cucumber pimply, with black spines, in blanks shows itself perfectly.
‘Lilliputian F1’, ‘Crispy Bed F1’
When it comes to pickling gherkins, these two hybrids are a good choice. Both are early maturing, do not require pollinators (parthenocarpic), bouquet type of flowering, give a harvest together.
Zelentsy hybrid ‘Lilliputian F1’ cylindrical shape, 7-9 cm long. The tuberosity is small. To get high-quality pickles and gherkins, you need to collect them daily.
Hybrid ‘Lilliput F1’. Irina’s photo
cucumbers ‘Crispy Bed F1’ grow up to 10-11 cm, have small, often located tubercles with white spines. Fruiting is long.
There are many ways to harvest cucumbers for the winter, and each housewife has her own cherished recipes that do not fail. But if you take the wrong variety for salting and pickling, then the result may be far from expectations. We wish you excellent harvests, which in winter will be reminded of jars and barrels with cucumbers – such that you will eat your mind!
Other materials on our site that you will probably find useful:
