Cucumbers in bunches: the most productive varieties and hybrids of bunch cucumbers for greenhouses and open ground

Hybrids and varieties of cucumbers that form 3 or more ovaries in one node are called bunch or bouquet. The harvest when growing such cucumbers is many times greater, and the fruits themselves have a number of advantages: medium-sized, often of the gherkin type, crispy and non-bitter. They can set fruit without the participation of pollinators. Another plus – complex disease resistance and developed root system. Breeders are also working on the taste of cucumbers and the duration of fruiting.

Despite all these advantages, one should not think that bunch cucumbers are unpretentious and will not require anything in return. This type of fruiting unstable genetic trait. If you take care of cucumbers somehow, without knowing some of the features, the “bunting” will not disappear, but will greatly decrease. Usually hybrids of beam cucumbers are very photophilous (the more light, the more ovaries). Marina Alexandrovna Myagkova, an agronomist at SeDeK, told us about other rules for growing bunch cucumbers.

Cucumbers in bunches: the most productive varieties and hybrids of bunch cucumbers for greenhouses and open ground

How to choose a reliable bunch cucumber variety

When choosing a hybrid, pay attention to the degree of branching – from slightly to strongly branched. The higher this indicator, the more productive the hybrid, we can say that one plant replaces a whole bed of ordinary cucumbers. The fruits are beautiful, medium in size and not bitter. Among bunch cucumbers there are gherkin varieties that have a distinctive ability to slow down the growth of greens – this prevents them from overgrowing. It is characteristic that the more ovaries on one node, the more gherkins are obtained from them. Another plus is a higher early maturity: the crop is obtained already 1,5 months after the germination of plants.

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3 reasons why you should definitely try growing bunch cucumbers

Cucumber hybrids with a bouquet type of flowering have obvious advantages:

1. Stable high yield. The peculiarity of such plants is that the flowers in the inflorescence (bundle) do not open simultaneously, but alternately: 1-2 per day or every other day. The plant has β€œspare” ovaries in case some of the ovaries die due to unfavorable conditions – some ovaries will die, others will rush into growth, and the gardener will not be left without a crop.

2. Cucumbers don’t outgrow. The more cucumbers growing in one sinus, the slower each of them grows. That is why bunch cucumbers do not have time to turn into β€œovergrowths”. This property is especially valuable for gardeners who come to the dacha only on weekends and at the same time want to get β€œcalibrated” raw materials for winter harvesting.

3. Many fruits ripen at the same time. At the height of fruiting, when the pouring of the ovaries occurs at once in many nodes, there can be 12-15 fruits suitable for harvesting on the plant. Again, this is a real find for summer residents. You can come once a week and collect a good harvest.

8 Secrets of growing bunch cucumbers

1. Cucumbers – light-loving culture

What is especially important to consider when growing bunch varieties and hybrids of cucumbers. If you want to get a really big harvest, provide the plants with good lighting. When forming plants, remove too large leaves and those that shade the lower ovaries. But do not get carried away: after all, it is the developed leaf apparatus that helps the plant to feed them.

2. Air temperature

in the greenhouse should not be higher than +25 Β°C. Be sure to ventilate the greenhouse, avoid sudden changes in temperature, severe overheating

3. Healthy cucumber seedlings are half the battle

To form a large number of ovaries and feed the greens, the plant must have a powerful root system, developed leaves and a strong stem. In open ground, cover the plants until they begin to bloom.

4. Be Careful When Watering Cucumbers

Do not let the soil dry out, but also keep in mind that with excessive watering, cucumbers develop a “green mass” to the detriment of flowering.

5. Due to the special type of fruiting, bunch cucumbers need more frequent feeding compared to ordinary cucumbers.

Apply complex mineral fertilizer in small doses (10–20 g/m2) at least once a week. If the number of ovaries has decreased, reduce feeding.

6. Bunch cucumbers need special shaping

With conventional technology, the plant will be heavily overloaded and will drop most of the ovaries.

7. Choose varieties and hybrids of bunch cucumbers depending on your capabilities

Well-branching hybrids require careful shaping, but they bear fruit for a long time and abundantly, hybrids with a weak branching character are suitable if there is absolutely no strength and time for shaping and pinching, the side shoots of such hybrids are short, but they bear fruit for a short time – no more than one and a half months.

“Golden mean” – these are hybrids with a limited branching pattern: the harvest is almost as long as that of well-branched hybrids, and pinching will not have to be done often.

8. Collect the fruits of bunch cucumbers daily or every other day

Otherwise, the formation of new ovaries will decrease. If you don’t visit the country house so often, choose hybrids in which greens grow more slowly. Even with decent agricultural technology, a plant cannot always feed all the numerous ovaries. Therefore, do not be alarmed if, despite observing all the rules, some of the ovaries dry out.

9. Tip from SeDeK: feed cucumbers correctly

When fruiting begins, cucumbers need a lot of nutrition – they need minerals. The roots of this crop do not tolerate high concentrations of salts in the soil, so they feed cucumbers in small doses.

Feeding frequency – once a week or even more often. Complex fertilizers are applied little by little – 10-20 g per 1 m2. If cucumbers are grown in a greenhouse, it is recommended to install a container with fermenting grass or slurry in it. Thanks to the carbon dioxide released during fermentation, cucumbers ripen faster.

Formation of lashes of bunch cucumbers in the traditional way

The first three or four knots are blinding. Starting from the fifth, all emerging side shoots are removed, leaving each node with an ovary (the future “bundle”) and a leaf. In the upper nodes, 2–3 lateral shoots are left and pinched into 2–3 leaves. To prevent the shoots from being shaded, remove the leaf from the main stem under the trellis. Next, the stem is wrapped around the trellis and pinched.

The plant is formed into one stem: each node has a leaf and a β€œbundle” of cucumbers, and only in the upper part there are side shoots of 2 bunches and 2–3 leaves.

Formation of cucumber hybrids with good branching

At the bottom of the stem, 3–4 nodes are blind. In the next 3 nodes, the ovaries are left, but the side shoots are removed. Further, in 3 nodes, ovaries and side shoots are left, which are pinched onto one leaf with the ovary. In the following nodes, up to the trellis, the shoots are pinched already on 2 sheets with ovaries. Under the trellis itself, that is, in the two upper nodes, the side shoots are sometimes pinched to 3 leaves with ovaries, if they do not obscure the lower ones.

The main stem, as in the first version, is wrapped around the trellis 1-2 times, fixed and pinched.

The best bunch cucumber hybrids from SeDeK

F1 Openwork. Mid-early (45-48 days) hybrid for open and protected ground. The plant is powerful, medium-branched, 1-3 fruits are formed in each node. Zelentsy are short, 8-11 cm long, cylindrical, dark green, with a frequent arrangement of large tubercles and white pubescence, dense, crispy, fragrant. The hybrid is resistant to cucumber mosaic virus, powdery mildew, stress-resistant, abundant and long-term fruiting, transportable. The purpose is universal. Productivity in film greenhouses 16-18 kg/m2.

F1 Gerda. Mid-early (43–47 days) bee-pollinated hybrid with partial parthenocarpy, predominantly female type of flowering. The plant is indeterminate, strongly climbing, with a middle leaf, 1–3 ovaries at the node. During the period of mass fruiting, up to 20 fruits are simultaneously formed on one plant. Gherkins are cylindrical, even, green with short light stripes, rarely tuberculate, with white pubescence, 9-12 cm long, weighing 70-110 g, strong, crispy, do not overgrow and do not turn yellow, do not form voids and are not deformed. Ideal for canning and pickling. The hybrid is resistant to olive blotch, cucumber mosaic virus, powdery mildew and downy mildew. Productivity in open ground is 45–50 t/ha. Productivity in film shelters 14-15 kg/m2.

F1 Pupa. Early ripe (40-45 days) parthenocarpic hybrid for open ground and film shelters. The plant is vigorous, climbing, with bouquet fruit formation, 3-5 ovaries are formed in each node. Zelentsy are cylindrical, dark green, with short clarified stripes, large and often tuberculate, with white pubescence, 9-10 cm long, weighing 80-100 g, crispy, sweet. The hybrid is resistant to cladosporiosis, cucumber mosaic, powdery mildew and downy mildew, greens are leveled, have high commercial qualities. Transportable. Designed for fresh consumption, pickling and pickling. Productivity in film greenhouses 12-15 kg/m2.

Cucumbers SeDeK

F1 Prestige. Early ripe (42-45 days) hybrid for open ground and film shelters. The plant is medium-sized, medium climbing, female type of flowering with a beam arrangement of ovaries (3-4 per node). Zelentsy are short, cylindrical, large-tuberous, dark green with short stripes, with white pubescence, 8–10 cm long, weighing 65–90 g, excellent taste, retain their presentation for a long time and do not form voids during canning. The hybrid is resistant to diseases and stress, especially to temperature extremes and low light, has a long fruiting period. Transportable. Preservation appointment. Productivity in film greenhouses 22–25 kg/m2.

F1 Gift of the East. Mid-season (50-55 days) parthenocarpic hybrid for film greenhouses. The plant is medium-sized, weakly climbing, low-leaved, with bundled fruit formation, up to 4-5 ovaries are formed in each node. Fruits are short-cylindrical, smooth, green with slight pubescence, 8-10 cm long, 4 cm in diameter, weighing 85 g, fragrant, sweet, crunchy. The hybrid is steady against mealy dew, fruiting plentiful and long. It has high quality fruits. Suitable for large scale production. Designed for fresh consumption, pickling. Productivity in film greenhouses 10-15 kg/m2.

F1 Paganini’s fingers. Early ripe (43-45 days) parthenocarpic hybrid for open ground and film shelters. The plant is vigorous, climbing. In the node, 3 ovaries are formed. Zelentsy are dark green, cylindrical, large tubercles, with an average arrangement of tubercles, 12-14 cm long, dense, juicy, crispy, fragrant. Resistant to cladosporiosis, powdery mildew, shade-tolerant. Yield 10-12 kg/m2.

Cucumbers SeDeK

F1 Russian style. Early maturing (45–48 days) hybrid for open ground and spring-summer film shelters. The plant is medium-sized, medium-branched, with a female type of flowering and bunch fruit formation, 3–4 ovaries are formed at each node on the main stem, and up to 6–8 on lateral shoots. Zelentsy are cylindrical, small tuberculate, dark green with short light stripes, white-thorned, with white pubescence, 10-12 cm long, weighing 80-110 g, crispy, fragrant, without bitterness. The hybrid is resistant to root rot, powdery mildew, hardy to downy mildew. Combines precocity, friendly return of the crop and high technological qualities. Designed for fresh consumption and for canning. Productivity in film greenhouses is 18–20 kg/m2.

F1 Champion SeDeK. Mid-season (45–55 days) hybrid for open ground and film shelters. The plant is medium-sized, weakly climbing, with a female type of flowering and bundle (2–4 each) formation of ovaries. Zelentsy are cylindrical, large-tuberous, leveled, dark green with short stripes, 10–12 cm long, weighing 75–110 g, dense, crispy. During the period of mass fruiting, it forms 30-40 fruits at the same time. The hybrid is resistant to diseases and stress, has a consistently high yield even under adverse conditions, a long fruiting period, and excellent technological qualities of gherkins. The purpose is universal. Productivity in film greenhouses is 22–25 kg/m2.

F1 Diva. Early ripe (35-45 days) hybrid for open ground and film shelters. The plant is vigorous, strongly climbing, with a female type of flowering and bundle formation of ovaries, 3–4 (up to 6–9) per node. Zelentsy are short, cylindrical, small tuberculate, dark green, with white pubescence, 10–12 cm long, weighing 85–110 g, dense, without bitterness. The hybrid has a complex resistance to diseases and temperature extremes, plentiful and friendly return of the crop with a long fruiting period, suitable for transportation, and retains its presentation for a long time. When processed in greens, voids are not formed and the color is preserved. Universal purpose. Yield in film greenhouses 25–28 kg/m2.

Cucumbers SeDeK

Promising varieties and hybrids of bunch cucumbers for planting in the country

cucumbers F1 Funny Gnomes

Manufacturing company: “Aelita”

  • Parthenocarpic.
  • Early maturing, the first cucumbers are ready for picking already on the 38-40th day after germination.
  • Zelentsy are short, cylindrical, leveled, weighing 70–90 g, great for pickling and canning.
  • The excellent taste and appearance of cucumbers, combined with a high yield (12–13 kg per square meter), make it possible to use them not only for personal consumption, but also for sale.

cucumbers F1 Village pickle

Manufacturing company: “Aelita”

  • Bee pollinated.
  • Early, the period from full shoots to the first harvest of fruits is 38–42 days.
  • Zelentsy are short, cylindrical, small tuberculate with white pubescence, 8–10 cm long, weighing 90–105 g. Excellent taste, juicy, crispy, without bitterness. Perfect for salting and pickling, they do not soften and do not form voids. The hybrid has an extended fruiting period.
  • Designed for open and protected ground. Recommended for all regions. Productivity is high: 14–15 kg per sq.m.

cucumbers F1 Children on a branch

Manufacturing company: “Aelita”

  • Bee pollinated.
  • Early maturing, gives the first harvest on the 42-45th day after germination.
  • Zelentsy are small-tuberous, short, weighing 85–95 g, very dense, with a small seed chamber. They have a great taste, do not taste bitter even with poor agricultural practices, do not outgrow for a long time and do not turn yellow.
  • This cucumber is indispensable for those gardeners who visit their plots only on weekends.

Cucumbers in bunches: the most productive varieties and hybrids of bunch cucumbers for greenhouses and open ground

cucumbers F1 Samych

Manufacturing company: “Aelita”

  • Bee-pollinated with partial parthenocarpy.
  • Early ripe, the first greens are ready for harvest on about the 45th day from germination.
  • Plants are indeterminate, powerful, strongly branched, predominantly female type of flowering. 1-3 fruits are formed in the node. Gherkin-type cucumbers, cylindrical, large-frequently tuberculate, white-thorned, weighing 60–70 g. There is no bitterness.
  • Productivity in open ground is 5–6 kg/m2, in film greenhouses – 12–15 kg/m2.

cucumbers F1 Buddies

Manufacturing company: “Aelita”

  • Parthenocarpic.
  • Early, the period from germination to the beginning of fruiting is 39–45 days.
  • The plant is vigorous and strongly branched, predominantly female type of flowering. Lays 2-3 ovaries in the axil of each leaf. The fruits are short, cylindrical, medium tuberculate, weighing 80–100 g, do not turn yellow and do not outgrow. The taste is excellent, without bitterness. Fruits are well stored and transported.
  • Suitable for fresh consumption, all types of pickling and marinating. The yield is very high, both under film cover (12,5–13 kg per sq.m) and in open ground (7–7,5 kg per sq.m).

cucumbers F1 Espagnolette

Manufacturing company: “Aelita”

  • Parthenocarpic, exclusively female type of flowering.
  • Plants have limited lateral lash growth, making it easy to care for and shape. Plants 3-4 fruits at each node. Zelentsy are small-tuberous, white-thorned, weighing 85–95 g.
  • Very juicy and crunchy, without bitterness, they retain their density and elasticity during salting, pickling and canning. Productivity 13–14 kg per sq.m.

Cucumbers in bunches: the most productive varieties and hybrids of bunch cucumbers for greenhouses and open ground

cucumbers F1 Crispy garden

Manufacturing company: “Gavrish”

Parthenocarpic. Early maturing. Maximum 10-12 flowers per axil. Zelentsy weighing 90–100 g, often tuberculate, white-thorned, without bitterness, dark green in color with light stripes. The hybrid differs in early, plentiful and long fructification, is steady against the present and downy mildew, root rots. It is intended for cultivation in the open and protected ground.

cucumbers F1 Miracle bouquet

Manufacturing company: “Gavrish”

Early maturing. 3-5 short tuberculate cucumbers are tied in each knot, without voids and bitterness. Smooth, always sweet and crispy gherkins are convenient for pickling in small jars and making delicious fresh salads.

cucumbers F1 Emerald earrings

Manufacturing company: “Gavrish”

  • Parthenocarpic.
  • An early cucumber hybrid.
  • Each node produces up to 6–8 crisp, neat, dark green cucumbers with medium-sized tubercles, white pubescence, weighing 100–110 g.
  • Great for salads and pickling.

Cucumbers in bunches: the most productive varieties and hybrids of bunch cucumbers for greenhouses and open ground

cucumbers F1 Red mullet

Manufacturing company: “Gavrish”

  • Parthenocarpic.
  • Up to 12 ovaries are formed in one node. Medium-sized often tuberculate cucumbers with white pubescence, 8–10 cm long.
  • These cucumbers are ideal for pickling, pickling and marinating.

cucumbers F1 Emerald Family

Manufacturing company: “Gavrish”

  • An early cucumber hybrid. Valued for stable, high yields in all weather conditions.
  • Zelentsy weighing 120-130 g, dark green with frequent tubercles of medium size, white-spiked, excellent taste, 3-5 pieces in each node.
  • The hybrid is resistant to powdery mildew, olive blotch, moderately resistant to downy mildew.
  • Suitable for growing in greenhouses and under temporary film shelters.

Cucumbers in bunches: the most productive varieties and hybrids of bunch cucumbers for greenhouses and open ground

cucumbers F1 Absolute

Manufacturing company: “Euro-Seeds”

  • Parthenocarpic.
  • Early ripe, fruiting begins on the 45-50th day.
  • Climbing plant, indeterminate. In the nodes, from 2–4 to 6–10 ovaries are formed. Zelentsy are dark green, even, dense, medium tuberculate, 10–12 cm long, without bitterness. Tastes are excellent.
  • Resistant to cucumber mosaic virus, cladosporiosis, powdery mildew and downy mildew, as well as to low temperatures.
  • Grown in open and protected ground.

cucumbers F1 Arkhip

Manufacturing company: “Euro-Seeds”

  • Bee-pollinated, predominantly female type of flowering.
  • Early ripe, fruiting begins on the 40-45th day. The plant is indeterminate, climbing, medium-branched. In the nodes, from 2–4 to 6–10 ovaries are formed. Zelenets is small-tuberous, green, oval, medium length, very crispy, excellent taste, weighing 70–100 g.
  • Possesses complex resistance to diseases.

cucumbers F1 Malyuta

Manufacturing company: “Euro-Seeds”

  • Parthenocarpic, predominantly female type of flowering.
  • Early ripe, fruiting begins on the 39-43rd day. The plant is medium-branched and medium-branched. In the nodes, from 2–4 to 6–10 ovaries are formed. The fruits are cylindrical, large-tuberous, dark green, dense, 9–10 cm long, weighing 80–90 g, very convenient for whole-fruit canning.
  • It has complex resistance to major diseases.

cucumbers F1 Mikula

Manufacturing company: “Euro-Seeds”

  • Parthenocarpic, female type of flowering.
  • Early ripe, fruiting begins on the 42-46th day.
  • The plant is indeterminate, climbing, strongly branched. Zelenets is dark green, cylindrical, smooth, without tubercles. Fruit length 18–22 cm, weight 200–250 g. Fruits fill quickly, are well preserved, transportable.
  • The genetically determined absence of bitterness in fruits ensures a quality harvest, regardless of growing conditions.
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Anna Evans

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