Cucumber-lemon: exotic in the garden

Many varieties of cucumbers have been developed, which differ in terms of maturity, shape, size, color, yield, resistance to pests and diseases. In the suburban areas and vegetable gardens mainly grown cucumbers oval, cylindrical shape.

However, few know that there are exotic varieties of cucumbers, the fruits of which can be both round and ovate. If you have a desire to surprise your friends and relatives by feeding them with an unusual look and taste with vegetables, we will tell you about the peculiarities of growing cucumber-lemon.

Cucumber-lemon: description of the plant

Probably you will be surprised by a similar double name for a vegetable. However, the amazement will last only as long as you see what a ripe lemon cucumber looks like in the photo. In appearance, it is difficult to call it a cucumber - the color, size and shape make it look like a lemon. However, the taste of the vegetable is the same as that of ordinary fellows - crisp and sweet, delicate and fragrant.

The plant has very powerful lashes, reaching lengths of up to 5-6 m, and large leaves. Because of the incredibly large size, it is sometimes called the cucumber tree. But another name - "Crystal Apple" (Crystal Apple) - this sort of cucumber got because the mature flesh, delicate, seemingly luminous white, with almost transparent bones in the crystal juice, looks like crystal. It is under this name that this species is known in Western Europe.

The fruits of cucumber-lemons are small, round and ovate in shape. Their color varies depending on the degree of maturation. So, young cucumbers are painted in light green tones, have a thin skin, slightly covered with down. Over time, they turn white, become richer in taste. And at the peak of ripening stained lemon yellow.

This variety is mid-season, it is distinguished by long-term fruiting and high yields - during the season it is possible to collect from 8 to 10 kg of cucumbers from one bush.Blooms 30-40 days after germination. Crop begin to clean in the second half of summer. Fruiting sometimes lasts until the first frost.

Pollinating plants occurs due to insects and the wind.

Choosing a place for planting "Crystal Apple"

For the landing of the "Crystal Apple" is necessary to choose a light area, sheltered from the winds. The best precursors for these cucumbers will be early cabbage and potatoes, tomatoes, onions, legumes, green manure. Since cucumbers-lemons belong to the pumpkin family, it is not recommended to plant them after the related crops (zucchini, pumpkin, squash, melon, zucchini). Otherwise, the risk of disease and pest infestation is increased.

The composition of the soil plant is not demanding. However, better yields can be achieved by sowing it in light fertile soil, sandy or light loamy with low acidity (pH not lower than 6).

Vegetable culture does not tolerate close occurrence of groundwater, which should also be considered when choosing a place for its planting.

It is demanding on temperature and humidity.

He loves heat, grows best at temperatures of + 25-30 ºС and humidity of 70-80%.

Does not tolerate even a slight decrease in temperature below 0 ºС. It stops growing at +10 ºС.

Planting cucumber

The site where the Crystal Apple is planned to be planted should be fertilized in the fall with rotted manure (5-6 kg / 1 sq. M) or compost (6-8 kg / 1 sq. M), superphosphate (30 g), potassium sulfate ( 20 g). After that, the soil should be well dig. Immediately before planting in the spring in the soil is desirable to make nitrogen fertilizers (15-20 g).

Cucumber-lemon can be planted using the seedling and seedless method. In the first case, the plant is sown at the end of March. In the soil, seedlings at the age of 30-45 days are placed in one row, leaving the intervals between plants of 50-60 cm. With the help of the seedling method, earlier and long-term fruiting can be achieved. If a threat of frost occurs, landing will need to be covered with foil.

Seed planting in open ground is carried out in mid-May. Seeds deepen into the soil by 1-2 cm. Distances between plants are also left within half a meter.

When the lashes grow back, they are spread on the ground, under them straw.

Cucumbers are suitable for growing both in vegetable gardens and in greenhouses and greenhouses. Since they have very long lashes, in greenhouses they should be allowed to grow up the trellis, then bend over the top wire.

Further they will go down. With the vertical method of planting in the greenhouse, the distance between plants should be maintained at 1 m. With a thicker planting, a less abundant harvest should be expected.

Fertilizer "Crystal Apple"

Like any vegetable, lemon-cucumber responds well to supplements in the process of vegetative development and fruiting. During the season it is recommended to carry out from six to eight fertilizing with mineral and organic fertilizers.

For the first time fertilizers are applied at the beginning of the flowering period. As a top dressing, you can use a mixture of complex mineral fertilizers such as azofoski (1 tbsp. Spoon) and mullein (1 cup) diluted in a 10-liter bucket of water.

When the cucumber fruits, it is fertilized several times with an interval of 10-12 days. During this period, a mixture of nitrophoska (2 tablespoons) and mullein (1 cup) diluted in 10 liters of water is used. Consumption: 5-6 l / 1 square.m

The last feeding is carried out two to three weeks before the final harvest.

Herbal extracts can also be used as a fertilizer.

Features care for a cucumber-lemon

Cucumber "Crystal Apple" is characterized by unpretentious care, which is no different from the characteristics of growing cucumber ordinary. It will need to be periodically watered, fed, weeded from weeds and loosen the soil.

Irrigation mode will depend on the stage of plant development. Before flowering, it is watered moderately every 5-7 days. During this period, it will take 3-4 liters of water per 1 square. m

During flowering and fruiting irrigation should be carried out every 2-3 days at the rate of 6-12 liters per 1 square. m. Water is used when it is warm.

It is necessary to constantly monitor, so that the soil under the cucumbers remained slightly moist, but in no case wet. To keep it wet longer, you can apply mulching with peat, grass.

The abundance and frequency of irrigation will need to be adjusted depending on weather conditions. On sunny days, it is advisable to water under the root or in the furrows so that the water droplets on the leaves do not provoke their burns.

It is not necessary to irrigate in front of the night - when the temperature drops at this time of day, in too wet soil the plant will feel uncomfortable, and it can also cause fungal diseases.

In cold nights, whip must be covered. After watering the soil is subject to mandatory loosening. It is also desirable to spud the bushes, while being extremely careful, because the roots of cucumbers are located close to the soil surface.

Harvesting and eating fruits

Harvest can begin to collect when young, still green fruits reach sizes of 7-8 cm in length and gain a mass of 50 g. In this form, they are already fit for human consumption.

With proper planting and care, the harvest will be abundant. Cucumbers grow on the main stem, and in the axils of the first and second leaf on the stepsons. It is necessary to collect them as they mature.

It is advisable to bypass the bed with a survey on the subject of ripened greenhouses every two days. Otherwise, already ripe cucumbers will be an obstacle to the development of new ovaries. After the first frost it will be necessary to remove the entire crop.

Harvesting cucumbers is best done in the early morning or in the evening. When cutting or breaking fruits, it is advisable not to disturb the lash strongly.

Collected vegetables should be immediately removed to a cool place. Their prolonged maintenance under the sun is undesirable. Like other varieties, "crystal apples" are not stored for long - for one or two weeks.

The fruits of cucumber-lemon contain a number of vitamins, sugar, fiber, mineral salts, iodine. They are suitable for making salads, canning and pickling. Pickled cucumbers, lemons to taste do not differ from the usual, only the skin they turn out more rigid. By the way, cucumber-lemons, unlike their usual counterparts, are never bitter.

"Crystal apples" are recommended for use by people with overweight, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases. This vegetable is able to rid the human body of cholesterol and slag. Cucumber juice is used for cosmetic purposes as face masks and lotions. It helps to overcome age spots and freckles.

In this variety, since it is not a hybrid, you can also collect seeds - they will be suitable for planting in the next season.The only thing that should be borne in mind: high-grade seed material can be obtained only if you isolate other types of cucumbers.