Gherkin cucumbers

Today, mini cucumbers do not cause much surprise, they have long been popular among summer residents due to their aesthetic appearance, density and elasticity.

Cornish cucumbers and their characteristics

Small cucumber gherkins, as they are called in France, whence their popularity began, do not exceed a length of 9 cm. A variety of pickles pickles even smaller - only 5 cm. Both species, except the mini-size, do not have voids inside the fruit, dense, for which they are valued when salting.

Gherkins differ from ordinary cucumbers in a large number of useful substances and in the fact that even when overriding does not exceed a length of 10 cm. Gherkins have a smooth surface, the shape of a cylinder; when pickled, these cucumbers are elastic and crispy, which is not always the case with ordinary cucumbers.

Today, thanks to the tireless work of breeders, varieties of gherkins have been created that have many attractive characteristics: rapid maturation, immunity to a number of diseases (powdery mildew, downy mildew, etc.)e.) safety during transportation, high yield, beautiful appearance and excellent taste.

Features of growing

Cornish cucumber seeds in open ground are sown no earlier than June, because small cucumbers are afraid of low temperatures. It is preferable to grow gherkins through seedlings, pre-hardened before planting in open ground. Mini cucumbers grow well in loose, nutritious soils with an acidity index of 6-7 pH.

The importance of watering cucumbers

When growing gherkins during the growing season, watering is required moderate, during flowering, watering is reduced.

During the period of active fruiting, watering is necessary daily, and in the heat it is necessary to irrigate several times a day.

Required feed for gherkins

Cucumbers of mini-size need moderate dressings, poorly tolerate excess fertilizer, especially nitrogen. Two weeks after planting, the first feeding is carried out with a balanced complex composition for seedlings (“Mortar A”). For better fruit ovaries and the very fruiting cucumbers need potassium, making potassium nitrate once.

Timely Harvesting

Fruits of mini-gherkins can be plucked two days after the ovary. Already in this form, they can be canned, despite the size - it is a full-fledged, crunchy and dense cucumber. Gherkins pickles cucumbers daily, upon reaching 3 - 9 cm tall. Cucumber varieties from the group of gherkins should not be allowed to overripe, and after harvesting, place in a well-cool place for storage before the harvesting process for the winter.

The most famous varieties of gherkins

Today in culture there are many names for cucumbers gherkins. Varieties with different characteristics and methods of cultivation: in greenhouses, greenhouses, in open ground; varieties pollinated by bees and propagated exclusively by the vegetative method. It is impossible to describe all the varieties, especially since new ones appear every day. Consider some of the most popular varieties today.

"Funny company"

The variety of early ripening, self-pollinating, one of the best varieties of gherkins, cucumbers for cultivation in the greenhouse and in the open field.

Cylinders in the shape of a cylinder, with large tubercles on the surface, grow up to 9 cm. The variety is resistant to many diseases, including root rot.

"Moravian Gherkin"

The Moravian variety is loved by bees, therefore it is better to grow it in the open field. The cultivar grows fruits from 6 to 9 cm. The surface of cucumbers is medium-tubery, cultivation is possible in the greenhouse and in the beds."Moravian gherkin" resistant to diseases.

"Paris gherkin"

"Paris gherkin" - pollinated by bees variety, has a high yield. Tall bushes grow not too long stems, it is desirable to grow in the open field.

Ideal for canning. Fruits are long - up to 12 cm, in the form of a cylinder, the weight of the fruit is about 85 g. The flesh is crisp, dense, there is no bitterness.

"Diva"

This variety is early, quite suitable for growing on a loggia or on a windowsill. Fetus length up to 11 cm, color - rich green. The variety is abundantly fruiting and has excellent taste characteristics.

The undoubted plus of mini-cucumbers is a high yield, after collecting the first fruits, the following ones are tied. The most delicious pickled cucumbers are made from gherkins. In winter, green crunchy and juicy cucumbers will not only delight with taste, but also decorate any festive table.