What are parthenocarpic cucumbers and which varieties to choose

Parthenocarpic cucumbers are female-flowered hybrids capable of producing pollen-free fruits. The popularity of these varieties has increased significantly in recent years. In gardening stores, more and more often there are seeds marked with a parthenocarpic variety.

In this article, we will talk about the nature of parthenocarp, give examples with a description of the most popular varieties and tips for their selection.

What is parthenocarp

Parthenocarp literally means "virgin fruit" in Greek. Fertilization and fruit set occurs on female flowers. Male cells are not involved in this process. The seeds of such cucumbers are small or completely absent.

Previously, farmers had to set up hives with bees in greenhouses in order to achieve fertilization. But by the end of the twentieth century, breeders managed to get varieties that reproduce without pollination.

reference... The first parthenocarpic cucumbers turned out to be huge, up to 50 cm long. The unusual fruits could not win the consumer's love, although they had a pleasant taste and recognizable aroma. Later, varieties appeared that gave cucumbers with a familiar look, which quickly became popular.

Key features

Parthenocarpics are suitable for planting in open and closed ground. The manufacturer indicates this information on the packaging. For example, there are crops that bear fruit only in greenhouses, and are not suitable for planting in unprotected soil. Such plants are extremely unstable to temperature fluctuations. Cucumbers, as they grow, take on a hook-like shape and taste bitter.

Thanks to the constant development of breeding, from time to time varieties appear suitable for cultivation in harsh climatic conditions.

Characteristic features of parthenocarpics:

• abundant flowering;
• the height of plants reaches two meters;
• the same size and color;
• lack of bitterness while observing the rules of cultivation;
• wonderful taste;
• versatility in application;
• high keeping quality and transportability;
• lack of yellowness.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of parthenocarpic varieties:

• stable harvest;
• the possibility of cultivation in any conditions: greenhouses, beds, loggias;
• improved structure and taste, due to the complete or partial absence of seeds;
• fast growth;
• all zelents are equal, as if by selection;
• large and strong shoots;
• bouquet fruiting - several cucumbers are formed simultaneously in the bosom;
• high productivity;
• tight landing is acceptable;
• resistance to viral and bacterial diseases.

Disadvantages:

• it is necessary to remove fast-growing lateral shoots to ensure fast fruit set;
• curly branches require garters and strengthening;
• Due to their thin skin, some varieties of parthenocarpic organisms are unsuitable for conservation.

Popular parthenocarpic varieties

There are a huge number of hybrid varieties of cucumbers with female flowers. We will describe the best parthenocarpics that have earned the trust of summer residents and farmers. All hybrid varieties are resistant to bacterial and viral diseases.

Emelya F1

It is a favorite among versatile cucumber varieties. It is characterized by high productivity - up to 16 kg / m². The fruits are used for salting, pickling, making salads. Cucumbers ripen on days 39-42 and reach 15 cm in length. They have an even green color with light stripes. The variety is suitable for growing in beds and heifers.

Herman F1

An early ripening universal variety for open ground and greenhouses. The fruits ripen in 40 days from the moment of planting. The yield is high - up to 35 kg are harvested from one square meter with proper care. Cucumbers have a dense, lumpy skin of a dark green hue, retain their freshness for a long time and do not taste bitter. Fruit length - 8-10 cm. Suitable for pickling and salads.

Artist F1

An early ripe variety with a developed rhizome and strong branches. Suitable for growing in plastic greenhouses and in open areas. The first fruits appear after 45 days. Cucumbers are dark green with a whitish edge, 9-10 cm long. The pulp is dense and juicy. The yield is high - up to 9 kg per 1 m². The fruits are good when fresh and canned form.

Balagan F1

An early maturing gherkin variety for cultivation on loggias, in covered greenhouses and in the open air. Bushes are undersized with poor branching. Each bunch contains 2-6 ovaries. The fruits are fusiform, oval, with light green stripes, 8-10 cm long. The dense and crunchy structure of the fruits makes them suitable for salting.

Arina F1

High-yielding hybrid for planting in winter greenhouses. Differs in resistance to frost. Fruits appear 36-45 days after planting. Up to 6 kg are collected in 1 m². A maximum of two ovaries are formed in the nodes. Fruits are bright green in color - 15 cm, they are eaten only fresh, the variety is not suitable for conservation. The skin is shiny, bumpy. To increase the yield, the side shoots are pinched.

Turkish Gambit F1

Mid-season variety for indoor and outdoor cultivation. Fruits appear 53-65 days after planting. Medium-sized zelents - 10-12 cm, very fragrant, not bitter, without internal voids. Suitable for fresh consumption. The variety is not susceptible to drought and temperature fluctuations. Up to 15 kg can be obtained from 1 m².

Carousel F1

An early maturing gherkin variety for cultivation in open-air beds, greenhouses and tunnels. Bushes are undersized, in bunches - 3-6 ovaries. From 1 m² collect up to 13 kg. Cucumbers are cylindrical, with light stripes, white pubescence. Length - 10-13 cm. Fruits are used for harvesting for the winter, eaten fresh.

Grandma's Secret F1

Hybrid mid-season variety for planting in open soil and greenhouses. The crop is harvested after 46 days. Zelentsy are not too large - 10-12 cm, green with thorns. Suitable for preparing winter preparations and salads. From 1 m² collect up to 15 kg.

Summer resident F1

An early ripe hybrid variety for planting in closed and open soil. Begins to bear fruit after 42 days. The yield is high - up to 13 kg per 1 m². Fruits are oval, 10-11 cm long, with dark thorns. They have a pleasant taste, pronounced cucumber aroma, do not taste bitter. Cucumbers are good for winter spinning.

Zozulya F1

An early ripe hybrid for open and closed cultivation. High yields are harvested from plants grown in greenhouses. Zelentsy appear after 48 days. Up to 20 kg can be obtained from 1 m². Fruits are cylindrical with a slight bend. The skin is thin, saturated green with small tubercles. The taste is pleasant, the aroma is pronounced.

Zelentsy stored in a refrigerator no longer than five days. Cucumbers are delicious fresh, but they are not at all suitable for canning, since they are very soft.

Form F1

Super early maturing cucumber cultivar for outdoor and greenhouse cultivation. Harvesting begins after 35 days. Zelentsy are short, cylindrical, pimply, 7-8 cm long. The flesh is crispy, not bitter, with a pronounced aroma. The fruits are suitable for harvesting for the winter. One square meter gets up to 16 kg.

Pasamonte F1

An early ripe unpretentious variety. Suitable for disembarking in open and closed conditions. From 1 m2 get 12-15 kg. Zelentsy are short - 6-9 cm, light green, pimply, with white thorns and light stripes. The taste is pleasant, refreshing. The flesh is crispy, not watery. Cucumbers can be canned.

April F1

A hybrid salad variety specially bred for greenhouses and balconies.The first crop appears 45-50 days after planting. Zelentsy are medium in size - 15-22 cm, with a bumpy surface and longitudinal stripes. Subject to the rules of cultivation, up to 30 kg of the crop is harvested from one square meter.

Geisha F1

Late hybrid, for open and closed beds. The variety is extremely resistant to waterlogging and frost. In the ovaries, gherkins are formed in size - 5-6 cm. Zelentsy are distinguished by high keeping quality - they do not wither and do not turn yellow for more than a month from the moment of harvest. The pulp is firm, the taste is pleasant. The fruits are used for spinning for the winter and for seasonal salads.

Read also:

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How to deal with melon aphids on cucumbers as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Recommendations for choosing a variety

When choosing parthenocarpic cucumber varieties, pay attention to:

• country of origin;
• the purpose of growing;
• landing place;
• resistance to weather conditions;
• method of using the crop;
• ripening terms;
• yield.

Dutch and domestic varieties are popular in Russia. The seed is of high quality and high germination rate. A distinctive feature of Dutch cucumbers is their medium tuberosity. The most popular varieties: Dolomite F1, Angelina F1, Herman F1. Russian breeders have developed excellent varieties: Goosebump F1, Siberian garland F1, Courage F1.

The most weather-resistant varieties - April F1, Arina F1, Courage F1.

High yields give: German F1, Zozulya F1, Arina F1, Summer resident F1.

The best early maturing varieties - Masha F1, Emelya F1, Artist F1, Balagan F1, mid-season - April F1, Turkish Gambit F1, late-season - Geisha F1.

For fresh consumption, all known parthenocarpics are used. Ideal for harvesting by canning: Form F1, Pasamonte F1, Babushkin's Secret F1, Emelya F1.

Most parthenocarpic hybrids are universal: they grow and bear fruit well in different conditions.

reference... Experienced farmers advise planting several different varieties with different characteristics to increase the chances of harvesting a solid harvest.

Conclusion

Partenocarpics surpass classical varieties in many respects. They are characterized by a long growing season, thrive in greenhouses and in open areas, are resistant to bad weather, and bear fruit all summer. Zelentsy have a pleasant taste, do not taste bitter, have the same size, firm and sweet flesh.