Which variety of cucumbers to choose for planting on your plot, so that you don’t regret it later and enjoy the harvest? The Elegant cucumber is a wonderful variety that is suitable for growing outdoors or in a greenhouse.
Description of the variety
The Graceful cucumber variety was bred a long time ago, in the distant 60s in the USSR by breeder O.V. Yurina. But even now, cucumbers have not lost their popularity, and gardeners still prefer to cultivate them on their plots.
The Graceful cucumber variety was included in the State Register as a crop intended for cultivation in the Far East and Central regions.But you can grow it almost anywhere, there are no restrictions.
What are the characteristics and description of the Graceful cucumber variety? First of all, it’s worth starting with the fact that cucumbers are early cucumbers and the harvest of greens can begin 35-40 days after the seeds were planted in the ground and the first sprouts appeared.
The main advantage can be considered resistance to cold weather. Therefore, Graceful cucumbers can be grown in open ground even in northern latitudes. Plants are also not afraid of sudden drops in temperature.
The description should also include characteristics of the inflorescences. The variety is bee-pollinated, which means the inflorescences are predominantly male. Cucumbers of this variety can be planted next to female varieties.
The bushes are medium-climbing. Each stem can produce 5-7 side shoots. The yield is stable, cucumbers can be harvested all summer until September. There is always a lot of harvest on the bushes.
The advantage of the plant is its resistance to diseases such as olive spot and powdery mildew.
Fruit characteristics
The second important aspect, in addition to the description of the variety, is the characteristics of the fruit. Cucumbers are elongated ellipsoidal in shape. The skin is covered with large tubercles and black spines. There may also be light green stripes. The top is also light in color. Vegetables grow from 8 to 15 cm in length. Weight can be from 125 to 155 grams. The color of the skin is rich green. The pulp is light green in color.
The taste of cucumbers is pleasant, there is no bitter taste when eating, they are crunchy. The pulp is dense and aromatic. Universal use in the kitchen. Vegetables can be added to salads, eaten fresh or pickled for the winter.
Advantages and disadvantages of growing the Graceful variety
There is no type of crop that everyone likes. Likewise, cucumbers of the Graceful variety have not only advantages, but also disadvantages.
Benefits of growing:
- Rapid ripening of green varieties;
- High taste qualities;
- Immunity to various diseases;
- Bushes tolerate lower temperatures;
- Cultivation does not require much time;
- The appearance of the fruit is suitable for sale;
- Due to the fact that the inflorescences of the bushes are predominantly male, the plant is suitable as a pollinator for other varieties of cucumbers;
- When overripe, the seeds do not become hard and the skin does not turn yellow.
Flaws:
- Low yield compared to similar varieties of cucumbers;
- Even young and immature greens have thick skin;
- A white spot on the side that was on the ground.
How to grow seedlings correctly
The entire harvest of cucumbers in the future depends on the correct planting of seedlings. By spending a little more time than usual sowing seeds, you can get a good harvest in the summer.
How to plant seedlings correctly? Planting dates depend on climatic conditions. As a rule, seeds begin to be sown in April. And planting bushes in the ground begins in the second half of May.
Features of sowing seeds in the soil:
- First you need to disinfect the seeds. Many manufacturers indicate this on the packaging, but if you re-disinfect the planting material at home, there will be no harm. For this you can use iodine or potassium permanganate. A few drops of iodine or 2 g. Dilute potassium permanganate in warm water and add seeds there. Leave for 25 minutes. Rinse with water and dry until dry.
- Then you can start planting in the soil. You can buy ready-made soil or prepare it yourself.To do this, you will need soil from the site (it should first be warmed to room temperature). Mix the soil with humus, wood ash or compost.
- For planting, it is better to use peat cups, in which the bushes should then be planted directly into the soil on the site.
- Water the seeds and place the cups in the sun.
- Water as the soil dries out.
- When the first pair of full leaves appear on the bushes, they can already be planted in the ground. But if the warm weather has not yet settled, then the transplant can be postponed.
- In order for the bushes to get used to climate change, they can be taken out onto the balcony or street for 30 minutes. But only if the weather is warm and the sun is shining.
- The most optimal time for planting in the soil is the 20th of May. If by this time the bushes have stretched out, they can be buried a little.
In order to grow a good harvest, the bushes need to be regularly fed with mineral and organic fertilizers. Organics and mineral fertilizers can be alternated. The main thing is not to overfeed the cucumbers, otherwise all the nutrients will be spent on increasing the leaf mass, and not on the formation of greens. In this case, feeding can be stopped immediately.
Reviews from gardeners about the variety
Reviews of Graceful cucumbers are generally positive, but not all gardeners are happy with the yield of the bushes.
Reviews from gardeners about the variety:
Matvey, 63 years old
“The cucumbers are not bad. The seedlings sprouted well, the bushes grew healthy. There were no problems with transplanting to a permanent place either. But the yield did not please me. I expected more. I can’t say that the harvest was completely meager, but I would like better results. And the cucumbers taste really delicious.”
Claudia, 32 years old
“My favorite variety.I have been growing it on my plot for several years in a row. Always happy with the harvest. There are enough cucumbers for food and pickling for the winter. I have never regretted that I chose the Graceful cucumbers. Very aromatic and tasty.”
