How should you care for Chinese miracle cucumbers to get an excellent harvest?
The Chinese Miracle cucumber is not similar to the usual varieties of domestic selection. Differences are observed both in plants and in the fruits themselves. The bushes are tall vines that can reach a length of 4 m! And their fruits grow up to 60 cm.
Russians have been familiar with this variety for a long time - it is grown in all regions of our country. Many summer residents claim that the Chinese cucumber is superior in taste to most known varieties and hybrids.
Description of the cucumber variety Chinese miracle
Chinese miracle cucumbers belong to the indeterminate type of plants. The cucumber grows only upward, the foliage is not abundant, which makes it possible to plant seedlings close to each other without fear of crowded plantings.
The type of flowering is female - such plants do not require help in pollination. Inflorescences are formed in a bunch. The root system is branched and well developed.
The plant requires obligatory pinching and gartering. It is highly resistant to diseases dangerous to the pumpkin family and adapts well to weather variability.
Harvesting begins 2 months after emergence. Fruit ripening is uniform; in open ground, the crop bears fruit until early autumn, and in a greenhouse, fruiting continues until winter.
The variety is recommended for cultivation in all regions of Russia, including Siberia and the Urals.
Reference! The Chinese variety belongs to a special subspecies under the general name Chinese cucumbers.
Advantages and disadvantages
Culture has many positive characteristics:
- high yield;
- simple agricultural technology;
- stable immunity to diseases;
- long fruiting;
- adaptation to temperature changes;
- excellent taste of fruits;
- marketable condition;
- versatility in cooking.
Among the negative aspects:
- the need for stepsoning;
- garter;
- short storage.
Differences from domestic varieties
The eastern variety differs from domestic varieties in its late ripening period; the fruits are ready for consumption only 60-70 days after planting. Another feature: if you cut a piece from a growing vegetable, it will not stop growing or wither, but will continue to develop.
The crop also has a more powerful root system, and therefore the bush itself. The fruits are much longer and are able to fully form even in shaded areas. The taste characteristics are superior to short-fruited domestic varieties and some subspecies of Dutch selection.
Fruit characteristics
The fruits, which are just beginning to form, look unusual: they are 10-12 cm long, they are prickly and ribbed. With a length of 10 cm, their diameter is no more than 1 cm.
Vegetables grow quickly, and soon their thickness reaches 7 cm, and their length increases to 40-50 cm. By the time they ripen, the cucumbers become more even and smooth.
Average weight – 500 g, color deep green, taste sweet, no bitterness. The peel is thin, tender, the flesh is juicy, crispy, aromatic.
Ripe vegetables can withstand transportation without losing their presentation, but do not forget about the short shelf life. Just a few days later, the Chinese miracle begins to fade. Only the high demand for this vegetable allows farmers to sell finished products in a timely manner.
In cooking, cucumbers are used in the preparation of a variety of fresh dishes: salads, side dishes, sandwiches. Vegetables are suitable for harvesting for the winter (just not in whole fruit form): canned food, pickles and marinades. Cucumbers can withstand heat treatment and retain their taste for a long time.
The photo shows the Chinese miracle cucumber.
Productivity
The yield of one seedling is at least 10 kg of fruits. Therefore, provided that 3 plants are planted per 1 sq. m it is possible to collect up to 30 kg of fruits from 1 sq. m. m. With prolonged fruiting, this figure increases. It is for this reason that farmers find it convenient to grow the variety for commercial purposes.
The ability to adapt to any weather conditions makes it possible to obtain rich harvests throughout the Russian Federation.
Reference! The yield of greenhouse seedlings exceeds that of plants planted in open ground.
How to grow cucumber Chinese miracle
In the south of our country, Chinese miracle cucumber seeds can be sown directly into open ground. This is a heat-loving plant that will sprout at an air temperature of +20... +22 °C. The soil temperature by this time should be more than +15 °C, otherwise the seed material will die in the ground.
In other regions, growing cucumbers is recommended using seedlings.
Sowing seeds and caring for seedlings
The seedling period is 25-30 days, the approximate time for sowing seeds is the beginning of April or the second half of April. The final timing will be determined by the climatic features of your region.
The variety does not have 100% germination, so it is recommended to prepare the seed material well. The further development of plants will depend on proper preparation.
Preparation for planting consists of several stages:
- Calibration. The grains are laid out on the table and carefully inspected for visible defects. Crooked, small, dark grains are not suitable for sowing.
- Definition of emptiness. Dissolve 3 g of salt in 100 ml of water and place the grains in the solution. Empty inside, that is, without an embryo, will soon float to the surface. They are disposed of immediately.
- Disinfection. The seeds are left in a weak solution of pink manganese for 20 minutes. Then rinse with running water.
- Germination. The grains are placed on a cloth moistened with warm water and left in a dark room at a temperature of +30 °C. The first sprouts will appear in 2 days.
The soil is prepared from peat, turf soil, humus and sawdust mixed in equal proportions. The resulting mixture is poured with a hot solution of dark potassium permanganate to destroy pathogenic flora.
Only individual containers are suitable for planting, since cucumbers do not take root well after picking and planting.
The seed material is sown to a depth of 1 cm and slightly moistened with warm, settled water. After 5 days, the first shoots appear. The room temperature should not be lower than +22 °C, and the duration of daylight hours should not be less than 10 hours. In such conditions, the seedlings will quickly begin to grow.
The culture is moisture-loving, so seedlings watered abundantly as the topsoil dries. At the same time, moisture stagnation should not be allowed, as this will have a negative impact on young roots. In addition, the risk of fungal infections increases. To drain excess moisture, small drainage holes are made at the bottom of the planting containers.
After watering, the soil is loosened superficially, thereby improving the air permeability of the soil.
1 week before transplantation, seedlings are hardened outdoors.The seedlings are taken out into the open air in the daytime for several hours at a temperature not lower than +18 °C.
Transplantation into the ground and further care
Cucumbers are transplanted into beds that are well lit by the sun and protected from the wind. For 1 sq. m place no more than 3 seedlings. After transplanting, they are watered with warm, settled water and covered with film for several days.
Reference! In order for the seedlings to take root and grow faster, they are transplanted along with a lump of earth.
Water at least 2 times a week, spending per 1 square meter. m at least 10 liters of water. To prevent the beds from drying out longer, they are mulched with straw. Additionally, mulch performs a preventive function, protecting the beds from ground pests.
The crop is fed once every 2 weeks using a full range of minerals or organic matter. For organic matter, an infusion of weeds in a ratio of 1:10 is suitable. The most used ready-made fertilizers are Zdraven and Agricola.
Reference! To relieve plants from stress, during unfavorable weather conditions (drought, prolonged rains) feeding add stimulants such as Novosil or Energen. They replace vitamins, increasing the immunity of seedlings.
Stepson and garter
A tall plant requires obligatory garter, since the stem cannot withstand the weight of the developing fruits. For garter, install a trellis or wooden stakes. Fixing to a trellis is more popular among gardeners, as it does not harm the plants.
Stepsoning involves removing all lower stepsons and leaves, but not higher than 40 cm from the ground. If they come into contact with wet beds, the lower leaves will begin to rot, which can cause the development of fungal spores.
When the main lash reaches the top of the trellis, it is pinched.If the main stem is left to grow further, the height of the seedling will reach 4 m.
Prevention of diseases and pests
In unfavorable conditions, the plant can be affected by powdery mildew and downy mildew. Downy mildew appears from excessive moisture or waterlogged soil, while powdery mildew occurs from drought and dense plantings. Both diseases belong to fungi and are characterized by the appearance of a white powdery coating on the leaves, flowers and stem of the plant.
In the fight against powdery mildew use the fungicidal drug "Oxychom". 20 g of the drug are dissolved in 10 liters of water and sprayed twice with an interval of 2 weeks.
Topaz will get rid of downy mildew. 1 ampoule is dissolved in 10 liters of water and sprayed three times with an interval of 10-14 days.
Juicy cucumber foliage attracts massively aphids, which, if massively damaged, can destroy all plantings. An effective means of pest control is the drug “Fitoverm”. Dissolve 5 ml of the product in 1 liter of water and treat the plants twice with an interval of 2 weeks.
Carrying out preventive measures is guaranteed to rid your summer cottage of many diseases and pests. Prevention includes: moderate and timely watering, loosening, weeding, mulching beds and ventilating protected structures. Compliance with the rules of crop rotation plays an equally important role - you should not grow cucumbers in the same place for several years in a row.
Collection, storage and use of crops
Mass ripening begins 2 months after sowing and lasts until the first frost. If you collect ripe vegetables once every 5 days, there is a high probability of the formation of multiple new ovaries. The fruits do not overgrow, crack or become rough.
Reference! The earlier the first fruits are collected, the more abundant the further fruiting will be.
Ripe vegetables cannot be stored. After a few days they lose both their taste and appearance. Therefore, after collection, they are immediately put into use or sold on markets.
For preservation, vegetables are cut into pieces; their unusually delicate taste combines harmoniously with other vegetables. These cucumbers are also good lightly salted.
Reviews about the variety
Many summer residents grow Chinese cucumbers on their plots and some of them are happy to share their impressions:
Ekaterina, Syzran: “This is truly a real curiosity! Extraordinarily attractive, the length of my fruits is never less than 45 cm, smooth, beautiful, bright green. The peel is thin, tender, the flesh is juicy, without the slightest bitterness. They are easy to care for; the only requirement is to install a trellis. But for such a miracle this is a trivial obstacle.”
Svetlana, Voronezh: “Several years ago I bought the seeds of this cucumber and since then I have only planted them in my garden. It is unpretentious in care and does not require special attention. It grows quickly, does not get sick, and bears fruit more than well. The fruits are equally tasty in both fresh dishes and pickles. In a word, a miracle of miracles!”
Conclusion
The Chinese variety has become widespread in Russia. Thanks to its many advantages: easy care, high yield, increased resistance to adverse conditions and diseases, cucumbers continue to gain ranks of Russian fans. And tasty and unusual fruits, perfect for any dish, have long won the hearts of housewives.