Top 10 best varieties of cucumbers for growing on a windowsill in winter
Not only cacti and aloe are grown on the windowsill, but also everyone’s favorite indoor cucumbers. Green beauties contain a supply of vitamins and minerals that the body needs to maintain immunity.
To grow tasty and healthy cucumbers, it is enough to prepare a suitable container and nutritious soil. To obtain a rich harvest, choose early-ripening and easy-to-care vegetables. Let's take a closer look at cucumber varieties for growing on a windowsill in winter and learn agrotechnical secrets.
Requirements for the variety
The cucumber variety should be shade-tolerant, especially if the window is on the north side. In autumn and winter it gets dark early, so cucumbers will lack light and heat.
Experienced gardeners recommend growing unpretentious varieties, the yield of which does not depend on the amount of sunlight. In addition to shade tolerance, vegetables must have strong immunity to sudden temperature changes. There may be drafts in the house, which will cause weak-tolerant varieties to wither.
Important! The quantity and quality of the future harvest directly depend not only on the variety, but also on the composition of the soil. It is recommended to plant cucumbers in disinfected soil from the garden, to which peat, humus, wood ash or clean river sand have previously been added. These ingredients are thoroughly mixed together and poured over with warm water.
Cucumbers for growing on a windowsill
Some varieties and hybrids are distinguished by tasty and beautiful fruits, while others are easy to care for. and increased immunity to diseases and pests. Let's look at the most popular varieties of indoor cucumbers.
Miracle on the window f1
This hybrid is grown not only on window sills, but also on warm loggias or balconies.. It ripens within 40 days from planting. Before sowing, the seeds must be disinfected with a solution of succinic acid or hydrogen peroxide. The bushes grow compact, with a long stem. The hybrid has excellent decorative qualities. The fruits themselves are small and have a rich green color. The weight of one cucumber is about 60 g, length is 8 cm. The surface has small tubercles. The taste is juicy and fresh, without bitterness. Miracle on the window f1 is a self-pollinating hybrid and has shade tolerance.
Shchedrik f1
The hybrid stands out among other vegetables for its disease resistance. Early ripening Shchedrik f1 ripens in 45-50 days. Cucumbers reach a length of 12 cm, an average weight of about 100 g. The peel is dense, with small tubercles. Vegetables have a classic green color and a cylindrical shape. The taste is sweet; when overripe, the taste becomes bitter. The fruits are used to prepare various dishes: salads, appetizers and side dishes.
Interesting! 100 g of product contains only 15 kcal. 95% of a cucumber consists of water, which flushes the kidneys and removes waste and toxins from the body. Vitamins A, B and C have a positive effect on the functioning of the digestive, nervous and cardiovascular systems.
Ant f1
Cucumbers are formed 35-40 days after emergence. It is recommended to grow the hybrid on the warmest and sunniest windowsill. The length of the greens is about 10 cm, the average weight is 110-115 g. The fruits are lumpy, the flesh is crispy and juicy.The hybrid shows stable and high yields, is unpretentious and resistant to common crop diseases. Many gardeners grow these cucumbers not only for personal consumption, but also for sale.
Varieties of cucumbers for open ground and greenhouses:
Very tasty and productive cucumbers “Stella”
Early ripening cucumber “Murashka” that does not require pollination
Window-balcony f1
Cucumbers set well in low light and low temperatures, which makes the hybrid especially popular. The bushes are small, the root system is powerful. The length of the greens is about 15 cm, the average weight is 90-110 g. The vegetable has a dark green color, its surface is slightly ribbed. The taste is refreshing, not watery. The fruits are great for making salads or cutting vegetables. Many housewives like to prepare pickled and fermented snacks for the winter. Small cucumbers look appetizing in jars.
Onega f1
An early ripening hybrid ripens in 35-38 days from the moment the first entries appear. The shape is cylindrical, the greenery reaches about 10 cm in length. The vegetable is planted with seeds or using seedlings. It does not require special care, the main thing is to water the bushes on time and fertilize them with organic substances. The hybrid rarely gets sick and shows high productivity in any conditions.
Important! During the flowering period, cucumbers are fed with superphosphate, urea or potassium sulfate. During the fruiting period, their taste is positively influenced by liquid bird droppings or ash. In total, during the growing period, cucumbers are fertilized 2-3 times with an interval of 10-15 days.
Khutorok f1
An early ripening hybrid gives the first harvest in 30 days. The fruits are cylindrical in shape, narrowed towards the tip.Length varies from 8 to 12 cm, weight - from 90 to 120 g. Cucumbers are green in color, with light stripes and black tubercles visible on their surface. The hybrid is resistant to powdery mildew and root rot and is easy to care for. The taste is aromatic and crispy. Cucumbers are great for preparing many dishes. Vegetable growers love to eat them fresh - their pulp is very juicy and tasty.
Masha f1
A self-pollinating hybrid gherkin has settled on the windowsills of many gardeners. Cucumbers are distinguished by their beautiful appearance and high taste. The fruits are elastic and plastic, the surface is slightly ribbed, with tubercles. Harvest 45-50 days after planting. The cucumbers ripen together and the yield is excellent. The diameter of the gherkin is 3-4 cm, length is about 10 cm. The hybrid is suitable for fresh consumption or after cooking. Transported over long distances without problems.
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Babylon f1
Dark green cucumbers ripen within 45 days. Seeds without scratches or damage are selected for planting. The size of the salad vegetable varies from 10 to 15 cm, the average weight is 100 g. The surface is glossy and smooth, there are few seeds. Cucumbers have a sweetish taste and juiciness. The optimal air temperature for growing is no less than 22°C, air humidity is no more than 85%.
Interesting! In July, during the cucumber harvest season, Russia celebrates International Cucumber Day. The initiative belongs to the residents of the city of Suzdal.
Russian winter f1
Fragrant dark green cucumbers grow on powerful and strong bushes. The length of the greens is about 15 cm, weight varies from 120 to 150 g. Russian winter f1 is resistant to crop diseases and has high shade tolerance. The hybrid is actively used for preparing winter salads. For example, an assortment of vegetables is marinated: cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers and carrots are added to a jar.
Brownie Kuzya f1
The germination period is about 45 days, fruiting is uniform and extended. The fruits are cylindrical in shape, the surface with weak tubercles. The hybrid is grown in a flower pot or a special plastic cassette. The length of the greens is about 12 cm, the average weight is from 90 to 100 g. It does not require special care and is resistant to sudden temperature changes.
Tips for choosing
Cucumbers are great for growing in regions with short daylight hours. Babylon f1 and Onega f1. The development of fruits is not affected by the presence or absence of the sun; there is no need to organize additional lighting.
Experienced gardeners recommend taking a closer look at early-ripening vegetables, for example, Khutorok f1 or Ant f1. The harvest will not take long to arrive, and in a month and a half, these hybrids will delight you with tasty and juicy greens. Self-pollinating bushes are also great for growing on a windowsill or loggia. For example, Miracle on the Window f1 or Masha f1. They are unpretentious in care and require a minimum of attention.
Conclusion
Growing indoor cucumbers is an interesting and fruitful process. After 30-40 days, delicious and juicy cucumbers grow on the windows, which have a lot of useful properties. To get a rich harvest, follow the watering and fertilizing regime.
Nitrogen-containing and phosphorus fertilizers have a positive effect on the taste of fruits. Many varieties and hybrids are good both fresh and as the main ingredient in various dishes.Compact vegetables are used to prepare snacks, salads, smoothies and rolls.