Description of the Gunnar cucumber variety and cultivation of the early-ripening hybrid

The Gunnar F1 cucumber is gaining popularity among Russian gardeners. This variety is very common in our country because it is suitable for winter canning and is an excellent source of many vitamins and nutrients.

Choosing the right variety to ensure a good harvest even in a relatively cool summer is challenging. Most varieties are ideal for growing in the south. However, breeders are constantly working to expand the area suitable for cucumber cultivation, resulting in the development of resistant hybrids.

One such option is the Gunnar variety. This hybrid is ideal for open-ground cultivation in the southern part of the country. However, it can also be used for planting in central regions. Cucumbers can experience quite cold conditions there, but this problem is quickly resolved by using a greenhouse or hothouse for planting. The Gunnar F hybrid is well suited for open beds, but even under plastic cover, this plant can yield an impressive harvest.

Description of the variety and cultivation

This hybrid was developed by Dutch specialists. Nevertheless, it has taken root well in Russia and has become quite popular among gardeners. This is due to its rich array of positive qualities that some other varieties lack. One of the key advantages of this hybrid is that it requires no pollination. This makes it ideal for growing in greenhouses and hotbeds, where bees have difficulty reaching them. Therefore, Gunnar can be planted even in central Russia.

Another important advantage of this variety is its tolerance for extreme weather. A slight cold snap won't affect the yield. However, it can't withstand extreme cold, so if you plan to plant it in an area with frequent harsh summers, consider using a greenhouse or hotbed. Unlike many other cucumber varieties, Gunnar is undemanding of soil conditions. It can produce fruit even in areas with high soil salinity.

Additional positive qualities include early ripening, very high yields, and long-term storage. Gunnar cucumbers are very firm and crunchy, so they can be stored for about a month without losing their flavor or appearance.

It's also important to note that the fruits of this variety can be eaten even after they're overripe. At this stage, the cucumbers don't become barrel-shaped and can still be just as tasty, but with larger seeds.

The Gunnar variety can be harvested quite early. Therefore, there's no point in taking risks and rushing to plant the seeds. Experts recommend planting only after the weather warms up. The best time to plant is late May. You'll be able to harvest delicious and crisp cucumbers as early as July. Don't plant the seeds too deeply. Simply plant them 1.5 cm into the soil. This will ensure faster germination.

Initially, germination requires temperatures around 20°C. If the outside temperature is lower, you can create a mini-greenhouse. Once the plant has established itself, 18°C ​​is sufficient for normal growth.

The Gunnar hybrid is known for its high yield. With proper care, you can get up to 10 kg of fruit per square meter of planting. However, this can only be achieved with proper care. Cucumbers thrive on water and fertilizer, which should be applied 3-4 times during the growing season.

This plant doesn't produce extra branches, so it doesn't require training. However, it does grow quite tall, so it needs to be tied to a trellis. This is important for the safety of the harvest and protection from diseases. In general, this hybrid is considered resistant to most diseases, but it can be affected by powdery mildew.

Characteristics of fruits

With proper care, a gardener can harvest several kilograms of delicious cucumbers from each bush. They have a pleasant, even slightly sweet, flavor, and are completely bitter-free.

The variety's characteristics and description indicate that the cucumbers are small. The maximum size is 14 cm, but on average, they grow to 10 cm. Each cucumber weighs approximately 100 g. The cucumbers are dark green and have numerous pimples all over the surface.

Cucumber skin is quite thick. Therefore, the fruits are suitable not only for fresh consumption but also for canning, as evidenced by gardener reviews. They can be stored for a long time without risk of losing their flavor.