Description and characteristics of the Chinese Snake cucumber variety, cultivation and care

One of the most popular vegetable crops is the Chinese Snake cucumber. This is no surprise. This variety is quite fertile, easy to grow, and adapts to any soil type. Moreover, it produces high yields both outdoors and indoors. As for the cucumber's fruiting period, it depends on proper agricultural practices.

History of selection and characteristics of the crop

The Chinese Snake cucumber is an early-ripening, high-yielding vegetable crop. The variety was developed in the early 21st century by Chinese breeders. In 2015, the Chinese Snake was added to the State Register of Breeding Achievements. Since then, it has been cultivated in Russia.

The variety was originally bred for greenhouse cultivation. However, as vegetable growing practice has shown, cucumbers can also be grown in open-air beds.

According to its characteristics, Chinese snake cucumber is a fruitful crop. By following the growing guidelines, any gardener can grow giant, decorative cucumbers with an unusual flavor.

Description of the Chinese Snake cucumber variety

Unlike traditional cucumber varieties, Chinese snake cucumber is considered an unusual plant. Let's take a closer look at the variety's detailed description and distinctive features.

Size and taste of fruits

The main distinguishing feature of the Chinese snake is its fruits.

Detailed description of cucumbers:

• shape – sinuous, cylindrical;
• length – 70-80 centimeters;
• diameter – 7-8 centimeters;
• weight – 300-400 grams;
• the skin is dark green, covered with bumps and thorns;
• The pulp is white, juicy, with a small number of seeds.

Chinese snake cucumbers are versatile. Their sweet, non-bitter flavor makes them ideal for fresh eating and winter preserves.

Appearance of the bush and root system

The Chinese Snake variety is an indeterminate cultivar. Without pruning, the main stem of the bush reaches approximately 3.5 meters. The plant has few side shoots, but numerous five-lobed, dark green leaves.

The variety's root system is well developed and superficial. The central root is poorly defined, consisting primarily of numerous short, thread-like, white branches.

Flowering, pollination and yield

Chinese snake plant is parthenocarpic, meaning it does not require pollination. The fruit ovary is formed from female inflorescences, which are located singly at each node. The plant's flowers are light yellow and consist of four wedge-shaped petals containing the pistils and stamens.

The Chinese Snake is considered the earliest variety. When grown correctly, the fruit ripens within one month of planting. The variety is also renowned for its high yield. One bush produces over 25 kilograms of fruit.

Planting times and technological process

Chinese snakeroot fruits can be grown in garden beds, outdoors, or in greenhouses. However, it is recommended to grow this vegetable crop only using seedlings. This variety's seeds have a poor germination rate. Let's look at the seed planting time and seedling production process for each method separately.

In open ground

To ensure that cucumber seedlings grow well outdoors, it is recommended to plant the seeds 30 days before the expected planting date.

The technological process for obtaining seedlings for this method involves the following steps:

1. Seed preparation. Before planting, cucumber seeds are soaked in a warm solution of potassium permanganate for 10 minutes. After this time, they are treated with trichoderma.
2. Sowing the seeds. Fill a seedling container with fertile soil. Place the seeds 2 centimeters deep in the soil and water with warm water. Cover the container with plastic wrap and store in a dark, warm place until the first shoots appear.
3. Growing seedlings. After the first cucumber shoots appear, the seed container is moved to a well-lit area. The film is removed from the container. However, during the first few days, it should only be removed for 2-3 hours. This will allow the seedlings to gradually acclimate to the new microclimate.

Transplant the seedlings into open ground in early June, into well-warmed and fertilized soil. Humus, black soil, ash, and saltpeter are used as soil amendments. Planting pattern: 3 plants per square meter.

In greenhouse conditions

Sowing seeds and growing seedlings for greenhouses are similar to those for open ground. The only difference is the timing of transplanting. Plants are planted in greenhouses 2-3 weeks earlier than in open beds.

After transplanting cucumbers, it's important to monitor the microclimate in the greenhouses. To achieve this, the greenhouse structures should be regularly ventilated in the evening and morning hours. Also, avoid allowing water to stagnate in the soil or on the plant foliage.

How to care for a Chinese snake

The Chinese Snake cucumber is considered an easy-to-grow crop. However, the variety's yield depends on timely agricultural management.

Irrigation frequency

This vegetable crop is quite moisture-loving. Therefore, it is advisable to water the plants daily, especially in dry weather.

Watering standards for Chinese snake plant:

• seedlings – 1 liter of water per bush.
• adult plants – from 7 to 10 liters of moisture per bush.

In this case, plants should be watered only with warm, settled water.

Loosening and mulching the soil

Since the Chinese snake plant has a shallow root system, soil cultivation must be carried out with extreme care. Do not turn the soil over during loosening. Breaking up the surface crust is sufficient to saturate it with oxygen. The optimal loosening depth is considered to be 4-5 centimeters.

To protect the root system from temperature fluctuations, mulching the area around the plant's trunk is recommended. Dry leaves, sawdust, and manure-based compost are good choices for mulch.

Pinching out stepsons

Although the Chinese snake plant has few side shoots, its bushes still require side shoot pruning. During cultivation, all secondary stems arising from the main trunk are removed. The shoots are pinched only at the point where they branch off.

Important! During agricultural work, do not damage the clinging tendrils of plants under any circumstances.

How and what to fertilize the bushes with

Because this vegetable crop grows rapidly and bears fruit for a long time, it requires regular fertilizing. The first application is made 10 days after transplanting the seedlings to their permanent growing location. A bread infusion made from flour crusts and water is used as a fertilizer. The plants are then fertilized with urea and a mullein solution every 10 days.

Formation of whips

Chinese snake cucumbers are tall plants that require support for good fruiting. Trellises are installed around the perimeter of all planted plants, both vertically and horizontally. The optimal support length is considered to be 1.8 meters.

Cucumber vines are placed on trellises 5 days after planting. The plants then secure themselves naturally.

Treatment for diseases

A distinctive feature of this variety is its resistance to most cucumber diseases. However, as vegetable growing practice has shown, Chinese snake has poor resistance to rust. Therefore, to protect plants from this disease, they should be regularly inspected.

If rusty spots are detected, the following measures are taken:

1. Damaged areas of plants are removed and burned.
2. Cucumber bushes are treated with Bordeaux mixture.

In cases where cucumbers are damaged by insect pests, products such as Fitoverm and Actellic are used.

When to harvest and how to store

Despite its many positive qualities, the Chinese Snake cucumber does have a significant drawback. A disadvantage of this variety is its short shelf life. A day after harvest, the cucumber skin becomes flabby, and the flesh acquires a slightly bitter taste.

Tip! To increase the shelf life of the fruit, it is recommended to harvest them with a small section of the stem attached.

The harvest is carried out as it ripens, typically every 2-3 days.

Potential growing problems

Gardeners may encounter several problems when growing Chinese snakeroot. The most common are:

1. Yellowing and falling leaves. This defect may be due to improper irrigation. Cucumbers should be watered at the very roots, in the morning and evening.
2. Poor fruit set. This problem is usually caused by a lack of pollinating insects. You can correct this yourself. Simply use a brush to transfer pollen from one flower to another.
3. Cucumber drop. Unripe cucumbers usually fall from the bushes due to a mineral deficiency in the soil. Therefore, if this problem occurs, it is recommended to fertilize the soil with potassium or phosphorus.

If healthy-looking plants drop leaves during active fruiting, don't despair. This is considered normal for this variety.

Reviews of the variety from experienced gardeners

Vinogradova E. M. 33 years old, Saratov

"Personally, I didn't like this variety. Growing it requires the construction of enormous supports, which take up a significant amount of space. Furthermore, the fruits themselves aren't as crisp as the variety description suggests. And because of their large size, the cucumbers aren't suitable for pickling."

Ivanova V.N., 57 years old, Tyumen region

"I recommend the Chinese Snake to everyone. I've been growing it for several years now, and it's never let me down. The yield is excellent. I harvest at least 30 kilograms of cucumbers from a single plant. The fruits themselves are of high commercial quality. Furthermore, one cucumber is enough to make a salad for two or three family members. To clarify, I grow this variety in a greenhouse."

Krotova M. Yu., 60 years old, Mezhdurechensk

"I also fell in love with the Chinese Snake. I built a separate greenhouse with high supports specifically for this variety. Despite some expense, the variety has proven itself. Every year, it produces a consistently high yield of unusually large cucumbers. The cucumbers are juicy and crisp. They make excellent preserves for the winter. And they're quite tasty fresh, too."