Description of the 12 best varieties of short-fruited cucumbers, cultivation and formation

New cucumber varieties and hybrids appear on store shelves every year. These include early-ripening and late-ripening varieties. The fruits differ in size, flavor, and pollination method. Short-fruited cucumber varieties and hybrids have become especially popular among gardeners. These excellent-tasting fruits are suitable for fresh eating and canning.

General information about short-fruited cucumbers

Short-fruited cucumber varieties and hybrids share common cultivation methods. These plants thrive in fertile, loose soil, moderate watering, and at least eight hours of direct sunlight per day. This type includes self-pollinating varieties and insect-pollinated species. Many varieties don't require bush training, simplifying their care.

The length of the fruits varies from 8 to 12 centimeters. Unripe fruits, 5-6 centimeters long, are used for pickling, and miniature cucumbers are extremely popular. Yields range from 8 to 40 kilograms per square meter.

Advantages and disadvantages

Cucumbers have gained popularity among gardeners due to their positive characteristics:

• small, even fruits;
• presentation;
• transported over long distances;
• cucumbers resistant to diseases;
• excellent taste;
• skin without bitterness;
• high yield;
• endurance;
• early fruiting;
• many ovaries, especially in cluster-type specimens;
• unpretentiousness;
• ease of canning;
• universal use.

Some varieties bear fruit sequentially, allowing for longer shelf life. They are harvested at different stages of growth for pickles and gherkins.

Among the disadvantages, short-fruited cucumbers are not resistant to all diseases. Preventive measures against pests and diseases are necessary.

The best varieties

Thanks to the work of breeders, new varieties and hybrids of short-fruited cucumbers are being developed. Improved characteristics—self-pollination, disease resistance, and a versatile growing method—allow for high yields with minimal input.

Sanka's Love F1

The stem of the San'kina Lyubov hybrid grows up to 2 meters tall and does not branch. It requires support. These cucumbers are parthenocarpic and do not require insect pollination. The fruits are uniform, 10 centimeters long, and do not overgrow. The flavor is sweet and crisp. There is no bitterness. They are grown both outdoors and indoors. Sow the seeds in several stages to ensure a harvest before frost.

A super cluster variety with 12 ovaries per node. Suitable for fresh eating and canning. Yield: 40 kilograms per bush.

Poplar F1

Among the mid-season hybrids, Topolyok F1 stands out. The seeds are sown in soil warmed to 15 degrees Celsius. Both open and closed cultivation methods are used. The second method yields twice as much—12-18 kilograms per square meter.

The hybrid is insect-pollinated. The fruits are sweet, 11-14 centimeters long, with white tubercles. The shape is cylindrical. The plants are disease-resistant.

Pasamonte F1

Pasamonte F1 cucumbers ripen 42 days after germination. They produce female flowers and do not require insect pollination. The gherkin-shaped fruits are 9 centimeters long. Thanks to selective breeding, they do not overgrow. The surface is covered with white spines, spots, and white stripes extending down the middle.

In terms of taste, they are inferior to salad grapes. The flesh is dense, crisp, and without bitterness. The main advantage of hybrids is their high yield. Therefore, they are grown on an industrial scale. 270-330 centners are harvested per hectare.

Pasadena

Pasadena hybrid with female flowering. Cucumbers ripen in 45-50 days. Fruits are smooth and cylindrical, 6-9 centimeters in size. Excellent flavor. Suitable for canning and fresh eating.

The yield is 11-14 kilograms per square meter. Seeds are planted in soil warmed to 10-12 degrees Celsius. Three to five plants are planted per square meter.

F1 Millionaire

The Millionaire hybrid is an early-ripening variety. These cucumbers boast excellent characteristics: yield, marketability, and disease resistance. These cucumbers have a female flowering type and a gherkin shape. Ripe fruits are 8-12 centimeters in size. They can be grown both outdoors and indoors.

The plant is tall and grows on a single stem. The bushes are vigorous, so two seedlings are planted per square meter.

Bunches of 10-12 fruits form in the leaf axils. Ripening is sequential. When planting hybrids at intervals, the fruits are harvested before frost. The yield is 40 kilograms per square meter.

The taste is excellent and opens up well when pickled.

Mels F1

Mels is considered the leader in terms of the number of ovaries. A single bush produces up to 400 cucumbers, with six per node. The fruits are 9-10 centimeters in size.

Mishka F1

The Mishka variety begins bearing fruit in 47 days and continues to produce until autumn. The cucumbers are sweet and 8 centimeters long. The yield is 20 kilograms per square meter.

Composer

Componista matures in 38-40 days. This plant produces female flowers. Two to three ovaries form in the leaf axils. The fruits are 10-12 centimeters in size. The yield is 8-9 kilograms per square meter. The fruiting period lasts from September 1 to October 31.

Alekseich F1

Alekseich F1 cucumbers are early ripening. A versatile variety. Fruits are 7-8 centimeters in size. Yield: 15 kilograms per square meter.

Fidelity F1

The Vernost hybrid begins bearing fruit 37 days after germination. Like Mel's, it produces 400 fruits per bush. Ten ovaries form at each node. The cucumbers reach 10-12 centimeters in size.

Aramis F1

Aramis cucumbers are grown both outdoors and indoors. They produce female flowers. Mature cucumbers are 9 centimeters long, and gherkins are 7 centimeters.

Rhythm F1

Ritm begins to ripen 40 days after germination. The fruits are 12 centimeters long. The plant is a female flowering type. The hybrid is planted at a rate of three bushes per square meter. The yield is 20 kilograms.

Commander

Komandor cucumbers are characterized by ultra-early ripening. Fruits are 10-12 centimeters in size. They have excellent flavor. Bitterness is genetically absent.

Application

Short cucumbers are used fresh, canned, and pickled. Miniature cucumbers (pickuli), 5-6 centimeters long, are placed in jars with other small vegetables and fruits:

• beans;
• pepper;
• cherries;
• corn;
• pear;
• apples;
• plums.

Adding vinegar and spices creates a piquant flavor. Pickles are added to the inside of hamburgers.

Reviews from vegetable growers

Vegetable growers have received only positive reviews of short-fruited varieties and hybrids. This is due to their high yield and ease of cultivation. Many cucumbers, such as San'kina Lyubov, Pasadena, Millionaire, and Pasamonte, do not require insect pollination and do not require side shoots..

The miniature size allows for a large quantity of fruit to be packed into a single-liter jar. The magnificent flavor is revealed after pickling.