Cucumber variety German (F1)
German is the most popular cucumber variety on the Russian market. The hybrid is early maturing, high-yielding. Bred by Dutch breeders - Monsanto agrofirm (Monsanto holland B. V.), or rather its subsidiary Seminis. In 2001 it was included in the state register of the Russian Federation. Approved for use in all regions of Russia. Designed for growing in gardens and small farms. Suitable for both greenhouses (greenhouses) and open ground. The period from emergence to fruiting is 40 - 45 days.
Plants are medium-sized, parthenocarpic (set fruits without pollination by bees), female flowering type, determinant (with limited growth of the main stem). The leaves are dark green, medium in size. The ovaries in the knot are formed in bundles - 6 - 7 pieces each.
It is recommended to form a bush of the German variety into one stem. At the first stage, blinding (pinching of ovaries and shoots) is carried out in the axils of the first four leaves. This is to ensure that the plant forms a strong root system. Then, in the axils of the 5th and 6th leaves, the shoots are pinched, leaving one ovary at a time. In the axils of the 7th-10th leaf, all shoots are also removed, leaving two ovaries each. At this stage, the formation can be stopped. When the top of the plant reaches the trellis, it can be run along it or directed downward and pinched a meter from the ground. However, this is just one of the options for forming a bush into one stem; other schemes can be found on the Internet.
Zelentsy are cylindrical, ribbed, medium tuberous, leveled, 10 - 11 cm long, 2.9 - 3.1 cm in diameter, weighing 70 - 90 grams. The ratio of fruit length to thickness is 3.3: 1. The skin of the cucumber is dark green, with short white stripes and mild spotting, covered with a weak waxy bloom. Pubescence is frequent, spines are white. The pulp is of medium density, crispy, aromatic, sweetish, without bitterness. Marketable yield is 8.5 - 9 kg / square meter. The output of marketable products is 95%.
This hybrid is resistant to common diseases: cladosporiosis (brown spot), cucumber mosaic virus, powdery mildew. Withstands temperature changes well. Even cucumbers that are not picked in time do not grow more than 15 cm. In maturation, the fruits do not turn yellow for a long time.
The variety is universal, good both fresh when preparing salads and when canning.
Advantages of German cucumber: high marketability and productivity, early maturity, resistance to diseases, high taste, long-term fruiting.
A significant drawback is the poor resistance of cucumber bushes to heat. In this regard, in regions with a hot climate, plants need to be shaded or planted in partial shade.
It is worth noting that Herman is also sold under the names Mirabelle, Mirabella and Mirabelle.
We have been growing this variety of cucumbers for many years. I germinate the seeds in sawdust, then transplant them into cups with soil, and when it comes time to plant them in the ground, they already have 2 - 3 leaves on them. If they grow in a greenhouse, then we let them along the trellis in one stem, if in the open ground, then we mulch the entire bed under them and do nothing else, neither weeding nor loosening the soil is necessary in this case. Only water on time. We always have a good harvest. Cucumbers are small, we pick them when they reach 7 - 8 cm. In the greenhouse they bear fruit for 3 months, and if September is warm, then more.This year they were harvested until October.
Now there is a huge variety of new varieties, I want to try everything. You plant a couple of bushes, you like something, it takes root and remains, something is not at all impressive. But Herman is the main variety that you always plant and you know that you are guaranteed to be with the harvest. Sweet juicy taste, neat shape, thin skin, never bitter, very tasty. In hot or cold weather, this worker invariably gives a good harvest.
The only year was unprofitable, when, out of inexperience, I decided to experiment and grew all the bushes into one stem. Not only that, they were left almost without a crop, waiting for this one stalk to impose one cucumber on you. So also the other varieties got sick and gradually wilted. And only Herman, even in one stem, lasted until the fall, giving us a harvest at least for a salad. I didn't understand the meaning of this method at all. It's like leaving one branch on an apple tree. Something on this branch will tie, of course, but it is necessary to plant whole hectares in order to get the amount. So, for those who are still looking for their "own" variety, I highly recommend trying it.
I agree, a very fertile variety!