Armenian cucumbers: growing an unusual variety

I would like to grow something unusual on my land plot, probably every dacha owner. Of course, getting a harvest from some exotic southern culture in the middle of Russia is quite problematic. However, there are such garden plants, the existence of which domestic dacha owners do not know anything, do not require special care and feel well in our cold climate. Among them is the silvery melon (or Armenian cucumber).

Description of fruits

The birthplace of this unusual culture is Central Asia. It is believed that no one specifically deduced it. They received it through long selection for centuries of cultivation by peasants of Armenia. Hence its name.

The main feature of the Armenian cucumber is an unusual smell. The flesh of the cylindrical ribbed fruit of this plant is tender, juicy, sweet, without any hint of bitterness. She smells at the same time not cucumber, but melon. The size of the fruit can reach very large - up to 50 cm. They have the form of a classic cucumber long. But the color of the fruits of the usual varieties differ. The skin of Armenian cucumbers is light green, slightly silvery. It has a small thickness. Therefore, it is not necessary to clean the fruits of this cucumber before eating. When overripe, they turn yellow, lose their smell and taste, and therefore they should be collected on time.

The fruits of the Armenian cucumber are stored very well. You can eat them both fresh and salted or pickled.

Biological features

Scourge of Armenian cucumber grows quite long - up to 3 m. The leaves of it are dark green, similar in shape to both melon and cucumber. The flowers of the variety are dioecious. Fruits grow on the main whip and shoots of the second order. Yields this variety gives continuously throughout the warm season.

Care for silver melon is simple. The method of its cultivation practically does not differ from the technology of cultivation of any other varieties of cucumbers. The only thing, since an Armenian cucumber with a taste of melon does not like frosts and too low temperatures, it is grown usually in greenhouses by seedling method. Although in the southern regions of Russia, it is possible to cultivate this crop and, according to the usual technology, in the open field.

Varieties

During the entire cultivation of this remarkable culture, several of its hybrids were removed. The most popular are the Armenian cucumber Bogatyr white, Melon silvery and Mel he spleen ozus. All these varieties produce fruits with excellent taste qualities and are characterized by relative unpretentiousness.

How to plant on seedlings

Soil in pots under this plant should be filled with nutrient and disinfected. Not bad for cultivation of seedlings of Armenian cucumber is suitable, for example, a soil consisting of the following components:

• Garden lands (one bucket);
• Humus (3 kg);
• Ash (1 tbsp.);
• Superphosphate (1 item / liter.).

Before planting, seeds of Armenian cucumber should be put in water for 20 minutes. Thus, it is possible to select the planting stock. Seeds without embryos will quickly float upward, full - will remain below.

Plant this seedlings in April-May. In one pot 2-3 seeds are placed. In the following, one of the strongest plants is left. Arrange pots should be on the windowsill near the glass. This will provide better lighting. Armenian cucumbers do not like too much moisture. Therefore, when growing seedlings, no greenhouses should be arranged. The optimum temperature is 23-25 degrees.

Cucumber Armenian: growing in a greenhouse

After 2-3 real leaves appear on the plants, you can transfer them to the greenhouse on beds. The soil composition for adult plants will be the same as for seedlings. The soil should be as loose as possible. To saline soils this species is calm - the yield does not decrease.

In the greenhouse, you must first install reliable supports for the lashes. The beds themselves should have a width of 1 m and a height of at least 25 cm. If desired, Armenian cucumbers can be grown in the central strip of Russia and in the open ground. In this case, the whips are usually allowed just along the ground, as with ordinary cucumbers. But the maximum yield of this "melon" variety can be obtained only when growing in a greenhouse.

When transferring seedlings to a permanent place, you should be as attentive as possible. The roots of the Armenian cucumber can not be damaged in any case. Otherwise, plants will be long and bad to settle down. Planting seedlings should be combined with an earthen lump. To make it easier to pull out of the glass, a day before the transfer of the plant should be well filled with warm water. Next, in the pot, just cut the bottom and squeeze out a lump. The first few days after transplantation, young cucumbers should be pritenyat.

How to fertilize

Feed Armenian cucumbers during the season, usually alternating organic and mineral compounds. It is necessary to fertilize plants, and especially when growing in a greenhouse. Otherwise, they will significantly reduce yields. The fruit itself will grow small, curved and not too juicy.

The first top dressing is usually carried out about two weeks after landing on a permanent place. In this case, superphosphate, ammonium nitrate and potassium salt (10 grams of each fertilizer per 15 plants) are used.

The second time, Armenian cucumbers are fed in two weeks. At the same time, infusion of mullein with a small amount of chicken manure or ash is used. Watering plants with this composition should be carefully, trying not to fall on leaves and stems.

The next top dressing can be done during the flowering of plants. This time, a mixture of urea, superphosphate and potassium sulfate (1 h / spoon) is dissolved in 10 liters of water. On a square meter of planting, you should spend 5 liters of the resulting nutrient mixture.

During the fruiting period, cucumbers can again be fed with mullein with the addition of ashes. After a while after this plant, it is desirable to spray on the leaves with a solution of urea (1 matchbox per bucket of water).

How to water properly

Moisten the soil under Armenian cucumbers you need quite often - every day (sometimes every other day). Only warm water can be used. If watering is done cold, the plants will necessarily fall ill. Before the appearance of the ovary, you should spend 4 liters of water per square meter of planting. After the fruits begin to be tied up on the plants, this norm should be doubled. Irrigation should be done in the morning or evening. The leaves of the Armenian cucumber are very delicate. Dropping water on them during the day in hot weather can cause severe burns.

Features of harvesting

Fruits Armenian cucumber, as already mentioned, throughout the season. It is impossible to tolerate the overripe of its fruits. They cut them at a length of 20-30 cm. Just wonderful taste qualities of such greens. This is something for which he deserved very good Armenian cucumber reviews. Of course, you can use the fruits of this culture in fresh form. But many summer residents, who have already managed to harvest the crops of this interesting plant, consider that their taste is especially bright when they are pickled.