Cucumber Meringue

Among the many hybrid varieties of cucumbers offered for planting in vegetable gardens and farmlands, those varieties that lack genetic bitterness are in greatest demand. These are the early Dutch varieties Merengue.

The Merenga hybrid cucumber was obtained as a result of many years of work by Dutch breeders of the Monsanto agricultural firm in 2005. The species appeared in the State Register of approved for use in the Russian Federation in 2007.

Merengue is a hybrid parthenocarpic cultivar. The plant is early, not capricious in care. Recommended for growing in almost all climatic zones of Russia: Central, Far Eastern, North Caucasian, Northern, Middle Volga and other regions. You can grow a hybrid cucumber in plastic greenhouses and garden beds.

The Dutch cucumber is a tall, open-type shrub characterized by medium-sized lashes, standard foliage, light green leaves with moderate pubescence and a strong root system. The variety is parthenocarpic, therefore, it does not need insect pollination at all.

The bushes are characterized by a female type of flowering. During this period, large five-petal bright yellow flowers appear on the bushes. 4-5 zelents are formed in each node. It is important that the plant has practically no barren flowers.

Merenga cucumber has excellent commercial qualities. On average, the weight of a vegetable is 63-80 grams, sometimes cucumbers grow up to 100 g. The vegetable is one-dimensional, quite compact: the length of the fruit is 8-10 cm, and the diameter is up to 4 cm.

The shape of the fruit is cylindrical, with a large tuberous surface, covered with white thorns. A ripe vegetable is evenly covered with a dark green color, diluted with barely noticeable specks and light stripes at the top of the fruit. The peel of cucumbers is soft, thin, covered with a light edging and a noticeable waxy bloom.

The harvested crop can be transported without losing the marketability of vegetables. In addition, cucumbers are perfectly stored for a long time without losing their taste and useful properties. The variety has a high resistance to fruit deformation, yellowing and overgrowth.

Dutch Meringue cucumbers are famous for their excellent taste. Cucumber pulp is characterized by a dense, fleshy, juicy consistency without voids and a hint of even the slightest bitterness. The aroma of the vegetable is pronounced, refreshing. When eaten fresh, a pleasant crunch of thin skin is felt.

The purpose of the hybrid variety is universal: cucumbers are eaten fresh, added to salads, canned, pickled, salted.

The Merengue hybrid represents the class of early ripening cucumbers. From the moment of mass germination to the appearance of delicious cucumbers on the bushes, 37-40 days pass. Fruiting is observed throughout the growing season. Cucumbers spice together, especially specimens of the first wave of the harvest.

The yield indicators of the variety are good. The maximum productivity is observed when growing vegetables in film greenhouses. On average, with proper agricultural technology in a greenhouse, you can collect up to 15.2 kg of shortened cucumbers from 1 m2. On the garden bed, the indicator is lower - 2 kg of vegetables per 1 m2. It is recommended to pick cucumbers every 4-5 days.

When planting cucumbers, it is important not only to choose the right place, but also to observe the distance between the plantings, thanks to which the access of light and air to each bush is ensured. For Meringue cucumbers, a 40x40 cm scheme is considered optimal for planting. It is recommended to place no more than 3 bushes on one m2.

This crop can be grown in two ways: seedling and seed. The seedling method guarantees high and fast yields, but the seed method looks simpler. You can plant seedlings in the garden in late May or early June. Planting bushes in the soil is carried out in the evening. Bushes with a developed rhizome and the presence of 2-3 true leaves are suitable for seedlings. Sowing cucumber seeds in open ground is carried out in the last week of May.

When the bushes grow up, it is recommended to install a support or trellis, so that it is convenient to harvest, and this will also prevent the invasion of insects living in the ground. Peppers, onions, cabbage, and corn are considered the best precursors for cucumbers.

Crop agrotechnics consists of standard measures: timely watering with warm or settled water, weeding, loosening the soil, providing good air and moisture permeability, the introduction of organic fertilizers throughout the entire growth and flowering, as well as the prevention of viruses and pest attacks.

The variety is not very picky about the quality and structure of the soil, the main thing is that the soil is nutritious, well fluffed, moisture permeable, and breathable. Cucumbers should not be planted in acidic soil. If such a problem exists, it is sufficient to reduce the acidity index by adding dolomite flour. In addition, moisture levels need to be controlled, as waterlogging and stagnant water can lead to root rot.

The plant is absolutely resistant to heat, sharp temperature fluctuations and short drought. It is comfortable to grow cucumbers in a weed-free area, where enough light, solar heat gets, and there is also protection from cold winds and drafts.

The culture has a high immunity, providing resistance to many infections and diseases: cucumber mosaic virus, brown olive spot and powdery mildew. In addition, the plant is tolerant to downy mildew.