Every self-respecting amateur gardener strives to grow such a popular crop as cucumbers on his site so that they are resistant to diseases and pests, and also bring abundant harvests. Beginning summer residents believe that it is almost impossible to achieve such an effect. However, there is a solution to this problem — varieties of cucumbers with the so-called bunch ovary. Their fruits are formed in the nodules of the stems. Unlike classical varieties, in which one or two inflorescences are formed, this variety is capable of producing from three to ten ovaries that grow from one node. Often for this reason they are also called bouquet.
On the eve of the start of the summer season, our editorial staff decided to rank the best bunch cucumbers in 2022. As part of this review, we will not only tell you in as much detail as possible about the features of the most popular varieties, but also give some useful tips that will definitely help you when choosing seeds, as well as allow you to grow the most abundant harvest. The fact is that from one plant with a competent approach, you can collect up to 500 fruits during the season.
How to choose the right bunch cucumbers?
In principle, it is no secret to anyone that such varieties do not occur in the natural environment. Their appearance was made possible largely due to the hard work of breeders from different countries. It’s worth mentioning right away that bunch cucumbers are first-generation hybrids. This suggests that they are unsuitable for obtaining planting material for the next season. If, nevertheless, the seeds are obtained and succeed, then either there will be no seedlings at all, or in the end it will turn out completely different from what was expected.
There are greenhouse varieties or varieties intended for outdoor cultivation, so the gardener will need to immediately decide where he plans to plant this crop. In open soil, insects will pollinate the inflorescences, but in greenhouses it will be necessary to use parthenocarpics.
Beam cucumbers are characterized by slight branching — their loops form a small number of side shoots, therefore, they will not need to be pinched. They usually belong to the early maturing group, but their fruiting period is short, as a rule, does not exceed one and a half months, but the harvest is quite plentiful. A small number of branches facilitates care.
In principle, all varieties designed for planting in open ground can be grown in greenhouses — this is very important for regions where climatic conditions are not very stable. To optimize growing conditions as best as possible, you should not plant seeds too often, as this can eventually lead to a lack of sunlight. Due to this effect, the full development of plants will slow down. Parthenocapics are self-pollinating varieties, so insects are not needed for ovaries to form.
Among these varieties, there are specially bred ones, characterized by slow fruit growth. Such options will be most suitable for summer residents who visit their sites only on weekends. These cucumbers begin to grow much more slowly once they reach a certain size, making them ideal for canning.
When we chose variety options for inclusion in our rating of the best bunch cucumbers, we took into account all the points considered. However, we took into account a number of other factors, among which the main ones were the reviews of experienced gardeners and gardeners, and the ratio of price and quality of planting material also played an important role. Our editors hope that after a careful study of the data below regarding the most popular varieties, readers will be able to choose the best varieties for themselves that will delight with a plentiful and tasty harvest.
Eleven most popular varieties of bunch cucumbers
11. Alphabet
This variety has long been very popular with both beginners and experienced gardeners. Preference is given to him largely due to the fact that the plant is unpretentious in terms of care, is characterized by a significant yield. The variety is self-pollinating. It was brought out by domestic breeders relatively recently — a little over 15 years ago. The variety is considered universal, as it is suitable for both open ground and greenhouse cultivation. The fruits ripen early, fruiting is plentiful, the plant perfectly resists various kinds of pests and diseases. Culture care is standard. Branching is weak.
The foliage is small, painted in dark green. At least three flowers are formed in one node. The average weight of one cucumber is in the range from 80 to 130 grams, they belong in terms of shape to the gherkin type — they are cylindrical in shape, green in color, covered with stripes randomly. There are small bumps on the surface. The taste is truly excellent. The variety is suitable for fresh consumption, excellent taste in salads, ideal for pickling or canning. It is considered early ripe — the first harvest can be harvested 40 days after the appearance of the first shoots.
Advantages:
- Versatility — suitable for greenhouses and open ground;
- Ease of care;
- Rapid maturation;
- Long fruiting;
- The fruits can be used in fresh cooking and canning.
Flaws:
- Does not tolerate frost at all;
- The variety is sensitive to soil acidity.
Bunch cucumbers Alphabet
10. Grandma’s granddaughter
Another cucumber that was developed by domestic breeders. This is one of the newest varieties — it was released for general sale some 10 years ago. It is considered precocious, perfectly resists various kinds of diseases. In most cases, cucumbers are cultivated in open ground. However, if the climatic conditions are characterized by significant differences, then at first they can be cultivated, including under temporary film cover. The fruits must be picked slightly undergrown, otherwise the skin becomes too tough. Plants are quite powerful, have little branching, while lateral shoots are weak and form in a limited format.
The foliage is small in size, has a familiar shape. Flowering is female, due to which barren flowers are practically not found. 4-5 fruits are formed in each bunch. The maximum length of cucumbers does not exceed 12 cm. The color of the skin is dark green, the shape is an elongated cylinder. There are few tubercles, moderately dispersed over the surface. The pubescence is devoid of spines. The average weight of one cucumber is not more than 150 grams.
Advantages:
- Early ripening of fruits;
- Resistance to most pests and diseases;
- Excellent taste qualities;
- The ability to bear fruit even under not too favorable conditions.
Flaws:
- Seeds are not often found in stores;
- The skin becomes very hard when overripe.
Bundle cucumbers Grandmother’s granddaughter
9. Balcony
If desired, this variety can be grown even at home, so often its seeds are purchased even by people who do not have a summer cottage. However, the breed does not have any restrictions in terms of planting — it can be grown in film structures and even in open ground. The variety allows you to get a bountiful harvest that will delight with excellent taste. The variety is considered parthenocarpic, the fruiting period is stable and long, the fruits are compact in size. The latter fact allows you to use them, including for conservation.
The bushes are distinguished by medium branching, the foliage is represented by small bright green leaves. The type of flowering is mostly female. In one bunch, there are usually from 2 to 10 fruits, the average length of which is in the range from 8 to 10 cm. Cucumbers have an oval-cylindrical shape, the color is bright, short light stripes are visible, there are small tubercles on the surface. Seeds can be planted even in open ground, but in the middle lane this is done no earlier than the first decade of June. The first crop is harvested on the 40th day after the appearance of the first shoots.
Advantages:
- Suitable for growing even on the windowsill;
- Up to 10 kg of crop can be harvested from one square meter;
- Excellent culinary qualities.
Flaws:
- They need careful care — you will have to tie up, shape, observe the irrigation regime.
Bunch cucumbers Balcony
8. True friends
This hybrid is suitable exclusively for outdoor cultivation, as insects are needed for pollination. Brings a good harvest in regions with different climatic characteristics. The taste qualities are universal — the fruits can be used for conservation, fresh consumption, cooking. Plants are distinguished by medium stature and slight climbing, the type of flowering here is female. The foliage is mostly medium in size and slightly corrugated, painted in rich green. In one sinus, from two to seven fruits are formed. Cucumbers have the shape of an elongated cone, the stem has a slight extension. The length of the fetus is 8 — 11 cm, they are 3.5 cm in diameter and weigh about 90 — 105 grams.
The peel has a very dense structure, there are small spines over the entire surface. Even overripe fruits do not have a bitter aftertaste. The texture is dense and very juicy. The first crop can be harvested approximately 40 days after seed germination. The yield is stable — from one square meter you can get up to 4 kg of fruit. It is very easy to grow: they do it both by seedlings and by planting seeds in open ground, but they will first need to be soaked.
Advantages:
- Versatility in terms of culinary delights;
- It withstands even significant temperature fluctuations;
- Slight branching;
- Easy to care for;
- Gives a stable harvest even under adverse climatic conditions.
Flaws:
- It will not work to get seed material yourself;
- Mandatory access of insects to the ovaries.
Bunch cucumbers True friends
7. Envy to everyone
Despite the fact that most cucumbers are light-loving plants, this variety is able to bear fruit abundantly even in conditions of lack of natural light. This allows you to grow such a breed absolutely everywhere — in the open field, in a greenhouse, greenhouse, even on a loggia or balcony. The variety is self-pollinating. The stems are creeping type, so they will either need to be allowed to grow on the surface of the soil, or tied to trellises. The foliage is distinguished by its original shape, slight pubescence, and has a light green color. The root system is reinforced and powerful, quite branched. It passes not only under the surface of the soil, but also goes deeper.
At least 5-6 ovaries are formed in one node, but usually more. Cucumbers have a bright green beautiful color. The thorns on the skin are present, but they are soft and barely noticeable to the touch. The length of the fruit is in the range of 9-12 cm with a diameter of 3 cm, the average weight of one cucumber is 80-100 grams. Most of the crop is approximately the same size. The variety has ideal pickling characteristics: the pulp is dense and crispy, has a characteristic aroma. No more than one and a half months pass from the moment of seed germination to harvest.
Advantages:
- High yields;
- Self-pollinating variety;
- Good resistance to diseases and pests;
- Active growth ensures a long period of fruiting.
Flaws:
- Ripening is not simultaneous — you have to make sure that the fruits do not overripe.
Bunch cucumbers Envy everyone
6. Director
The breed was bred by Dutch breeders, so in the middle lane it is grown, as a rule, in greenhouse conditions. Seeds can be planted in open ground only in June, but this does not in the least prevent this variety from enjoying well-deserved popularity among gardeners and amateur gardeners. The bushes grow quite tall, the shape of the fruit is approximately the same, cylindrical. Their length for the most part does not exceed 12.5 cm, on average they grow no more than 8-10 cm, and 3-3.5 cm in diameter. The skin is colored dark green, it has a large number of tubercles. The pubescence is white, very soft, almost not felt to the touch. The mass of one cucumber is usually 65-80 grams.
The pulp is light and fairly dense, crispy, bitterness is completely absent. Cucumbers easily endure transportation even over long distances, they can be stored for a long time. Culinary characteristics are excellent — the fruits are suitable for salads and canning. The variety belongs to the group of mid-season, that is, about 55 days pass from the moment of germination to the first harvest, but this strongly depends on weather and climatic conditions, as well as on care.
Advantages:
- High yields;
- Excellent taste qualities;
- Long shelf life, excellent presentation;
- Good resistance to most diseases;
- Fruits well even in shaded areas;
- The yield is about the same both in the open field and in the greenhouse.
Flaws:
- Forms a large number of stepsons, which will need to be removed regularly.
Bunch cucumbers Director
5. Claudia
The bushes of this breed are quite strong plants of the indeterminate type. The central stem is powerful, the thickening of the foliage is insignificant, the leaves themselves have an emerald green color. Scourge thickened, long-growing. The variety of flowering here is female, so empty flowers are almost completely absent. At least three ovaries can occur in one sinus. The plant is considered self-pollinating. The culture is medium-fruited — the weight of one cucumber is usually 65-90 grams. All fruits are approximately the same size, which gives them an ideal presentation. They are usually small in length, as a rule, no longer than 12 cm, 3 cm in diameter. The shape is cylindrical or elongated-cylindrical.
The skin is painted in a rich green color, there are spots, but they are very weakly expressed, there are short light stripes. The peel has an average density, there are small tubercles and white pubescence on it, the spikes are small, not prickly. The harvest is characterized by high keeping quality — up to 40 days in a cold place.
Advantages:
- Powerful bushes;
- Can be grown in any conditions;
- Good resistance to temperature changes;
- Harvest almost the same size.
Flaws:
- Needs special care.
Bunch cucumbers Claudia
4. Smelt
One of the most early maturing varieties, which is also able to perfectly resist all sorts of diseases. This hybrid needs a minimum number of treatments, which allows you to get an environmentally friendly crop, and the fruits themselves do not have bitterness at all. This seed has been on the market for over 25 years — today it is planted by amateur gardeners in almost all regions. The breed is self-pollinating, the crop is small-fruited, the variety can be grown both in open ground and in greenhouses. Plants easily tolerate almost any vagaries of the weather, including frost. The length of the fruit rarely exceeds 9 cm, the taste is excellent, no bitterness is observed.
Bushes are characterized by compact size, branching is small. The foliage is medium in size, painted in a rich green color, there is a certain waviness on it. Flowers do not need pollination. In one bouquet of ovaries there can be up to 10 tuk. The shape of the fruit is slightly curved, cylindrical. There are stripes along the fruit, tuberosity is well expressed. The pulp has a characteristic cucumber smell and crunch, no voids are observed in it, the seed chambers are small.
Advantages:
- Self-pollinating variety;
- Cucumbers ripen quickly;
- Can be grown both in the ground and in greenhouses;
- The fruits have no bitterness.
Flaws:
- The fruits are small;
- Seed material cannot be collected.
Bundle cucumbers Smelt
3. Junior Lieutenant
In third place in our ranking of the best bunch cucumbers is a very unpretentious and productive hybrid, which was developed by a team of domestic breeders almost 20 years ago. The variety is perfect for growing in industrial conditions or as part of a household plot, and this can be done both in open ground and under a film cover. The plant belongs to the vigorous indeterminate group. The branching is medium, the foliage is also small in size, slight waviness is observed along the edges. The type of flowering in the variety is female, in one bunch, as a rule, from two to seven or even more ovaries are formed. The hybrid is able to form a decent amount of shoots, so this will need to be closely monitored.
The fruits have an average size of 9 to 12 cm with a diameter of about 3 cm. The weight of one fruit is 90 — 110 grams. The surface of the cucumbers is medium-tuberous, the color of the skin is pleasant, it has a green color. The taste is excellent, no bitterness is felt. From the moment of emergence of seedlings to the harvest of the first harvest, usually no more than 45 days pass. From one square meter of plantings, you can get up to 14 kg of cucumbers.
Advantages:
- Cucumbers are approximately the same in size;
- Excellent transport characteristics;
- Long storage period;
- A very early variety.
Flaws:
- Forms a large number of branches that will need to be removed regularly.
Bunch cucumbers Junior Lieutenant
2. Pasamonte
High-yielding cucumber breed developed by Dutch breeders. The variety almost immediately gained popularity among European farmers, it came to our country a little later. Plants allow you to get a gherkin-type crop, the stems are medium tall — their maximum height does not exceed 2.5 m. The indicators of branching and climbing are at an average level. The foliage has a green or light green color, it is not too much, it also has a compact size. The fruits are not very large — they are no more than 9 cm long, weighing about 100 grams, cucumbers are more like a cylinder in shape. They are covered with large tubercles, the skin is dark green in color with longitudinal stripes. The taste of cucumbers is quite familiar, but the bitterness is completely absent.
Seeds are planted directly in open light soil, which is pre-enriched with nutrients. It is necessary to check that there is no stagnation of water. Night temperatures for comfortable crop growth should not drop to less than +15 degrees. The hybrid ripens early — from the moment of germination, the crop can be harvested after 40 days.
Advantages:
- Perfectly resists all existing diseases;
- The fruits do not outgrow;
- The variety is self-pollinating;
- Excellent taste qualities;
- Universal gastronomic indicators;
- Long fruiting period.
Flaws:
- Plants must be tied up;
- Sensitivity to soil structure.
Pasamonte bunch cucumbers
1. Fontanelle
This is the most famous hybrid, which is regularly planted both on an industrial scale and in summer cottages. It was created by breeders back in Soviet times. It is very easy to distinguish it from other varieties, especially if it concerns the external features of the plant. The main lash is long, but the branches are insignificant — a maximum of no more than five of them are formed in a plant. Almost all flowers are female, they need to be pollinated by insects, as a result of which they should be planted either in an open greenhouse or in the ground. It is best to grow on trellises or other supporting structures, however, many let whips along the surface of the soil. The fruits have a mass of about 100 grams, differ in the correct cylindrical shape. There are thorns, they are dark, there are light stripes on the skin, additionally decorating the cucumbers themselves.
In the open field, up to 5 kg can be collected from one lash, in a greenhouse or in a greenhouse, and even more — up to 10 kg. The variety is very demanding on watering, it reacts strongly to the introduction of fertilizers into the soil. Most summer residents prefer seedling cultivation of this variety, as this allows them to greatly accelerate seed germination, and contributes to the fact that plants will quickly adapt to climatic conditions after planting in open ground. After the seedlings take root, it begins to grow rapidly, fruiting begins approximately 40-50 days after emergence.
Advantages:
- Decent yields from one lash;
- Pronounced taste characteristics;
- Excellent culinary virtues;
- Long retains its presentable appearance;
- Easily transfers transportation over long distances;
- Good resistance to temperature changes;
- High immunity;
- Easy to care for.
Flaws:
- There is no way to get seed material on your own.
Bunch cucumbers Rodnichok
In conclusion, a useful video
Our rating of the best bunch cucumbers has come to an end. We have tried to collect for you as much information as possible on each of the varieties. If you have any questions about any culture you like, then do not hesitate to ask us in the comments to this article. Our editorial staff will promptly respond to your message and provide all the information you need.