A greenhouse is an intensive system that provides an ideal environment for producing cucumbers. Cucumbers are sun-loving vegetables that require a steady temperature. Greenhouses help produce abundant and tasty cucumbers.
Greenhouse cucumber varieties are gynoecious, with plants producing only female blooms. This increases the crop yield and eliminates the need for bee pollination. Before deciding on the ideal cucumber cultivar for a greenhouse, consider such factors such as; the common diseases that infect cucumbers in the geographic area, the size and color of the fruit, the total crop yield, and the space that is available for growing. When all these are known, you can then select from any of these cucumber varieties.
#1. Salad Varieties
There are three main types of greenhouse salad cucumbers varieties, namely the American slicer, the Japanese cucumber, and the European greenhouse cucumber. They are all burpless and have delicate skin that does not require peeling. Mature cucumber fruits weigh about one pound and are 12 to 14 inches long. Of these three greenhouse salad cucumbers varieties, the European F1 hybrids are most commonly grown in the United States. This includes Sandra, Toska 70, Farbio, Corona, Vetomil, Silvia, Bella, and Fidelio.
#2. Pickling Varieties
Cucumbers used for pickling are usually small, plump, and spiny. Fast-growing and spiny, beit-alpha, or “mini” cucumber varieties can be eaten fresh or used for pickles. Popular prickling varieties include the Diamant; this variety produces an abundant, early crop of sweet fruit that is excellent for fresh eating and pickling. The Manar variety is best grown only during the high-light months, while the Jawell F1 hybrid should be grown with fewer daylight hours. Also, the County Fair pickling cucumber is especially popular with hobby greenhouse growers with its attractive medium-green, crunchy fruit that is nearly seedless.
The Diva cucumber is another greenhouse favorite because of its tolerance of scab, powdery mildew, downy mildew, and angular leaf spot. The Diva cucumber foliage is also less bitter than other varieties, making it less attractive to cucumber beetles.
#3. Bush Varieties
If space is limited in the greenhouse, bush varieties should be invested in. These plants produce compact vines without compromising the vegetable yield. Varieties include the Burpless Bush, a slicer that produces dark green and seedless fruit. The Little Leaf variety is a space-saving pickling cucumber with dark green skin and white spines. Orient Express plants are semi-compact and produce large, high-quality fruit that can be eaten fresh or pickled. The Pepinova variety is another good choice for small greenhouses and produces high yields