2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Breeders have developed an almost universal vegetable that combines the qualities and appearance of cucumber and melon. Cucumber is often confused with laginaria and melotria, but these are completely different cultures
Central Asia is considered the birthplace of such an unusual plant, but ogurdynia has taken root well in Russian conditions.
Description
Ogurdynya is still an exotic plant for domestic gardeners. But growing this culture is still worth it. The appearance of the cucumber is slightly more massive than a cucumber bush, the leaves are large, lobed, have the aroma of fresh melon. The young fruit of the cucumber has a size of 10 -12 cm and, unlike a real cucumber, has a very tender skin with fluff. Depending on the stage of ripeness, the fruits have the ability to change shape, aroma and taste. At an early stage of development, already in July, the fruit resembles a typical cucumber and has a pronounced pleasant cucumber smell and a thin crust. A ripe vegetable does not at all look like a cucumber, but is a full-fledged melon. Ripe fruits are yellow - orange in color and juicy sweet pulp. Fruits are elongated oval, they grow in length up to 30-40 cm, a beautiful pattern in the form of a snake is visible on the peel. Cucumber pulp is much juicier than melon pulp, making it an ideal treat for children.
Growing conditions
The most preferred way to grow cucumbers is through seedlings. Care is the same as for cucumber seedlings. At the moment when all the cotyledons unfold, make a dive, water with warm water. Plant the crop in open ground in early June, when a steady warmth comes. When transplanting the roots, deepen, this technique helps to increase the yield. The distance between specimens must be at least 30 cm.
For high yields, consider the requirements of the gourd. The culture needs constant warmth, light and humidity, does not tolerate frost. If the bed is in partial shade, then the fruit can not wait. In the first week of planting in open ground at night, cover the young shoots with foil. At the same time, start the first feeding with the infusion of chicken droppings. During flowering, treat the plant with Bud. Ogurdynya at the initial stage needs constant moist soil with a mulched surface. The roots of the plant are located on the surface, so frequent watering is required in small portions.
Provide the plant with fertile soil by preparing the garden in the fall. Dig up the ground and add humus, ammonium nitrate and superphosphate. The ideal option would be a bed created on the basis of a compost heap. As the fruits ripen, watering is reduced. For a guaranteed harvest in Siberia and the Far East, grow cucumber in greenhouses. Be sure to form the gherdon bush correctly: pinch the top of the head, when the plant reaches 30 cm, the lateral shoots are pinched over the fifth leaf. Growing up, the gourd forms whips, which should be tied to the trellis. Protect fruits from birds.
Application
Ogurdynia is a valuable food product. The pulp of the fruit contains easily digestible sugars, vitamins A, B, C, E, trace elements, organic acids and biologically active substances. When eating cucumber fruits, cholesterol is removed from the human body and the work of the gastrointestinal tract improves. The fruits have a choleretic, anti-sclerotic, hematopoietic effect.
Young cucumber fruits are eaten fresh along with the peel, green salads are prepared, pickled, and salted. In the process of ripening, the fruits turn into wonderful melons with a unique orange-honey flavor. From ripe cucumber fruits, excellent jam, jams, amazing jam and candied fruits are obtained. The fruits can be dried, wilted, and at the same time the mouth-watering cucumber slices will not lose their amazing taste.
