Varieties of squash: characteristics and selection rules

Gardeners of even the most severe regions try to diversify their plantings to the maximum. But each culture deserves close attention and adequate care.Also, each must have a variety, and each of them must be used only in strictly designated conditions. Squashes are no exception.

Giving a general characteristic of the zucchini, it should be noted to begin with that they are all annuals, and the harvest during the growing season is 2, 3 or 4 times. Biologists identify zucchini to the Pumpkin family, to the genus Pumpkins and consider it a subspecies of the ordinary pumpkin. Fruits differ in the form extended in length, can have a yellow, green or white color. The digestibility of the culture is good, it gives considerable benefits and has a positive effect on both digestion and skin condition. Belonging to a certain sort of zucchini almost does not affect their chemical composition, in which:

• over 94% is water;
• 0,6 - for proteins;
• 5,2 - on carbohydrates.

The plant contains a relatively small amount of sucrose. Pectin can account for up to 2%, fat - only 0.1%. The concentration of salts of iron, phosphorus, copper and potassium is high. Fresh zucchini fruits can be used for quite a long time, in spring they use greenhouse crops, and in the autumn everything that is planted in the free land ripens.

The use of zucchini fruits is very diverse - they can be boiled, extinguished, baked, stuffed and fried. The use of zucchini for canning on an industrial scale is widespread.

Mature zucchini contains high quality oils. Since biologically this plant acts as a pumpkin as a hard rock, after a thorough ripening, the bark really has great strength. There are both bush and climbing forms of vegetables (with a length of the largest whip up to 70 and up to 300 cm, respectively). It should be remembered that the spots on yellow or white that appear on individual varieties should not be considered a symptom of disease. In addition, squash pubescence on the stems and petioles; these thorny thorns complicate the harvesting of ready-made fruits.

Any zucchini is a plant with a reduced growing season. Low heating requirements make it possible to obtain powerful yields even outside the Black Soil Region. Cultivation in the open field gives a chance to harvest when the fruit mass reaches 300-700 g.

Zucchini love sunlight, while categorically unacceptable for planting them in dark areas or excessive density of crops. Resistance to drought is relative, as the root system actively draws water, but it cannot fully compensate for the weakness of irrigation. The highest demand for water in the latter part of June and in July, when the plants develop rapidly. If there is not enough water, you can get only small premature fruits with excessive entry of dry mass. Claims to the nutritional value of the land are limited, but still the best results can be obtained on fertile sandy loams and light loams differing in neutral or weak acid reactions.

An important question about zucchini - what is their difference from zucchini. The appearance of these two vegetables is very similar, and confusion between them occurs too often. It is worth noting that both plants provide considerable benefits and are equally suitable for dietary nutrition. Zucchini comes from Mexico and therefore can not boast of frost resistance. At the same time, a guest from Central America is colored in a dark green tone (variations of shades are possible), and zucchini are more diverse in color.

In this case, zucchini is always smaller. The seeds of the zucchini, like the fruits themselves, are very large. Zucchini seeds are even hard to find and highlight in the pulp without a magnifying glass. Squash for the most part develops in the form of shoots crawling on the ground, but the zucchini is a plant of the bush type only.When compared to two vegetables, the zucchini also shows a smaller size of foliage and flowers.

To speak about the early zucchini and not to mention the "Kavili" would be an unforgivable omission. This variety is among the fastest ripening vegetable varieties. The possibility of setting fruit without the help of pollinating insects is noted. It is possible to rely on the harvest in compliance with the norms of agrotechnology after about 45 days from the moment of emergence of the seedlings. Duration of fruiting may exceed 60 days, per 1 sq. Km. m. total fee will exceed 9 kg.

Bush "Kavili" different green dark leaves, covered with white areas. Compact plants help save space, which makes them acceptable both in large open areas and in greenhouses in a limited area. Ripe squash resembles a cylinder in shape, the length of the fruit reaches 220 mm, with an average weight of about 0.3 kg. Whitish flesh is covered with a peel of a light green shade. The taste of taste will surely satisfy even the most captious gourmets.

Eliminate its effect can dolomite flour or powdered chalk; with an acutely limited area zucchini can grow in the same place where they grew before:

• cabbage;
• bow;
• bean culture;
• potatoes.

Sort "Iskander" belongs to the category of F1, that is, a hybrid group. Its main advantages are its pleasant taste and high yield, which are guaranteed even with minimal care for plantings. The variety is developed by Dutch breeders and can form ovaries at relatively low temperatures. Harvesting is possible on the 45-50 day. Zucchini does not exhibit any special external differences, they are shaped like cylinders, their weight can reach 0.6 kg.

Eliminate the deformation of "Iskander" can, if you tie it. High yield is guaranteed, each small bush will be able to give up to 17 kg of fruit. Duration of fruiting is very long, the harvest can last until the early autumn cold weather.

The mention of a number of sources that these squashes do not tolerate consistent cultivation in one place only applies to the case when they are not fertilized at all. Planting is carried out either by seedlings (grown about 30 days before moving to open ground), or directly into the soil, strictly in May or in June. To increase the germination helps film cover in the initial growing season. Loosening the land affects the plant only positively. Gathering ready zucchini is made from the last days of June, as soon as they mature fully.

An attractive solution in many cases are zucchini varieties "Tsukesha". Its main positive aspects are unpretentiousness and a decent harvest. The compact plant is not prone to the formation of lashes, the formation of ovaries occurs under a sheet rosette. Young fruits of dark green color, at an exit on technical ripeness are covered with yellow specks. Fully ripened zucchini becomes yellow and even partially orange color.

The fruit has an expressive gloss, foliage covered with white areas. Spots of transition from gray to white are a feature of the botanical unit, and not the result of some pathology. Large flowers of bright yellow tone are divided into male and female buds. The mass of the fruit growing to 0.3-0.4 m, can reach 0.9 kg; besides the cylinder, it can also look like a kind of “mace”. Harvesting from the bush continues until frost.

Accelerated removal of early fruits that are not allowed to outgrow, allows you to get more new ovaries. Pulp "Tsukeshi" different tenderness and juiciness, amazing taste. Zelentsy 150-200 mm long do not have formed seeds, so cleaning them from the middle part is optional. Transportation of the collected fruits is quite simple, the presentation looks happy gardeners. The plant is acceptable for growing throughout Russia, with the exception of the most extreme parts of it. Care, in fact, is reduced to landing in the fertilized land and regular watering.

If, however, make care more active, the collection of 7 bushes will provide the needs of 2-3 people and in the summer, and in the autumn storage, and in canning. "Tsukesha" due to precocity can easily land directly into the ground. To do this, be sure to wait until the end of the risk of frost. An earlier sowing (for 7-14 days) is possible when covering shoots at night with the help of inverted buckets, ordinary pots or half-five-liter bottles.

Quite probable seedling in any garden turns out to be "Black Handsome". The preference given to him by a large part of summer residents and gardeners is connected with the minimum requirements for the care and condition of the land. At the same time the plant gives impressive yields for a long time. This sort of zucchini has been listed in the Russian state register since 2006.

Smooth fruit has a relatively weak ribbing at the very base. Zucchini can reach 0.22 m in length, its mass varies from 800 to 1700 g. At the same time, the total yield per 1 square meter. m can be 3.9-8.5 kg. Fruit picking is possible in 45-55 days from the moment of emergence. The main moment of the harvest comes in July and August.

"Black handsome" is recommended for those gardeners who want to get squash caviar. For seed germination requires a temperature of 10 to 13 degrees Celsius. The unpretentiousness of a variety does not mean that it can be sown in acidic or marshy areas. The selected area should be backlit by the sun from 8 to 12 hours every day. No less important is the prevention of drafts; Between individual plants, a gap of 0.7 m is left, with spacing of 0.8 m.

The early ripening Aeronaut is another brilliant example of early-growing culture of universal purpose. 1.5 months elapse between the emergence of seedlings and the initial harvest of mature fruits. Dark green fruits of an even cylindrical configuration are never longer than 140-150 mm. The plant grows well in open and protected areas, the severity of marketable fruit can reach 1300-1500 g. A serious advantage of the culture is the immunity to powdery mildew and attractive taste parameters that are not lost during transportation.

The bush zucchini is distinguished by a rather short leading shoot and a small number of lashes. The compactness of the bushes ensures optimal use of storage space without sacrificing yield. Typical landing pattern - 400x500 mm. It is recommended to choose sunny areas with minimal risk of drafts formed by fertile soil with a neutral level of acid-base balance. "Aeronaut" positively responds to the introduction of fertilizers strictly according to the method and to high-quality watering.

The variety “Anchor” was bred in the 1980s, approved for use in the Volga region, the Black Soil Region, Western Siberia and the Far East since 1987. High agronomic evaluation due to the excellent ability of the crop to transport. Cylinder shaped fruits become smaller near the stem. It is impossible to detect "grids" or a specific pattern on the surface.The plant is again part of the early ripening group, an average of 45 days elapse between the formation of developed seedlings and the first harvest.

The Aral zucchini guarantees fruit to growers 5 weeks after sowing. Plants are almost not damaged by viral ailments, including mold and root rot. In strict compliance with the norms of agricultural technology from 1 square. m can get up to 10 kg of fruit. Vegetable perfectly tolerates meteorological shocks and other adverse conditions. Recommended fruit picking at least twice a week. If it is produced less often, the effectiveness of the culture falls.

Starting the landing of the "Aral" makes sense only after warming the soil to 12-14 degrees at depths of 10 cm. The risk of frost returning in this case is zero. The use of shelter materials or small greenhouses helps to compensate for less favorable weather situations. Squash "Roller" is designed to the same extent for consumption in fresh and canned form. The mass of one fruit can vary from 1 to 1.3 kg.

Between the emergence of full shoots and technological ripeness takes about 40 days. With strict compliance with the norms of care fertility 1 square. m beds can reach 10 kg. Small fruits can be used in salads, where the prescription should be cucumbers. For a short time, plants can be left without watering, but this is allowed only as a last resort.

If the choice of cluster forms is not necessary, you should look at the Zebra variety, which gives fruit for 37-45 days. Vegetable feels equally good in a greenhouse (greenhouse) and on open ground. The specific name is due to the extraordinary coloring of this culture. Collection in terms of 1 square. m can reach 12 kg, and the mass of a single fruit varies from 500 to 1000 g. The culture does not impose any particularly complicated requirements, but you should definitely pay attention to watering, loosening the land and eliminating weeds.

"Belogor" - the result of the work of the Crimean breeders, variety allowed for use since 1991. The main shoot is shortened, the leaf dissection is average, as is its size. Tykvina has a mass of from 500 to 1000 g, the bark can not boast of a special thickness. The juiciness of the pulp does not suit everyone, the pronounced sweetness for the plant is also unusual. Early ripening hybrid has a yield of 3.6-14.3 kg, which is strongly influenced by the developmental situation.

The variety "Negro" differs:

• excellent yield;
• the number of ovaries;
• fruiting on the 40th day after planting;
• immunity to powdery mildew infection;
• the recommended distance from one bush to another is 0.6 m.

Do not think that later varieties of zucchini uniquely "lose" their early varieties. A convincing refutation of this myth is such a variety as "Spaghetti." Characteristic for him are:

• rich, pleasant taste;
• excellent drought resistance;
• long storage;
• non-standard view.

When ripe, the vegetable turns yellow; to feel the beauty of his taste is possible only after full maturation. Raw spaghetti is used in salads. The bed is so high that the harvest will survive until spring days. Harvesting is possible for 95-130 days, the length of fruits grown by that time can reach 0.3 m. At first, the color is green, then it is more and more close to a yellow tone, but individual vegetables may have a whitish tide when reaching maturity.

Most often, “Spaghetti” is cultivated from seeds, the seedling technique is used relatively rarely. With a short summer, the plant may not have time to achieve the desired state. Since the growth of bushes is almost inevitable, it is preferable for them to allocate elevated places. Collection from 1 square. m does not exceed 5-9 kg during the season. Some suppress the growth can be due to pinching.

Parthenocarpic zucchini is the already mentioned Kavili and Belogor. All these plants can form fruits without additional pollination, but at the same time inside them you can not expect seeds. It is best to use such varieties in places where insect pollinators are completely absent or are present in too small quantities. Parthenocarpic varieties are suitable for open soil in cases where it is urgent for gardeners to get a harvest as early as possible. Quite good results, besides the already described varieties, are provided by the variety "Parthenon" or "Sucha".

Yellow-fruited species of zucchini are still relatively few. In addition to the above “Anchors” and “Spaghetti”, the “Banana”, “Pineapple”, and “Golden Scallop” belong to the yellow varieties. There is also a green and white-fruited type of vegetable. It includes varieties:

• White Bush;
• "Sosnowski";
• "Mountain" type.

Additional classification shows that zucchini may have:

• dark green (to black);
• yellow mixed with green;
• light green;
• beige;
• Orange;
• striped color.

If we talk about the shape of the bush, the difference between bush and climbing plants is quickly discovered. But the geometry of the fruits themselves is even more diverse. Most of them resemble elongated cylinders, although there are ovals, and simple cylinders, and a kind of "pears" or maces. There are even more original varieties - rounded and curved configuration. The size of the fetus is as follows:

• with technological ripeness 150 - 300 mm;
• at full maturity, sometimes up to 1 m (“Russian size” and other giant varieties).

The huge variety of varieties of zucchini and their appearance sometimes makes it difficult to make the right decision. Among the early ripening varietal groups, in addition to the "Ebony", it is safe to recommend the "White" type. Fruiting occurs at 35-40 days after visible visible shoots are detected. Even for open ground in Siberia, the “Anchor”, “Roller”, “Pharaoh” or “Polar Bear” are perfect.

The last of these varieties completes the growing season in 36 days, while the resistance to very low temperatures is also a useful property. To choose both ordinary and self-pollinated zucchini, to get the most out of them, you need to carefully study the information about the seeds.

Varieties of foreign selection mature relatively early and have an attractive appearance. Their problem is a poor set of trace elements and a reduced concentration of such substances.

Plants bred in Russia usually last longer and give a more pleasant taste. In addition, domestic agronomists care more about frost resistance and vitamin composition. It is very important to clearly answer for yourself the question of what specific ripening periods and yields would be preferable. This answer will clarify all the subtleties and nuances much better than any recommendations in the store.

Also recommend to consider:

• seed shelf life;
• coloring varieties;
• keeping quality;
• preferred methods of use;
• suitability for transportation.

In the next video you will find a comparison of 6 varieties of zucchini.