Lukhovitsky cucumber: description, photos and reviews

The homeland of the cucumber is India. According to ancient chronicles, this vegetable was used here for food as early as 3 thousand BC. E. Later, cucumbers began to cultivate in Egypt and Greece. This is evidenced by their numerous images on the frescoes. In Russia this vegetable appeared in the 15th century and by the 16th century it had gained immense popularity. In our country, this culture is cultivated according to different methods, which allow obtaining a rich harvest of fruits. In the suburbs, for example, Lukhovitsky cucumber is unusually popular.

general description

Actually this cucumber is not a grade. He received a separate name due to the fact that he is grown in an area with an unusual microclimate with a special technology that allows him to receive a large number of small crispy neat fruits. This interesting variety of cucumber is cultivated in the vicinity of the town of Lukhovitsy in the Moscow suburbs.

A bit of history

Once upon a time in the Moscow region, peasants did not recognize black farming in most cases. Engaged in these parts mainly livestock, various kinds of crafts, fishing. However, after the revolution in the floodplain of the Oka River, a large-scale plowing of lands began. Many local residents were allocated sites for gardening. Owners of Soviet dachas drew attention to the fact that of all the crops they cultivate, the greatest yields are given by cucumbers.

Gradually, the owners of the plots located along the banks of the Oka River near Lukhovitsy developed a special technology for cultivating cucumbers. Initially grown vegetables they sold in the markets of Moscow and the region. Later, the harvest began to be exported to the other regions of Russia by the Lukhovichi.

Which varieties are used in Lukhovitsy

Almost any seeds in this area can be grown Lukhovitsky cucumber. Grade "Graceful" and hybrid "Libel" were unusually popular in this area in the Soviet years. Now on the sites of this district of the Moscow region are grown a variety of domestic and Dutch varieties. In order to get real Lukhovitskie cucumbers, locals use mainly cold-resistant and hardy for diseases diseases.

What are the Lukhovitsa cucumbers?

Why is it so valued by the greens from this area in the markets of Moscow and other cities of Russia? The ideal luhovitsky cucumber is a fruit that has small dimensions - 5-7 cm in length, absolutely flat, fresh, with a thin delicate crust, crispy and covered with pimples. In addition to the special technology of cultivation, the locals also observe the culture of trade with such greens. Torn the day before, the cucumber should be lying on the counter by morning.

A few years ago, in the markets of the Moscow and nearby regions, allegedly Lukhovitsky greens began to appear, in fact grown in the Ryazan, Rostov or Tambov regions. Therefore, the administration of Lukhovitsky district decided to patent its cucumbers. All farmers who grow this crop, were required to receive special certificates.

Cucumber Luhovitsky F1: description, photo, features of cultivation

Not so long ago domestic breeders received a special variety - Lukhovitsky F1. This early-ripened cucumber is a female type of flowering, giving dark green with light strips of white fruit.

Very good cucumber Luchovitsky F1 reviews summer residents, mainly due to its unpretentiousness and yield. This variety is grown according to the scheme of 50x50 cm. Zelenians can reach the size of 10-13 cm. Of course, without observing the special technology, the real Lukhovitsa cucumbers from such seedlings can not be grown. However, in any case, the fruits of this variety have good taste characteristics, have a juicy pulp and a thin skin. A photo of this cucumber is presented below.

Technology of cultivation

As in the last century, the present in the weight and quality of Lukhovitsky cucumbers is greatly influenced by the unique microclimate of the lower reaches of the Oka River. Owners of summer cottages, thanks to high humidity and prolonged frost-free period, gather the richest harvests of the tastiest greens in Russia on the fatty soils of the floodplain. Cultivated Lukhovitskie cucumbers (photo of such fruits of different varieties can be seen in the article) using this technology:

• At the bottom of large hotbeds a thick layer of straw is stacked. In the future, it will begin to rot and warm up the seedlings from below.
• A special soil mix consisting of soil, humus and peat is poured over the straw.
• Then the lukhovitsky cucumber itself is planted. Seeds are soaked for a while in water and placed in a greenhouse.
• From above the seedling greenhouse is covered with two layers of polyethylene film.

The landing is made on this technology in the early spring, even before the snow melts. A month later the grown up seedlings are transferred to ordinary beds, covered with film. Previously, the soil surface is mulched with a special material with slots. In the future this prevents the growth of weeds.

During the growing of seedlings on the beds, the air temperature is controlled manually (by opening and closing the film). Of course, cucumbers periodically watered. Subsequently, the greens, reaching the optimal size, periodically tear off (about a day later). This traditional technology of growing cucumbers has been transmitted to the families of Lukhovitsy for many years from generation to generation.

Monument

In the Lukhovitsy district, the greens grown by the cottagers are very fond of eating. Eat them in fresh form, and canned, and in salads. This vegetable here is so popular that he even put a monument. The monument depicts a barrel on top of which lies a large Lukhovitsky cucumber. Coins are symbolized throughout the surface of the green. Engraved on the monument inscription reads: "Cucumber-breadwinner from grateful luhovichan."

At first glance, such praise may seem in something even humorous. However, in fact, everything is more than serious. This monument was erected in 2007, on the day of the 50th anniversary of the city. The decision was made by the administration mainly because in the difficult 90-ies the rich vegetable brought a real salvation to the luhovichi. In addition to the monument to the cucumber, the museum is also open to this vegetable.

Customer Reviews

Of course, everyone who tried Lukhovitsky juicy crispy cucumbers, they are very praised. Many believe that this is the most delicious greens not only in the Moscow region, but in all of Russia. In Lukhovitsky cucumbers, there is never a void, and they have practically no skin. Previously, some fruit sold on the market slightly bitter. Local residents believe that the presence of a couple of such copies in one kilogram is a sign of complete ecological purity of the products. However, since the consumer's demands for various kinds of vegetable products have recently increased, the Lukhovichites switched to the cultivation of special Dutch varieties. Such cucumbers are not bitter at all. The only drawback of these greens is quite a high cost.

Reviews about Lukhovitsky F1

Many gardeners, of course, are interested in whether it is worth buying this variety of cucumbers. Lukhovitsky cucumber F1, judging by the opinion of many dacha owners, in fact has excellent qualities and perfectly simulates the fruits grown in the lower reaches of the Oka. These cucumbers are completely devoid of bitterness, are juicy, crunchy and perfectly suitable for pickling.

Where to buy

Where can you buy Lukhovitsky cucumber? Photos of these vegetables, presented on the page, clearly demonstrate their small size and neat shape. To buy such crispy greens, grown in the Oka floodplain, today you can basically only in the markets of Moscow and Moscow region. And of course, they can be bought in Lukhovitsy itself. This city is located 135 km from the capital, on the highway Moscow - Chelyabinsk.

In Lukhovitsy this vegetable is sold by the dacha growers themselves. Unfortunately, the way to the capital markets is now closed to them. The sale of cucumbers, with love grown in suburban areas in the lower reaches of the Oka, in Moscow today only dealers are engaged. Businessmen come to the villages and buy tons of vegetables that are in great demand. Of course, they realize it in the markets of Moscow is very expensive. But those who go to the capital on the highway Moscow - Chelyabinsk, have a great opportunity to buy crispy little greens, suitable for including salting, a little cheaper right on the track. In the district of Lukhovits, hundreds of summer-vendors are selling along its edges and selling their famous products.

Even more fresh Lukhovitsk cucumbers can be bought in the lower villages of the district. To do this, go to the city to the market and follow the train station. Next, go to the Red Floodplain and turn to Fruit. After a while, the signs will go along the route to the "cucumber" villages: Grektovo, Ivnagi, Psotino, etc.

How to properly salt Lukhovitsky greens

All varieties grown in this area have excellent taste characteristics not only in fresh form, but also being preserved. Including deserved good cottage dwellers Lukhovitsky F1 reviews. Using zelenots from the lower reaches of the Oka for salting allows you to get environmentally friendly delicious blanks for the winter. Preserve the greenery grown in this area, you can by any means. Each landlady probably has many methods. But the Lukhovits themselves scoop their cucumbers in the following way:

• Broken from the beds of greens thoroughly washed.
• Fold the cucumbers in sterilized jars.
• Prepare a brine with the addition of spices and salt.
• Pour it into the jars.
• Put the cucumber in a warm dark place for 2-3 days.

After the foam appears, the cans are closed with plastic lids and placed in the basement.

Unfortunately, because of the difficulties of marketing, such an occupation as growing cucumbers in the Lukhovitsky district is gradually losing popularity these days. Only the retired are engaged in cultivating this culture. According to the forecasts of some researchers, after 15-20 years "cucumber production" in this area can completely come to naught. We hope that this will not happen all the same. After all, Lukhovitsky cucumber actually has a truly unique taste characteristics and, moreover, absolute ecological purity. What can not be said about many vegetables grown according to new-fangled technologies in greenhouses and hotbeds of large farms in other parts of the country.