CUCUMBER 'KUCHA MALA'

Cucumber variety 'Kucha Mala' is an early-maturing parthenocarpic hybrid intended for cultivation in open ground, as well as in plastic and glass greenhouses. The plant is medium-height, characterized by high yield and prolonged fruiting period. The cucumbers are cornichon-type, oval-cylindrical, finely ribbed, 7.8 to 10 cm long, weighing 70–95 g. The length-to-diameter ratio is approximately 3.1:1, giving the fruits an attractive appearance and high marketability. The variety is free of bitterness and possesses excellent flavor qualities both fresh and when preserved or pickled. 'Kucha Mala' exhibits high resistance to major cucumber diseases, including true and false powdery mildew, cucumber mosaic virus, and olive spot. Due to its parthenocarpic flowering type, the variety is self-pollinating, ensuring stable and abundant fruiting without the need for pollination. Plants prefer highly fertile, neutral, and well-drained soils. For maximum yield, timely watering, regular weeding, soil loosening, and mineral fertilizer applications are required. 'Kucha Mala' is suitable not only for open-ground cultivation but also for home cultivation on windowsills and balconies. The cucumbers have a sweet taste and crisp texture, making them ideal for salads and fresh consumption. Yield in open ground reaches up to 17 kg per square meter, and in enclosed greenhouses — up to 30 kg per square meter. Seeds are sown in the ground at the end of May, with seedlings emerging in 20–30 days, enabling an early and stable harvest.