Lelik cucumber — an early-maturing, cornichon-type variety, suitable for cultivation in open ground and under plastic coverings. The plant is indeterminate, medium-height, and strongly branched with predominantly female flowering. Leaves are medium-sized and green, while fruits are cylindrical with a finely ribbed surface and dense white hairs. Zucchini are dark green with short stripes and moderately spotted, about 8–12 cm long and weighing 90–135 grams. The fruits have excellent flavor, making the variety suitable for fresh consumption, pickling, and marination.
For successful cultivation of Lelik cucumber, high light exposure and moderate humidity are required. The plant prefers fertile, loose soil with neutral acidity. Temperatures below 15 degrees negatively affect growth. Seeds are recommended to be pre-soaked to speed up germination. Optimal planting scheme — 30 cm in rows and 60 cm between rows. Watering is done in the evening in open ground and in the morning in greenhouses, while fertilization is applied 5–6 times during the vegetation period. Good preceding crops include peas, corn, onions, beans, and parsley.
The variety is highly resistant to powdery mildew, brown spot, root rot, and cucumber mosaic virus. Yield under temporary plastic coverings reaches 6.3 kg per square meter, and in plastic greenhouses — up to 16.2 kg per square meter. Due to its hardiness and disease resistance, Lelik cucumber is an excellent choice for cultivation under various climatic conditions.
