Cucumbers are the most ancient vegetable crop. Cucumbers have been cultivated for about 6 thousand years.
India is considered the birthplace of the cucumber, where you can still find wild cucumbers, cucumbers, like vines, entwining trees in forests. Fences of Indian villages are woven with cucumbers. In India, the cucumber came into use at least 3000 BC. Its purpose in Sanskrit is unambiguous for the name of the legendary Indian prince, who allegedly had 60 thousand children, which, in all likelihood, is associated with both the large number of grains in the cucumber and the abundance of fruits it bears.
Beautiful images of cucumber on sacrificial tables, found on the monuments of the ancient Egyptians, prove that they knew and loved this vegetable. In the temple of Dakhirel-Bars, green-colored cucumbers are depicted along with grapes.
It is believed that the cucumber entered Europe thanks to the conquest of Southeast Asia by the ancient Greeks. The image of a cucumber can be found in ancient Greek temples. The Greeks called the cucumber “aoros”. This word is translated as “unripe”, since the fruits were eaten unripe. The word “aoros” gradually turned into “auguros” (in Rus' it was paraphrased into “cucumber”).
In Greece, during the time of Homer, there was even a city of Sikyon - “the city of cucumbers”. The ancient Romans grew cucumbers in greenhouses all year round and salted them in tubs.
Already in ancient times, cucumber juice has established itself as an indispensable cosmetic product that cleanses and protects the skin. Crushed cucumber seeds were mixed with powder, and crushed cucumber was used to smooth out wrinkles.
The Slavs were perhaps the first of the peoples who communicated with Byzantium to grow cucumbers. From them, the cucumber came to the Germans and therefore the name of this crop in German is consonant with Russian.
When the cucumber first appeared in Russia, it is impossible to say for sure. It is believed that it was known to the Russians even before the 9th century. The first literary mention of cucumbers in the Muscovite state was made by the German ambassador Herberstein in 1528. Somewhat later, in the 30s of the 17th century, the German traveler Adam Olearius (Elschläger) gave a commendable review of Russian cucumbers in his “Detailed description of the trip of the Holstein embassy to Muscovy and Persia.” Peter the Great, by his highest command, issued a decree on the creation of a special farm for growing cucumbers. This was in the 17th century, but on the tables of ordinary Russian people, cucumber was no longer an exotic product. Travelers from Western Europe noted that cucumbers are grown in incredible quantities in Rus' and could not understand why they grow better here than in Europe.
One of the most common dishes in Russia in the 16th century was “black ukha” - a soup in which meat was boiled in cucumber brine mixed with various spices and roots.
Cucumber was the first crop in Russia to be grown in protected soil. In the beginning (until the 18th century), cold beds and warm nurseries with light-proof shelters, steam beds, ridges and heaps (with manure as soil heating) were used for cucumbers. Since the 18th century, they began to build classic Russian greenhouses with biological heating (the same manure). In the 19th century, semi-greenhouses with glazed frames and the famous Klin lean-to greenhouses with hog heating appeared.
At the beginning of the 20th century, many different protected ground structures appeared in Russia. Glass and oiled paper were used as a transparent cover. Since the second half of the 20th century, mass construction of industrial greenhouse plants began. Cucumber was still the main protected soil crop.
Cucumber belongs to the Pumpkin family. The fruit of a cucumber, like a pumpkin, is a berry. Young unripe fruits - greens - are eaten as food: fresh, salted and pickled. Cucumbers consist of: 95% water, 0.7 - 1% protein, 2% sugars, vitamins C, B1, B2, P, provitamin A, enzymes, aromatic substances and mineral salts. Alkaline salts (they make up 75% of the total amount of mineral salts contained in the cucumber fruit) reduce the acidity of gastric juice, and the high potassium content (174 mg per 100 grams of wet weight) helps remove water from the body and has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart and kidneys , liver.
In the summer, every table is sure to have a large number of tasty and healthy vegetables. But does everyone know where the homeland of the cucumber is and what beneficial properties it has? Why is it worth setting aside a place of honor in the garden for growing this crop?
Which country is the birthplace of cucumber?
This vegetable is a herbaceous plant. By the way, cucumber (like pumpkin) is a berry. This plant is an annual. It is known that in Russia it has been grown for only 400-500 years. In ancient times, cucumbers in Greece were called “aguros”, which translated means “unripe”. It is believed that the smaller the fruit, the tastier it is. The homeland of the cucumber is India. It has been grown there for 5,000 years. There, this vegetable is a wild plant, and it can be found even in the forest.
Landing Features
Where cucumbers are native (in India), tropical and subtropical climates prevail. It is important to know that for a good harvest it is necessary to plant “aguros” when the temperature reaches 15-17°C. The most favorable month for sowing is June.
In the first month of summer, the air temperature is not yet very high, and over the next sixty days of summer the crop will reach sufficient growth and ripen.
Little known facts
The homeland of cucumber is the largest country in South Asia. Surprisingly, in India, cucumbers are not planted specifically. They wrap themselves around trees and fences. It is also curious that earlier, when this vegetable was rare, the Turkish Sultan ordered the bellies of his servants to be opened to find out who stole and ate the “aguros” that his acquaintance brought him in small quantities.
Often this vegetable, familiar to us, ends up in the Guinness Book of Records. A cucumber is registered there, the length of which is 1.83 m. It was found in Hungary.
Also among the record holders is the heaviest vegetable, weighing more than 6 kg.
Where are cucumbers valued?
The homeland of the cucumber is not only India, but also China. It is there that cucumber seedlings are now grown in boxes on the roofs of houses and then transplanted into the ground. The vegetable was also valued in Greece: the city of Sikyon, which translates as “city of cucumbers,” was named after it.
It is known that the plant was depicted in ancient Egypt on frescoes that have survived to this day. In Suzdal, to this day, Cucumber Day is celebrated every year in June, and in Lukovitsy, a two-meter bronze monument was erected in honor of the plant.
Useful properties of the plant
How many beneficial properties does a cucumber have?
The homeland of the plant is associated with youth and endless vitality, and this is no coincidence. The fact is that cucumber has a lot of useful vitamins and elements. Thanks to them, many diseases can be prevented or their development slowed down. These diseases include cardiovascular problems, obesity, poor kidney and liver function, and slow metabolism. Cucumbers not only contain a huge amount of iodine, which, by the way, prevents thyroid diseases, but also have a very small amount of calories. This plant fits perfectly into the diet of those people who are overweight or watching their figure. The minimum calorie content is due to the fact that the vegetable consists of more than 90% water.
Not only the fruit itself, but also its seeds have beneficial properties. They remove excess cholesterol from the human body. In addition, consuming cucumbers and their juice improves skin condition and improves memory.
Cucumbers and skin care
Cucumbers are an excellent vegetable to use for skin care. The plant tones and refreshes the face. Cucumber masks are suitable for any skin type. For those who have dry skin that constantly flakes, cosmetologists recommend wiping their face every day with a swab dipped in a special mask. To prepare it, you need to mix diced cucumber without peel with olive oil in proportions 1 and then let it brew for a day. This daily procedure will help prevent and get rid of flaking.
Contraindications
In addition to a lot of positive aspects, cucumbers also have contraindications. They are not recommended for use by nursing women, people with stomach diseases and those who are addicted to diuretics, as well as for some endocrine diseases.
Conclusion
Cucumber is a fairly popular vegetable in our house, but does everyone know where its homeland is? Not everyone knows about the beneficial properties of the fruit, thereby underestimating the universal plant. It’s not for nothing that cucumbers were depicted on the walls of temples in Ancient Greece. This plant is an endless source of health, youth and beauty. Cucumbers, if you follow all the recommendations, are easy to grow and then benefit the body all summer, and the result lasts all year. That is why gardeners recommend studying in detail the beneficial properties of cucumbers and allocating some space for them in your garden.
Based on the tables above, we can conclude that it is most beneficial to eat cucumbers with the peel, which contains many useful substances. However, both without peel and pickled cucumbers retain some beneficial properties. However, it is worth considering that when salted or pickled, the sodium level in them jumps sharply, which can negatively affect the health of people suffering from kidney failure. At the same time, the proportion of vitamins decreases, the level of potassium, magnesium, zinc and calcium decreases. And too much salt can lead to the destruction of tooth enamel, fluid retention in the body and disruption of the gastrointestinal tract.
Medicinal properties
Cucumber is inferior to many vegetables in terms of vitamin content, since it consists almost entirely of water. However, cucumber water is rich in mineral salts and biologically active substances. For example, cucumber fruits contain enzymes that promote the absorption of proteins and B vitamins, as well as maintaining normal blood reactions. Moreover, cucumbers contain an enzyme similar to insulin, making it an important food for diabetics.
In addition, cucumber water helps cleanse the body by dissolving toxins. That is, cucumber should not be used as a food on its own, but it plays a significant role in the digestion of other foods, such as meat. Due to their low calorie content, cucumbers are recommended for people prone to obesity.
Although in small quantities, cucumbers contain phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sulfur, magnesium, sodium, iron, zinc and iodine (in easily digestible form). Due to this, they have choleretic and diuretic properties, help improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system, and are recommended for people suffering from thyroid diseases. In addition, this set of microelements helps improve the condition of human nails, hair, teeth and reduces the acidity of gastric juice. By the way, fiber, which is part of cucumbers, has the best effect on the digestion process. A mild laxative effect helps relieve constipation.
As for vitamins, cucumbers can boast of the presence of carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, folate, etc. The latter take an active part in regulating the level of homocysteine, an amino acid that is formed in the body during metabolism and increases the risk of atherosclerotic vascular damage and thrombosis.
Another useful component of cucumber is phytosterol (phytosterol) - a steroid alcohol that does not dissolve in water. In fact, we are talking about a plant-based double of cholesterol. Its advantage is that it is safe for humans and does not provoke the development of atherosclerosis. Once in the body, phytosterol inhibits up to 10% of cholesterol absorption and instead penetrates into the blood without causing any harm to the body.
Use in medicine
In traditional medicine, cucumber, despite the presence of useful elements and properties, is not used and is not considered a pharmacopoeial plant. However, green fruits have been actively and successfully used in folk medicine and cosmetology for a long time.
Firstly, the simplest folk use of cucumber is external. If you receive minor burns, abrasions or wounds, it is recommended to apply a cut cucumber to the damaged area or lubricate the area with fresh cucumber juice. This guarantees a powerful antimicrobial effect (even in case of suppuration). Secondly, various decoctions and infusions are prepared on the basis of cucumber, and compresses are made from them. Moreover, not only the fruits themselves and the juice are put into circulation, but also the flowers, leaves and vines of the plant (usually in dried form).
Decoctions and infusions
A decoction of fresh cucumbers can help get rid of edema caused by heart pathologies or varicose veins. To do this, you need to finely chop 100 g of washed cucumber, pour 200 ml of boiling water over it and cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Half a glass of this decoction should be drunk before meals three times a day for 7-10 days.
Beverages
Cucumber juice has many beneficial properties, so it is recommended to drink it in its pure form. However, due to the refreshing effect that cucumber has, it is often added to various summer drinks. For example, a lime and watermelon cocktail (200 g watermelon pulp, 1/2 lime, 1/2 cucumber, a bunch of mint and water) or a spinach and celery smoothie (grind in a blender: 100 g spinach, 1 green apple, 1 cucumber, 1 stalk of celery, 1 piece of ginger, 2 tbsp lemon juice). Cucumber water is also popular (1 cucumber, 1 bunch of mint, half a lemon, 1 liter of water).
In cosmetology
Cucumber is considered a good cosmetic product that has a refreshing and rejuvenating effect on the skin. Thanks to phytosterol, moisture is retained and there is a slight lifting effect. And alkaline salts provide nutrition to the skin and have a whitening effect, removing plaque.
Now there is a huge selection of all kinds of masks, lotions, tonics, cucumber-based gels, but in the summer you can prepare a cosmetic product at home.
In order to refresh your facial skin after overwork, lack of sleep or stress, you need to take 1 cucumber and 1 chicken protein. You should grate the cucumber on a fine grater and take 2 tbsp. gruel, combining them with egg whites whipped until foamy. Then apply the mask to your face for 15 minutes and rinse with water. And for the skin around the eyes, it is recommended to mix 2 tbsp. grated cucumber with chopped parsley.
To achieve a rejuvenating effect, you need to mix 1 tbsp. grated cucumber with 1 tsp. white clay. A mask made from 1 tbsp gives a moisturizing effect. grated cucumber, 1 tsp. chopped mint and 1 tsp. chopped basil.
One of the first countries where cucumber was cultivated and eaten was China. There is a legend according to which it was the Chinese who introduced this vegetable to Turkey. In addition to other gifts, they sent the Turkish Sultan Magomed II as a gift several exotic fruits - cucumbers. The Sultan liked the strange vegetable, and he called on the seven best court guards to guard it. However, one cucumber disappeared, and all the guards denied any involvement in the theft. Then the enraged Sultan decided to conduct a kind of search, giving the order to rip open the bellies of all seven.
Perhaps this is why the saying “Keep an eye on the cucumber with the ax” appeared in Turkish. True, now such words are usually addressed to a person who is doing something stupid. In English and Russian, proverbs about cucumbers have a rather positive meaning. So, the British say " as cool as a cucumber", which literally translates as " calm as a cucumber” and means absolute equanimity. In Russia you can often hear the expression “ be like a cucumber", which means to be cheerful and look good. And Brazilians even use the word “ chuchuzinho"(Port. chayote or Mexican cucumber) for affectionate address to loved ones.
By the way, about love. In 2011, a series called “Cucumber Love” was filmed in Russia, which tells the story of life in the small village of Gorelkovo, famous for its cucumber fields. In addition, back in 1985, the cartoon “The Cucumber Horse” was created in the Soviet Union based on a fairy tale by Galina Lebedeva. Green crispy vegetables also play a plot-forming role in the instructive story “Cucumbers” by children's prose writer Nikolai Nosov. Writers Vladimir Klimenko (story “Mad Cucumbers”) and Vsevolod Ivanov (story “Nezhin Cucumbers”) also addressed the topic of cucumbers.
Great painters also paid attention to this green vegetable. The still lifes “Cucumbers” by Kondrat Maksimov and Mikhail Makhalov (1), as well as the painting “Still Life with Vegetables” by Ivan Khrutsky, became famous. Moreover, medieval artists began to depict cucumbers on their canvases. Thus, the Spaniard Luis Mendeles painted the still life “Cucumbers, Tomatoes and Dishes.” And the Italian Giuseppe Arcimboldo used a cucumber to depict the character’s nose in the painting “Summer” (2).
And Carlo Crivelli distinguished himself by incorporating cucumbers into the Christian subjects of his paintings. Until now, scientists do not agree on the symbolism of cucumbers in Crivelli’s series of paintings “Madonna and Child” (3) and “The Annunciation”. Since the cucumber is often located next to the apple on them, it is sometimes interpreted by analogy as a symbol of temptation and original sin. Although some researchers believe that the cucumber, on the contrary, symbolized the Resurrection and vitality.
Apparently, modern residents of Fiji also believe in the vitality that cucumber gives. They not only consume cucumbers, but also prepare their reserves in case of crop failure or natural disaster. Typically, vegetables are wrapped in banana leaves and buried in the ground. In addition, the size of the supply of cucumbers can help a man get married, since parents of girls are usually more willing to marry their daughters to “cucumber tycoons.”
By the way, in Fiji, as well as in Asia, not only cucumbers in the form in which we are used to seeing them are popular, but also the so-called sea cucumbers. In fact, we are talking about holothurians - invertebrate animals such as echinoderms. The species eaten as food are usually collectively called " sea cucumbers". These oriental seafood are considered extremely healthy delicacies, which is why they are often caught illegally and sold on the black market. There, the price for 1 kg of sea cucumbers can reach up to $500.
True, our traditional green vegetables are also breaking their records, quite legally. In the UK, two pensioners independently grew 1.2 m long fruits in their garden beds. However, the longest cucumber is considered to be a vegetable ripened in one of the greenhouses in Hungary. The record 1.83 m is listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
In different parts of the world, people immortalized the cucumber by erecting monuments to it. For example, there is such a monument in Poznan, Poland. Also in the Ukrainian Nizhyn there is a monument to the unfeminine cucumber, and in the Belarusian Shklov there is a bronze cucumber “Napoleon”. This vegetable is revered in Austria - in Salzburg there is an entire installation “Cucumbers”. They are also respected in Russia, because in addition to the monument, in Lukhovitsy near Moscow there is an entire museum dedicated to the cucumber.
But in London, the cucumber was honored on a grand scale. There is no monument here, but in 2004 a high-rise building 30 St Mary Ax (St. Mary Ax 30) appeared, which the British themselves call “The Gherkin” due to its external similarity and greenish lighting. Interestingly, the creators were actually inspired to create this architectural project by a pine cone.
Dangerous properties of cucumbers and contraindications
Cucumbers are a dietary product, but even they can sometimes cause harm to the body. It is recommended to stop using them in the following cases:
- exacerbation of stomach ulcers;
- acute and chronic gastritis and enterocolitis;
- acute and chronic nephritis and pyelonephritis, as well as hepatitis and cholecystitis (you should avoid eating pickles);
- feeding a baby (can cause stomach upset and colic in the baby).
Story
Cucumber is considered one of the oldest representatives of vegetable crops, appearing four thousand years ago. Although there are bold assumptions that the cucumber is more than 6 thousand years old. There is no clear information about the homeland of this vegetable, but most likely it was the tropical and subtropical regions of Ancient India and China. We can definitely say that initially the cucumber grew wild. Only in the second millennium BC. the ancient Indians cultivated it and gradually introduced it into their diet.
Thanks to increased cultivation volumes and established trade relations, cucumber set off from India and China to conquer the world. This is how he got to Egypt, Ancient Greece, and much later to the Roman Empire. There is reason to believe that it is from the Greek name of this green vegetable “ἄγουρος” (goes back to “ἄωρος” - unripe) that the word “cucumber” comes from. By the way, the English name “cucumber” comes from the French word “concombre”, which, in turn, was borrowed from the Latin language (“cucumis”).
The fact that in ancient times cucumber was an important part of the people's diet is evidenced by its images on frescoes in Greek and Egyptian temples. In addition, the beneficial properties of this crunchy vegetable were described by Aristotle and Hippocrates. In ancient Rome, cucumbers were eaten by both the elite classes and the lower classes. And Emperor Tiberius ordered to serve him one cucumber every day of the year. Then cucumbers began to be grown in boxes on wheels so that they could be moved following the sunlight. It is believed that the first pickling recipes appeared at the same time.
From the Roman Empire, the cucumber spread throughout Europe (in France - from the 9th century, in England - from the 14th century). In the 15th century, thanks to Columbus, the cucumber reached the shores of the New World, where it also quickly gained popularity among local residents. However, at the beginning of the 17th century. In America, information appeared that eating raw vegetables and fruits is dangerous to health, so the cucumber lost its position for some time and received the mocking nickname “cowcumber” (English cucumber for feeding cows). Only about a hundred years later did the green vegetable return to American tables.
It is not known for certain when and how the cucumber came to Rus'. There is a theory that this vegetable came to us from Europe after the baptism of Rus'. Although some scientists believe that our merchants bought cucumbers in East Asia back in the 9th century. In any case, one of the first written mentions of this vegetable dates back to the first half of the 16th century. (notes of the German traveler Elschläger). At the same time, Peter I issued a decree on the cultivation of this crop in the royal garden. It was then that the first greenhouses began to appear.
How to choose
In the summer, it is better to buy cucumbers in the morning, before they have time to lose their freshness by lying in the sun. If the cucumbers have already withered a little, then you can “revive” them by leaving them in cool water for 2-3 hours. By the way, soaking in cold water (about 30 minutes) helps remove nitrates. To enhance the effect, you should put the cucumbers in a transparent container and leave them in a bright place (the sun's rays help speed up the removal of harmful substances).
Purchased cucumbers must be firm, without visible damage or yellow spots. When buying cucumbers out of season, you should pay attention to the unnatural shine. Imported vegetables are often coated with a thin layer of paraffin during transportation for better preservation. In this case, before eating the vegetable, it is necessary to cut off the peel. And if there are no seeds inside at all, then it is better to throw away such a cucumber, due to the presence of a large amount of dangerous substances in it.
In general, the choice of cucumbers depends on your goal. Almost all cucumbers can be used for salad, but the most suitable are considered to be specially bred smooth fruits with a thick skin, about 13 cm long. They have a rich aroma. You can take cucumbers with white thorns.
The best pickled cucumbers are obtained from fruits 9-12 cm in length with dark spines (they are easily removed when washed, which allows the brine to intensively soak the cucumber). For pickling, it is recommended to take cucumbers up to 9 cm in size (short-fruited gherkins) dark green in color with light tips or light stripes on the side. Fruits with dark thorns are also suitable.
How to store
As for storing fresh cucumbers, they can usually last in the refrigerator for about 3-5 days. It is important to provide them with air supply and not store them near ripe fruits and vegetables. To increase the shelf life to 10 days, they are placed in a plastic bag, covered with wet gauze on top and sent to the refrigerator. Cucumbers wrapped in paper towels and placed in an unopened bag can be stored in the refrigerator for about two weeks. In order for the vegetables to remain fresh for 3-4 weeks, they are lowered with their tails into 1-2 cm of cool water and placed in the refrigerator. The water in the container must be changed every day.
Varieties
Despite the fact that cucumbers require a set of certain conditions for normal ripening, thanks to the efforts of breeders, they are now cultivated in different climatic zones and on soils of different composition. The main thing is to choose the right variety.
Depending on the timing of ripening, cucumbers are divided into early ripening, ripening up to 45 days (Cupid, artist, Hector, Masha), mid-ripening, ripening up to 50 days (competitor, unfeminine, table, mother-in-law), and late ripening, ripening more than 50 days (phoenix , Aquarius, Alice). There is also a division of cucumber varieties according to their intended purpose: for fresh consumption, for pickling or canning, and universal ones, suitable for both purposes.
Interestingly, the oblong green vegetable we know has many exotic relatives that are considered its varieties. For example, the African Kiwano cucumber has a yellow peel with spikes and juicy green flesh, slightly reminiscent of our traditional cucumber. The dragon egg is distinguished by its smooth and light-colored shell, round shape and sweetish taste. And Red Hmong cucumbers turn red when ripe and taste a little like melon.
The cucumber, called Gak or Spring bitter, has an orange-red skin and soft red flesh. It contains a large amount of antioxidants, which makes it very useful, however, it does not tolerate transportation well, so it can only be found in places where it is grown. There are also decorative wild cucumbers, which are also popularly called hedgehog cucumbers. They weave around hedges and fences, and their fruits are covered with needles. The peculiarity of these cucumbers is that at the moment of ripening, the peel on the fruit stretches as much as possible and bursts. At the same time, seeds and a little mucus fly out of two small holes under pressure.
Features of cultivation
Cucumber is a vine-like plant with a creeping stem that can reach two or more meters in length. Side shoots and tendrils extend from the main stem, with the help of which the plant can be fixed on supports, taking on a vertical position. Thanks to this, cucumbers can be grown on trellises (usually this method is used in greenhouses and on balconies), although if space in the garden/bed allows, then the stem is allowed to spread along the ground. The length and degree of branching depends on the variety.
During flowering, the plant produces yellow male (with stamens) and female (with pistils) flowers. Female flowers are distinguished by the fact that there is an ovary under them and they are located singly or in 2-3 pieces on the side shoots, while male flowers (empty flowers) form inflorescences of 5-7 pieces mainly on the main stem. Fertilization occurs mainly during the opening of flowers (1-2 days). Pollen is carried by bees and other insects, which are attracted by the bright yellow color and presence of nectar.
In case of cold weather or in greenhouse growing conditions, the pollination process becomes more complicated - it is done manually, so breeders began to breed hybrids. They are obtained through artificial pollination of flowers of different varieties. In its name, the hybrid must have a distinctive symbol - F (filli - Italian children) and a number that indicates the generation number. Moreover, in our time, cucumbers have appeared that do not require pollination at all - parthenocarpic, as well as self-pollinating - their flowers have both a stamen and a pistil.
Cucumbers usually begin to be harvested when the fruits are not yet biologically ripe, which is why they are called greens. Only those cucumbers from which seed material is taken for planting or selection are allowed to ripen and acquire a yellow-brown hue.
Planting cucumbers can be done either by seedlings or by seeds. Typically, seedlings provide an earlier harvest, but also require more attention. After planting in the beds, young plants need to be wrapped in case the temperature drops. In general, cucumber is a heat-loving, moisture-loving and light-loving plant that does not tolerate drafts (note to those who grow vegetables at home on windowsills). It is recommended to plant cucumbers at a distance of at least 20 cm from each other to a depth of 2-2.5 cm in the second or third ten days of May (at temperatures from 18 to 25 ° C).
Among the main cucumber pests is the spider mite, which settles on the underside of the leaves and feeds on their juice, which leads to the appearance of white spots on the leaves, and then, entwined with cobwebs, they dry out. Cucumbers are also afraid of melon aphids, which live on all parts of the plant and suck out its juices. After this, the leaves begin to turn yellow and die. The cucumber mosquito is also dangerous, whose translucent larva with a black head penetrates the stem and root of a weakened plant, after which it dies.
Chemicals are commonly used to control pests. However, in order to prevent harmful insects from entering the plant, you need to do regular weeding to remove weeds.
Kira Stoletova
The homeland of cucumbers is India. The time of appearance of the culture is more than 3000 BC. The history of this vegetable is rich. Not everyone knows how he got to Russia. We recently learned where and when cucumbers appeared in Rus', but people loved the vegetable even in ancient times.
Growing cucumbers
The culture comes from the tropics, so the best climatic conditions are high temperature and humidity. The higher the air temperature, the faster the seeds germinate. At 28°C, the first shoots germinate in 4 days. At the same time, the drop in temperature negatively affects the vegetables - they begin to fade and soon die.
Air humidity should be more than 75%. A smaller percentage slows down the development of culture. The first sign is yellowed dry leaves. The cucumber is also systematically fertilized.
The location for planting cucumbers is chosen to be sunny, without drafts. The crop is incompatible with the following vegetables:
- radish;
- potato;
- tomatoes.
History of cucumbers
When culture first appeared in Rus', it had long been widespread in the world. In other countries, they used the vegetable to prepare various dishes. Relatives of this vegetable are watermelon, pumpkin and melon.
In Egypt, cucumbers were treated with respect, and the juice was used for medicinal purposes. For burns or high fever, cucumber juice was the best medicine.
In Ancient Greece, this vegetable was called aoros (translated as “unripe”).
Cucumbers in Russia
In the XVII century. cucumbers were brought to Rus'. They were better grown in the East of the country and on the territory of the new Ukraine. Special farms were created where they were grown.
In ancient times, an unusual dish appeared - black fish soup. The base is broth with cucumber brine, meat and spices.
Monuments
Monuments are erected in honor of cucumbers. For example, in Belarus, 11 years ago they erected a stone cucumber. In Russia there is a memorial in the city of Lukhovitsy, and in Ukraine - in Nezhin. There is also a monument in Oskol in honor of this culture.
Beneficial features
The composition of a cucumber is 95% water. Therefore, the vegetable easily fights thirst, the product is easy to digest and does not leave behind heaviness.
The culture removes toxins from the body well, so it is consumed systematically. Cucumber juice works well against stones in the bile ducts.
Main components per 100 g of vegetables:
- 25 mg chlorine;
- magnesium 14 mg;
- sodium 8 mg;
- phosphorus 42 mg;
- iron less than 1 mg;
- calcium 23 mg;
- potassium more than 100 mg.
It also contains a sufficient amount of iodine for the body - 3 mcg. Absorption occurs quickly, which is beneficial.
Cucumber salad
Salad recipe:
- cucumber (preferably long) – 3 pcs.;
- shrimp – from 50 g;
- avocado;
- a couple of lettuce leaves;
- cherry – 7 pcs.
Used for sauce.
Does the homeland of the cucumber affect its care? Undoubtedly. But over a long period of time, the fruit has acquired multi-species richness. This means that suitable varieties have appeared in each area.
From the history of the cucumber
The Turkish Sultan named Mohammed II was cruel and greedy. One day he issued an order to cut open the bellies of the courtiers. He wanted to know who dared to eat the unusual gift sent to him - a cucumber.
Cucumbers have become famous as a vegetable plant for a long time - more than six thousand years have passed since then. Its historical homeland is western India. And its fruit is a berry. What else interesting is known about cucumber?
- In India, a wild representative entwines tree trunks in the forest;
- They cover areas of fences in villages;
- His image was found on frescoes during excavations in Ancient Egypt, and also in Greek temples;
- In China, as well as in Japan, the fertility of the cucumber allows the berry to be harvested three times a year. First, cucumbers are grown using boxes and roofs, after which they are planted on fertilized soil in the garden. Huge fruits hang from the trellises when ripe - their length is up to 1.5 m. In Europe, a variety of Chinese cucumbers was chosen for growing in greenhouse conditions;
- There are cucumber records in the Guinness Book. The 1.83 meter long cucumber was grown in Hungary. A cucumber fruit weighing more than 6 kg was obtained indoors.
In Russia, this vegetable quickly became popular. The manual on agriculture distributed during the 18th century states that it took root better in Russia than in Europe. It is believed that the vegetable was known in the country until the 9th century. Under Peter the Great, the homeland of cucumbers was transferred to greenhouses - a special farm created for their cultivation.
