Cucumber "Libele F1": characteristics of the variety and agricultural technology

Each type of cucumber is characterized by its own characteristics: the size of vegetables, the speed of ripening, etc. "Libelle F1" is one of the good options for a private plot.This article will tell you about the advantages and disadvantages of a variety.

The variety of cucumbers "Libelle F1" was bred by the German scientist and gardener Friedrich Kampe. Possessing the ability to ripen for a short period, he pleases with a crop after an average of 55 days from the moment the first shoots appeared.

Seeds sprout in the open ground, when the earth is already warmed, and in the greenhouse. In the second case, you can get a wonderful harvest of high quality fruit ahead of schedule. Libela can be grown even in an apartment, using a balcony for this, but so that bees or flies can pollinate the stamens of the flowers. It is imperative to open the windows, because without pollen the plants will produce only empty flowers.

The Libelle F1 feature includes the following features:

• long lashes;
• dark green skin color;
• cucumber weight - up to 150 g;
• the length of one fruit reaches 15 centimeters;
• the pulp is distinguished by sweetness and tenderness, appetizing crunches;
• inside cucumbers are very soft seeds, so they are invisible when consumed;
• from one square meter you can collect up to 10 kg of crop.

The variety prefers high humidity, and its root system is poorly developed. But, despite such features, it is extremely resistant to diseases and the effects of pests. Fruits can not only be used fresh (as an ingredient for salad or sliced), but also canned.

Among the main advantages of the variety are:

• excellent taste;
• good yield;
• the ability of fruits not to deteriorate during transportation;
• attractive appearance.

There is a "Libelle F1" and disadvantages. For example, if you do not harvest in time, it becomes too large for canning. In addition, gardeners who do not provide the plants with enough moisture will definitely face the fact that cucumbers will have an unpleasant bitter taste.

Cucumber seeds of this variety can be planted both in open ground and in a greenhouse without additional germination. It is enough to soak them for half an hour in warm water. Ideal for planting is considered a seed of two years of age. Improve the quality of seedlings helps solution "Epin", in which planting material is immersed for 48 hours.

Sometimes gardeners can not immediately figure out how to select an empty seed. This is done very simply. Salt water is taken for this purpose, cucumber seeds are immersed in it. Everything that pops up is thrown away.

If the crop is planted in a greenhouse or greenhouse, the structure during the daytime should be open for pollination of flowers. Special requirements are imposed not only on the growing conditions, but also on the soil, which must be moist and fertilized. The variety loves a lot of light and heat, because of the weak root system, it is difficult for it to extract a sufficient amount of useful elements for development from the soil. This is one of the reasons why it is necessary to fertilize the wells with humus before planting.

Air temperature at landing should be from 20 to 22 degrees with a plus sign. At night, it should not be less than 10 degrees, otherwise the gardener will face the problem of slow growth of the plant. Regular watering is required, however, as well as loosening the soil, and the application of mineral fertilizers. When planting in acidic soil in the ground add lime in the amount of one liter per square meter.

There are special rules for planting seeds in the ground:

• in each well should be no more than three seeds;
• they are placed at a depth of 2 centimeters;
• the distance between the holes is at least thirty centimeters;
• compost is added to the grooves;
• until seedlings appear, cucumbers can be planted covered with foil, which allows to increase the temperature of the soil by several degrees.

It is best to plant this variety at the end of May.When using seedlings the crop ripens for several weeks earlier. Gardeners are advised to place cucumbers protected from the wind or among higher crops.

In the absence of organic fertilizers, you can replace them with nitrate or urea, which are very useful for cucumbers. Ideal beds with individual holes with sides up to 7 cm. This method of planting helps to ensure an adequate amount of moisture to plants.

In the territory of Siberia, the variety is planted on high dung beds. They reach 50 cm. From above the ground is laid with a layer of 20 centimeters. Metal arcs are installed on top of them, which are covered with polyethylene or any other covering material. Thus, on top of the vegetables are weatherproof, and the bottom of the soil is heated, providing faster emergence and additional nutrition at the stage of ripening of fruits.

It is possible to plant both on the compost pile and on the bags with biomaterial. Be sure to organize drainage holes, which provide an outflow of waste moisture during long rains. Perfect for landing barrels without bottom.

"Libelle F1" grows well in the open field. Shrubs can pinch, making them wider. At the same time it is important to prevent their growth in height. Despite the fact that the variety is very resistant to various diseases, it can be damaged by fusarium, white rot or powdery mildew. Infection can occur even in the greenhouse. Among the main reasons, experts point out:

• landing in contaminated soil;
• temperature variations;
• insufficient lighting;
• use cold water for irrigation.

The formation of bushes after seed germination is not the only care that the plant needs to provide. Mandatory work at the stage of the vegetative period are:

• watering;
• mulching;
• spraying;
• weed removal;
• hilling.

Under no circumstances should the soil for cucumbers dry out, as this has a negative effect on further growth. Before the flowers appear, each bush is watered with the calculation of 6 liters per square meter. At the time of ripening, the amount of moisture increases to 10 liters per meter.

Professionals are particularly responsible for fertilizer application. After planting, the first top dressing is carried out in two weeks, then after every 2 weeks they are applied:

• potassium;
• phosphorus;
• nitrogen.

The first seven centimeters of soil under the bushes should be regularly loosened, but this should be done very carefully so as not to hurt the root system. Bare roots spud, thus providing additional protection against pests.

Seedlings can be planted in the ground when its “age” reaches 25-30 days. In the greenhouse planting seeds occurs two weeks earlier. It is not recommended to immerse the seeds deep in the ground, as well as plant them ahead of time.

It is important to correctly calculate the period of growing seedlings. If it is too large, then when transplanted into the soil the plants will start to hurt. From the date of the alleged last frost count out 30 days ago. This is the time when you can begin to immerse the seeds of cucumber in the cups for germination.

Do not use a common container, from which you have to dig out the plants for transplanting. Due to the weakness of the root system, it is recommended to grow vegetables in individual containers. Then the ground is taken from the pots along with the bushes and placed in the holes in the garden.

Variety "Libele" fruits well, if the gardener complies with all the requirements for its cultivation. Fruits can be collected every two days, as evidenced by numerous reviews. Stems at the time of collection are not advised to touch, including lift, turn over. To the bushes came to their senses after harvest, they must be watered.

It is worth considering that the more often you collect fruit from the bushes, the more you get the harvest. No need to wait until the cucumber reaches its maximum size. Such fruits do not differ attractive taste. Their skin becomes hard, and they are stored less. In addition, overgrown cucumbers inhibit the development of the following ovaries.

The best time to gather is early morning. For work it is better to use special garden shears. It must be remembered that during collection, the used inventory is better disinfected, especially if you have recently removed the affected plants.

Canning is the main area where this type of cucumber is used. After harvesting, fresh vegetables can be stored in the refrigerator for up to seven days. Hard cucumbers should be stored not in a package and not in closed containers, soft ones should be eaten immediately. The ideal place to keep the removed vegetables is cold water or a wooden box, at the bottom of which lies a newspaper. It is great if you can set the humidity in the room at 80%.

"Libele" is a great choice for gardeners who do not want to spend too much time on the street, but at the same time tend to get a quality crop. Simple rules of landing and care help to achieve success even for beginners.

To learn how to properly form cucumber bushes, see the next video.