Cucumbers "Zozulya F1": features and cultivation

Climatic conditions of some regions do not allow growing vegetables in open ground.An effective way out of this situation is the use of greenhouses. In a greenhouse, you can grow as ordinary varieties of vegetables, and artificially bred. The last species include the variety of cucumbers “Zozulya F1”, which is distinguished by high yield and high taste qualities of fruits.

For the cultivation of vegetable crops, greenhouses are widely used today, which make it possible to obtain high yields in adverse climate conditions, as well as to collect ready-to-eat fruits ahead of their natural ripening period on the site. For such agricultural constructions, breeders regularly develop new varieties of crops, which in most cases are not inferior in fruit characteristics and taste to those of the parent plants.

Hybrid plant "Zozulya F1" is a variety of cucumber, the work on the creation of which was conducted thirty years ago. Today, despite the fact that the breeding of new greenhouse crops continues, this cucumber does not give up its leadership position, since it has come to taste to many summer residents and vegetable growers.

“Zozulya F1” has always enjoyed special demand in regions where cucumber cultivation is possible only in greenhouses and greenhouses. He owes his appearance to the UC them. V.N. Edelstein (Moscow). The hybrid was entered in the state register in 1977. Among its characteristics was the recommendation for cultivation without strict zoning. This feature is due to the fact that when the variety was produced, the emphasis was on growing it in favorable conditions of greenhouses with equipped irrigation and irrigation systems. In such cases, there is no urgent need to link to any region.

But, even taking into account the recommendations described above, experienced growers successfully grow a hybrid in simpler greenhouse structures. In addition, according to reviews, cucumber grows well in open ground. Of course, an attempt to harvest in a harsh climate on an open-air plot is unlikely to be crowned with success. However, in the southern climate, where the construction of greenhouses is not economically feasible, "Zozulya F1" shows high yields. In winter, the culture grows well in greenhouses. You can find this fruiting hybrid even on city balconies and loggias.

The considered hybrid is partially self-pollinating. As for the time of ripening of the crop, “Zozulya F1” is considered an early ripe crop. As a rule, the first vegetables from the bushes can be harvested within 45-48 days after germination. The largest volumes of harvest can be obtained from plants in the first 30 days of fruiting. The yield of cucumber is at a high level. Most often it is about 12 kilograms of vegetables per square meter. In the case of sowing seeds in the greenhouse for seedlings in late April or early May, cucumbers will be ready for harvest from June to October.

The formation of the bush occurs in a fairly large size, the weaves have an average length. Usually the plant is drawn to the level of one meter, but this value is not the maximum limit of its growth. In greenhouse conditions, bushes must be tied to a support. The formation of colors occurs in the axils of the foliage, after which the ovaries form there.

Masking the crop is not necessary, since the side shoots will be quite enough for a good harvest. Foliage has a rich green color. Bushes grow well in shaded areas. The hybrid is immune to many diseases, among which are the mosaic and various types of rot.

Flowers in a female cucumber, it does not need pollination by insects. Fruits have the form of a cylinder, 25 centimeters in length. The peel is loose with minimal pubescence and a small number of tubercles. The weight of a cucumber averages 130-250 grams.

As for taste, cucumber is distinguished by sweetness and freshness.The flesh is fleshy and crispy, the flavor is average. The variety is ideal for fresh consumption, in addition, it lends itself well to canning without losing taste. The harvest is stored for a long period, the fruits tolerate transportation over long distances.

Describing this hybrid vegetable culture, it is necessary to dwell on the positive and negative properties of the plant. The advantages of cucumber include the following characteristics:

• the ripening of fruits (after 40 days after germination, the bushes already produce the first crop);
• good taste (many growers choose this variety for the sweetish taste of cucumbers);
• the plant is endowed with strong immunity, therefore it rarely suffers from diseases that often affect crops growing in the greenhouse;
• excellent survival rate after transplanting;
• Cucumber quickly adapts to the short summer, which is typical of the northern regions;
• bushes have good shade tolerance;
• despite the fact that the variety is mostly grown in greenhouse conditions, the fruits have a universal purpose.

Among the minuses of the plant it is necessary to note the following nuances:

• due to the fact that the variety was originally bred for cultivation in greenhouse conditions, when grown in open ground, there is not such a high yield;
• the culture is susceptible to infection with fusarium and false dew; in addition, pests of agricultural plants show interest in cucumbers of this variety;
• in the second year after canning, the fruit tastes and presentation are reduced (cucumbers become tasteless and soft from the effects of brine);
• due to the origin of the culture to propagate its own seeds is not possible.

It may seem to an inexperienced gardener that the process of growing cucumbers on a plot is a task that does not require any special knowledge and effort. However, as practice shows, to obtain a decent crop, the vegetable grower will have to cope with a number of mandatory and important agrotechnical measures.

First of all, it concerns the selection of cucumber seeds. When purchasing planting material, it is impossible to be sure that all seeds will surely sprout. Not every seed will be able to form a full-fledged crop.

It is possible to select a viable material from the total mass in a fairly simple way — you will need 2 tablespoons of salt for 5 liters of water. Hybrid seeds are immersed in the resulting compound for 5 minutes. For further work will be suitable only those that have settled to the bottom. In addition to determining the quality of planting material, thus disinfecting seeds.

Before planting seedlings need to germinate. This event can be held in several ways. The main options are described below.

• Wet gauze is laid out on a saucer, seeds are poured on top and covered with the same piece of gauze. The plate is kept in a warm place, regularly irrigated from the sprayer. If there is no gauze, you can take non-sterile cotton wool for this germination method.
• The seeds are wrapped in a napkin, moistened with warm water, and then placed in a regular bag, which is kept warm until signs of germination appear.
• Lay out planting material on damp rags, cover from above with the same wetted cut of fabric. In this arrangement, the seeds are sent to storage in a jar of sawdust, slightly deepening them.

These methods are not the only ones. The main condition for germination is the provision of an appropriate microclimate for seed souring. Similar processes are possible at high humidity and elevated temperature. It should be noted that the purchased glazed seeds “Zozuli F1” do not need to germinate.

The sowing of hybrid seeds to obtain seedlings in open ground is recommended in May.If you plan to cultivate cucumbers in the greenhouse, such work can be started earlier. As a nutrient primer, you should take a ready-made composition or use a soil mixture prepared by yourself.

Capacity for seedlings should not be large. Judging by the reviews of experienced gardeners, peat pots and tablets are quite comfortable. During subsequent transplantation to the beds, they go deep into the soil and eventually decompose, without causing any harm to the roots of the cucumber bushes.

Peat tablets are moistened before planting, each contains one seed. For peat pots you can use two seeds. They are filled with purchased or prepared mixture. After germination, the weakest plant is removed from the tank.

To create favorable conditions for the development of seedlings, containers with containers must be covered with a film or glass. Indoors, the temperature should be maintained at + 27 ° C. When plants appear, shelter can no longer be used. Shoots need sunlight, so they are moved to the lighted place, the temperature can be reduced to + 20 ° C. Watering seedlings is carried out only with warm water, it is better to use boiled or melted liquid.

Pick up young bushes can be carried out under the following conditions:

• the thermometer at night should not fall below + 10 ° C;
• The plant must contain at least two leaves.

Cucumbers need the most fertile soil, which is why the main task prior to transplanting into the soil is fertilizing the soil. To do this, one square meter will need half a bucket of compost. Mineral supplements are also required. If the soil is characterized by high acidity, it is necessary to add another ingredient to the composition - wood ash.

The variety "Zozulya F1" is quite unpretentious in the care, but, despite this feature, it is impossible to get a big harvest, if you ignore the rules of agricultural technology. Watering plants should be carried out every day after picking. It is better to work at a time when solar activity will be minimal. After a period of adaptation of the plants at the new location, the frequency of irrigation can be reduced by performing watering once every two days.

In the summer heat, daily watering is a prerequisite for crop growth, but the use of cold water can lead to a decrease in the number of ovaries on the bushes, in addition, the fruits will be bitter. Therefore, even on hot days it will be right to use warm water for irrigation. In the first seven days after planting cucumbers in the ground, one plant will need at least half a liter of water per day. For adult hybrids, the required volume of liquid will be one liter.

The introduction of fertilizers will also affect the yield of the variety. The hybrid must be fed with nutritional formulations at least once every 14 days. Cucumbers respond well to potassium-containing preparations, urea, chicken manure and nitrophoska. As for chicken manure, it is better to use it in a diluted state to avoid burns of the root system.

Loosening the soil should be regular, since such work will ensure the cleanliness of the beds, as well as optimal air exchange in the soil. After natural precipitation, loosening is mandatory. Also bushes varieties Zozulya need hilling. This will protect the plants from the wind and help the roots grow much faster. Quite good results are shown by mulching of beds. Usually, straw or sawdust is used as a layer of mulch.

That the plant was formed correctly, it needs to be pinned. Work on the formation of bushes must begin after the adaptation of young plants in the garden. It is recommended to remove all the shoots and flowers that have formed in the axils of the first four leaves. Subsequent hedges pinch to a length of 20 centimeters, the rest leave up to 40 centimeters long.

With increased humidity or temperature fluctuations, the plant may begin the development of a fungal infection. If there are signs of fusarium or false dew, the affected shoots must be removed. In this case, healthy cultures are treated with “Fitoverm” or copper sulfate solution. To reduce the risk of greenhouse cucumber disease, the room temperature is strictly controlled. In the bushes that grow in the open, you need to remove the lower foliage.

Cucumbers and in the greenhouse, and on the site also suffer from such a pest as the whitefly. To destroy the moth sticky traps are used, and the green mass of the bushes is treated with soapy water. The fight against spider mites is carried out by spraying the leaves with pepper composition. Get rid of aphids with fungicides.

Work on the collection of fruits, carried out very carefully: to remove the vegetable from the bush, you must pinch their tails with a nail plate on your finger. Harvest is recommended to be collected daily, because it will serve as an incentive for the formation of new ovaries.

Immature fruits that are free from defects are selected for storage. Greenhouse vegetables will be stored no more than a week. To extend the shelf life of the crop, you can put it in the sand. Co-location of cucumbers with other vegetables or fruits should be avoided. In addition, a thin hybrid will be longer suitable for use after harvest, if each fruit is wrapped in a napkin and put in the refrigerator. So the variety "Zozulya F1" will not deteriorate within 14 days.

It is impossible to wet or wash the collected cucumbers before being sent for storage, but placing a container with water in a room where boxes of green leaves will stand will help to prolong the freshness of the harvest.

Review of the variety "Zozulya F1" in the next video.