Cucumber hybrid "Lyutoyar f1": planting, growing, and care instructions

The Lyutoyar F1 cucumber variety is grown by many farmers in Russia and neighboring countries. It is prized for its ease of cultivation, consistent yield, and low maintenance. Suitable for use in a garden plot or greenhouse, good results can only be achieved by following agricultural practices and properly preparing the beds.

Key Features

The Lyutoyar F1 cucumber was developed by Turkish breeders at Yuksel Seeds. The seeds have been sold under this name since 2015, but they appeared much earlier under the name Janichar. They are the same variety, simply renamed by the original company. Grown throughout Europe, the plants thrive in greenhouses but also produce a good harvest outdoors.

Main characteristics

The "F1" designation in the name indicates that this is a hybrid variety. Therefore, it's not recommended to collect seeds yourself, as they don't retain the characteristics of the parent plant. You need to purchase planting material annually, which is a disadvantage, as it's expensive and counterfeits are often found on the market. Key advantages:

1. This hybrid is grown in both fall-summer and summer-fall rotations. It is a mid-early variety; in the first rotation, plants begin to bear fruit after 50-55 days, and in the second rotation, after 35 days. In unfavorable weather and low average daily temperatures, the ripening period can be extended by 1-2 weeks.
2. This is a parthenocarpic (self-pollinating) variety. It doesn't require other varieties nearby or pollinating insects to produce fruit. Female flowers predominate, with males accounting for no more than 20%.
3. Two to three, rarely four, fruits are formed per node. The plants are short, typically not exceeding 2 meters. The leaves are small and dark green. The root system is small, so careful loosening is required.
4. This variety grows best in greenhouses. Outdoors, yields are significantly lower, but the plants tolerate fluctuations in day and night temperatures well.
5. Planting density should be no more than 2.5-3 plants per meter. The vines grow vigorously and take up a lot of space. Furthermore, the ovaries require ample sunlight for normal fruiting. Crowding significantly increases the risk of fungal diseases.
6. These versatile fruits can be used in salads and other preserves. They stay fresh for a very long time, making them popular among those who grow cucumbers for sale. They transport well, and their appearance is virtually unaffected during transit.
7. The fruiting period is long. With proper care and timely fertilizing, cucumbers will set fruit until the end of September or until the onset of cold nights. If nutrition is insufficient, fruiting ceases by the end of August.
8. The variety is resistant to foamy mildew, bacterial leaf spot, cucumber mosaic virus, powdery mildew, white mold, and gray mold. Resistance to other fungal diseases is above average; plants are generally free of all diseases. Pests appear on the Lyutoyar hybrid no more frequently than on other varieties.

This variety differs from other hybrids in that it produces numerous ovaries even without vine training. Most similar varieties require training and don't reach even half their potential without it. However, to maximize the yield, it's worth taking the time to train the plant properly.

Characteristics of cucumbers and yield

Lyutoyar cucumbers have an attractive appearance and retain their shape even during long-term storage. In the refrigerator, the cucumbers will keep for up to two weeks while maintaining their excellent flavor. Considered a gherkin variety, the fruits are often harvested before they reach technical maturity. These characteristics include:

1. The length is usually from 12 to 13 cm. The diameter is 2-3 cm. The fruits have the shape of an elongated cylinder.
2. The surface is coarsely tuberculate, dark green in colour with numerous tubercles and white spines.
3. The skin is medium-thick, yet provides good protection against damage. The flesh is crisp and juicy, with a distinctive cucumber aroma.
4. The seeds are small and barely noticeable when eaten. They won't form voids if you follow proper cultivation practices and don't over-fertilize.
5. Up to 20 fruits can ripen on a single vine at a time. Most fruits are harvested during the first half of the growing season.
6. The yield is approximately 7 kg per plant. Yields in open ground are 20-30% lower. It's also crucial to follow proper agricultural practices and regularly fertilize.

When using cucumbers for preserves, it's best to do so on the day of harvest. If they've been stored for more than 12 hours, soak them for 2-3 hours. When storing, avoid piling the cucumbers in a thick layer to prevent the top layer from deforming the underlying cucumbers. The best storage conditions are a dark place with a temperature of 2 to 5 degrees Celsius.

The main advantages are: no pollination required, short ripening period, possibility of planting in two rotations, high yield, resistance to the main cucumber diseases, good transportability.

Disadvantages: the price of seeds is higher than that of most other varieties, there are many fakes on sale.

Agricultural technology

Like all hybrid varieties, Lyutoyar requires careful care and produces maximum yields only when certain conditions are met. However, the cultivation techniques are simple, and the work takes little time if done consistently and the plantings are not neglected.

Preparing seedlings

After purchasing seeds, be sure to check their germination. First, inspect the seeds and discard any damaged or misshapen ones. Then, prepare a salt solution using a teaspoon of regular salt per cup of water and soak the seeds for half an hour. Discard any that float to the surface, and use any that settle as follows:

1. Treat the seeds with potassium permanganate. The solution should be pink. Soak for about half an hour, then remove and rinse with water. Next, prepare a solution of Epin or another dew stimulant according to the instructions and soak for the prescribed time. This will increase seed germination.
2. Prepare seedling containers. Use peat pots or regular plastic cups with a capacity of 350-500 ml. It's best to plant the seedlings individually right away to avoid having to transplant them later. Prepare a nutrient mixture of 1 part humus, 1 part soil, and 1 part sand and fill the prepared containers with it.
3. Plant the seeds in the soil to a depth of 1 to 2 cm. Do not compact the surface to allow the sprouts to emerge. Water with warm water. Place in a warm, dark place and cover with plastic wrap to create a favorable microclimate. Once the seedlings emerge, remove the plastic wrap and move the containers to a well-lit location—a windowsill is ideal.
4. Grow seedlings until they are 40-45 days old. Planting time is late May or early June, so choose the sowing time accordingly. Water the cucumbers every 3-4 days, misting the foliage occasionally to prevent them from drying out. Fertilize with a seedling fertilizer once or twice.
5. Prepare the bed for planting. In the spring, when digging, add rotted manure at a rate of one bucket per meter. Instead of organic matter, you can use a mineral fertilizer for cucumbers. In a greenhouse, it's advisable to treat the soil with a 3% copper sulfate solution: simply water the surface thoroughly three days before planting.
6. Make holes for the plants, placing no more than 2-3 cucumbers per square meter. Carefully remove the containers (unless they're peat cups), place them in the holes, and fill with soil. Tamp the surface down and water thoroughly.

To quickly and carefully remove the container when transplanting cucumbers, water the seedlings 2-3 hours beforehand. This will allow the soil to soak in moisture, ensuring the soil ball remains intact and doesn't fall apart when the container is removed.

Plant care

Adherence to proper agricultural practices increases yields by one and a half to two times. Therefore, it makes sense to carry out simple tasks. Cucumbers should only be planted in well-lit areas; in the shade, cucumbers grow and develop poorly, even with ideal agricultural practices. Care guidelines are as follows:

1. Watering As the soil dries out. Plants require a lot of moisture during the fruiting period, so water daily on hot days. Use at least 20 liters per square meter to soak the soil to the root depth. On cloudy and cool days, water less frequently. Use only warm water, preferably settled beforehand.
2. Loosen the soil surface after each watering. Work shallowly to avoid damaging the roots. Weed at least twice a month. Removing weeds before they become established not only preserves nutrients in the soil but also reduces the risk of pest infestation. Weeds are a common source of aphids on cucumber vines.
3. 
4. To shape a plant Follow a strict system. Remove all buds and shoots in the first four axils, simply breaking them off so the plant devotes its resources to growth. Then, leave the buds and remove the shoots, leaving 2-3 branches near the very top of the trellis. Pinch off the side shoots above the second leaf.
5. Fertilize every 3-4 weeks. Natural solutions can be used: during the first half of the growing season, use an herbal infusion or mullein solution, and during the second half, use an ash solution. When using mineral fertilizers, it's best to purchase a comprehensive variety that contains a balanced supply of all micronutrients. Apply to the roots immediately after watering; it's best to dissolve the fertilizer in water.
6. Inspect plants for diseases and pests At least once a week. If problems are detected, treat with a suitable product. In the spring, one or two preventative treatments can be carried out. Fitosporin solution, it is safe for the environment.

Water and fertilize cucumbers only early in the morning or late in the evening. During these periods, moisture evaporates more slowly from the surface and is absorbed much better. When applying foliar feeding, try to spray the solution on the underside of the leaves, as this is where the stomata are located, which are where micronutrients are absorbed.

Reviews from gardeners

Anna, Krasnodar

I bought the seeds after reading reviews online, and I haven't regretted it for a second. The variety produces a high yield, the vines stretch upward without spreading outward, and the seedlings tolerate planting in the ground well and quickly start growing. Care is no more difficult than for other varieties. The cucumbers are delicious fresh, and they're simply delicious in salads! However, it's best to wear gloves when picking the cucumbers, as they're very prickly.

Natalia, Minsk

These cucumbers are very low-maintenance and easy to care for. I grew them according to the package directions, adhering to all the growing season deadlines. I planted them in a plastic greenhouse, and they produced fruit for a very long time without any illnesses throughout the season. They are great both fresh and pickled. I tie them to a trellis and pinch the tops at the desired height for ease of use.

The Lyutoyar variety is deservedly popular due to its low-maintenance nature and its excellent yield in both greenhouses and open ground. With proper seedling preparation and adherence to basic care guidelines, a plant can yield up to 7 kg. These cucumbers are equally delicious fresh and preserved.