Advantages and features of the cucumber hybrid "Babushkin Sekret f1"

The Babushkin Sekret F1 variety was developed by breeders in 2013. It is unpretentious to changing weather conditions, produces ovaries without pollination, and produces a high yield. In 2015, Agrofirm Aelita LLC added a new variety to the State Register of Breeding Achievements of Russia. The hybrid was approved for cultivation throughout Russia. After testing, the plant was approved for cultivation both in open ground and in greenhouses. The F1 in the name denotes that the variety is a hybrid.

Characteristics of the bush

The Babushkin Sekret variety is indeterminate, with short vines. The plant needs to be tied up, as it grows upward like a vine. It is suitable for greenhouse cultivation, as the manufacturer states on the packaging. Ovaries form on the central stem. The leaves are medium-sized, angular-cordate, slightly wrinkled, and dark green in color. These cucumbers are female-flowering; the ovaries of the cucumbers are set without signs of pollination.

Grandma's Secret F1 is an annual plant with a stem reaching 2 meters in length. Its fruiting pattern, called cluster or bunch, resembles bunches of bananas. The cucumbers are also called gherkins or pickles. The hybrid loves light and rarely produces barren flowers.

Fruit characteristics:

• small size 10-12 cm;
• weight 80-90 g;
• bright green color;
• medium-tuberculate with white spines and small fluff.

The fruits are cylindrical and uniform in size. The skin is moderately thick. The flesh is tender, sweet, and smooth. The milky seeds are barely noticeable when eaten. The cucumbers are bitter-free. Grandma's Secret is versatile and can be eaten fresh or pickled.

Unlike bee-pollinated cucumbers, parthenocarpic hybrids are capable of producing fruit independently. Therefore, they are recommended for growing indoors, where insects will not interfere with fruit set.

Variety indicators

The manufacturer states that the plant begins bearing fruit in 45-50 days. Thanks to its cluster-type fruiting, Babushkin Secret is highly productive; a single vine can yield 6-8 kg. Some gardeners have harvested 15 kg by providing favorable conditions for the plants:

• closed greenhouse;
• frequent watering;
• optimal daily temperature.

Hybrids produce 3-9 ovaries from each node, which increases the yield several times.

It is impossible to collect cucumber seeds; the seeds formed in them do not produce a harvest with the properties characteristic of the variety.

Positive properties of Grandma's Secret cucumbers:

• high yield;
• they do not need to be pollinated;
• resistant to frost and diseases;
• The taste of cucumbers is excellent and they are versatile in use;
• can withstand long-distance transportation.

The Babushkin Secret hybrid may exhibit fruit deformation and bitterness if bees were involved in pollination.

Grandma's Secret cucumbers are frost-resistant, which is why they've gained popularity in regions with short summers. They have a high immunity to:

• Cladosporiosis;
• powdery mildew;
• downy mildew;
• virus cucumber mosaic.

The disease can persist throughout the plant's life. Root rot can destroy the entire crop on an affected plant.

Features of agricultural technology

To produce a hybrid plant, two different cucumber varieties are crossed. The resulting seeds are called first-generation hybrids and designated F1. The fruits are highly productive, disease- and pest-resistant, and tolerate harsh weather conditions well. Gardeners appreciate the fruit's flavor. Disappointment can occur if you buy a counterfeit. It's important to choose a reputable producer. Buy from stores that specialize in seeds. The packaging should be intact and include planting instructions and germination dates. Babushkin Secret cucumbers are grown from both seeds and seedlings.

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Seed planting begins around April 20th. On the 20th to 25th day, the plants are transplanted into the ground; 3-4 leaves should appear on the cucumbers. Cucumbers are planted in open ground beds in late May to early April. Seeds can be sown as soon as night frosts end and the average daily temperature reaches 10°C. ^OWITH.

The seeds are planted into the ground at a depth of approximately 2 cm. The distance between bushes and rows is 50 cm. For 1 m² Plant 2-3 bushes. In a greenhouse, it is recommended to plant 1 plant; in open ground, 2 are acceptable.

To ensure the plant takes root better and produces a high yield, prepare the soil in advance:

• A week before planting, 10-15 kg of humus and 30-40 g/m of mineral fertilizers are added to the prepared soil.².
• The day before planting the seedlings, the bed is watered generously.
• Each planting site is disinfected with a warm solution of weak pink potassium permanganate.
• loosen the humus.

Watering cucumbers Water frequently and generously. To prevent waterlogging, a drip irrigation system is recommended. Its advantage is that the leaves remain dry and are not susceptible to pests.

Universal fertilizers for the root system of cucumbers are applied in small volumes – 15 mg/m once a week²Cucumbers are sensitive to high salt concentrations. Fertilize with a water solution of manure or bird droppings twice a month. Excessive amounts can alter the cucumbers' flavor, causing a bitter taste.

To improve flowering and fruiting, foliar feeding should be used. Canes that have finished fruiting should be removed. Regular spraying with urea promotes fruit formation on new shoots. Harvest regularly, and new crops will replace the harvested ones.

When forming parthenocarpic hybrids in a greenhouse, 3-4 ovaries in a node, it is necessary to adhere to the following pinching patterns:

• in the first axils of 3-4 leaves, the rudiments of shoots and ovaries are plucked out, the leaves remain intact (zone 0);
• in 3-4 nodes, lateral shoots are plucked out, ovaries remain (1 zone);
• at 3-4 nodes, lateral shoots are left, after the first leaf, the growth point is removed, the ovaries remain untouched (zone 2);
• limit lateral shoots after 2 leaves (zone 3);
• The main stem is fixed around the trellis wire and pinched, the side shoots are removed (zone 4).

In addition to shoots, gardeners are advised to remove dried, yellowed, and diseased leaves. These can cause plant disease and death. Excessive foliage places a heavy burden on the plant and depletes it. Instead of producing a nutrient-rich harvest, the plant devotes its resources to supporting the vegetative part. Pruning redirects nutrients from the green part of the plant to its ripening fruit. Caring for cucumbers, watering, and harvesting become easier, allowing the gardener to easily access the roots.

Benefits of pruning:

• improving ventilation;
• sunlight reaches important parts of the plant;
• the likelihood of fungal diseases is reduced;
• the plant becomes stronger;
• The fruits receive all the necessary minerals and microelements.

Negative effects on seedling growth can occur as a result of: irregular watering, excess nitrogen fertilizers, lack of sunlight or its excess.

Reviews

Svetlana K, 37 years old

This summer, I planted Babushkin Sekret cucumbers for the first time. They grow in clusters. To make picking easier, it's best to tie them up early. All the cucumbers are neat and tidy, with no crooked or bent ones. Overall, I was very pleased with the harvest of this variety; they were delicious. I plan to plant them again next summer.

Ivan S, 46 years old

I purchased Babushkin Sekret F1 cucumber seedlings for my garden plot. Of the four plants, one died after an overnight frost, but the others survived. The outdoor harvest wasn't great. We picked the cucumbers at about 12 cm. They were perfect for canning. Fresh ones keep for a long time in the refrigerator.

Olga U, 59 years old

I was very interested in the "Babushkin Sekret" cucumber variety. The cucumbers grow in bunches, and we got a large harvest for a balcony plant, despite the instructions not specifying a balcony location. It performed well; we kept an eye on the vines and harvested the fruit. It's perfect for a balcony plant; once the shoots are established, it produces a good harvest. I'll be buying more.

Thanks to its high yield and resistance to adverse weather conditions, this variety is suitable for both gardeners and large farms producing vegetables for sale to the public. In regions with short summers, this variety is especially valuable, producing a large harvest in a short period.