Hybrid cucumber variety "Kupechesky f1": yield and disease resistance

Kupechesky F1 is a hybrid variety developed by Russian breeders in the Moscow region. It has been included in the Russian State Register since 2006. It is intended for outdoor cultivation in the Central and Northwestern regions. Besides Russia, this variety is also common in Ukraine and Moldova. This cucumber inherits the best qualities of previous varieties from the same developers. This hybrid is an easy-to-grow cucumber that ripens early. When picked in a timely manner, three plants yield up to 12 kg of fresh cucumbers.

Characteristics and description of the variety

This variety has a long shelf life, thanks to the fruit's dense skin. Kupechesky cucumbers can be transported without worrying about spoilage. These cucumbers are not very sensitive to weather changes. Ripening time is considered mid-early. Storage quality is a solid "A." The seeds are sold properly treated and do not require disinfection before planting. The bushes are medium-sized during ripening. This indeterminate variety produces ovaries on the central stem. There is no need to restrict the growth of the vines.

The hybrid blooms primarily during female flowering. Under favorable conditions, the cucumbers appear approximately 45-50 days after germination. Cucumbers:

• medium size – 7-11 cm in length;
• the diameter of the fruit is rarely more than 3 cm;
• weight – 60-120 g.

This variety is unique in that it doesn't develop bitterness even with insufficient moisture, and if harvested late, the fruit doesn't turn yellow. The cucumber is bright green with lighter stripes. The bumps on the fruit are small and the fur is white. This variety is suitable for both fresh and pickled. Due to its gherkin-like size, it can be pickled whole, without slicing. Cucumbers are also used in pickling, fermenting, and as an ingredient in vegetable platters and lecho.

How to plant cucumbers

Cucumbers are planted using seedlings or by sowing seeds directly into the garden bed. Naturally, direct planting is preferred due to its simplicity. This method is effective if you follow these simple guidelines:

1. Since the variety is highly sensitive to cold, it's important to wait until the air temperature reaches at least +12°C, with the soil warming to +16°C to +17°C. This temperature typically occurs in Central Russia in May. Plant the seeds in a bed, spacing them 30 cm apart.
2. In the fall, the soil must be dug, cleared, and fertilized. Whether planting in a garden bed or a greenhouse, it must be covered with a special non-woven covering material such as spunbond. This ensures rapid germination and slows weed growth.

The Kupechesky variety can also be grown from seedlings. Some experts believe this increases early germination. As early as April, the seeds are sown in peat pots. They should be placed in a sunny, warm spot, watered regularly, and, most importantly, fertilized with a complex fertilizer.

As soon as the first 3-5 leaves appear, the seedlings are transferred to the garden beds directly in their pots. The main thing is that there is no frost and the soil is well warmed. A peat pot for cucumbers is an excellent starting ground. Seedlings are placed in a bed, 3 per 1 m².

Cultivation techniques

Direct sowing into the ground is preferable, as the seeds are planted directly into the garden bed and the seedlings don't need to be replanted. After transplanting, the root system takes a long time to recover, so pricking out the variety is not recommended. With comprehensive cucumber care, the plants thrive. To ensure more airflow and faster growth, trellises can be installed.

The stream of water should only hit the soil, avoiding the leaves. Like all cucurbits, cucumbers have delicate root systems and cannot tolerate hard soil; they require adequate oxygen. Therefore:

• the soil around the plants needs to be intensively loosened;
• remove weeds.

The harvest is done as the fruit ripens, preventing overripe cucumbers. This variety has good immunity to diseases common in central Russia, but preventative measures are still necessary.

The hybrid variety requires fertilizer. Fertilize 5-6 times per season with both mineral and organic fertilizers. Specialty stores offer a wide selection of solutions.

There are two types of fertilizers for cucumbers:

• organic;
• inorganic.

If it is possible to use manure or bird droppings, then with this type of feeding, you can produce clean, organic produce. Inorganic fertilizers are more convenient to use because they are compact. They are easy to store and dose when feeding. And most importantly, they don't have such a strong, unpleasant, and specific odor.

Fertilizing can be foliar or root:

1. The root method involves watering the solution directly under the root of the bush.
2. Foliar application is the application of fertilizer diluted in water directly onto the leaves of the plant using a sprayer.

Root feeding is considered less effective than foliar feeding. This is because the fertilizer only nourishes the cucumber plant, not spilling unnecessarily onto the soil or feeding weeds. In any case, it's best not to fertilize during the day in sunny weather; the ideal time is in the evening, after sunset, or early morning. When applying nutrients to the roots, you should first thoroughly water the soil and the plant to avoid burning the root system, as the roots of all cucurbits are weak and located shallow.

When cucumbers begin to bloom or bear fruit, they need substances such as:

• boron;
• phosphorus;
• potassium.

You can add a little manganese and iodine.

If the soil is poor, you can add a few more fertilizers, but always consider the local climate. It's generally accepted that greenhouse crops require more frequent feeding than those grown outdoors.

Essential microelements and nutrients are also contained in organic fertilizers. This folk remedy is very useful. method of fertilizing with wood ash, with the addition:

• iodine;
• boric acid solution.

Ash contains a large amount of potassium, in a form easily absorbed by plants. The amount of ash solution is approximately 1 liter per plant, applied every 10-15 days. When feeding cucumbers with ash, avoid nitrogen fertilizers during this period; they are incompatible. During the period when cucumbers are setting fruit, use a superphosphate solution—up to 40 g per 10-12 liters of water. Spray the leaves with this solution in the morning, before sunrise, or in the evening, after sunset.

Another folk remedy involves using nettle infusion to prevent yellow leaves on bushes. Take about 1/3 of a bucket of nettles and pour hot water over them. After the liquid begins to ferment, strain the resulting mixture and prepare a watering solution at a ratio of 1 liter of nettle infusion to 1 bucket of water.

You can use baking soda. Spray cucumber plants with a weak solution from a spray bottle. baking soda solution, it helps;

• combat yellowing of leaves;
• get rid of powdery mildew.

Has proven itself well yeast feeding methodTake 10-15 g of live yeast per 10 liters of warm water, add 40 g of sugar, and let the infusion ferment for about three days. Dilute the yeast infusion at a rate of 1 liter per bucket of warm water. This feeding is recommended two or three times during the fruiting period, after watering.

Advantages and disadvantages

Despite its disease resistance, the variety is sensitive to high humidity, which increases the risk of downy mildew. A drawback is the need for preventative treatment to prevent fungal growth. Since this hybrid requires bees for pollination, problems arise when planting cucumbers in greenhouses and open ground.

Advantages:

• early maturity.
• good yield;
• unpretentiousness;
• used for preparations and fresh;
• resistance to adverse weather conditions;
• stores well and retains its marketable appearance;
• good immunity to diseases;
• bitterness does not appear during storage;
• Suitable for commerce.

Harvesting begins as early as 45 days after sowing, provided weather conditions are favorable. The bushes don't have many leaves, so the cucumbers don't get lost in the crowd. The harvesting interval is 3 to 5 days.

When harvesting, it's best to use sharp pruning shears to remove the fruit carefully, without damaging the branches. To maintain a high yield, pick the fruit regularly: morning and evening. Store cucumbers in wooden or plastic boxes with ventilation holes.

Reviews

Many gardeners prefer to grow the Merchant F1 variety. They note its good disease resistance, delicious fruit, and low maintenance requirements.

Tatyana, housewife, 37 years old

This is my first time growing this variety, but it's been a smooth ride. The cucumbers require little care, just watering and weeding, and occasionally loosening the soil in the bed. The harvest was just as advertised. The cucumbers are uniform and haven't yellowed. The flavor is mild and not bitter.

Julia, 27 years old

I planted a 'Kupechesky' variety at my dacha. Since I'm short on time and don't go there regularly, I was specifically looking for a variety that didn't require daily care. The harvest was impressive; I managed to gather at least 2 kg per bush over the summer. There was one problem: the weather wasn't sunny, so the bees couldn't pollinate the flowers, so I had to pollinate them manually.

Nadezhda, 51 years old

I'm happy with the variety; I sow it directly into the beds. Maintenance hasn't been difficult. I use trellises to ensure an early harvest. I chose the hybrid based on these considerations: early germination and early cucumbers.

Kupechesky F1 is a hybrid cucumber variety that produces a good harvest. With proper care, the plant increases its fertility.