Cucumbers "Mama's Favorite F1": recommendations for growing and caring for the hybrid

Breeders were able to create the Mama's Favorite F1 cucumber by crossing two cultivars. This plant produces excellent fruit both in the garden and in a greenhouse. When propagating the hybrid variety outdoors, horizontal propagation is used. When growing plants under cover, vertical cultivation is used to maximize the number of plants in the available space. Mama's Favorite F1 can be grown on a balcony, as it does not require pollination.

Characteristics of the bush and fruit

The first green fruits appear six weeks after the seeds hatch. Three to seven ovaries form in the leaf axils. This hybrid variety has a strong rhizome that is resistant to rot. The leaves are characteristically shaped and green. The plant is short. This hybrid variety typically has a small number of lateral shoots. The bushes have few leaves, so they do not interfere with each other. The cucumber plant produces female flowers. The ovaries are clustered.

Characteristics of cucumber:

1. The hybrid plant produces fruits that are cylindrical in shape.
2. The weight of a cucumber does not exceed 90 g with a length of 8-10 cm.
3. The vegetable is light green in color, with slight ribbing.
4. The surface is covered with whitish, sharp spines.

On the flower side of the cucumber, there are light stripes that don't extend to the center of the cucumber. There are no seed chambers inside the fruit; the gherkins are not hollow. The firm, bumpy cucumbers have thick skin and black spines. They are delicious and crunchy.

One bush produces 6-8 kg of fruit per season. From 1 m² You can harvest up to 13 kg of cucumbers. These cucumbers can be eaten fresh or added to salads. They can be preserved for the winter or pickled. Because they are resilient to long-distance transport, this hybrid is cultivated on an industrial scale.

The Mama's Favorite F1 hybrid has many advantages. These include:

1. Good taste, no bitterness.
2. Excellent presentation.
3. Abundant fruiting.
4. No need for pollination by pollinating insects.
5. Good shelf life.
6. Resistance to major diseases.

Among the disadvantages, one can note the impossibility of collecting seed material independently.

Although the hybrid variety has good immunity to almost all pathologies, the plants require preventative measures – adequate watering, weed control, crop rotation, and medicinal treatments:

1. From powdery mildew and downy mildew - with Topaz, Oxychom or Bordeaux mixture.
2. For Alternaria – Ridomil Gold.
3. For anthracnose - Oxychom.

Biological insecticides such as Fitoverm or a homemade soap solution will help against insects such as aphids, spider mites, and leaf miners.

Agricultural technology

Before sowing in the garden, it's recommended to soak the seeds for a couple of days to improve germination. They should be planted in moist, moderately loosened, and warm soil at a depth of 100 mm. Plant no more than 30-35 mm deep.

Sowing dates for the Mamenkin Lyubimchik F1 variety:

1. In the central region, seeds should be sown in greenhouses no earlier than April 15.
2. When cultivating in beds with temporary covering material, prepared seeds are planted at the end of April.
3. Sowing in the garden can be done after May 15.
4. In central Russia, it is recommended to sow the hybrid in the last days of May in warm beds covered with film material.

Good results are achieved by cultivating seedlings that are at least a month old at the time of planting. Seedlings should be spaced 0.9 m apart and spaced approximately the same distance between rows.

Caring for a hybrid

Basic care consists of watering, fertilizing, loosening the soil, and weeding. Mulch will help retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth. Water the hybrid three times a week with warm water that has been left to stand in the sun for a day. Apply moderate amounts of water. Be careful not to let the water come into contact with the foliage, as this will burn the plant, which will negatively impact fruiting. During dry weather, increase the frequency of watering to daily.

Don't allow the soil around the hybrid's rhizome to dry out. Otherwise, up to 40% of the cucumbers will be lost. During rainfall, reduce watering frequency to once every 7 days. To prevent seedlings from shading each other, it is recommended to remove any foliage that interferes with neighboring plants. Fertilize at least four times per season. Apply organic fertilizer initially:

1. Liquid manure.
2. Peat.
3. Bird droppings.

Next, add a small amount of nitrogen and potassium in fertilizers. During flowering, plants are given more phosphorus. If the grower has complex fertilizers containing nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, the hybrid variety can be fed three times per season. The first application is made six weeks after planting the seedlings in the soil. Subsequent applications are made during flowering and fruiting.

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Methods of growing a hybrid

Since Mama's Favorite F1 cucumbers were bred for cultivation in indoor and outdoor areas, as well as at home, there are many growing methods:

1. In the garden.
2. On the balcony.
3. In a greenhouse under temporary shelter.
4. In a heated greenhouse.

Growing in the garden involves sowing seeds and caring for the seedlings. Before planting in the soil, the seeds must be disinfected and soaked in potassium permanganate.

They are planted in a greenhouse earlier, in late April or early May, provided that nighttime frosts have not returned. If frosts persist, it's best to be on the safe side and heat the greenhouse where the seedlings are growing using a heating unit. At home, cucumbers are grown on a windowsill year-round. Since this hybrid thrives on warmth, it's necessary to provide protection from:

• drafts;
• excess moisture;
• drying out of the substrate.

Provide adequate light to the seedlings, otherwise they will become diseased and will produce poor fruit. This cucumber hybrid can be grown directly from seeds or from seedlings. Experienced vegetable growers recommend choosing seedlings.

Seed preparation

Before sowing seeds for seedlings, they must not only be disinfected but also properly prepared. It is necessary:

1. Warm the seeds for 14 days (a radiator or a bright windowsill in the sun will do).
2. Sort the seeds, removing weak and spoiled ones.
3. Etch.
4. Rinse in clean water.

To treat the seeds, place them in a container and sprinkle with thiram powder (TMTD). Shake well and let sit for 3 minutes. This pesticide disinfects the seeds and subsequently protects them from mold and rot.

Contents and location

Since cucumber rhizomes are fragile, it's best to sow seedlings in individual containers (cups or paper bags). They are then placed in a common container. For the Mamenkin Lyubimchik F1 variety, you can buy a ready-made special substrate or make your own nutritious soil. To do this, use:

1. River sand 1 part.
2. Peat 3 parts.
3. 3 parts of turf soil and humus.

For every 10 liters of mixture, add 5 g of urea, 10 g of superphosphate, and 30 g of wood ash. Once the seeds are planted, place the seedling trays under a south-facing window or in a greenhouse, covering them with polyethylene. Once the sprouts emerge, remove the covering.

Planting seeds

The seedling containers are filled with substrate and organic matter in advance. This is necessary to warm the roots, which helps the plants develop better. The seeds are sown in the seedlings 25 days before they are expected to be planted in the garden. No more than two seeds are placed per cell. They are initially placed on the surface of a cup of soil, then covered with 15-20 mm of soil. After this, the planting site should be lightly sprinkled with warm water. Do not water the seeds to prevent them from being buried further in the soil.

After 24 hours, water the plants regularly, then continue to do so with warm water only. Place the boxes so they receive constant sunlight. The optimal temperature for growing the plant is at least 22°C. ^OWith and no more than 24.

Sprouts will appear within 7 days of planting the seeds. Warmth and light are especially important at this time, so be sure to provide direct sunlight. Here are some things to consider:

1. If the seedlings are placed in the shade and remain there for at least 7 days, the tender saplings will try to stretch upwards, become thin, and weaken.
2. If the weather is subzero, overcast for a long period, and there's not enough sun, you can provide artificial light with a special lamp. The key is to ensure the seedlings receive their daily dose of light and heat for 10 hours.

After just a month, the sprouts will produce 3-6 leaves, which means it's time to plant them in a greenhouse or outdoors. This usually happens in the last days of May, when the soil has warmed up.

Transplanting seedlings into the ground

Whether a vegetable gardener chooses a vegetable garden or a greenhouse, the soil must be prepared. It must be loosened, oxygenated, and fertilized. For better aeration, the following can be added:

• sawdust;
• foliage.

Carefully remove the seedlings from the cups to avoid damaging the roots. Plant the seedlings in a straddling pattern, moving them along with the root ball into the prepared hole. If trellises are used, the planting density should not exceed two plants per 1 m.²If planted in a spreading pattern, use 3-4 bushes. The planting pattern must be followed. The interval between:

• in rows - 0.2 m;
• in ridges - 0.5 m.

This is the scheme:

• allows access to the beds for harvesting fruits;
• leads to good air circulation.

Dense planting can lead to the accumulation of unwanted moisture, and damp foliage can lead to various diseases. After the appearance of seven leaves, vegetable growers recommend pinching the plants to increase the yield.

Reviews

Summer residents claim that the variety is not afraid of temperature fluctuations within 5-10 ^OC. Plants feel good at 22 ^OFrom up to 27, but heat of +30 can already negatively affect the harvest.

Larisa, Moscow region

This winter, I decided to grow cucumbers at home. After reading reviews from a vegetable grower, I bought some seeds from Mama's Favorite. I planted them before the New Year holidays. In February, the whole family ate the gherkins. The cucumbers are delicious and perfectly formed. The main requirements for this hybrid are proper care and watering, as well as creating conditions at home suitable for growing cucumbers. I'll plant them in the garden in April and see what the harvest will be.

Kir, Moscow

A superb hybrid, both in terms of flavor and fruit production. The bushes grow tall and strong. I removed all the side shoots right down to the top, leaving only two. It has good resistance to leaf spot. Additional treatment against spider mites is necessary. I grew it in a regular greenhouse. I harvested fruit until mid-autumn.

Mila, Kazan

I plant cucumbers on my windowsill at home all year round. Since this hybrid loves warmth, I protect them from drafts, water them moderately, and provide light. It's perfect for canning; my family loves it.

According to vegetable growers, this hybrid grows well and produces fruit abundantly, as long as you follow the instructions. It's not difficult.