Description of the cucumber variety "Salinas f1": planting, growing and care

Cucumber "Salinas f1" is an early parthenocarpic gherkin-type hybrid of the new generation, gaining popularity among gardeners, both for personal and industrial cultivation. Developed in Switzerland, it was certified in Russia in 2007 as suitable for planting in all climate zones. This variety boasts high marketability, easy transportability, early maturity, a long fruiting period, and good shelf life. It thrives in warm weather, so there are specific planting and care requirements.

Description of the plant and fruit

This tall (up to 1.8 m) plant has a medium-sized, trussy habit, and bears fruit in clusters. It is female-flowering and indeterminate. Each node bears 2-4 ovaries, with short internodes. It is resistant to powdery mildew (Px), downy mildew (Pcu), cladosporiosis (Ccu), and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV-1). The bush produces 4-5 medium-sized shoots with light green leaves. The root system is superficial, fibrous, and vigorous, spreading widely laterally. Therefore, it has the ability to recover from minor damage.

Fruit characteristics:

• weight: 90-100 grams;
• length: from 6-9 cm;
• diameter: 30-32 mm.
• shape: cylindrical;
• structure: finely tuberculate with dense white pubescence;
• color: dark green;
• pulp: juicy, dense, white, without voids, without seeds;
• taste: sweetish, without bitterness, without acidity,
• peel: thin, tough, crisp.

The cucumbers are universally edible. Their appearance and color remain unchanged after cooking, and the seed chambers remain intact.

The variety's yield depends on growing conditions. In greenhouses, it yields over 14 kg/m², while in open ground, it yields over 8 kg/m². The marketable yield is 97%. The fruits have a shelf life of over 2 weeks.

Landing

Salinas f1 cucumbers are planted using both seedlings and direct-seeding methods in greenhouses or open ground. Direct-seeding cultivation in open ground is recommended only for southern regions, as the variety has moderate frost resistance, and vegetation is suspended if temperatures drop to 14°C.

Before planting, the seeds, soil, and planting holes must be thoroughly prepared. Seeds are disinfected with potassium permanganate, wrapped in a cotton cloth soaked in warm water, and allowed to germinate. The soil is dug over, and organic fertilizers, such as compost or manure, are added to the planting holes.

To grow seedlings, from April 20th to 30th, sprouted seeds are planted in peat containers or special boxes filled with soil and a nutrient mixture of sand, peat, and compost in equal proportions. Place one seed at a depth of 1.5 cm. Place the containers or boxes in a room with a constant temperature of 22°C. Water the first sprouts once every 5 days. After 30 days, the seedlings will be ready for transplanting into the garden.

Without seedlings, the plants are planted with the tips facing upward, at a depth of 3-4 cm, in a 50x30 cm pattern, in soil warmed to 18°C. No more than 4 plants are planted per 1 m² of planting area when grown outdoors, and 5-6 plants per 1 m² in a greenhouse. After sowing, the bed is covered with non-woven material to prevent soil erosion during watering. The greenhouse maintains an optimal temperature of 23°C for vegetation. An eight-hour daylight period is sufficient; supplemental lighting is not required. After the first shoots emerge, ripe fruits are harvested in 41-45 days.

Care

The growing bush is tied or trellised. Avoid placing the plant lying on the ground to prevent disease, rot, and stagnation of irrigation water. Water generously at the roots with warm, settled water every 2-3 days. However, avoid allowing stagnation or water to get on the leaves, as this can lead to burns and rot. In a greenhouse, watered using drip irrigation Or from a watering can between the rows. The watering schedule is adjusted depending on weather conditions: once every 4-6 days, or once every 2 days in strong sunlight.

To prevent the bushes from becoming infected with fungal and bacterial infections from weeds, and to destroy insects living in weeds, the beds are systematically weeding and mulchingIf aphids are found on the leaves, ticksTo prevent small midges, the bushes are treated with chemicals or garlic infusions. To prevent such occurrences, the leaves are sprayed with Fitosporin three times before fruit development.

During the growing season, fertilize with various substances. In the spring, before flowering, feed the plant with a nitrogen-containing fertilizer or organic fertilizer. During fruit formation, add superphosphate. After three weeks, add potassium.

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Reviews

Alevtina

This was my first time planting gherkins in a greenhouse. I was pleased that they bear fruit for a long time and don't overripe if I don't pick them in time. I live in the city and plant cucumbers at my dacha. Sometimes I can't get there during the week. But it's still no problem. If it's hot, I leave the greenhouse open.

Marina

I like gherkins because they're easy to preserve. No need to chop them; they're neat and seedless. They don't change color after pickling, and they don't turn yellow. We use them in salads. Even if they've been stored for a long time, they still don't taste bitter.

Michael

I grow gherkins of this variety for sale. They grow quickly in a greenhouse, have a long shelf life, and are marketable. The harvest doesn't go to waste. Just make sure to secure them to a trellis or tie them up first, as the plants are tall. This makes watering and harvesting easier.

The Salinas f1 gherkin cucumber variety is suitable for growing in cottages, homesteads, and on small and large gardening farms. They are easy to grow, yet offer many advantages.