Cucumbers "Serpentine f1": high yield and unpretentious hybrid variety

The hybrid cucumber variety Serpentine F1 was developed in Russia at the Federal Scientific Center for Vegetable Growing. It is undemanding in terms of growing conditions and climate. It is recommended for cultivation in the Central Black Earth, West Siberian, East Siberian, Volga-Vyatka, and Central regions of the Russian Federation. It is cultivated both in open and closed ground.

Characteristics of the bush and fruit

This early-ripening hybrid is bee-pollinated. It takes 36 to 40 days from sowing the seeds to harvesting the first fruits. When planted in early May, the first cucumbers appear by mid-June. Bushes:

• indeterminate;
• climbing;
• moderately foliated.

Greens:

• elongated-ovoid shape;
• covered with a thin light green skin with large dark green tubercles;
• The ribbing is weakly expressed, blurred stripes and black pubescence are typical.

The cucumber length ranges from 8-10 cm. The average fruit weight is 80-115 g. The cucumber flesh is juicy and crisp, with a small number of seed chambers. The taste is sweet, with a characteristically refreshing aftertaste and no bitterness. This hybrid has excellent flavor. The cucumbers are eaten fresh and prepared.

Variety indicators

The hybrid boasts a high yield. These cucumbers are completely unpretentious and require no special care. Regardless of weather conditions, you can count on a good harvest. Fruiting is stable. Yields on an industrial scale range from 120 to 352 centners per hectare. When grown indoors, with...² You can collect about 20 kg.

Vegetable growers have identified a number of positive qualities of the Serpentine F1 variety:

• the hybrid is undemanding to growing conditions;
• drought-resistant;
• easily tolerate frost;
• cultivation is possible both in open and closed ground;
• has a fairly short period of ripening of cucumbers;
• resistant to most diseases;
• fairly high yield;
• long shelf life;
• vegetables are transported well;
• Cucumbers have good taste both fresh and salted.

Disadvantages of this vegetable: it doesn't like low temperatures. It's not recommended to replant it in the same spot in the garden. Before eating, the vegetable should be washed with a brush to remove the thorns.

Plant resistance to diseases and pests

The plants are resistant to a number of major diseases. However, they are highly susceptible to bacterial wilt and powdery mildew. They are also susceptible to garden pests. For prevention, regular care and spraying with specialized products or folk remedies are necessary.

Folk remedies for combating bacteriosis include a mixture based on:

• 1% brilliant green solution;
• 3% boric acid solution.

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Spray the mixture on plants every 20 days until symptoms disappear completely. A garlic-based infusion is used to combat powdery mildew. If spraying with this infusion is ineffective and the disease progresses, treat the vegetable crop with a special preparation called Fitosporin.

Pest control measures are worth mentioning separately. If aphids appear on the plant, spray the leaves with a tobacco infusion or an ash infusion mixed with laundry soap as soon as possible. Also effective in combating aphids are:

• onion;
• garlic infusion.

Spider mites can be killed by spraying the bushes with a soapy solution. To kill root-knot nematodes, remove approximately 0.5 meters of the affected soil and replace it with fresh soil. In greenhouses and hothouses, steaming the soil is used to control nematodes.

Features of sowing

The planting area is prepared in advance, in the fall. It is dug over, plant debris is removed, and compost is added to the soil. It is not recommended to plant seeds in areas where this cucumber variety has previously grown. It is best to choose areas where the following were previously grown:

• tomatoes;
• pepper;
• salad;
• cabbage.

Before sowing, it is recommended to soak the seeds in potassium permanganate for 45 minutes. This will disinfect them.

This cucumber variety doesn't like cold, so the optimal soil temperature for planting is 17-18°C. It's advisable to warm the soil through a plastic bag for two weeks before planting. This will allow the seedlings to emerge more quickly. Once the soil has warmed, make furrows 2.5-3 cm deep in the beds. Before planting the seeds, water them thoroughly. Then place the seeds in the furrows and cover them with soil. Water the planting area generously with warm water.

Seedlings are sown at the end of the first ten days of April. Disinfected seeds are sown in individual trays at a depth of 1.5-2 cm. The first sprouts appear after 6-7 days. When the plants have two or more leaves, they can be transplanted into the garden bed. Space the seedlings 50 cm apart. Before the expected cold weather, cover the seedlings with plastic film.

Care

To ensure the plant receives sufficient oxygen, it's important to regularly loosen the soil beneath the bush. This should be done at least once a week. Regular weeding is also essential to reduce the risk of fungal diseases.

During the growing season, the bush needs to be watered once a week. The water should be warm; settled water in a container is best. After the bush blooms, water it once every three days. It is recommended to water the bushes with an ash-water solution once a week.

The following is used as fertilizer:

• compost;
• universal fertilizers.

Feed the plants Fertilizers should be applied approximately five times during the growing season. It's best to alternate between mineral and organic fertilizers. Compost should be added once a week.

As the crop grows, the vines expand and can be tied to supports if necessary. If the leaves become rough during fruit ripening, spray the plants with a urea solution. After harvesting, the cucumbers are stored in a cool room for up to 30 days. The fruits are well suited for transportation over any distance.

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Reviews

Olga Petrova, 49 years old

I love these cucumbers for their flavor; they're not bitter. They're great in salads and for pickling. A big plus is that they're early ripening, so we can enjoy a harvest by early summer.

Shevtsova Lyudmila, 51 years old

We've been planting these cucumbers in various spots around our plot for several years now. We love them because they're early-ripening and productive. They're delicious and crisp. We eat them all summer long, and there's even enough for canning!

Tarasenko Ivan, 46 years old

Last year I planted these cucumbers for the first time. I really liked how easy they are to grow and don't require much care. I watered them and weeded them occasionally. I didn't feed them at all. The cucumbers appeared quite early, in mid-June. The harvest was decent. They tasted good. My wife pickled them for the winter.

Serpentine F1 cucumbers have established themselves among vegetable growers and gardeners as a high-yielding variety that is easy to care for and adapt to climate conditions. They boast a long lifespan and versatile fruits. They can be safely grown for sale, as the cucumbers have an excellent marketable appearance, store well, and transport well. This hybrid is a good choice for those who don't like to spend a lot of time on care.