Cucumbers "Sister Alyonushka f1": growing from sowing to harvest

The hybrid parthenocarpic cucumber variety "Sestritsa Alyonushka F1" was developed by the major seed producer Aelita Agro. It has been included in the state register, is zoned, and is grown in the Central and Central Black Earth regions of Russia. It can be planted outdoors or in protected areas. The plant is highly resistant to a range of bacteria and fungi, and, according to growers, is suitable for both canning and eating straight from the garden.

Description and characteristics

The Alyonushka F1 sister bears fruit all summer long, which explains its high interest among gardeners. Breeders have invested a great deal of effort into the hybrid and imbued it with all the beneficial qualities. However, the variety's seeds are not suitable for sowing next year due to the lack of maternal traits.

This plant produces primarily female flowers. It grows compactly with medium-length branches and requires bee pollination. The height of the bush ranges from 90 to 100 cm.

In addition to the already mentioned positive aspects of the variety, there are a number of other important advantages for which it is famous:

• high yield (reaches 11-12 kg per m², 1-2 ovaries appear in the leaf axil);
• high commercial qualities;
• lateral shoots grow quickly;
• suitability for transportation;
• high percentage of preservation;
• simultaneous harvesting;
• Most of the fruits are marketable.

All this allows the plant's seeds to be in demand, the fruits to be transported over long distances, cultivated on an industrial scale, and to keep up with other cucumber varieties in terms of their characteristics.

Despite this, the variety still has a major drawback: its requirement for low levels of nitrogen salts in the soil and highly fertile soil.

Fruit characteristics

The fruits are gherkin-type. They have an oval-cylindrical shape. Green cucumber:

• up to 8 cm;
• rich green color;
• with light short stripes.

The fruit has large, bumpy surfaces, medium pubescence, and density. The cross-sectional diameter is approximately 4 cm.

Even if the conditions for caring for cucumbers are not met, there is no damage to the fruits voids appearThe mass rarely exceeds 98-100 g, with an average weight of 50 to 70 g. It has a thin skin, a persistent cucumber aroma, a bright flavor, and tender, juicy flesh, and is completely free of bitterness.

The fruit is versatile and is recommended for use in fresh salads, preserves, and pickling.

Disease resistance

Sister Alyonushka F1 is not afraid of many diseases, such as:

• Ascochytosis;
• Cladosporiosis (olive spot);
• virus cucumber mosaic;
• downy mildew;
• powdery mildew.

But the plant is not protected from common pests:

• spider mite;
• aphids.

If necessary, treat the bushes with insecticides to prevent insect damage. For aphids, use an infusion of common onion peels, or a solution of water, wood ash, and a drop of laundry soap. For spider mites, use:

• Actellic;
• Fitoverm.

Growing this hybrid requires protected plastic or greenhouse soil. However, the plant also produces higher yields in open ground under suitable climate conditions.

Agrotechnical features

The Sestritsa Alyonushka F1 variety is quite demanding regarding soil. It requires fertile soil with minimal nitrogen content. Liming is recommended if the soil is too acidic.

There are two ways to grow this hybrid: with or without seedlings. The first method allows for high yields through greenhouse cultivation. Preparations should begin in late February or early March.

Plastic cups or leftover yogurt or sour cream molds are suitable for growing. You can make your own soil, or buy a ready-made potting mix made from:

• peat;
• humus;
• compost.

It is recommended to leave a planting depth of no more than 2 cm. The plant needs water daily Warm water (23-25 ​​degrees Celsius) to prevent the root system from overcooling, and loosen the soil after the first shoots appear. The room temperature should be kept between 26-27 degrees Celsius. ^OWith moderate lighting.

The second method is without seedlings. The first stage also involves inspecting the seeds, hardening them off, and treating them. The soil temperature should reach 15-16 ^OWITH:

1. In temperate latitudes in the last days of May.
2. In the northern regions – from the second week of June.
3. In the south – in the third ten days of May.

Soil and air temperature are essential for a good harvest from the Sestritsa Alyonushka F1 variety. Seeds should be planted 3 to 4 cm deep. Cover the cucumber with plastic wrap to protect it from frost.

Care

Loosen the soil between the cucumber rows with a hoe, being careful not to damage the root system and stems. To increase the yield, you can lightly hill the cucumber plants. Loosen the soil before flowering. It is recommended to do this after watering to prevent soil crusting and allow the soil to oxygenate.

Watering of Sister Alyonushka depends on the growth periods of cucumbers:

1. At first, you need to water moderately and reduce its frequency and abundance during the formation of flowers.
2. Later the frequency is increased.
3. In hot and dry weather, it is important to water the soil under cucumbers as the soil dries out.

The growing location is very important. You can choose a hill or a flat area. It should always receive sufficient sunlight. It's best to plant cucumbers in the same location:

• potatoes;
• Luke;
• beans;
• tomatoes.

Maintain a 50x30 cm planting pattern. The plant is hardy and adapts to changeable weather.

It is necessary to fertilize the soil before the first ovaries form. Fertilizers for parthenocarpic hybrid Sister Alyonushka can be different:

• a solution of mullein diluted in water;
• ammonium nitrate composition;
• a solution of boric acid diluted in water;
• potassium-phosphorus fertilizers;
• a mixture of milk and iodine.

Forming a bush in a greenhouse necessarily includes weeding and pinchingThis means regulating the length of branches and the density of the plant. The strength of the root system will be lost to foliage; if parthenocarpic hybrids are not trained, the plant will simply not receive enough light and nutrients. Therefore, all work must be done in a timely manner. When the sixth leaf appears, the cucumber is pruned, meaning the emerging shoots and flowers are removed. Then, the remaining shoots are pinched back, leaving them as they grow.

• first 20-24 cm;
• above 35-40 and 50 cm.

The support can be twine, rods, or lattice. It needs to be secured shoot on a trellisWhen the main shoot reaches its full height, it is pinched.

Stem formation occurs when flowers and shoots appear in the axils of the first five leaves on the large shoot. The shoots and flowers are pruned, removing any emerging shoots. Shoots above the fifth leaf only require pinching. The plant begins to bear fruit approximately 53-54 days after germination.

Reviews

Many gardeners choose Sestritsa Alyonushka F1 due to its many advantages: taste, ease of care and cultivation, good yield, and immunity to diseases.

Maria, 54 years old

I couldn't find any drawbacks! Last year, a neighbor recommended these seeds to me, and I decided to try them; I liked the name. Here, they shouldn't be planted early; bees pollinate them, and there aren't any in the early seasons. The cucumbers aren't large, about 10-11 centimeters, weighing up to 90 grams, with large bumps. They're great for canning; they're best picked when still unripe. They're also great in salads. The cucumbers aren't bitter. I recommend the Sestritsa Alyonushka variety for planting!

Adelina, 31 years old

The cucumbers have excellent germination rates both in the open ground and in the greenhouse. Most importantly, this variety is resistant to powdery mildew! I've been looking for something like this for a long time and finally found it. The yield is high. I've been planting cucumbers for several years now and am always worried about not getting a harvest, but I needn't have worried. When you can preserve them, the cucumbers turn out crispy and delicious, very aromatic.

Pavel, 58 years old

A huge plus is that the cucumber doesn't get sick. I don't regret planting it. I even fertilized it occasionally. The cucumbers themselves turned out beautiful and delicious—they're delicious both pickled and fresh, you could just grab them and eat them straight from the garden. I was skeptical that anything would come of it, but as soon as the first shoots appeared, all doubts disappeared. This vegetable is definitely recommended.

This hybrid is easy to grow and requires little effort. Simply follow the basic guidelines, and you'll be amazed by the resulting harvest. This variety is versatile in culinary use and is very popular not only in Russia, but also in Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova.